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Power ring (DC Comics)

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This article is about the Green Lantern Corps weapon. For the supervillains, see Power Ring (DC Comics).
Power ring
File:GLWeapons.jpg
The Green Lantern Corps' rings.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceAll-American Comics #16 (July 1940)
Created byBill Finger (writer)
Martin Nodell (artist)
In story information
TypWeapon
Element of stories featuringAlan Scott
Green Lantern Corps
Sinestro Corps
Star Sapphires
Red Lantern Corps
Blue Lantern Corps
Agent Orange
Black Lantern Corps
Indigo Tribe

A power ring is a fictional object featured in comic book titles published by DC Comics. It first appeared in All-American Comics #16 (July 1940), and was created by Bill Finger and Martin Nodell.[1] Power rings are considered to be the most powerful weapons in the DC Universe, as their scope is limited only by the imagination (and in the case of Green Lanterns, willpower) of the wielder.[2]

Green Lantern Corps

Origin

The first appearance of a power ring was in All-American Comics #16 (July 1940), the flagship title of comic book publisher All-American Publications, which featured the first appearance of Alan Scott. According to Mordecai Richler, the character and the concept of a magic lamp had its origins with Hassidic mythology.[3] Creator Marty Nodell has cited Richard Wagner's opera cycle The Ring of the Nibelungen and the sight of a trainman's green railway lantern as inspirations for the combination of a magical ring and lantern.[4]

Alan Scott's ring is powered by the Green Flame (revised by later writers to be a al power called the Starheart), a magically-empowered flame contained within an orb which was fashioned into a lantern and ring by the character.[5] Unlike the objects featured more prevalently in modern comics, "[s]cience in the original Green Lantern series was never a concern."[1] This early version of the ring is shown as being powerless against wooden objects.

When the Green Lantern character was reinvented, beginning with the introduction of Hal Jordan, the magical ring concept was replaced with a scientifically-based one.[6][7] The new version of the ring is created by the Guardians of the Universe, who also create the Green Lantern Corps.[8] They divide the universe into 3600 sectors each patrolled by two Green Lanterns, equipped with power rings to assist them in their duties.[9] The new concept for the ring also came with new limitations (though they would be removed or altered in later volumes). Specifically, the ring's charge would only last twenty-four hours and, "due to a flaw in the unique metal that powers the battery," was ineffective against anything yellow.[7] The power ring is fueled by the willpower of its wearer.[2]

Capabilities

No hard upper limit to the power ring's capabilities has yet been demonstrated; it is often referred to as "the most powerful weapon in the universe."[2]

The power ring's most distinctive effect is the generation of green, solid-light constructs, the precise physical nature of which has never been specified. The size, complexity, and strength of these constructs is limited only by the ring-bearer's willpower; whatever the wearer imagines, the ring will create.

File:GreenConstructs01.jpg
Variation of style between green light constructs.

In the concluding issue of the Green Lantern: Rebirth mini-series, attention is paid to how the style of constructs varies with the character and mindset of the person creating them. Hal Jordan tends to create solid, workman-like constructs. John Stewart, an architect by trade, creates constructs with carefully-designed internal workings, almost like three-dimensional blueprints. Kyle Rayner, an artist, envisions highly detailed or wire frame constructs. Guy Gardner's ring is constantly sparking, even at rest, and his creations are simple, and often blurred by the excess energy his willpower causes. The alien Kilowog's ring, for reasons yet unrevealed is (according to Hal) "the only one that makes a sound," producing a loud sonic boom upon activation.[10]

When active, a power ring will encase its user in a protective, life-supporting force field. This force field allows the user to fly, travel through inhospitable environments (outer space, underwater, etc.), and enter hyperspace in order to move vast distances quickly. The ring also generates its wearer's Green Lantern uniform: the uniform appears over their normal attire and vanishes at the user's will.[11] The uniform varies from Lantern to Lantern, based on anatomy, personal preference, and the social norms of their race. The only rule in this regard seems to be that the uniform must openly display the symbol of the corps, though even this has been modified based on preference (a vampire-hunting Lantern adapts the symbol into a cross, and a blind Lantern with no concept of light or color uses the image of a bell).[12]

Power rings also appear to be highly advanced computers; they are able to talk to and advise the wearer as to various courses of action, as well as act as a universal translator. The ring can also scan for energy signatures or particular objects.

