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April 30, 2004                                                       
GEOFF JOHNS TALKS A LITTLE ON GL:REBIRTH

Finally...

After almost a year on the project, I can speak officially. But I won’t say much.

You probably already know REBIRTH is a five issue monthly series that begins in October illustrated by Ethan Van Sciver and edited by Peter Tomasi. I’ve worked with Ethan before on THE FLASH: IRON HEIGHTS and we’ve been dying to do something together since. Pete, of course, is my editor on JSA, and formerly Hawkman. This is a project that’s extremely important to all of us. This can’t be just a good series – it’s gotta be a damn great series.

REBIRTH is the return of Hal Jordan.

But we are not out to wipe the slate clean and go backwards to 1975. That’s immediately a response from some. Or that nothing ever changes. Or that someone “lost” and someone “won.” Truth is, you don’t know where we’re going, but we're going forward. And that’s good. Let the debates continue.

We’re out to tell a killer story utilizing the Green Lantern mythology. There will be a lot of surprises, a lot of curve balls, some major revelations and some amazing artwork. Ethan’s pages are spectacular.

The endless arguments of who the best Green Lantern is means nothing to us – Green Lantern is cool. Period. The concept is one of the richest in comics.

Batman, the Justice League, Alan Scott, Green Arrow, the JSA…most every major player will be seen in REBIRTH.

There are going to be a hundred different questions we get asked from here until October. What’s going on with Kyle? John Stewart? The Spectre? The Guardians? Guy Gardner? Kilowog? All I can say is -- it’s all in the book. I won’t be answering many questions beyond that statement.

If you want to check out what’s going on with Hal now, you can see him in his role as the SPECTRE in JSA #60 thru #62 in a storyline called REDEMPTION LOST. #60 is out. And Ron Marz has a run beginning with GREEN LANTERN #176, out now.

For Ethan’s take on Hal Jordan, you can see a promo picture in the new Wizard - #152. (Seen below)

Not much info, but enough for now. I'll be around the REBIRTH forum once in awhile, I'll re-post this there, but again, I won't be answering questions too often. Keep it clean and thanks for the support.

Go Wings!

Geoff

Visit Geoff's forums [here]

April 28, 2004                                                       
THE RETURN OF HAL JORDAN IS OFFICIAL!!!!!!!

Newsrama

Newsarama has learned that today's Wizard #152 will send Hal Jordan fans into fits of glee. The issue contains an article outlining how, in the October-debuting Green Lantern: Rebirth, a five issue miniseries by Geoff Johns and Ethan VanSciver, Hal Jordan will return to the DCU in a costumed form, and with a ring.

The current Green Lantern series will end with issue #181 in September.

Johns is quoted in the article, saying that the storyline will encompass all facets of the Green Lantern mythos, including John Stewart, Guy Gardner, the Spectre, Alan Scott, and Kyle Rayner, who will, according to Johns, play a major role.

And somewhere, members of H.E.A.T. (Hal's Emerald Advancement Team),
who have lobbied for the return of Hal Jordan as Green Lantern for eight years are smiling - some for the first time in eight years, when it comes to the franchise.

Rumors of Jordan's return have been circulating throughout comics
fandom for years, basically, since Jordan went nutso in the Green
Lantern: Emerald Twilight storyline, killed a bunch of Green
Lanterns, became Parallax, took an arrow to the chest in Zero Hour,
and died saving the solar system by restarting the sun in Final Night.

During the Day of Judgment miniseries, Jordan becomes the new human
host for the Spectre, who had recently dumped Jim Corrigan (Corrigan,
jilted, went to Heaven). Jordan was the Spectre since 1999, traveling
the path to redemption. Most recently, however, the Spectre/Jordan
relationship has been on the rocks, as seen in JSA #60-62 (written by
Johns) - "Redemption Lost" which has a badly beaten Spectre/Jordan
appearing before members of the JSA, saying that he had lost
redemption, signifying, at the very least, that the character was undergoing some serious changes.

The rumors of Jordan's return gained significant traction last year,
when new Green Lantern editor Pete Tomasi told fans at a comic
convention that they would be very happy in 2004. Last winter, at a
book signing for Mythology, Alex Ross told fans, when asked about Hal
Jordan returning as Green Lantern, "We won!" Peppered throughout Hal
Jordan/Spectre appearances most recently (written by Johns), hints
have been liberally dropped that a change was coming for Jordan.

The latest hints came through Wizard's own solicitation for its July
issue (#154), which read: "Tying into DC's upcoming Rebirth mini-
series, Geoff Johns tells us what he thinks about the longstanding
Green Lantern debate as we count down why Hal must get the ring back!"

DC's Dan Didio is quoted in the article as saying, "I've always
believed that Hal is one of the greatest heroes of the DCU. In my
opinion, the path he was taken down in some ways diminished his role
and his impact as a hero in the universe. And there's so many
unresolved issues concerning Hal, the Spectre, and the GL Corps
itself. So we wanted to rebuilt Hal's character, addressing all the things that occurred in his life that made and unmade the man--and at the same time rebuild the essence of what the Green lanterns stand for."

Didio went on to say that in his eyes, Green Lantern should become
the #3 franchise from DC, behind Superman and Batman.

The full story is in Wizard #152

February 12, 2004                                                       
DIDIO ON FLASH AND GREEN LANTERN

CB: Now that Supergirl is returning in one form or another, are there other iconic characters like her-and perhaps Hal Jordan as Green Lantern-who'll be coming back? Perhaps the Barry Allen Flash, for instance?

Dan DiDio: It's not something we decide on the spur of the moment. We look, we re-evaluate, we try to remember and decide what would make the best sense for every one of our characters. Green Lantern is a priority for us, and it is an important series-in fact, in all honesty I think Green Lantern is the fourth best recognized brand in the DCU. Whatever we can do to enhance the value of that character and that franchise, we will do. And I can assure you that big things are planned for Green Lantern this year-but I can't necessarily tell you what they are! One thing I can say with relative certainty, though: you'll never see the Barry Allen Flash return. I think Barry served his purpose, and I think Barry is the staple that holds Crisis together, and to bring him back would serve no purpose. Besides, I think we have a very good Flash in Wally West, and his existence honors Barry Allen very effectively.

Bob Wayne: But you can still have stories set in the past that feature Barry Allen. He's prominently featured in both JLA-Liberty & Justice and DC-The New Frontier, and I'm sure that we'll see him in other projects down the line.

Dan DiDio: That's right; there will always be stories to tell. New Frontier couldn't work at all without Barry Allen. But in continuity, we won't be bringing him back. There's no need

The rest of the story [HERE]

January 27, 2004                                                       
MORE HAL JORDAN RUMORS

I’m told superstar artist Alex Ross (Mythology) unofficially confirmed the revival of Hal Jordan as Green Lantern and hinted that changes are in store for current GL Kyle Rayner. According to Primate, a self-professed Green Lantern dork and attendee at the recent Mythology signing at the University of Washington bookstore in Seattle, Ross got excited when asked if he would ever soften his dislike for Kyle. Primate tells me Ross replied, "I hate to tell you this, but I don't have to!...WE WIN!"

While Ross didn't flat-out state that Kyle was on the way out or that Hal was on the way in, Primate interpreted his jubilation to mean Hal is coming back. “[Ross] also said something along the lines of, ‘I'm sure DC won't alienate all the Kyle fans by totally getting rid of the character.'"

January 12, 2004                                                       
PRIEST RETURNS TO GREEN LANTERN

On his website, Christopher Priest has reported that he will be returning to the Green Lantern Corps, writing a trilogy of hardcover Green Lantern novels next year to be published by iBooks.

Priest writes:

I have been working closely with iBooks editor Howard Zimmerman and DC editor Paul Kupperberg to develop this trinity out of a galactic (well, what else would it be?!) tale spanning nearly all of time and space, and involving, principally, Kyle "Crab Face" Rayner, Alan Scott, and, yes, Hal Jordan, back in the saddle again as Green Lantern (albeit temporarily and for the purposes of our arc). The working title is "Green Lantern: Sleepers," and each book is a full-length, drop-it-on-your-toe-and-you'll-be-sorry Harry Potteristic novel. All three are plotted by me, with fan favorite writer Mike Baron ("Nexus") and Real Writer Guy Michael S. Ahn writing Books One (Kyle) and Two (Alan) respectively. I will (salivates) write the Hal book. Expect fun and games with a new vision of Sinestro, the Weaponers of Qward, Lord Malvolio, Lord of the Green Flame (remember him?), Star Sapphire and guest appearances by Green Arrow, Guy Gardner, The Justice Society and more. The story takes place in present day as well as in the far flung future and during the second World War, here on Earth, in outer space, on alien worlds, and in the Anti-Matter dimension of Qward.

It's an adventure that would take 900 pages of comics to tell, so instead we got two really tremendous writers and me to tell our own kind of lords of the rings space fantasy. More on this project and previews as it develops, Green Lantern: Sleepers will be shipping second and third quarter of 2004 by Simon & Schuster Inc. under an agreement with iBooks, Inc.

Further:

Writer Christopher Priest is overseeing a trilogy of hardback novels featuring the GREEN LANTERN CORPS, due out in the second and third quarter of 2004. Priest has outlined the series, with writer Mike Baron (NEXUS) writing the first book, writer Michael S. Ahn writing the second book, and Priest himself writing the third book.

The first book will feature KYLE RAYNER, the second book will feature ALAN SCOTT, and the third will feature HAL JORDAN. The story will take place during WWII, present day, and the far future. It will encompass Earth, Space, Alien Worlds and the Anti-Matter dimension of Qward. Expect new visions of villains SINESTRO, the WEAPONERS of QWARD, MALVOLIO, LORD OF THE GREEN FLAME, and STAR SAPPHIRE. You can also expect cameos by GREEN ARROW, GUY GARDNER, THE JSA, and more. Priest describes it as “our own kind of lords of the rings space fantasy.” More as it comes.

October 3, 2003                                                       
BEN RAAB FINISHES HIS TOUR OF DUTY ON GL WITH #175

With only eleven issues under his belt, he did manage to reintroduce several concepts of old GL mythos tales of old back into the title. Putting Kyle into space, the return of Kilowog, a Raker appearance, a few old Corps members, a new villian, plus a surprise we still have yet to see! Ben had this to say about his eventul departure:

"I won't be writing GREEN LANTERN beyond #175. Thanks for the interest.

