WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for BATMAN: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT - THE KRYPTONIAN AGE #5!TheGreen LanternCorps is renowned for its members hailing from across the universe, creating an exceptionally visually diverse group. However, some of the most unique Emerald Knights go beyond simply being unusual alien species, falling into a subcategory that’s hard to define but best described as ‘other.’ Recently, DC introduced the latest Green Lantern to fit this ‘other’ category, showcasing the most drastic design change in any continuity.
It’s no surprise that DC’s latest Green Lantern redesign makes its debut within the publisher’sElseworldsimprint, where the rules of comic creativity are even more flexible. This creative freedom is fully realized in Andy Diggle, Leandro Fernández, and Matt Hollingsworth’sBatman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age#5, where they finally reveal the previously teased Green Lantern.
While fans will undoubtedly recognize the name Alan Scott, they may be surprised to learn that he’s not the Green Lantern of focus in this issue. Instead, it’sScott’s bright emerald green hot air balloon, aptly named the Green Lantern, that delivers one of the wildest GL redesigns in comic history.
Alan Scott Debuts His Green Lantern Hot Air Balloon
Panel Comes FromBatman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age#3 (2024)
Fans who have been following theGotham by Gaslightseries will remember Scott’s air balloon being first teased in issue #3. During a conversation with a Pinkerton, Scott introduces himself as an“aerial spiritualist,”who uses his hot air balloon—the Green Lantern—to“rise up to the very edge of heaven”and commune with the spirits of the dearly departed.This 19th-century reimagining of Alan Scott paints him as a hot air balloon-flying con artist.However, despite the mention of Scott’s Green Lantern, the flying apparatus doesn’t make its full appearance until issue #5.
Following the deadly train crash orchestrated by the League of Shadows, where Scott was the only survivor thanks to his newfound possession of the Ring of Jong Li, the spiritualist arrives in Smallville, Kansas in his hot air balloon. With great enthusiasm, he loudly recounts his narrow escape from the disaster. This panel gives fans theirfirst look at Scott’s beloved hot air balloon, and it truly lives up to its name with its vibrant emerald green color.Alhough not a true Emerald Knight in ability, it is in name, making it one of the wildest Green Lantern redesigns in any continuity.
DC’s Wildest Green Lanterns: From a Small Pox Virus to a Living Mathematical Equation
Panel Comes FromGreen Lantern#188 (1985)
Scott’s hot air balloon is far from the only unusual Green Lantern in comics. There are several equally peculiar iterations of the Emerald Knight. Among the wildest is Dkrtzy RRR, who first appeared inGreen Lantern/Sinestro Corps Secret Files#1.RRR is a bio-sentient mathematical equation discovered by the mad mathematician Timph Rye, who sought to prove that willpower could be formulaically derived. His discovery of RRR confirmed his theory. Though RRR can only be seen by the Guardians—since he exists as an abstract mathematical progression—he is visually depicted as an inorganic green shape.
Other notable and bizarre Green Lanterns includeLeezle Pon, a microscopic, sentient smallpox virus often sent on biological missionsthat are impossible for other Corps members to handle. Flodo Span is another unusual Green Lantern, being a sentient gas with no physical form. Krkkzz Zappl, made entirely of radio waves, deals with threats on frequencies beyond human perception. Lastly, there’s the Collective, a group of puffballs, each with a fraction of sentience and willpower, that together can wield the ring. Clearly, there is no shortage of odd and extraordinary Green Lanterns.
The 10 Weirdest Members of the Green Lantern Corps
The Green Lantern Corps has been home to a number of curious looking heroes, but who are some of the strangest members to wield a Power Ring?
The Ring of Jong Li Could Potentially Transform the Hot Air Balloon into a TRUE Green Lantern
As mentioned earlier, Scott Alan’s hot air balloon is currently a Green Lantern only in name and appearance–lacking the sentience, willpower, and abilities that typically define a member of the Corps. However, this could change now that Alan has come into possession of the Ring of Jong Li. Although he doesn’t yet know how to wield its power, the combination of the ring and his hot air balloon could transform the balloon into an honorary corps member. With this new dynamic, it would officially join the ranks of theGreen Lanternsas one of its most unusual members.
Green Lantern Unleashes the Biggest Power Feat of His Career, Making Superman Look Like an Amateur
Hal Jordan has just pulled off the most impressive feat of his career—one so remarkable, it might be impossible for the Emerald Knight to ever top it.
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #5is available now from DC Comics!
Green Lantern
Green Lantern is the name given to multiple enforcers of intergalactic justice in the DC Universe. Green Lanterns can harness the cosmic energy of willpower, and create unique spectral objects to face off against their enemies. Though some Green Lanterns have assisted with the Justice League, they primarily belong to the Green Lantern Corps.