Power rings are able to give off electromagnetic radiation of various frequencies. This radiation can be focused by the wearer into a beam, similar in appearance and effect to a powerful laser. The ring is also capable of producing an electrical current. [13] Less frequently used capabilities include splitting atomic nuclei and manipulating subatomic particles (thereby transmuting chemical elements).[citation needed] A power ring is also capable of creating fully-functional duplicates of itself.[citation needed]

While power rings have to be worn to be effective, at several points Green Lanterns have shown the ability to summon the ring to them from a distance (even if someone else is wearing it) or order it to carry out commands automatically after being removed.[citation needed] Some power rings have been shown to be genetically keyed to the wearer, like Kyle Rayner's, though villains have circumvented this this through various means. For instance, Manhunters use tissue samples to make Kyle's ring think it is still on his hand.[14] When a Green Lantern is slain, their ring will automatically seek out a suitable replacement.

Limitations

Power rings typically hold a limited charge. In earlier appearances, they required recharging every twenty-four hours, but more recently it seems that they possess a fixed amount of regular charge:[15] that is, the charge is good for twenty-four hours of 'typical' use, but extended or extensive use will drain the charge more quickly. Green Lantern Corps rings typically reserve a small portion of their power for a passive force field that "protects the wielder from mortal harm." In dire emergencies, that energy reserve can be tapped at the expense of said protection. Power rings are usually recharged by a Green Lantern's personal battery, which looks like an old fashioned lantern made of dark green metal. The user typically points the ring towards the lantern, and usually gives the Green Lantern oath (below) while recharging the ring. These batteries are directly linked to the Central Power Battery on Oa and do not themselves need recharging.[2]

Originally, power rings were unable to affect objects colored yellow, though Lanterns have typically found ways around the limitation by indirect manipulation. For example, if the Lantern is faced with a yellow gas approaching him, a fan can be created to blow it away since the fan only directly affects the normal air around it, not the gas.

The reason why the rings are unable to affect yellow objects has changed significantly from writer to writer, in early stories, it was because of a design flaw, Gerard Jones revised this, in a story that revealed that the Guardians could change the weakness randomly and at will [16]. More recent stories by the writer Geoff Johns have again revised this again, and stating that the "yellow impurity" was the result of the Parallax, yellow energy being made of pure fear imprisoned in the Central Power Battery. This change to the fictional history, also allowed certain characters to overcome the yellow weakness by recognizing the fear behind it and facing that fear.[17]

By far, the most significant limitation of the power ring is the willpower of the wielder. The requirements needed to wield a power ring have changed sporadically during the history of Green Lantern titles, often creating continuity confusions. Allowing power rings to fall into the wrong hands has been a favorite plot device in many previous Green Lantern stories. However, only people with exceptional willpower can use a power ring, a restriction which makes use of the rings by average individuals incredibly difficult (if not impossible).[18] For instance, when Green Arrow used a power ring to attack Sinestro, it pushed the hero's body to the point of exhaustion.[19] Mind control, hallucinogens, psychic attacks, "neural chaff" and other phenomena that disrupt thought processes will all indirectly impair a power ring's effectiveness. More abstractly, so can a weakening of resolve and will. For example, during the Millennium crossover, Hal Jordan fights a Manhunter who psychologically attacks him, to make him doubt that the people he is protecting value the principles he is fighting for. Jordan's resolve begins to weaken and his ring loses effectiveness until one of his charges strikes the Manhunter, declaring that she does deeply value Jordan's principles as well. With this dramatic affirmation, Jordan's faith in his cause is restored and the ring instantly returns to full power. The ring, though, does have some psychic defenses: Guy Gardner's ring apparently is able to put up psi-shields around him and Blue Beetle in their battle against the Ultra-Humanite.[20] There is also a limit to the amount of willpower the ring can take, as seen when John Stewart attempted to use his ring to re-build a destroyed planet, only to have his ring inform him, "Willpower exceeding power ring capabilities."[21]

In the current incarnation of the Corps, the ring originally possessed programming to prevent the wearer from killing sentient beings. Hal Jordan was thought to have used power rings to kill a number of Corps members during Emerald Twilight, though he did tell Kilowog that he "left them enough power to survive."[22] During the Sinestro Corps War event, they were revealed to be alive, held prisoner by the Cyborg Superman on the planet Biot. These Lanterns are referred to as the "Lost Lanterns". Any attempt to kill using a green power ring was automatically diverted, and in some cases resulted in the ring locking out the user.[23] However, this restriction was rescinded by the Guardians to combat the Sinestro Corps, then for the general execution of their duties.[24][25]

It has been revealed that only a pure form of willpower can use the ring effectively. When Green Arrow tried to use Hal Jordan's power ring against Sinestro, it caused him great pain and difficulty because (according to Sinestro) Green Arrow's will was "cynical".[19] It has also been shown that the user's stamina is drained with every construct. When Green Arrow fires a small arrow-like construct from the ring, he describes the experience as feeling like losing a week's worth of sleep. When he questions Kyle Rayner about this, Kyle affirms that the feeling is normal.[18]