As you've know, DC has big things in the works for GL... My job was to keep the story going for the time being while they get things in order. I've had a great time working on the character, and as a GL fan myself, I'm excited to see where things go from here.."

Good luck to you Ben, you did a kick ass job while you were at the helm! But don't fret, we still have six more issues of his to go!

October 2, 2003                                                       
HAL AND DAFFY? TOGETHER AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME!-UPDATED

IN DRAKEST NIGHT

One episode of "Duck Dodgers" is certain to be a can't-miss for comic fans.

"We are doing one DC crossover episode," Register exclusively revealed to us. At some point in the first season Daffy Duck will find Hal Jordan's Green Lantern costume and ring!

"Daffy accidentally finds himself in posession of a legendary superheroes ring and becomes the new Green Lantern of Earth," said Paul Dini. "Doing a cameo voice over turn is CLERKS director Kevin Smith as everyone's favorite Green Lantern Hal Jordan."

Green Lantern is an interesting choice out of all the Earth's Mightiest Heroes ... especially since Hal Jordan hasn't been Green Lantern for a while. "There's only one Green Lantern," Dini commented when asked about the choice.

The two-part episode "The Green Loontern" of Duck Dodgers will air on Saturday, Oct. 18 on Cartoon Network. In the episode, due to a mistake at the dry cleaners, Duck Dodgers gets a Green Lantern uniform instead of his own. Wearing the garment, mask and ring, Dodgers gains full Green Lantern powers. He must then thwart the wicked Sinestro's plan to usurp the combined power of the Green Lantern Corps. Kevin Smith will provide the voice of Hal Jordan in the episode.

June 26, 2003                                                       
NEW EDITOR TO TAKE OVER GREEN LANTERN

As I mentioned Tuesday, there's been speculation that GREEN LANTERN editor Bob Screck is off of the title and will be replaced by Peter Tomasi. No big deal, right? He still has the Bat-books.

But is he out of DC all together, along with assistant editor Nachie Castro? DC says no.

I asked GREEN LANTERN's writer Ben Raab if Schreck was indeed off the title. He should know, right? To be honest with you, I thought he was off the title only, but by Raab's opening statement, it seems to me (and
you can decide for yourself) that he's out completely, considering the words he used. Then I figured that DC wouldn't lead me astray. Would they?

"I thoroughly enjoyed working with Bob [Schreck] and his assistant, Nachie [Castro] , and am sorry to see them go," said Raab. "But Tomasi is a quality editor, who does some great books, and I have every confidence
our working relationship will be just as good as it was with Schreck."

He has never worked with Tomasi before but feels that won't be an issue. Raab has scripted GREEN LANTERN through # 172, is working on # 173 right now and has plotted as far as # 176. "I've turned in two scripts,
and we seem to be firing on all cylinders regarding the direction of the book and what our mutual expectations of it are. So it's all good," said Raab.

And how does he feel about the rumors of some big names (i.e. Grant Morrison) taking over GREEN LANTERN? Tomasi already addressed that aspect to him. "He's already assured me that I'll be on the book for the
foreseeable future," said Raab.

June 15, 2003                                                       
MORE FROM DARWYN COOKE ON NEW FRONTIER

"It looks at the core Justice League characters in the period of time (of) the five to 10 years before they become members of the Justice League," Cooke said. "I don't know how you would classify the story because what I've done is I've gone back to the original time frame that the characters were introduced in, and the entire story takes place against the historic and political backdrop the characters were introduced in.

"So we're looking at the race for Space, America trying to beat the Communists. We're taking these kind of historical elements of what America was like at that time and try to get to the heart of what it was that made these five figures the ideal characters that have become these heroes."

The big focus in the series will be Hal Jordan.

"He's definitely the character that interests me the most," Cooke said. "And he's the character that probably reflects the modern American man. There's a wonderful transition time from the way people used to think - I call it the Eisenhower era - and then there's the Kennedy era. And I think Hal's the perfect vehicle to explain the transition America went through at that time."

March 2, 2003                                                       
INQUEST MAGAZINE TO OFFER EXCLUSIVE JOHN STEWART FIGURE!

Inquest Gamer Magazine #97 (April issue) will offer an exclusive Green Lantern DC HeroClix Limited Miniature piece. It will probably cost you $5.00 including shipping and may be limited to two pieces. Make sure you grab that book before they are gone! Click here for the picture. (previously, it was thought it was Hal Jordan, but now it has been revealed it is John)

December 13, 2002                                                       
DARWYN COOKE DOES HAL JORDAN RIGHT!

It's probably obvious that Cooke has an affinity for Green Lantern Hal Jordan, wielder of the powerful ring that allows him to do almost anything he can imagine, so it should come as no surprise that Hal Jordan is the lead character of "New Frontier," a choice that just seemed natural to the Canadian writer/artist. "I've decided that 'New Frontier' is going to play in real time so in '55 and in '56, when Barry Allen gets hit by lightning, that's when things kick off. There are some scenes that deal with World War Two in the prologue, but basically we start with Barry getting hit by lightning and then move our story in real time up to 1961, which is when 'Justice League #1' was published. Out of all the characters that were available to me in that six-year time frame, Hal Jordan is clearly the most compelling and whom you can take on the most interesting journey. He represents the leading edge of what I'd call a new pioneer spirit or romantic notion that swept through America: it wasn't just space, it was a new way to live together and a whole bunch of things. Hal's the perfect vessel for that because he's in the middle of things and he is involved with jets, it's part of who he is and what he wants to be: he typifies the best of what America had to offer at that point.

Please read the entire interview [here]

Special Thanks to comic book resources

November 16, 2002                                                       
SPOTLITE: THE NEW FRONTIER

THE NEW FRONTIER
(W/A) Darwyn Cooke (E) Mark Chiarello
6 issues Prestige, January 2004

DC UNIVERSE
Set at the dawn of the Silver Age, THE NEW FRONTIER focuses on the pre-JLA adventures of Hal Jordan, Barry Allen, J'onn J'onzz, and Oliver Queen, plus the Suicide Squad, Challengers of the Unknown, and many others! Darwyn Cooke, writer/artist of last summer's best-selling CATWOMAN: SELINA'S BIG SCORE, chronicles the changing face of the DCU as it moves from postwar optimism to Cold War dread to a New Frontier of heroic adventure.
Cooke has said the series will total 400 pages and be his "big, epic superhero fable" involving the key members of the DC Universe at the dawn of the Silver Age, including Superman, Flash, Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman, Challengers of the Unknown, Batman, Green Arrow, Aquaman etc…

"Basically every character that DC had operating during the first five years of the Silver Age, i.e. from the birth of the Flash to the formation of the Justice League," Cooke has said. "If they were around at this time, they'll probably make an appearance."

The star and focus of the show, however, will be the first Silver Age Green Lantern, Hal Jordan.

"With Hal, the idea is to try to give readers a look at the character as I believe the original creators intended him to be, but also to deepen and define his character," said Cooke. "Although this story is far to broad and layered to call it a Hal Jordan book, he is the American son who comes of age during the story's progression. I'll follow him from about age 14 up to the formation of the Justice League.

"I figure if I can do anything worthwhile for DC, it's to re-dignify and focus the alpha version of Jordan."

November 5, 2002                                                       
THE END IS NEAR...FOR SPECTRE

From Newsrama

It looks like Hal Jordan is going to die again … well, his title is anyway. In issue #804 of Comic Shop News (in stores 11/13), the weekly comics magazine will report The Spectre will end its run with issue #27, this according to writer J.M. DeMatteis.

“I haven’t written the final issue yet and I’m still pondering how to handle it,” DeMatteis tells Comic Shop Newsarama. “Issue #26 is, in many ways, a great final issue for the Spectre, the cosmic Spirit of Redemption...but there’s not enough resolution for Hal Jordan, the man (and his niece, Helen, who’s been so important to the book) - so that’s what I’ll be aiming for, character-wise, in the last one. A nice story focusing on Hal. Of course, by the time I actually write it, that could change (these stories have a habit of writing themselves.)

“The upcoming JLA/Spectre: Soul War also works quite nicely as a closing door for this part of Hal’s life.”

Don’t look for a big change in the Hal Jordan Spectre in the final issue. “One thing DC has asked is that Hal’s status quo remain the same...so, yes, he will be available to ‘do his Spectre thing’ in other books,” added DeMatteis. “And given the history of Hal and the Spectre, I’m sure that, after some time off, he’ll find his way back into his own title again.”

Look for more information from DeMatteis in CSN #804.

October 31, 2002                                                       
GREEN LANTERN PARODY READY TO VIEW

Following in the footsteps of Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and Batman.....here is The Green Lantern Parody!

Hal Jordan takes a look back at the ups & downs of his career in "That's Life!":

>>Click here to view the parody

These 4 superhero parodies now represent an 8 month labor of love. If they brought a smile to your face I hope you'll make a small donation via PAYPAL, or better yet purchase my book of sports cartoons SPOIL SPORTS, by clicking on the links on the parody title page.

Enjoy the Green Lantern parody,
Dominic Nunziato

October 17, 2002                                                       
WINICK TO LEAVE GREEN LANTERN AND RAAB TAKES OVER

From Newsrama

Drawing the Bowstring

First off, DC Comics announced Judd Winick - who began his relationship with DC with Green Lantern #129 - has signed a one-year exclusive agreement with them. As to how this new contract affects his work on Marvel’s Exiles and his own Oni series The Adventures of Barry Ween, Boy Genius, the writer addressed those topics in a conversation with Newsarama. But more on that in a moment, there’s more business to attend to.

Winick, who contributes the lead story for next week’s Green Arrow Secret Files #1, has more Ollie Queen in his future under his new DC contract.

Following the last issue of writer Brad Meltzer’s six-issue run, “Archer’s Quest” [Green Arrow #21], and a “special issue” (#22) by writer Scott Beatty and the series’ regular art team of Phil Hester (p), Andy Parks (i) and Matt Wagner (cvr), Winick takes over as the new regular Green Arrow writer, and at the same time, Ben Raab takes over the regular writing chores of Green Lantern … sort of …they’ll actually be working together on a crossover storyline until their respective solo runs begin a few months later.

