Lantern Corps

Alright we are back for part 2 of discussing the lantern corps and all their colors. We got about halfway through last time but there are so many to discuss. Honestly the Lantern universe is one of my favorites in comics and there are so many great storylines that you should read and I will do a separate article based on the color of lantern for you.

First up is the Black Lanterns who very obviously have a massive role in the Blackest Night storyline. Geoff Johns commented on the team and his thought process on his goals for them in 2009 at comic con.

“The black rings aren't about who's dead; the black rings are about who's alive. So, scenes like Elongated Man and Sue Dibny taking on Hawkman and Hawkgirl is kind of the beginning of that emotional conflict and terror that you'll see throughout Blackest Night. So the black rings are, again, seeking out the dead that matter to our heroes.”

Their leader is Black Hand, essentially an avatar for the Black Lanterns. They too only have a single oath as most of the other “members” that you will see in the comics are re-animated Justice League members.

The Blackest Night falls from the skies,

The darkness grows as all light dies,

We crave your hearts and your demise,

By my black hand, the dead shall rise!

In direct opposition to the Black Lantern corps we have the White lanterns. As with the Black Lanterns power rings the white rings initially have no charge, the more the wearer embraces life the more power the ring has. Same with Black but with death. They also only have one version of their oath;

In brightest day, in darkest night,

Let my ring shine the brightest light.

When evil comes, I will join the fight,

The power of the White Lanterns,

Is the strongest might!”

Next we will be discussing the Indigo tribe, they draw their power from compassion. Now at this point all the colors and their roles might start blurring together and it seems that the writers thought so too, as they did something to separate Indigo from the rest of the Lantern Corps. The Indigo tribe speak in a language that the power ring can’t translate, they also speak in languages that others can understand. But their oath has only ever been recorded in the untranslatable language;

Tor lorek san, bor nakka mur,

Natromo faan tornek wot ur.

Ter Lantern ker lo Abin Sur,

Taan lek lek nok--Formorrow Sur!

Nearing the end here we are talking about the Blue Lantern corps whose power runs off of hope. The blue lanterns don’t really pop up until the Rage of the Red Lanterns storyline. One of my favorite bits of comic book awesomeness is that Barry Allen was once a blue lantern. Their oath is also one of the best written (though nothing really beats the Green Lanterns);

In fearful day, in raging night,

With strong hearts full, our souls ignite,

When all seems lost in the War of Light,

Look to the stars-- For hope burns bright!

Last but not least we have the Star Sapphires, which I have talked about on my podcast before because the Star Sapphires are a women focused corps. They are the personification of love, Geoff Johns explanation is that anyone can join but most men are not worthy. I do have a personal attachment to this team as they are mostly women. Their oath is;

“For hearts long lost and full of fright,

For those alone in Blackest Night,

Accept our ring and join our fight.”

There is a lot to work through with all these colors but they do all have truly good storylines. If you want a more in depth look at the Star Sapphires then please check out the Lady Comic Book History podcast. And stay tuned for all of the lantern corps comic book recommendations.