Oaths

See also: Green Lantern oath

All power rings need periodic recharging. The process is not instantaneous, so many Green Lanterns recite an oath while the ring charges. The oath is not required to charge the ring, but is recited to reaffirm the person's commitment to the Green Lantern Corps, and to measure the time it takes the ring to charge.[citation needed] While many Green Lanterns create their own oath, the majority use the Corps' official oath as a sign of respect. In the interests of political correctness on the part of DC (or, in context, Hal Jordan), the word "blackest" was replaced by "darkest"; this practice has been abandoned with the reinstating of the Green Lantern Corps.[26] As additional Corps have been introduced into DC continuity, with their own power rings (see below), corresponding oaths unique to each Corps have been formulated as well.

Kyle Rayner's Ring

After the destruction of Coast City during the "Reign of the Supermen!" story-arc, Green Lantern Hal Jordan goes mad and betrays the Corps. He defeats most of the Corps on his way to Oa, enters the Central Power Battery, and absorbs most of its energies along with the yellow impurity to become the villain Parallax. With the Central Power Battery destroyed, all the remaining power rings stop working. In desperation Ganthet, the only surviving Guardian, uses what little power remains to create a new power ring and gives it to Kyle Rayner.[27]

Kyle's ring is unique throughout the history of the Green Lantern characters, and was for a time the only working power ring throughout the DC Universe. His ring is not dependent on the Central Power Battery, and is free from the yellow impurity. However, the ring does not prevent mortal damage automatically. The ring no longer needs to be charged every twenty-four hours; instead, its use is based on how much power it absorbs when recharging and how much is expended when it's in use. For example, after the destruction of Oa, Kyle's ring has more power than ever before and does not need to be recharged for an extended period of time.[28] Unlike Hal Jordan's ring, it is unable to make copies of itself. After Kyle became settled into his role as the new Green Lantern, a Hal Jordan from the past visits Kyle's time after his own death as Parallax. He gives a copy of his ring to Kyle, which has the ability to replicate itself. Kyle attempts to use Hal's ring to restart the Green Lantern Corps with limited results.[29]

The apparently random induction in the Corps, more than once contested by Ganthet as simple fatality during most of the Green Lantern v3 run, is later retconned into the very first induction of a new breed of Lanterns. Since the Corps become aware of the Emotional spectrum, and the crippling effects the yellow light of Fear radiated by Parallax has over the green light of Will radiated by Ion, the Lantern Rookies are not anymore chosen by merely People unable to feel fear, but from people able to feel, and overcome, their fears. Since Kyle had always been able to do so, wrestling against his fears for his entire life, his ring gained immunity against the Yellow Impurity and his particular, fortified will, was instrumental in bringing upon the rebirth of the Corps and setting an example to follow for the newer recruits.[18]

Other Corps

See also: Emotional spectrum

In addition to the Green Lantern Corps, there are at least seven other variations on the power ring, each connected to a particular color as well as a corresponding emotion from which they derive their abilities. The known variations of power rings are: red (rage), orange (avarice), yellow (fear), green (willpower), blue (hope), indigo (compassion), violet (love), and black (death).[19][25][30][31][32][33] According to Ganthet, the farther from the center of the spectrum the color is, the more control the ring's power has over its user. Therefore, green rings are the most stable, while red and violet rings exert the most influence over the behavior of their users.[32] Artist Ethan Van Sciver, who worked with Geoff Johns on the concept of a spectrum of power rings, described their development:

We found the idea of the seven different colors and what they meant, and then we tried to see what each of the different corps would represent and what kind of people they were. I always call it a religion. I think of these different colors as religions. And I use that word with Geoff, and I'm not sure that he agrees. But the way I think of it is that they all sort of focus around one sort of human drive. Not even an emotion. I know it's called the emotional spectrum, but I tend to use the word "drive," because willpower isn't as much an emotion as a human drive. You have the willpower to get something done.[34]

Van Sciver designed aspects of the other Corps. According to Johns: "Ethan redefined the way Green Lanterns' energy is used visually. He started the "siren" symbol and now it's everywhere. He also designed the various Corps' symbols and there's a rhyme and reason to them all."[35]

In Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps comics, these additional Corps are introduced as part of a forbidden chapter on cosmic revelations in the Book of Oa. Included in this chapter are the prophecies about the Blackest Night. At the end of the Sinestro Corps War, former Guardians Ganthet and Sayd reveal to the four Earth-based Green Lanterns the final verse of the prophecy. They explain to the Lanterns (and the reader) that the prophecy describes the formation of five more Corps in addition to the Green Lantern and Sinestro Corps; one for each of the remaining colors of the emotional spectrum. They go on to say that after these additional forces have come together, war will break out between the seven Corps until they destroy each other and the universe.[32] These seven Corps described within the Blackest Night prophecy are joined by a final Corps not described in the text. Slowly revealed through the machinations of the Guardian Scar and the mysterious appearance of a black power battery within various issues (beginning with the Anti-Monitor's absorption into it at the conclusion of the Sinestro Corps War), a Black Lantern Corps is also formed.[36]

Red

Main article: Red Lantern Corps
File:RedPowerRing01.JPG
Laira's red power ring.

Atrocitus, a member of the Empire of Tears on the prison planet Ysmault, forges the first Red Power Battery from the innards of Qull, the being who told Abin Sur the prophecy of "the Blackest Night".[30] A Red Power Ring is powered by rage.

A red ring feeds on the rage of its user and anyone nearby, and is charged by the blood of those the user kills.[30][32] Contrary to Green Lantern rings, which provide helpful commentary, red rings are depicted as constantly emitting violent commands ("Kill," "Rage," "Pain," "Hatred," etc.), driving their wearers insane with rage and reducing them to little more than snarling beasts.[37] However, the rings are deliberately set to select beings with an uncontrollable rage.

A user's red ring acts as their heart and pumps their rage-tainted blood out of their body through their mouth. Hal Jordan proved capable of creating constructs with the ring. The energy of the red rings replaces the user's blood, which can then be regurgitated through the bearer's mouth in a highly corrosive form. The red ring's energy is also capable of corrupting the energies of other power rings, keeping them from functioning properly.[30] The aura of a red ring is savage and rough in comparison to a green ring, but can be used similarly with sufficient focus, as Hal Jordan demonstrates by creating green lantern-like constructs when temporarily possessed by a red ring. The Blue Lanterns' energy is the only known power source capable of neutralizing the Red Lanterns' influences, and in combination with the Green Lanterns' energy can destroy the red ring.[38][39] Removing a red ring without a blue ring present to heal the bearer results in death due to blood loss.

Orange

Main article: Larfleeze
File:OrangePowerRing01.JPG
Some of Larfleeze's orange power rings.

An orange ring is powered by avarice. Unlike the other Corps, Larfleeze (primarily known as "Agent Orange") is the only individual to wield the power of the orange light. Even alone, Larfleeze is a formidable opponent for the Green Lantern Corps.

The power of the orange light allows Larfleeze to steal the identities of those he kills, transforming them into an Orange Lantern construct.[40] Orange Lanterns are able to steal the identities of others for Larfleeze in the same way. The orange light also has the power to absorb the energies of other power rings.[41] However, it cannot absorb constructs produced by violet or blue power rings.[42]

By being in constant contact with his main power battery, Larfleeze has become one with his power source. This allows him to maintain a power level high enough to support an entire Corps of orange light constructs even when separated from it.[43] The orange light does have a severe drawback: whoever wields it is in a constant state of hunger, unable to be satiated or to rest. Larfleeze and his constructs are shown to be resistant to magic and the abilities of green power rings, but do not retain the same protection against blue or violet rings.[41][42]

Agent Orange exclusively wields the power of the orange light (fueled by avarice) using his orange power ring and power battery. Some of his basic abilities are shared with other Corps: flight, aura projection, and orange light constructs. As a side effect of wielding the orange light, Larfleeze is burdened with an insatiable hunger that is never quelled regardless of how much food he eats.[42]

Larfleeze's power is amplified by being in constant contact with his power battery. As a result of this, he can maintain an entire corps of constructs, even when separated from the battery. By reabsorbing all of his constructs back into his power battery, Larfleeze is able to charge his power ring to 7,200 percent power; he is shown doing this in order to create a giant construct of himself that begins demolishing the Green Lanterns.[43] Later, when he teams with the leaders of the other Lantern Corps, Larfleeze charges his ring to 100,000 percent power.[44]

Yellow

Main article: Sinestro Corps
File:YellowPowerRing.jpg
A yellow power ring

The first yellow ring was acquired by Sinestro following his banishment to the antimatter universe of Qward, and could only be recharged by fighting a Green Lantern. Years later, after losing the ring to Guy Gardner and reacquiring it, Sinestro created the Sinestro Corps.[45] Unlike a Green Lantern's power ring, yellow power rings are fueled by fear instead of willpower, but otherwise function the same. Members of the Sinestro Corps are chosen for their ability to instill great fear in others.[46] Yellow Power Rings but otherwise function the same

In order to become a member of the Sinestro Corps, one must free themselves from a small prison. With their yellow power ring completely drained of its energy, they must provide it with the spark it needs to accomplish this feat by facing their own greatest fear.[33]

According to Ethan Van Sciver, the ring's symbol is based on ancient carvings made by beings who had looked into the gullet of Parallax and survived.[47] Yellow Power Rings have the same basic capabilities as a Green Lantern power ring (i.e. solid light constructs, flight, force-fields etc.), but are drained of energy in the presence of a blue power ring.