The Lantern’s New Light

On the other side of the green leaf, Raab said that he became aware Winick was leaving Green Lantern early this year during a visit to DC offices. “I decided to stop by [Green Arrow editor] Bob Schreck's office and thank him for the couple of GL fill-in jobs I had just done for his office. We got to talking and he started telling me all about his post-Kevin Smith plans for Green Arrow. I was psyched to hear that Brad Meltzer was finally making the jump to comics - Brad, Judd and I all go way back to the University of Michigan, where we bonded over our mutual fanboy-ism.

As for just where moving things forward will take him, Raab lightly touched on specifics, saying that as a result of the Green Arrow/Green Lantern crossover (Green Arrow #23-25 and Green Lantern #162 - #164), the character will spend some time in space, and his priorities will shift a little, and become more “cosmic” in nature. “Meaning,” Raab said, “he's got some serious work to do outside of Earth before he can come home.”

As for specifics, Raab’s ‘solo’ run begins with issue #165, a self-contained story whose ultimate resolution is seen in issue #170. “Sandwiched between those two issues, we'll see a couple of different stories that all build around a central goal of Kyle's: to protect all of Sector 2814 and not just Earth,” Raab said. “Whether he succeeds or fails in that goal, by the end of the arc, the stage will be set for a much larger drama to unfold in space. We'll see some new villains, and the unexpected return of some old, familiar faces, so stay tuned!”

Lastly, when asked the ubiquitous question that every Green Lantern writer must face, Raab had a simple answer and a smile, “Read Spectre.”

October 13, 2002                                                       
PROJECT: EMERALD STORM

It looks like those guys in H.E.A.T. are at it again! Yes, helping out that is!

Like the original 3600 project, which was aimed at collecting 3600 comics for sick kids, H.E.A.T.'s (Hal's Emerald Advancement Team) new goal is much the same. This time, however, H.E.A.T. aims to collect a minimum of 3600 comics, as among our membership itself, that goal is now easily attainable, but welcome outside support as well.

These books will be sent over to the soldiers in the middle east. These young people are putting their lives on the line for us and maintaining freedom. They have little to no access to reading materials like comics and we figure this is the least we can do for them.

Anyone's welcome to participate. We have an agent at the Red Cross who has offered to collect and ship the books for us. Please make sure all donations are appropriate comic book reading material. Inappropriate materials will be removed.

The mailing address is:

The American Red Cross
c/o Emerald Storm
2700 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90057
Attn: Gwendolyn Parrish

Emerald Storm is only one of many charitable things the fan group has done (Project 3600, Brought John Broome to San Diego con in '98, Sponsored the Gil Kane scholarship) as well as desire the return of Hal Jordan as a Green Lantern. For more information on H.E.A.T., visit their website [here]

October 9, 2002                                                       
GREEN LANTERN GETS THE TREATMENT

Those wacky guys over at Spoil-Sports.com (who brought us the very funny Aquaman, Wonder Woman and Batman shorts) have another parody cartoon coming soon, and Hal Jordan is spotlighted. I was privileged to see an early version of it and it is very funny! "That's Life" will feature Hal in all his guises and features another great song by Dom Nunziato. It will be released on October 31st. Here is a link to his other works! Check back here on the 31st for a direct link!

www.spoil-sports.com

September 19, 2002                                                       
THE SUPERFREINDS ARE COMING!

It was revealed this week that DC Direct, who are making the retro Superfreinds two packs, unveiled the Hal Jordan Green Lantern and Sinestro figures. No release date yet is set for the two, but I will post that as I find out. Also available are Aquaman/Black Manta, Wonder Woman/Cheeta, Superman/Luthor, Batman/Riddler, and Robin/Scarecrow.

August 7, 2002                                                       
DC DIRECT SURPRISES

At the latest SDCC con, several Green Lantern items were unveiled, amongst one of them was the all new "Abin Sur Power Battery'! This prop was of course Hal's original battery he gained form Abin with his last breath. It's good news for all the fans who missed the excellent first Hal Jordan Power Battery a few years back. Also confirmed is an Abin Sur DC Direct figure (obviously using the new Hal sculpt with head swap), the John Stewart bust (see below) and the three GL figures for release in Feb 2003 (see checklist). Also, there is a Guy Gardner and Guardian Pocket Hero set coming. And finally, two new Tabloid size books by Alex Ross and Paul Dini featuring the Justice League starring Hal as GL! See cover here.

July 7, 2002                                                       
DC DIRECT UPCOMING "HALF" BUSTS OF JL

DC Direct will be releasing a set of wall plaques based on characters from Cartoon Network's Justice League animated series.

The line, which will be released over the course of several months, will include Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash and Green Lantern.

Green Lantern goes on sale on Aug. 13. 2003.

There are no current plans for Hawkgirl or Martian Manhunter.

July 7, 2002                                                       
GREEN ARROW/GREEN LANTERN TOGETHER AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME!

Green Lantern(Kyle)/Green Arrow(Ollie) will be a six-issue mini-series co-written by Judd Winick and Ben Raab with art by Charlie Adlard.

Here's how DC describes the mini-series:

"The two emerald titans must team up to stop an intergalactic crime syndicate from moving their operation into our corner of the galaxy. That's if the two heroes can keep from killing each other, as Oliver Queen can't help but measure Kyle Rayner against Hal Jordan's heroic legacy. And it should come as no surprise that Ollie isn't all that impressed by Kyle."

June 29, 2002                                                       
Darwyn Cooke cooks up a Hal Jordan tale for 2003

Cooke will write and illustrate what he describes as a 400-page six-issue limited series and “my big, epic superhero fable” involving the key members of the DC Universe at the dawn of the Silver Age, including Superman, Flash, Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman, Challengers of the Unknown etc…
“Basically every character that DC had operating during the first five years of the Silver Age, i.e. from the birth of the Flash to the formation of the Justice League,” Cooke recently explained on the official DC Message Boards. “If they were around at this time, they'll probably make an appearance.”

The star and focus of the show will be Green Lantern, Hal Jordan.

“The main focus is going to be to try to give readers a look at the character as I believe the original creators intended him to be. We’ll follow him from about age 14 up to the formation of the Justice League.

“I figure if I can do anything worthwhile for DC, it's to re-dignify and focus the alpha version of Jordan.”

Cooke said the book would likely see the light of day sometime in the second half of 2003.

June 24, 2002                                                       
JMD TALKS ABOUT SPECTRE AND HAL JORDAN

from Slushfactory:

DE: I was little surprised that someone that had been in the business for as
long as you have would want to write the Hal Jordan as the Spectre.

JD: I grew up with the Hal Jordan Green Lantern. That was part of my
childhood. I wasn't even aware of what they did to Hal. Those things that
they did to him, like having him become a mass murderer...that was a big
mistake. The stories were very well-crafted...but what were they thinking?
So I heard through the grapevine that they were gong to bring Hal Jordan
back as the Spectre. I didn't get it. But then they called me up and offered
me the book and the writer in me was thinking, "Well it's a story of
redemption."I love stories about redemption. That's my obsession. Here's a
chance to take a classic character that was so screwed over in such a
distasteful way...which, no doubt, people said about my own work during the
Spider-Man clone storyline...the chance to take this guy and have him do
something to redeem himself. That really appeals to me.

When I spoke with the editor, Dan Raspler, I told him I wasn't too big on
these vengeance driven characters. Remember when the Spectre used to turn into a giant cheese grater and grate the villains to death? I can't really
write the Spectre as the spirit of vengeance but I will write him as the
spirit of redemption. And Dan said that was exactly what he wanted to do.

I've had a lot of fun on this book...but the character is so convoluted, so
full of backstory, that it reminds me of an X-Men book. I understand why
it's hard to please an audience with the book. You've got these hardcore Hal
Jordan fans and they'll buy the book but they don't want to read about Hal
Jordan seeking redemption. They want to read about Hal Jordan flying through pace having science fiction adventures the way he did in the old days. And someone who wants to pick up a mystical book about the Spectre gets all this Hal Jordan baggage. I realize that it's a really fine line I've attempted to walk. I have fallen off the line sometimes but we've also had a chance to do some really good stuff.

The artist Ryan Sook was there for the first 13 issues and we clicked
instantly. We did a few issues that really stand out to me as some of the
best stuff I've done in the past few years. The fun of a book like this is
that you can step outside the DCU and do offbeat, poetic stuff. But
sometimes you have to go back in to the mainstream to please certain people, that's why Sinestro is back. Norm Breyfogle is drawing the book now and he's doing a terrific job. He brings great intelligence and passion to his work.

DE: How much of your own spirituality is in the Spectre book?

JD: I have to come at it from that angle. When you're doing a book like this
about a man who died and basically works for God, you have to write what you feel and what you believe. Anyone who follows my work knows that I weave in spiritual themes all the time because that's my life. I am doing it, I hope, without proselytizing and within the context of the story. I am fallible and sometimes I fail. But I say what I feel about life, the universe and
everything, within the context of this quasi-supernatural quasi-superhero
comic book.

May 17, 2002                                                       
SUBWAY BEGINS JL TOYS ON 20TH

MILFORD, CONN., March 2002—Sometimes the job is too big for just one hero, so Subway Restaurants, DC Comics and Cartoon Network™ join forces to bring the “Justice League” superheroes to Subway’s Kids’ Paks. Kids and parents will love the toy premium promotion that features Superman, Batman, the Flash, Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter. The highly collectible toys will be available at participating restaurants May 20 through July 7, 2002.

April 24, 2002                                                       
GREAT THINGS HAPPENING IN THE GREEN LANTERN MYTHOS!

SPOILER'S AHEAD!

In the recent hit book, Green Lantern: Legacy, The Last Will & Testament of Hal Jordan, Tom Kalmaku discovers Hal Jordan's "son" who has a GL power ring. We see Tom deal with his feelings about Hal and the biggest surprise of the year: Tom reforms Oa and Kilowog is brought back!!! What a chance to get this book cheap?

