The saga of the Green Lantern Corps is one that is absolutely integral to the DCU’s origins, past, present, and future so lets begin with the basic building blocks and some (but not all) of the major Green Lanterns.

In the beginning of the DC Universe, it is revealed that a race of highly intelligent beings on the planet Maltus existed in peace and harmony and the universe was also at peace and harmony, until one of their own who is called Krona, broke a sacred law by creating a device that could witness the moment of universal creation.  In that moment, evil was unleashed upon the universe from that point onward.

For their part, the Maltusians condemned Krona to an eternity to roam as harmless energy and the rest of the Matusians went to the center of the universe where they found the planet Oa.  From that point on the Maltusians became Oans, and collectively took the name the Guardians of the Universe.

At first, the Guardians built robots to patrol the universe, however the Manhunters as they were called, were not equipped to deal with complicated issues like morality and ethics and grew into somewhat dangerous and then openly rebellious and the Guardians were forced to find replacements.

With that the Guardians harnessed the green energy of the universe and formed a gigantic lantern battery on Oa to funnel it to rings that they have created and then recruited sentient beings from space which they divided into 3600 sectors.  These beings had to be without fear, of strong moral fiber, and willing to dedicate their lives to the cause of justice.   As such the Green Lantern Corps was born.

Over the centuries there have been thousands of Green Lanterns, even in the present day comics there are a multitude and it can be very difficult to discern who is who.  Some of the major players in the Green Lantern mythos include:

Green Lantern – Alan Scott – Earth Two, the original Green Lantern’s origins are not related to the above scientific origin, as Alan draws his ring’s power from a magical rock called The Starheart.  Alan was made an honorary Green Lantern however by the Guardians of the Universe.

Green Lantern – Hal Jordan – Earth One, the main Green Lantern of the DCU, Hal received his ring when dying Green Lantern Abin Sur’s ship crashed on Earth.  Abin Sur directed his ring to find a candidate to wear the ring and there were two choices, Hal was just the closest one.

Green Lantern – Guy Gardner – Earth One, the alternate Green Lantern, living just a bit further from Abin Sur than Hal Jordan, Guy was Mr. Runner-Up, a post he has only begrudgingly held over the years, believing himself to be superior in every way to Jordan.  Unfortunately, shortly after Guy received the ring, he was stricken in battle and entered a coma state only to emerge many, many years later.

Green Lantern – John Stewart – Earth One, the angry black architect became Earth’s back-up Lantern when Jordan was away in deep space.  John has substituted in on an occasional Justice League mission here and there and has tempered his anger with cool confidence.

Green Lantern Abin Sur is the Green Lantern who arrived on Earth mortally injured and whose ring sought out Hal Jordan to be the successor to his duties.  While it seems Abin Sur is a footnote in Hal’s origin, his legacy reaches far further than this.

Sinestro of Korugar, originally a Green Lantern and the one who trained Green Lantern Hal Jordan was eventually revealed as a despot of his homeworld and someone who had imposed a very cruel morality upon his people.  Sinestro was expelled from the Corps and he has been a major thorn in the side of the Guardians and the Green Lanterns ever since.

Green Lantern Katma Tui is the successor to Sinestro’s ring and one of the more prominent female members of the Corps, always looking to improve over her predecessor, she is regarded as tough but fair by her fellow Green Lanterns.

Salaak of Slyggia is one of the core members of the Green Lantern Corps.  A stern member of the corps, Salaak prefers solitude and has no patience for fools.

Kilowog is from Bolovak Vix and is considered the primary trainer of new Green Lanterns.  Kilowog’s large exterior belies his rough interior, though once you earn his respect, Kilowog is a loyal friend and cohort.

Arisia, from Graxos IV inherited her ring and became the sweetheart of the Corps, even flirting with a romantic relationship with Hal Jordan upon a time.   Arisia is just as professional as her fellow Lanterns, if a bit more compassionate.

Tomar-Re of Xudar is the brain of the Corps, given his scientific background, Tomar-Re always looks to logic to solve problems that occur out in space.

And then there is Ch’p of H’Iven.  A personal favorite of mine, Ch’p reminds us that even animals can be sentient creatures and fight crime.

Now there are hundreds of other Green Lanterns, some more important, some not, but we’ll let that be a story for another day.

Next Up:  We’re going to play catch up a little bit with a few Odds and Ends:  Bronze Tiger, Dial “H” for Hero, Mento, OMAC, Richard Dragon, Slam Bradley, and Sunburst.