Yellow rings are charged by Manhunter androids that have yellow power batteries built into themselves, which in turn are connected to a Central Yellow Power Battery on Qward. Aside from the recharging limitations common among the various Corps, their only known weakness is that their power can by drained by a Blue power ring.[39]

Blue

Main article: Blue Lantern Corps
File:BluePowerRing01.jpg
The first blue power ring

As the Sinestro Corps War ends, former Guardians of the Universe Ganthet and Sayd create the first blue power ring. The home planet of the Blue Lanterns and the Central Blue Power Battery is the planet Odym, an idyllic planet orbiting the star Polaris.[48] Blue power rings are fueled by hope; they give their users the most power, but they must be near an active Green power ring to tap into their full power. Otherwise, the blue rings are only capable of the default abilities (flight and a protective aura)[39]. This is a result of the fact that hope is nothing without the willpower to enact it.[39] Blue rings must be fueled by true hope in order to operate at their user's command.[41]

While inside the proximity of a Green Lantern's, a blue ring can heal wounds, neutralize the corrupting effects of a red power ring, block the energy-stealing properties of orange rings, can drain the power from yellow power rings, and recharge a green power ring to twice its maximum power level.[30][39][48] This effect can also negatively impact a green ring, as close proximity to the blue central power battery will overcharge a green ring, causing it to implode (taking the user's hand with it).[48] If a Blue Lantern wishes it, it can also dampen the hunger caused by the orange light. A noteworthy ability of blue rings is the power to scan a target's psyche and create illusions based on their hopes. A blue power ring is capable of feeding off the hope of other beings, eschewing constant recharging while still performing impressive feats, including reversing a dying sun's age.

Blue rings also grant precognitive visions to their wielders.[49]

Indigo

Main article: Indigo Tribe
File:IndigoPowerRing01.jpg
Indigo-1's indigo power ring

The Indigo Tribe, wielders of the indigo light of compassion, abandon everything and devote themselves to compassion. As such, their uniforms have a basic, hand-made appearance, their bodies are adorned with the Indigo Lantern symbol in paint, and they carry carved, lantern-like staffs with them.[50] The Indigo Tribe uses their staffs instead of power batteries to charge their rings.

Like all power rings, indigo rings are capable of the default Corps abilities of flight and protective aura generation.[51] Indigo power rings give their users the ability to perceive compassion in others and to force compassion onto those who feel none.[52][53] Paradoxically, indigo light has the ability to heal individuals with great empathy and to expose people to pain they've inflicted on other people.[52][54] Indigo Power Rings can teleport their users and others over intergalactic distances. This ability utilizes a great deal of power from an indigo power ring, and Indigo Tribe members try to use it sparingly.[54]

Violet

Main article: Star Sapphires
File:VioletPowerRing01.jpg
Miri Riam's violet power ring

At the conclusion of the Mystery of the Star Sapphire story-arc, the Zamarons realize that the power of the Star Sapphire gem is too great for them to control and forge a Violet Power Battery and power ring out of the Star Sapphire gem, using the bodies that originally sparked the Star Sapphire as a mediator. This allows them to distribute its powers throughout an entire Corps of Star Sapphires.[55]

Violet power rings are fueled by the emotion of love.[33] They allow their wearer to fly, generate a protective aura (which creates distinct feathered and organic shapes), and create violet light constructs.[56][57] A unique ability of Violet power rings is to encase their targets in violet crystal. While trapped within these crystals, rings of other corps are slowly converted into Violet Power Rings. Violet rings are able to detect when true love is being threatened, can create a connection to an embattled heart and use it as a tether.[57] Violet power rings momentarily encase new members to the Corps in crystal before granting them their Star Sapphire abilities and uniform.[56] Those imprisoned within the crystals can be freed by an outside force or free themselves if interrupting the transformation process before its complete.[58]

Although Violet Power Rings do not have a particular weakness to other colors, they are more susceptible to controlling their user by their own power. Love is one of the two emotions on the far ends of the emotional spectrum, and has a much stronger influence over its user.[59] Unlike the Star Sapphire gem, which could force itself on a user, violet power rings must be accepted by the wearer."[60]

Black

Main article: Black Lantern Corps
File:BlackPowerRing01.JPG
William Hand's black power ring

Black Power Rings are fueled by death, instead of an emotion (representing life). In the concluding issues of the Sinestro Corps War, Superboy-Prime hurls the Anti-Monitor into space. His dying essence crashes onto the dead planet of Ryut and is encased in a Central Black Latern Power Battery.[32] Black Hand becomes the first Black Lantern after killing his family and committing suicide; Scar comes to him and regurgitates the first black power ring.