April 10, 2002                                                       
NEW GREEN LANTERN MASTHEAD REVEALED

Seen in the new Green Lantern mini-site on the DC website, this new design begins with Green Lantern 151. It beckons a new direction while tipping the hat to the older Hal Jordan and Alan Scott era when they had similar central lantern logo's gracing their covers.

March 27, 2002                                                       
JUSTICE LEAGUE NOVELS

Justice League of America: Batman - The Stone King is the first of six adult prose paperback novels starring the DC Comics characters from Pocket Books.

The Stone King, which reaches comic book stores this month, is written by Batman veteran Alan Grant and features a painted cover by Alex Ross, who contributes iconic covers to the entire series. Each book in the series is told from the point of view of a specific Justice League member, with the exception of the sixth book, which will feature each hero equally.

The second Justice League novel release from Pocket Books will be Justice League of America: Wonder Woman - Mythos, written by Carol Lay, which is scheduled for September release.

Future books in the series include:

• Justice League of America: The Flash written by Mark Schultz
• Justice League of America: Green Lantern - Hero's Quest written by Dennis O'Neil
• Justice League of America: Superman written by Kyle Baker
• Justice League of America written by Christopher Golden.

"It's been an exciting challenge, pulling this series together," said Charles Kochman, DC's in-house editor on the series. "We're fortunate to have a lineup of writers that includes some really diverse but appropriate names. I'm certain fans will enjoy the books, and new readers will find the series to be both accessible and exciting."

In addition to five core Justice League members whose names appear in the books' titles, other DC Universe heroes, including the Martian Manhunter and Plastic Man, appear in the novels as well.

February 18, 2002                                                       
DC ANNOUNCES MAY IS GREEN LANTERN MONTH!

What do you do when you’ve got an anniversary issue, a Secret Files, a DC Firsts issue, a Circle of Fire trade paperback, a new production run of the Hal Jordan action figure, all coming out around the same month? Do what DC did – call May Green Lantern Month.
The centerpiece of the month is Green Lantern #150, which heralds the end of Ion, and the return of a Green Lantern, as well as appearances by Hal Jordan, Alan Scott, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and others. And while teases beyond that are few and far between for who or what will be wearing the ring, all DC offered was: “It's a must-have for anyone who has ever dreamed that the Green Lantern Corps could exist again.” The issue features a cover by Jim Lee.

As recently reported by Newsarama (see below), Green Lantern Secret Files #3 will explore Kyle Rayner’s past and present, as well touch upon other ring-bearers and rings, as well as the fallout from issue #150. In the issue, Chase and the DEO investigate the corrupting power of the various Green Lantern rings over time in a story written by Dan Curtis Johnson with art by Greg Scott and Mick Gray, as well as the first look at Kyle Rayner’s “City Dwellers” comic strip written by Judd Winick, with art by Philip Bond. Along with the traditional pinups and profile pages in the issue will be a pinup of the Golden Age Green Lantern by Green Lantern creator Martin Nodell, a pinup of John Stewart by Eduardo Risso, and a cover by Jim Lee.

Green Lantern: Circle of Fire will collect and represent the fifth week event from 2000 which introduced Oblivion, who ultimately played a role in Green Lantern adopting the name and identity of Ion in the monthly series.

DC will place a Green Lantern game on its website in May as well. In further Green Lantern releases, June will se a new production run of the Hal Jordan Green Lantern figure, while a maquette of the John Stewart Green Lantern from the animated Justice League series and a Ganthet statue are slated for release in August.

February 12, 2002                                                       
DCD JUSTICE LEAGUE 1ST APPEARANCE GIFT SET

Here is a look at the upcoming DC Direct Justice League 1st Appearance Gift Set. The set will include Martain Manhunter, Aquaman, The Flash, Wonder Woman, & Hal Jordan Green Lantern (in original uniform!). These look to be previously released DCD figures (some repainted) brought together to form this new JLA gift set. No release date as of yet. You can order this in the Mall of Oa when it is announced.

Thanks go out to American Dream Comics

February 8, 2002                                                       
GREEN LANTERN SECRET FILES 3 - to be released to coincide with 150 from Newsrama

”In May, to coincide with Green Lantern #150, Green Lantern Secret Files #3 explores the rather incredible twists and turns Kyle Rayner's life has taken since Circle Of Fire. Ben Raab writes the lead story-- with art by Jamal Igle and Dan Davis - which sees Jade finding something in Kyle's apartment that causes her to question the nature of their relationship. Plus, there's a giant robot!

“The GL issue also includes the first-ever look at Kyle Rayner's comic strip, City Dwellers, as written by Judd Winick and - in a casting coup I'm very proud of, even though it was Judd's suggestion - drawn by Philip Bond.

“This issue also sees the return of the recurring Chase stories in Secret Files. The story this issue concerns DEO fears that Green Lantern rings corrupt their wearers and also includes hints of a security leak within the DEO that will play out throughout the Secret Files stories this year. Dan Curtis Johnson scripts this story, with art by Greg Scott, who has a Sabretooth mini coming up from that company downtown from here, and inked by Promethea's Mick Gray.

“Profile pieces for this Secret Files include contributions by Green Lantern co-creator Martin Nodell, current GL artist Dale Eaglesham, Age of Bronze's Eric Shanower and Brent Anderson (doing a character introduced in the GL: LEGACY hardcover); a Jade pinup by Jim Silke, and, if that weren't enough, the issue has a cover by Jim Lee.

January 25, 2002                                                       
DC FIRST BOOKS WILL FEATURE GREEN LANTERN

"DC First: Green Lantern/Green Lantern is the only retelling of a classic DC story among the First specials, but it's one long overdue for a post-Crisis, post-Zero Hour update, as we look back to the first adventure Golden Age Green Lantern Alan Scott and Silver Age Green Lantern Hal Jordan ever shared.

“The original story introduced the ancient baddie named Krona - whose search for the origin of the universe created everything Crisis would eventually undo - and was the first story to star the two GLs side-by-side. In this version, written by Ben Raab with art by Robin's Pete Woods (inked by Rob Stull, edited by Michael Wright), Alan tells the story to modern GL Kyle Rayner, revealing some new details and offering insights into the distinct qualities of all three of the Green Lanterns. Plus, the Green Lantern Corps appears, which will make a lot of fans extremely happy.”

Look for it in May 2002.

January 17, 2002                                                       
DC CONFIRMS "LAST WILL" STILL A GO FOR APRIL

"DC Comics has confirmed that the original hardcover graphic novel, Green Lantern: Legacy - The Last Will and Testament of Hal Jordan has been resolicited to ship this coming April. Written by Joe Kelly with art by Brent Anderson and Bill Sienkiewicz, the 112-page book was originally scheduled for late 2001 but previous orders were cancelled. According to DC, a softcover edition will not be solicited any sooner than October 2002." --comicon.com

December 7, 2001                                                       
DC DIRECT UNVEILS DC COMICS POCKET SUPER HEROES

Beginning in July 2002, DC Direct blazes a trail into new excitement with DC COMICS POCKET SUPER HEROES. The POCKET SUPER HEROES are a line of colorful, pocket-sized DC Universe heroes and villains drawn from DC's spectacular roster of characters past and present.

"We've had such a strong response from retailers and fans to DC Direct's action figure line that we couldn't resist introducing a whole new way to collect the entire DC Universe," says Syndee Barwick, Director - DC Direct. "DC has such a wide scope of colorful characters that they seemed like a natural fit for every fan's pockets."

Retailers and fans will get their first glimpse of the POCKET SUPER HEROES when a sample of the POCKET SUPER HERO GOLDEN AGE WONDER WOMAN figure arrives in stores in December. Fans can take home their first POCKET SUPER HERO on December 12 when the SOLOMON GRUNDY DELUXE ACTION FIGURE arrives in stores, including a free POCKET SUPER HERO GOLDEN AGE WONDER WOMAN.

The POCKET SUPER HEROES stand approximately 3" and feature authentic costuming details and articulation. Packaged primarily in two-figure sets, they also include a backdrop art and story card with a plastic stand, and are priced at $9.95 U.S. per set.

"We've planned this program so that retailers and fans would have the chance to see a sample from the line before orders are placed," says Bob Wayne, DC's VP - Sales & Marketing.

The first wave of four POCKET SUPER HEROES will be solicited in the January issue of Previews (Vol. XII, #1), with the first sets scheduled to arrive in stores in July. Characters include Dr. Mid-Nite & the Atom, Aquaman & Black Manta, Green Lantern & Sinestro, and Starman & the Shade.

Further sets scheduled for 2002 release include the Flash & Captain Cold, Silver Age Wonder Woman & Cheetah, Red Tornado & Firestorm, Dr. Fate & the Spectre, Cosmic Boy & Saturn Girl, Solomon Grundy & Green Lantern Alan Scott, and Mon-el & Lightning Lad. The Martian Manhunter comes in a Deluxe Set with the Silver Age Justice League of America meeting table (approximately 5" in diameter) with 8 chairs.

The POCKET SUPER HEROES line comes in colorful packaging with a unified trade dress. The back of each package includes a checklist of upcoming releases.

"Our goal with the POCKET SUPER HEROES is to create as many DC characters as possible so fans can have their own little universes," says Georg Brewer, DC's Design Director. "To that end, we've faced a really interesting creative challenge in designing an iconic, pocket-sized action figure with sculpted details and attention to the characters' individual costumes."

NOTE: The Mall of Oa will carry these.

December 4, 2001                                                       
BRUCE TIMM TALKS GREEN LANTERN AND JL

A lifelong Batman and Superman fan, Bruce Timm practically grew up with a "pen and sketch pad in hand." Completely self-taught, he began his animation career in 1981, when he landed a job at Filmation as a layout artist working on Blackstar and The Lone Ranger. In 1982, he joined Don Bluth Productions as an assistant animator on The Secret of N.I.M.H. Timm then returned to Filmation to work on He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and She-Ra Princess of Power. In 1984, Timm joined Marvel Productions as a character designer on G.I Joe. He then took a short leave from animation to join Mattel Toys as a freelance illustrator. Upon returning to animation, he served as a character designer on the series The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse for Ralph Bakshi Productions in 1987 and The Beany and Cecil Show for DIC in 1988.

For more of this interview, go [here].

November 26, 2001                                                       
SOOK ANNOUCES HE IS LEAVING SPECTRE AFTER #13

Sook spoke briefly in a recent interview regarding his tenure on "The Spectre" for DC which will end in January (number 13).

"'The Spectre' has been running about a year and I'm inking up my last few pages now. The book will go on, but my run ends with the January issue. It was a year's worth of work and certainly more work than I've ever done in a year otherwise," said Sook.

Rumor has it Norm (Prime) Breyfogle will be taking over after a few fill-in issues by Craig Hamilton.

August 30, 2001                                                       
Joe Kelly Speaks on the definitive Green Lantern Story!!! *source Comics Buyer's Guide #1450

Joe Kelly, writer of the upcoming Green Lantern: The Last Will Treatment of Hal Jordan, told CBG the following. "Pieface is kind of one of those forgotten sidekicks, because to some degree he was sort of this bad quasi-ethnic stereotype, but as the kid who sort of personally took on the role of the chronicling of Green Lantern's career, he actually fits in really well to the role of someone who has been let down by a hero, specifically the sort of voice I've heard a lot of fans speak in." "When the fans talk about Green Lantern -- especially around the time all the stuff started happening and Hal went bad -- you just had these guys who felt deeply betrayed, and Tom just embodies all that, because there was no bigger GL fan than Tom Kalmaku. Through Tom's eyes we follow the legacy that Hal has left behind, it addresses questions of how could this guy go bad, through the eyes of someone with a very personal relationship to Hal."

GL: The Last Will and Testament of Hal Jordan HB goes on sale early 2002. It's going to be 112 pages of one the most interesting Green Lantern stories in a longtime for $25.

Available in the Mall of Oa, pre-order now and save!

August 27, 2001                                                       
MORE INFORMATION ON THE POWER COMPANY/HAL JORDAN CROSS-OVER

* Skyrocket, By Kurt Busiek with art by Joe Staton and Christian Alamy: "Skyrocket is the team's most dedicated hero, and she's the field leader. She's an intensely patriotic African-American woman and an ex-Navy aviator, who for the last seven years of so has been the lone super-hero of St. Louis. She just showed up for all the big crossovers in between panels. She's been around for a while. She's the one with the best reputation. In Marvel terms, she's the Captain America of the team. Her one-shot involves her origin, is set back about seven years ago in the DC Universe and guest-stars Hal Jordan as Green Lantern.

Due out Jan 16th.

August 20, 2001                                                       
HAL JORDAN AS GL TO SHOW UP IN POWER COMPANY

Kurt Busiek and Tom Grummett's The Power Company will debut in a back-up, 16-page preview in the December JLA, Joe Kelly and Doug Mahnke's first issue. In January, all the members of the new team will be featured in one-shots in a seven-issue event. Guest stars include the JLA, Superman, Superboy, Wonder Woman, Nightwing, The Flash (Barry Allen), Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) and a few others, and these one-shots will establish where these Power Company characters fit into the DCU. The ongoing series launches in February.

August 12, 2001                                                       
ANIMATED JOHN STEWART SIGHTED!

A preview clip of the new upcoming Justice League Animated series aired this weekend on Cartoon Network during the Samauri Jack movie. A basic clip of all the Leaguers in action fighting Alien ships were seen. JLA will debut on November 17, 2001. Check [here] to see a video clip of the show!

July 26, 2001                                                       
JUDD WINICK TALKS GREEN LANTERN

Writer Judd Winick said he has major plans for Green Lantern's anniversary issue next spring. "We're building up to something in #150, which will be a double-sized issue," Winick said at Comic-Con International. "I promise it will be something big."

Winick also said he would like to write something with John Stewart. "And I'll just leave that cryptic comment out there," he said.

And will Hal Jordan be appearing in Green Lantern? "Maybe," Winick hinted. "Just wait. Just wait."

July 26, 2001                                                       
PREVIEW OF SPECTRE #12 COVER

This December, the covers of all DC Universe titles will follow a unifying theme, incorporating the series' title into the cover art. As previously announced during their editorial presentation at San Diego Comic Con International, the DCU titles will feature "iconic" images of the heroes, while the stories contained in the issues will be stand alone one shots designed to be jumping on points for new or returning readers. Tentatively, the event is named "Headliners of the DC Universe."

July 25, 2001                                                       
JOHN STEWART: ANIMATED GREEN LANTERN
thanks to
http://www.comicscontinuum.com

At Saturday's Justice League panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego, producer Bruce Timm explained why the show's creators chose John Stewart as their Green Lantern.

"He's the most controversial character so far, from what we've been gathering on the Internet," Timm said. "When the show was first announced, and the lineup, there was a lot of people saying, 'Why weren't they using Hal Jordan? No, it's got to be Guy Gardner. No, it's got to be Kyle Rayner.' So, obviously, we picked the wrong one!

"But the reasons we did choose John Stewart vary and I think they were all valid. Right off the bat, I'll just say it, we did need diversity in the Justice League. We felt that the show was going to be seen worldwide, and I think having a member of the Justice League who is not just whitebread is a good thing.

"Another reason why we chose him, out of all the Green Lanterns we could have chosen, we all liked the John Stewart character from the comics, especially the Denny O'Neil/Neal Adams version. When they first introduced him, he was like the angry young black guy back in '69 or '70 with the Black Power movement. Even though that's not relevant today, we wanted to keep that kind of edged attitude with him.

"So, in banging around ideas about what to do with him, we went back to the original idea of the Green Lantern Corps, where they are space cops or space marines. So we thought that he's a military guy. And somebody said, 'Louis Gossett Jr. in An Officer and a Gentleman.' And I said, 'Yeah, wait a minute, Samuel L. Jackson.' And everybody went, 'Yeah!'

"So that's kind of who he is. He's a real rugged, no-nonsense, barking-orders Green Lantern. We love him so much that he's in almost every episode." Timm noted that Green Lantern's eyes have become green and glow. "He's been Green Lantern for so long that the green radiation of the ring has actually affected his bloodstream," Timm said. Timm also said he likes the way Flash plays off Green Lantern in the show, so the producers try to pair them as often as possible.

Green Lantern's voice is done by Phil LaMarr.

July 22, 2001                                                       
JOHN STEWART, TOMAR RE, AND ALFRED?

WPictures have been coming in from this years San Diego Comic Con on upcoming characters. We got to see upclose the John Stewart and Tomar Re action figures along with the Alfred E. Newman as GL fig.

July 8, 2001                                                       
R.I.P. GUY GARDNER???

With the apparent "death" of Guy Gardner, former Green Lantern and Warrior (in JLA: OWAW #1), many people across the world are very upset with it and have been flooding the various message boards around the 'net with cries of outrage. Could Guy really be dead? Others have said it would take a bit more than being impaled to off Guy, but then again, we never thought they would kill off Hal Jordan. Let DC know you want Guy to live and return in his own series. Help not only save Guy Gardner's life. But get him a new series...

Just write the Green Lantern editor Bob Shreck and tell him you'd buy a new Guy series.

Here is his mailing address..

Bob Schreck
DC Comics
1700 Broadway
New York, N.Y. 10019

June 28, 2001                                                       
MARTY NODELL AND DC COME TO TERMS ON GL

Emeralddawn has learned that Green Lantern creator Marty Nodell has settled his dispute with DC regarding the copyright to the character. According to DC's own version of events in DC Comics: Sixty Years of the World's Favorite Comic Book Heroes, Nodell created Green Lantern and brought the character to DC, and transferred the copyright of the character to the publisher. Reportedly, Nodell was considering following Simon and the widow and daughter of Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel and terminating his transfer of the copyright.

According to sources, part of the settlement between DC and Nodell is a nondisclosure agreement. As such, neither Nodell nor DC could comment on the agreement.

June 11, 2001                                                       
RAKER TO RETURN IN THE PAGES OF ORION

Just a quick note to let folks know that Raker will be making an appearance in ORION, around about issue 18, both in the lead story and in the backup. -Walter Simonson

To read more on Raker, go [here]

June 10, 2001                                                       
BANKS & FABER TO LEAVE GREEN LANTERN
AFTER #140

It appears long time Green Lantern artist (and last of the old guard), Darryl Banks and inker Rich Faber will be moving on to bigger and better things after thier final issue of Green Lantern #140. After almost 8 years, the creator of Kyle Rayners' look (not to mention Parallax's), will be moving on. Visit this link for more details. [here] An unnamed new art team will take over starting with issue #141. Dale Eaglesham is speculated to take over.

June 02, 2001                                                       
DOES DC HAVE SOMETHING IN STORE FOR KYLE LATER THIS YEAR?

"In July, look for Kyle to reexamine his powers, which seem to be growing
uncontrollably. As Kyle grows more and more powerful, he may become even more powerful than former GL Hal Jordan was as Parallax. By summer's end, don't be surprised if Kyle makes a trip back to Oa that will change everything for Green Lantern" - Wizard 2000 Summer Preview
Stay tuned for more developments.....

May 25, 2001                                                       
ONLINE INTERVIEW WITH RYAN SOOK

Spectre artist Ryan Sook gives an insight on how he got the Spectre art gig and where the series is going. [check it out] Part two is up as well.

May 9, 2001                                                       
NEW GREEN LANTERN MODEL KITS IN THE MALL OF OA!

Green Lantern Model Kit Hal Jordan Returns in this Amazing Import Model Kit! A great companion piece to the Green Arrow Model Kit. Requires Painting and assembly. Approx 13in tall. Check it out now in the Mall of Oa under the statue section now!

April 15, 2001                                                       
GREEN LANTERN RADIO DEBUTS ON APRIL 20TH

Mark your calendars for the 20th of April, at 11 pm (EST) for the first installment of GREEN LANTERN RADIO! This is a talk show on the 'Net that let's fans of all GL's talk and listen on everything about GL!  Topic: Who is the best Green Lantern?

Go here to find out more and to log on the night of the 20th.

March 21, 2001                                                       
MARTIN NODELL TO VISIT ATLANTA COMIC SHOP

If you live in the Atlanta, GA area, you'll want to mark your calendars for the 12th of April.  Alan Scott creator, Martin Nodell and his wife will be visiting Odin's comic shop in Lilburn on the 12th from 2pm till 7pm and will be signing autographs. Bring some Alan Scott items to have the legend sign and meet the man who started it all!  For more information, please call Odin's Cosmic Bookshelf at 770-923-0123.