Black power rings are wielded by the deceased; if the ringbearer's body is damaged or destroyed, the black ring will partially reconstruct the body.[61] On top of that, Black power rings are capable of regenerating fatal injuries to their user.[62] Black rings generate tendrils to 'root' themselves to the corpses, making it impossible to remove them by force.[52]

As noted by Ray Palmer, the structure of black rings is similar to dark matter.[63]

Black Lantern members have access to generic power ring abilities (flight and solid-energy constructs) even at low levels, in addition to being able to identify when a person is feeling one of the seven colored emotions. At that moment, a Black Lantern can remove the person's heart, supplying the entire Black Corps with a .01 power boost. The first black power rings possess no charge, but each time a Black Lantern removes the heart of a target, .01 percent power is restored to every ring in the Corps.[64][65]

Superman displaying a wide range of emotions.[66]

Black Lanterns rings are able to read the emotions of the living as colored auras that correlate to the emotional spectrum.[64] Multiple emotions read as a multi-colored aura, while unreadable emotions come out as white or black.[67] A state of suspended animation is also enough to fool a Black Rings senses.[68] Emotionless hearts such as Scarecrow's render their bearers equally invisible to Black Lanterns.[69] When facing beings with warped mental states or otherwise addled minds, the correlation between the emotion detected and the color seen is inverted.[70]

Some characters have been shown as able to resist black rings for various reasons, including: having once been a zombie, being immortal[71], being a Red Lantern[72]. Wonder Woman and Connor Kent were also able to fight their ring's control.

The symbol on black power rings (a triangle pointing down, with five lines radiating up) is the same symbol used by Green Lantern villain Black Hand and his family.[73]

Weaknesses

A combination of green light with any other light of the emotional spectrum can neutralize black rings, rendering them vulnerable. Once a black ring is destroyed, the corpse it animates becomes inert.[52] Black Lanterns are vulnerable to white light, described in Blackest Night #3 as the "white light of creation."

Other methods exist for destroying Black Rings. Kimiyo Hoshi and Halo can destroy black power rings using their powers.[74][75] Conner Kent used the Medusa Mask to force two Black Lanterns to experience the fullness of the Emotional Spectrum, irritating their black rings enough that they removed themselves and fleed.[76] Superboy-Prime took control of a black power ring and was forced to experience all of the emotional spectrum except for hope, forcing the ring to shift abilities and uniforms as his emotions go out of control. The ring ultimately detonates.[77] The "touch" of a Black Lantern, used to remove their victims' hearts and drain them of emotional energy, can sever the connection between other Black Lanterns and their black ring.[78] Time travel can deactivate a searching black ring.[79]

Similar devices

Corpse disks

In Green Lantern Corps, an additional division of the Green Lanterns is introduced: "the Corpse". This elite, top secret, black ops division of the Green Lantern Corps does not incorporate the use of standard power rings into their work. Instead, they swallow a small disk that gives them all the powers of a standard ring for the equivalent of five Earth days.[80] Rather than generating a typical Green Lantern uniform, Corpse disks create a completely black uniform with a mask that totally covers the user's head. Their energy aura is also purple instead of green. The disks are meant to encourage discretion, as a Green Lantern ring is a distinct and recognizable weapon. Not only are Corpse abilities less conspicuous, but (in the event of a failed mission) no connections will be made between them and the Guardians of Oa.[81]

Manhunter pistols

Before the development of the power rings, two groups are depicted as preceding the Green Lantern Corps within DC continuity. The first, the Manhunters, are armed with energy pistols that are specially attuned to the hand-held battery from which it draws power. The battery itself holds a connection to the Central Power Battery on Oa; operating as its own source of energy. This mode of energy transference is not unlike the kind used by power rings.[82] After the Guardians lost control of the Manhunters, the Hallas, a race of green-skinned aliens from Sector 2814, are shown as pre-Corps Oan enforcers in Green Lantern (vol. 2) #90 (August 1976). Like the Manhunters, they are also shown wielding stun guns attached to Lantern batteries.[83]

Power Ring

Main article: Power Ring (character)

Power Ring is also the name of several supervillains residing in different alternate universes within the DC Universe that are associated with either the Crime Syndicate of Amerika or Crime Society of America. They appear to be mirror image counterparts of current Green Lanterns: including Hal Jordan, Kyle Rayner, and John Stewart.[84][85] Their power rings are cursed with the entity Volthoom, who communicates much like the artificial intelligence of Corps power rings.[citation needed] Otherwise, their powers and abilities are similar to the positive-matter power rings.