February 9, 2001                                                       
NEW HAL JORDAN BOOKS COMING IN 2001!

"Another project Joe Kelly is working on is a 112-page hardcover graphic novel in the early stages of development with artist Brent (Astro City) Anderson, entitled Legacy: The Last Will and Testament of Hal Jordan.

Said Kelly. "It’s hard to explain it without giving some stuff away, I think it’s going to address from a real fans point of view some of the Hal Jordan questions."

According to Kelly, set in current continuity, but featuring vignettes set in the past that span Hal Jordan’s career to give it a retrospective kind of feel, the main storyline "follows this legacy Hal has left behind, and addresses questions of how could this guy go bad, through the eyes of someone with a very personal relationship to Hal."

Promising "a lot of really cool Green Lantern elements and fan bits and Hal and some current guys doing some fun stuff", Kelly also promises a lot of little cool surprises in the course of the story.

"It’s with some cast members you maybe wouldn’t expect to drive a story, but them make it very personal, and there is plenty of big cosmic stuff thrown in."

The character that drives the main storyline is Tom Kalmaku, which true Hal Jordan fans will instantly recognize as the unfortunately nicknamed ‘Pieface’.

"Pieface is kind of one of these forgotten sidekicks, because to some degree he was sort of this bad quasi-ethnic stereotype, but as the kid who sort of personally took on the role of the chronicling of Green lantern’s career, he actually fits in really well to the role of someone who has been let down by a hero, specifically the sort of voice I’ve heard a lot of fans speak in," explained the writer.

"When these fans talk about Green Lantern - especially around the time all the stuff starting happening and Hal went bad - you just had these guys who felt so deeply betrayed, and Tom just embodies all that, because there was no bigger GL fan that Tom Kalmaku.

"But it’s just sounds kind of stupid when you say ‘Pieface’, so it’s find of a double-edges sword, and that’s why I’m not hyping that part as much," he said with a chuckle. "But it’s a real personal story so I think it’s going to work out great.

"To some degree…it not putting an exclamation point on it per se… but its certainly addressing those concerns, and it’s addressing that sense of how Hal Jordan is the only and only Green Lantern and what did we do to him, how do we fix it, is it something that’s fixable, and does it even need to be fixed. Those kind of questions are part of this, and again, looking at them through Hal’s biggest fan, confidant and friend, the first person who ever knew who he was."

And while he says the roots of this "definitely Silver Age", Kelly also points out that he’s not a "retro" guy, so plan accordingly.

"When I started doing the research for this, it was sort of pointed out to me that Tom would be a good character to work with in the context of someone I needed as the guy who was driving the story. And since his Hal’s family members were a little bit taken up with stuff that’s going on in the Spectre, it worked out very well. So I think this will satisfy Green Lantern fans in general, but specifically people who have been affected by ‘the great controversy’. " "

---there is also this...

"The afore-reported Kelly/Anderson isn’t the only hardcover project to starring the Hal Jordan Green Lantern. Actually due much sooner than that - in May - is Green Lantern: Willworld, writer JM DeMatteis and artist Seth Fisher’s 96-page collaboration.

"The story is set in the early days of Hal Jordan`s career as Green Lantern," DeMatteis reminded us. "But this is not a nostalgic trip through the world of John Broome and Gil Kane. The story is a strange, funny, occasionally harrowing off-kilter fantasy in which...well, it`s one of those stories where giving away plot details really derails the reading experience. I will say that the story contains elements of Little Nemo, quantum physics, Eastern philosophy, Oz, Wonderland, Warner Brothers cartoons, and other odd things."

"I`m very excited about this project. as it gives me a chance to get a bit more literary and whimsical," the writer told us last year, "...to evoke C.S. Lewis and Lewis Carrol and L. Frank Baum and Dr. Seus and create, I hope, the kind of smart fantasy you see in the best children`s books. It will be a very different kind of Green Lantern story, that`s for sure."

"Seth Fisher`s art is quite extraordinary. Winsor McCay meets Moebius meets...Seth Fisher. I think the 96-page hardcover format is the perfect presentation for these brilliant drawings." 

Upcoming projects...
http://comics.fandom.com/editorial.asp?action=page&obj_id=258853

January 20, 2001                                                       
NEW DC DIRECT ACTION FIGURES -THE GL VILLIANS!
Coming in August 2001! 

SINESTRO ACTION FIGURE Advance-solicited; in stores August 15. Sinestro, the renegade Green Lantern, comes to life in all his evil glory in this sinister action figure! With an evil grin and his yellow power ring from the Weaponers of Qward, Sinestro turned against the Guardians of the Universe and more than once almost succeeded in destroying the Green Lantern Corps. Sinestro stands approximately 6.375" tall and features multiple points of articulation. Also included is a one-size-fits-all replica of his yellow power ring. Packaged in a 4-color blister pack.

STAR SAPPHIRE ACTION FIGURE Advance-solicited; in stores August 15. Star Sapphire was one of Green Lantern Hal Jordan's deadliest foes...and the one enemy that he dared not harm! Because beneath the façade of Star Sapphire was Carol Ferris, the love of Hal's life who unwittingly and unbeknownst to her was transformed into the villainess with the power to destroy through her mighty star sapphire gem. Now Star Sapphire is a dynamic new action figure, standing approximately 6.15" tall and featuring multiple points of articulation. The STAR SAPPHIRE ACTION FIGURE comes packaged with a purple translucent "star sapphire gem" display base that can be used to pose the figure. Packaged in a 4-color blister pack.

Also available will be Capt. Cold, Mirror Master and a Wonder Woman/Wonder Girl 2-pack in this wave.

December 6, 2000                                                       
NEW JLA ANIMATED SERIES NEWS

Please note: These images are purely conjectural and may or may not be the actual costumes used.

C2F's inside source has also provide fans with the first look at
the roster for the animated super team. According to sources in
the know the team roster will be the "magnificent seven" team,
with some tweaking here and there. These are the characters and a
description of what roles they'll play in the new show:

* Superman: Portrayed as a natural leader. He's a bit of a
boy scout, but without being cheesy about it.

* Batman: The show will play up the Dark Knight's detective
skills as opposed to the brooding, somber creature-of-the
night take that's been used in the other animated shows.

* Wonder Woman: The Amazon princess angle will be emphasized.
Wonder Woman is new to man's world. She sometimes displays
a condescending attitude towards others.

* The Flash: The Flash is Wally West under the mask. The
character is more a mix of West and Bart Allen/Impulse. The
Flash is seen as a fun-loving, impulsive guy.

* Green Lantern: This Green Lantern is John Stewart. He's
been hand-picked by the Guardians to be the Green Lantern
for this sector. Stewart has spent a number of years in
space and only recently returned to Earth. He sees himself
as a very experienced cop and tends to look down on the
rest of the JLA as amateurs. He has little understanding or
tolerance for earthly prejudices and petty injustices.

* Martian Manhunter: The last survivor of an underground
Martian race. Martian Manhunter is the only one who lives
in the JLA watchtower full time.

* Hawkgirl: A member of the Thanagarian police. Hawkgirl is
transported to Earth by a mysterious beam (we're told it's
not called a zeta-beam in the show, but it's basically the
same concept). She has deductive skills that even Batman is
impressed by, but also has that warrior woman side to her.

The aforementioned JLA Watchtower is a satellite that is in geo-
synchronous orbit with the Earth. Aquaman will be included in one
of the early stories, but not as a regular member of the team.
The Manhunters will also make an appearance early on.

Our source was unsure about the villains of the piece. Despero
and Vandal Savage may show up in the series.

November 30, 2000                                                       
SPECTRE #1 REVIEW AND SNEAK PEAK

The Spectre #1
thanks to Slush Factory for this

W: J.M. DeMatteis
A: Ryan Sook

This is the book I've been waiting for, for over a year! The 4th, (count 'em 4!), monthly series to star the Spectre. This time, Hal Jordan, former Green Lantern, is the Wrath of God. Actually, he ditched the "Wrath" part in Legends of the DCU #33-36. Now, with the Spectre's nigh-infinite power, Jordan tries to redeem the wicked souls of the earth.

First time he tries, though, he has an old lady eaten by the babies she's killed. Grim. So the ghost of Abin Sur, Hal's predecessor as GL takes him to Hell's shopping mall. It is there, through taking with the devil, (in various forms), that Hal discovers what may be the Spectre's true purpose on earth. Perhaps Hal can use his power to "burn away the layers of separation man and his maker". Hal and Abin leave hell with hope for the future, and a new purpose.
Meanwhile Jack, Hal's brother, visits Carol Ferris. Hal visited the two of them in the DCU story. He thought they couldn't recognize him. Turns out, they did. They now know Hal's "alive", and are going to find him.

DeMatteis doesn't get too controversial with religion here. There's the vague description of Hell as a state of mind rather than a place. There are a few lines that stick out, though.

Hal: "What kind of God would makes us suffer so just to love him?"
Satan: "It's the way of the universe!"
Hal: "And I reject it!! I reject you!"
Satan: "As well you should."
Satan: "Perhaps ...the old ways of learning and growing through suffering are becoming outmoded."

There is also the implication that God and the Devil are the same person. I like the idea of man outgrowing his need for God. True morality should come from within, not imposed by an agency claiming to serve an unknowable being. If we were made in God's image, do we not each carry the seed of divinity? Could we be what God is? Are we destined to be The Creator?

Opinion:
Not many comics have a philosophy, let alone make you think about it. 

Grade:
4/5 Slushies

November 15, 2000                                                       
NEW GREEN LANTERN ITEMS COMING SOON FROM THE WB STORE!
Reported by EmeraldKnight 

Ok I was at a special WB Gallery showing for WB gallery members over the weekend and we had some WB execs there as special guests. One was even the Animation Archive keeper!! Anyways I asked them about Green Lantern and anything in the works for the WB Gallery and store, well this was his answer (with a Big GRIN might I add!!)