The Yellow Lantern is a Bizarro character with an especially strange power ring. Once the charge of his Yellow power ring ran out, it was rendered effectively useless as he was unable to recharge it with any of the Green power batteries he encountered.[86] The New Earth version of Yellow Lantern, introduced in Action Comics, did not have the same problem recharging his own power ring. He was, however, depicted as incompetent, unaware of the extent of his abilities, and incapable of maintaining control over his disobedient power ring.[87]

Starheart

File:Starheart power ring.jpg
Alan Scott's Starheart power ring

The first superhero to use the name Green Lantern in comic books, Alan Scott, uses a power ring that draws energy from the Starheart. Before the creation of the Corps, the Guardians gathered all the magic they could find and imprisoned it in an orb called the Starheart.[2] In its' original appearance, a flashback sequence depicts how a fragment of the Starheart falls to Earth, is discovered by a Chinese ist, and fashioned into the shape of a lantern. After traveling the world for some time, the lantern eventually comes into Scott's possession. To channel its power, he removes a portion of it and molds it into a ring. The only weakness of the ring is that it cannot be used to affect things made of wood.[5] Residual effects from wearing it were, however, passed down to Scott's children, the metahumans Jade and Obsidian.[88]

Jade was able to tap into the Starheart naturally and use its power without the necessity of a ring.[88] For a time, Alan Scott absorbed the Starheart, and was able to use the power in a similar fashion.[89] When Jade died, Kyle Rayner absorbed her energy, and could tap into both the Starheart and the Central Power Battery as Ion.[90] During the Sinestro Corps War story-arc, Rayner was separated from the Ion entity (a benevolent symbiote and living embodiment of willpower) and became a normal Green Lantern again after being given a standard Green power ring.[91] It is unclear if Rayner's link to the Starheart remains, or if it was transferred with the Ion symbiote to its newest host, Sodam Yat.[92]