A GREEN LANTERN MAQUETTE (statue), for those of you who dont know what a maquette is it is a 3 dimensional reference statue that cartoonists use to draw a character. They have already puit out a Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Poison Ivy and Harlequin, NOW its GLs TURN!!!!! It will be out sometime next year, along with a Flash maquette.

GREEN LANTERN LITHOGRAPH- not much info given on this one yet (it is another lithograph, not the Green Arrow/Green Lantern lithograph out soon!!)

THE GREEN LANTERN POWER BATTERY- for those of you who did not buy it yet or could not get it, the WB store has decided to carry it.

A DINI/TIMM JLA ANIMATED STYLE LITHOGRAPH- this litho will be done in the style of the Superman Batman Animated series and will feature the JLA with Green Lantern!!

ALEX TOTH SUPERFRIENDS LITHOGRAPH- another Litho this time of the entire superfriends team!!

I asked him about a GREEN LANTERN HAL JORDAN PLATE and he said it was a "great" possibility considering Alex Ross' track record (again said with a goofy smile). Alex Ross has also said he would like to do another JLA plate after the JLA HOLIDAY PLATE.

Now for one piece of possible bad news. John, the guy I spoke to, said that there is a slight possibility that the GREEN LANTERN/GREEN ARROW LITHOGRAPH by Neal Adams may be delayed because of some "possibly offensive material" on it. Seems it was taken from one of the more contraversial covers. While I dont have the issue in front of me right now, John said it had a black guy on the cover (maybe John Stewart) and it said something about "black" in a possibly offensive way to some people they just dont want to take any chances. Neal Adams may have to do a new one or change it slightly or something, or so I'm told. It will still be out but may be delayed (again they are still deciding, it may not be changed at all).

Now for something new at the WB STORE NOW!!!!!

this may not be a big deal to many but they are now carrying a GREEN LANTERN KEY CHAIN!!! The key chain has two pieces to it, the first is the GL symbol and another is the LOGO name itself. 
It sells for $4.50 and I liked it. {Editors note: I'm trying to find out which symbol it is, Kyle's or Hal's}

There is also a JLA KEY CHAIN with all the different Heroes SYMBOLS hanging individually on it, including GREEN LANTERNS SYMBOL.

That's all for now but I'll keep everyone posted as time passes.

John says that WB has finally figured out, to an extent, that the other heroes sell just as well as Superman and Batman, so we'll definitely see more exposure soon enough!!

One thing that has been a problem still is clothes. As many of us who have been to the store have probably seen the kids have some way cool shirts with the JLA on them, and the individual heroes. The clothing department at the main WB Store corps building still hasn't figured out that these shirts would sell like hotcakes in the adult department.
Adults complain all the time that there aren't any good hero shirts in our size. Well WE will have to rectify that by sending letters to WB store main office letting them know what's up.

Anyway that's the news for from the WB!!!!

November 6, 2000                                                       
NEW GREEN LANTERN IN THE WB UNIVERSE! 

Don't forget to watch Kids WB this Saturday (the 11th), 
8 am for the new Batman Beyond episode, "The Call part 1". It will star the JLU with a Green Lantern! So this is our second outing of a Green Lantern in the WB series! Should be interesting....

More info courtesy Comics Continuum:
An older, dark-costumed version of Superman will be highlighted in "The Call," the first of a two-part episode airing on Saturday on Kids' WB!'s Batman Beyond.

Superman's costume is mostly black with white used for logo. He has white temples to help reflect his age.

Last weekend's promo for the episode on Kids' WB! also provided brief glimpses of two other members of the Justice League, a Green Lantern and Warhawk. Both fly.

Because "The Call" was moved up - it was originally thought it would air at the end of the season, probably in May - little information has been released yet about the episode, including who is doing the voice of the older Superman.

Tim Daly did the voice of Superman in Kids' WB!'s Superman series. He is currently starring in CBS' The Fugitive.

Batman Beyond is now airing at 8 a.m. (ET) on Saturdays on Kids' WB!  The Call Part II will air the following Saturday, the 18th.

Special thanks to Christopher Karath for the GL picture!

October 20, 2000                                                       
DC EXPLAINS GREEN LANTERN POWER BATTERY PROP REPAIRS & BULB REPLACEMENT
UPDATE FROM DC DIRECT GUARDIANS

Due to the recent increase in Green Lantern Corps members in
Sector 2814, information has been requested on how to replace the GREEN LANTERN POWER BATTERY PROP's batteries. Instructions are as follows:

The type of bulb used in the GL Battery Prop is a 4.5w x 300mA
super-bright bulb, with a green translucent coating. However, please be advised that this bulb may not be readily available in your area, and in its place, a 4.5w x 200mA white bulb can be used. This will not affect the normal function of your prop, though the light may not appear as bright.

1. Be sure that the prop is turned OFF
2. Remove the batteries
3. Unscrew the 3 screws on the black plate on the bottom of your
Power Battery with a Phillips-head screwdriver
4. CAREFULLY remove the black plate from the bottom which has the light assembly attached to the underside, taking care when removing the bottom NOT to disconnect the wires that lead from the battery housing to the light stand
6. CAREFULLY unscrew the expired bulb
7. CAREFULLY screw in the new bulb
8. Reposition the black plate onto the base, lining up the holes on the base and the plate
9. Replace the screws; do not over-tighten them
10. Replace the batteries
11. FOCUS will-power and recite the oath

October 17, 2000                                                       
GREEN LANTERN PVC SET 2 TO BE RELEASED IN 2001

As a companion to DC's first successful Green Lantern PVC set, this new set features even more members from the Green Lantern Corps ranging from 3.125" to 4.25" tall - including Abin Sur, Jade, Killowog, Tomar-Re, Salakk, Katma Tui, and Chaselon. Packaged in a 4-color window box. $39.95, ships on May 2.

October 14, 2000                                                       
IT'S OFFICIAL! SPECTRE TO START IN JANUARY 2001
J.M. DeMatteis long-awaited Spectre ongoing series is set for a January 2001 debut. Ryan Sook illustrates the series. See the ckecklist section for more details.

July 25, 2000                                                       
SOOK TALKS SPECTRE
(thanks to the Comic Continuum) 

Ryan Sook, artist of DC Comics' upcoming Spectre, said that Hal Jordan might not be wearing his Green Lantern mask as the Spectre much longer.

"We will see the costume evolve in the first few issues," Sook said.

The Hal Jordan version of The Spectre is currently being featured in Legends of the DC Universe #33-36, by J.M. DeMatteis and Michael Zulli. The ongoing series by DeMatteis and Sook will follow.

"Marc DeMatteis is writing some really cool stuff with crazy monsters," Sook said. "They're well thought-out stories and I get to draw some fun stuff."

Sook said that Abin Sur, Jordan's Green Lantern predecessor will be appearing in Spectre.

July 24, 2000                                                       
DC ENTERS MIND OF HAL JORDAN AND OTHER NEWS BITS

-He started off as a hero without fear, fell prey to doubt about his mission, reclaimed his position, snapped under the pressure and ultimately died trying to save the day before returning as a ghostly avenger for the 21st century. 

Now DC Comics will let fans of Hal Jordan ­ once Green Lantern and now the Spectre ­ go inside his mind. "Willworld," a 2001 Elseworlds romp though Hal Jordan's subconscious shortly after he was given his Green Lantern ring, will be written by J. M. deMatteis with art by Seth Fisher. 

"It's sort of a Terry Gilliam-meets- ... everyone else," Fisher described the book at a DC Comics panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday. 

ALSO:

-New "Green Lantern" writer Judd Winick told JLA fans to look for the team to crop up in issues #135 and 136 "against a brand-new big bad villain I can't tell you anything about." Winick and Joe Kelly are also apparently two of the writers slated for a forthcoming hush-hush JLA "fifth week" event. 

-Mike Carlin also mentioned several more artists have been attached to specific issues of "Just Imagine Stan Lee ..." Lee will be working with Joe Kubert on Lee's reinterpretation of Batman, George Perez on the Crisis (what sort of crisis, Carlin was unsure of), Bruce Timm on the Flash, Jerry Ordway on JLA and Dave Gibbons on Green Lantern. Downstairs in the DC Comics booth, fans could see an image of the Stan Lee/Jim Lee Wonder Woman mounted on a wall.

July 20, 2000                                                       
DC Direct to make Green Lantern Themed Wave

Visiting the San Diego Comic Con, it was revealed that a Green Lantern DC Direct set was in the works for next year! The DC Rep, said that after the Watchmen Asst. (which are three assortments total) and the Wonder Woman Themed Asst. comes out. They are working on more JSA figures and a Green Lantern themed assortment including a new Hal Jordan figure (Silver age version?). The DC Rep wouldn't go into detail about what exactly they where working on. But, that Green Lantern and Green Lantern themed figures are very desirable by the fans. So, hopefully we'll finally see a Sinestro figure with other Green Lanterns.

July 14, 2000                                                       
More Dark Knight Strikes Back comments from Miller....

Miller will be using the Silver Age versions of many of the existing characters, because he says, "They were the good ones. I’m not saying they were stupid or camp. Much as I’m enjoying a lot of the motifs and quirks of the old stuff, this isn’t camp and it sure as heck isn’t retro."

The creator – who says he’s having a ball being a fanboy - reports his studio is currently full of drawings of "guys and gals in tights", and dropped a few hints as to his current plans…

- Though there’s a "fake" Green Lantern in the story, the "real" Hal Jordan appears, in the classic costume. "You don’t change Green Lantern.

May 11, 2000                                                       
Green Lantern: Circle of Fire Rundown

DC Comics has announced its lineup for Green Lantern: Circle of Fire, a seven- issue event in August that will feature Firestorm, the Atom, Adam Strange and six new Green Lanterns.

Here's how DC describes the event:

"A deadly threat is heading for Earth with one target in mind before conquering the world: Kyle Rayner. As Kyle escapes capture, he must assemble a force of unlikely heroes. He's not just getting help from Firestorm, Power Girl, the Atom, and Adam Strange: he's also joined by six strange new Green Lanterns! But who are these Emerald Warriors? And what strange secret do they and the alien menace share with Earth's only Green Lantern?"