Notes

  1. ^ a b Gresh et al. (2002) page 83. Accessed February 6, 2009
  2. ^ a b c d e Wallace, Dan (2008), "Green Lantern's Power Ring", in Dougall, Alastair (ed.), The DC Comics Encyclopedia, New York: Dorling Kindersley, p. 92, ISBN 0-7566-4119-5, OCLC 213309017
  3. ^ Mordecai Richler, The Great Comic Book Heroes, Encounter, 1965, reprinted in three different volumes of essays by Mordecai Richler: Hunting Tigers Under Glass, 1968; Notes on an Endangered Species and Others, 1974, and The Great Comic Book Heroes and Other Essays, 1978
  4. ^ Martin Nodell, Preface to The Golden Age Green Lantern Archives volume 1, 1999
  5. ^ a b All-American Comics (vol. 1) #16 (July 1940)
  6. ^ Showcase (vol. 1) #22 (October 1959)
  7. ^ a b Gresh et al. (2002) page 84. Accessed February 6, 2009
  8. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 2) #1 (July/August 1960)
  9. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 2) #8 (July/August 1961)
  10. ^ Green Lantern: Rebirth #6 (May 2005)
  11. ^ Green Lantern Corps (vol. 2) #19 (February 2008)
  12. ^ Tales of the Green Lantern Corps Annual #3 (January 1987)
  13. ^ Justice League International #11 (March 1988)
  14. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 3) #130 (November 2000)
  15. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #12 (July 2006)
  16. ^ Green Lantern Vol.3 19
  17. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #1 (July 2005)
  18. ^ a b c Green Lantern: Rebirth #1-6 (December 2004-May 2005)
  19. ^ a b c Green Lantern: Rebirth #4 (March 2005)
  20. ^ Blue Beetle (vol. 7) #14 (June 2007)
  21. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #26 (December 2007)
  22. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 3) #49 (February 1994)
  23. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #22 (October 2007)
  24. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #23 (November 2007)
  25. ^ a b Green Lantern (vol. 4) #28 (April 2008)
  26. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 3) #43 (July 1993)
  27. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 3) #50 (March 1994)
  28. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 3) #51 (April 1994)
  29. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 3) #106 (October 1998)
  30. ^ a b c d e Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns #1 (October 2008)
  31. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #34 (May 2009)
  32. ^ a b c d e Green Lantern (vol. 4) #25 (January 2008)
  33. ^ a b c Green Lantern (vol. 4) #20 (July 2007) Cite error: The named reference "gl20" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  34. ^ The Lantern's Artists, I - Ethan Van Sciver, Newsarama, December 20, 2007
  35. ^ Happy Xmas (War is Over) - Geoff Johns on Green Lantern #25, Newsarama, December 13, 2007
  36. ^ Adventure Comics (vol. 2) #0 (February 2009)
  37. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4)
  38. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #37 (February 2009)
  39. ^ a b c d e Green Lantern (vol. 4) #38 (March 2009)
  40. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #39 (April 2009)
  41. ^ a b c Green Lantern (vol. 4) #40 (May 2009)
  42. ^ a b c Green Lantern (vol. 4) #41 (June 2009)
  43. ^ a b Green Lantern (vol. 4) #42 (July 2009)
  44. ^ Cite error: The named reference bn5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  45. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #10 (May 2006)
  46. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #18 (May 2007)
  47. ^ Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #2 (July 2009)
  48. ^ a b c Green Lantern (vol. 4) #36 (January 2009)
  49. ^ The Eve of Blackest Night: Geoff Johns on...Everything, Newsarama, July 3, 2009
  50. ^ Ethan Van Sciver - Behind the Lanterns' Looks, Newsarama, April 25, 2009
  51. ^ Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #3 (July 2009)
  52. ^ a b c d Blackest Night (vol. 1) #3 (September 2009)
  53. ^ Green Lantern (vol 4) #48 (January 2010)
  54. ^ a b Green Lantern (vol. 4) #46 (September 2009)
  55. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #19 (June 2007)
  56. ^ a b Green Lantern Corps (vol.2) #29 (December 2008)
  57. ^ a b Green Lantern Corps (vol. 2) #32 (March 2009)
  58. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #45 (October 2009)
  59. ^ Blackest Night (vol. 1) #0 (June 2009)
  60. ^ Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps (vol. 1) #2 (July 2009)
  61. ^ Montgomery, Lauren (Director). Johns, Geoff (Commentator) (2009). Green Lantern: First Flight (Behind the Scenes of Blackest Night). [Animated Film/DVD]. Warner Home Video. Warner Bros Animation. DC Comics.
  62. ^ Blackest Night:Batman #1 (October 2009)
  63. ^ Blackest Night #2 (October 2009)
  64. ^ a b Blackest Night (vol. 1) #1 (July 2009)
  65. ^ SDCC 09: Blackest Night Consumes Comic-Con, IGN, July 25, 2009
  66. ^ Blackest Night: Superman #1 (October 2009)
  67. ^ Blackest Night: Titans #2 (November 2009)
  68. ^ Blackest Night: Batman #3 (October 2009)
  69. ^ Cite error: The named reference bn4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  70. ^ Superman/Batman #66 (November 2009)
  71. ^ Starman (vol. 2) #81 (January 2010)
  72. ^ Green Lantern(vol. 4) #47 (December 2009)
  73. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #43 (July 2009)
  74. ^ Justice League of America (vol. 2) #40 (December 2009)
  75. ^ Outsiders (vol. 4) #25 (December 2009)
  76. ^ Blackest Night: Superman #3 (December 2009)
  77. ^ Adventure Comics (vol 2) #5 (February 2010)
  78. ^ Teen Titans (vol 3) #78 (February 2010)
  79. ^ Blackest Night #6 (December 2009)
  80. ^ Green Lantern Corps (vol. 2) #7 (February 2007)
  81. ^ Green Lantern Corps (vol. 2) #8 (March 2007)
  82. ^ Dillin, Dick. Englehart, Steve. THE MANHUNTERS. Retrieved on 2009-07-30.
  83. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 2) #90 (August 1976)
  84. ^ JLA: Earth 2 (vol. 1) #1 (January 2000)
  85. ^ JLA (vol.1) #107 (December 2004)
  86. ^ Superman (vol. 1) #379 (January 1983)
  87. ^ Action Comics (vol. 1) #856 (November, 2007)
  88. ^ a b All-Star Squadron (vol. 1) #25 (September 1983)
  89. ^ JSA (vol. 1) #50 (September 2003)
  90. ^ Infinite Crisis Special: Rann-Thanagar War (vol. 1) #1 (April 2006)
  91. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #24 (October 2007)
  92. ^ Green Lantern Corps (vol. 2) #17 (December, 2007)

References

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