Here's a rundown of the books:

Green Lantern: Circle of Fire #1, written by Brian K. Vaughan, with art by Norm Breyfogle and Jesse Delperdang and a cover by Cary Nord and Mark Lipka. Trailing destruction and mayhem in its wake, the spaceborne menace approaches Earth, and the JLA - warned by Adam Strange - races to confront the formidable foe. With Kyle the only one returning from battle, Earth's only hope lies with an array of former Leaguers and six mysterious Green Lanterns - champions unlike any the world has ever seen. And as Kyle weakens in the aftermath of the battle in space, the Spectre appears before him with a simple, cryptic warning: Trust no one.

Green Lantern/Adam Strange #1, written by Vaughn with art by Nord and Lipka and a cover by Rodolfo Damaggio and Kevin Nowlan. Adam Strange joins the super-swift Green Lightning for a journey to the devastated planet Rann to try to save Strange's adopted people.

Green Lantern/The Atom #1, written by Vaughan with art by Trevor McCarthy and Tyson McAdoo and cover by Nord and Lipka. Atom teamed with two of the future's Teen Lantern Corps to investigate the threat's connection to Kyle's past. But will the teen heroes get over their lack of respect for the Atom in time to uncover the secret and defeat some of DC's most devious villains along the way?

Green Lantern/Firestorm #1, written by Jay Faerber with art by Ron Randall and Dan Davis and cover by Nord and Lipka. The Nuclear Man pairs up with a Manhunter Robot-turned-GL to obtain the Omega Option, the only device known that can stop the coming assault from beyond the stars. But will a reunion with someone from Firestorm's past doom their mission?

Green Lantern/Green Lantern #1, written by Judd Winick, with art by Randy Green and Wayne Faucher and a cover by Damaggio and Nowlan. Kyle teams up with a GL - a heroine he finds familiar - from an alternate timeline in order to find their enemy's secret headquarters. But getting there is only half the battle. Meanwhile, Kyle is beginning to grow strangely weaker.

Green Lantern/Power Girl #1, written by Scott Beatty, with art by Pete Woods and Andrew Pepoy and a cover by Nord and Lipka. Power Girl teams up with the time-lost Emerald Knight on a mission that can't possibly succeed.

Green Lantern/Circle of Fire #2, written by Vaughan, with art by Robert Teranishi and Claude St. Aubin and a cover by Darryl Banks and Kevin Nowlan. What terrible secret did the World's Greatest Super-Heroes learn about the menace from beyond the stars? The shocking answer to the secrets of Kyle, the new GLs and their foe are revelead. In this extra-length final chapter, the heroes prepare to make their final assault, but what price will they pay for a shocking betrayal from within their own ranks? It's a conclusion that will have startling implications for Kyle Rayner and his relationships with DC's greatest heroes.

Following Circle of Fire, Winick takes over as regular writer with Green Lantern #129. In an issue with art and cover by Banks and Andy Smith, Kyle scores his dream job as a cartoonist for Feast, a wildly successful infotainment magazine. He's hit the jackpot with new studio equipment, free Internet access, and even his own assistant. But meeting his new deadlines is going to be tough since, as soon as he starts his new life, a mean-spirited, tentacled mechanical thingamabob is dragging Kyle's butt to intergalactic parts unknown in "Something Old, Something New."

May 9, 2000                                                       
Spectre Ongoing Series Still a Go
by Michael Doran, Newsarama

While the latest issue of Wizard reports writer J.M. DeMatteis' ongoing The Spectre series starring Hal Jordan has been “put on hold”, resulting in some fans assuming the ongoing series was scuttled even before it began, according to DeMatteis, that’s not the case. The new ongoing Spectre series has simply been pushed back a few months with a new regular artist joining DeMatteis.

“The ongoing is very much a go,” the writer told Newsarama. As Wizard reported, what was to be the first 4 issues of ongoing series, penciled by Michael Zulli, has been rescheduled as a August-debuting 4-part Legends of the DC Universe story arc. But it will also serve as a prequel to the new ongoing series, that will debut a few months after the LOTDCU arc concludes with artist Ryan Sook (Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Ring of Fire) attached as the regular penciler.

“Michael, for a variety of reasons, has moved on to other projects,” explained DeMatteis. “But he really put his heart and soul into these four issues. Ryan was actually the first artist we had lined up for the monthly, but he had a scheduling problem and Michael stepped in to replace him.”

Asked why the opening story arc was rescheduled for LOTDCU and why the series has taken so long to development (it was first confirmed last August before the San Diego Comicon), DeMatteis replied, “One of the answers is that we want to launch the monthly with the ‘official’ writer-artist team in place. Changing artists after four issues on a new series isn't anyone's idea of a good time. And it so happens that this first arc is actually a great set-up story...putting Hal through his paces as he comes to understand and master his new role - and putting the character in a good position to begin his new adventures. Legends of the DCU seemed an ideal place for the story.”

“As to why has this all taken so long? Because it's a new series with a classic character (two of them, actually: Hal and Spectre) and everyone wanted to make sure that the book was properly launched.”

Check out a sample of Sook's artwork [#1] [#2]

May 5, 2000                                                       
More Info about the Ring of Fire 5th Week event

Writer Brian (Swamp Thing) Vaughan, creative quarterback of DC's
August "5th Week" event Green Lantern: Ring of Fire, dropped by to give
us the full creative line-up for the two bookend and five middle
chapter one-shots (each of which pairs an existing DC hero with an
all-new, never-before-seen Green Lantern) that make up the event.

According Vaughan, the line-up is as follows

- Green Lantern: Ring of Fire #1 (54 pages) by Vaughan (w), Norm
Breyfogle (p) and Jesse Delperdang (i)

- Ring of Fire: Green Lantern/Kyle Rayner by Judd Winick (w), Randy
(Witchblade) Green (p) and Wayne Faucher (i)

- Ring of Fire: Green Lantern/The Atom by Vaughan (w) with art by
newcomers Trevor McCarthy (p) and Tyson McAdoo (i)

- Ring of Fire : Green Lantern/Firestorm by Jay (Titans) Faerber (w),
Ron Randall (p) and Dan Davis (i)

- Ring of Fire: Green Lantern/Power Girl by Scott Beatty (co-writer of
the upcoming Robin: Year One) (p), with art by Walter (Deadpool)
McDaniel (p) and Rich Perotta (i)

- Ring of Fire : Green Lantern/Adam Strange by Vaughan (w), Cary
(Mutant X) Nord (p) and Mark Lipka (i)

- Green Lantern: Ring of Fire #2 (38-pages) by Vaughan (w), Robert
(Star Wars) Teranishi (p) and Claude St. Aubin (i)

May 1, 2000                                                       
Nodell Goes After Green Lantern Rights
From Newsarama

Spencer Nodell, son of Alan Scott/Green Lantern creator Marty Nodell confirmed for Newsarama that his father is in talks with copyright attorney Arthur Levine (who also represents the Siegels in their attempts to regain half of the copyrights to Superman from DC Comics) in regards to terminating the transfer of copyright Nodell made for the character to National Periodical Publications decades ago.
 
There's really not much to say, the younger Nodell told Newsarama.  Mr. Levin has our paperwork and is handling the matter for us. There are some differences between it and the Superman case and some similarities, but were all hoping for the best.

April 30, 2000                                                       
GHOSTBUSTED an update to the Spectre happenings

Sources at DC reveal The Spectre ongoing series by J. M. Dematteis has been put on hold. Hal Jordan fans can take heart, however--the three (or four) issues of the series already completed with appear in Legends of the DC Universe.

April 24, 2000                                                       
Frank Miller Speaks Up About Hal Jordan
From Frank Miller/CBR interview-

The wave of nostalgia spoke, I suspect, to a crying need from longtime fans wondering where the hell their heroes have gone. I am responding to that and I'm hoping to do new things with these characters. I'm not out to simply do a reprint of stuff from the sixties. What I want to bring back to superheroes with this project is a sense of play. Things have gotten so dreary. The heroes have gotten so ugly that even their muscles have muscles. The elegance of Gil Kane is gone. You don't see the sheer joy of Green Lantern's power ring. The magic of somebody like the Flash-somebody who's able to move so fast that you can't see him move-is gone. There's no sense of the basic wish that any of these characters have.

I think anyone who's working on a superhero comic should be obliged to write down in one sentence what the central wish is of the character. Every story has to play to that theme. "Adolescent power fantasies" isn't just a tired cliché; it's too broad, too crude. There's more than that to these characters, the good ones, anyway. As it is, I don't know who these characters are anymore. I don't know why they do what they do. Why Green Lantern became a drunk driver when he can fly always loses me. And I'm told they turned him into a mass murderer as well. The fun's gone out of it. I want to try my hand at bringing it back. Perhaps there is a touch of nostalgia in this, and if so, I'm not ashamed about it. That isn't the course of my career. We all can have our little sin now and again; our occasional indulgence in the toys of our childhood.

Look for news of his upcoming sequel to his Darknight Returns soon!

April 16, 2000                                                       
Spectre Happenings

Dan Raspler (Group Editor) was asked at recent Comic Con in Oakland, Ca on the status of the Spectre....

The last four-part story arc in LOTDCU at the end of the year will be starring the new Spectre, done by DeMatteis and Zulli. In the beginning of 2001, the new series will begin, with a different artist (no word yet on who it is). He also said the series would star Hal as the Spectre, not someone else.

March 18, 2000                                                       
DC's August Green Lantern 5th Week Event
Michael Doran, Newsarama

Up-and-coming writer Brian (Swamp Thing) Vaughan checked in with Mania’s Newsarama for some comments on the August “5th Week” event he’s spearheading for DC, Green Lantern: Ring of Fire. According to the creator, “Ring of Fire opens with a major new cosmic villain threatening to destroy the universe. The catch? Kyle Rayner (our current GL and a talented freelance artist) claims that this villain looks and acts exactly like a fictional comic-book baddie by the same name... one that Kyle created when he was just a boy.”

“When this villain with a mysterious connection to Kyle incapacitates Earth's premiere line of defense, Green Lantern will turn to an unlikely band of heroes that includes the Atom, Firestorm, Power Girl and Adam Strange. These are great characters who usually get only a panel or two of ‘screen time’ during major events, but in Ring of Fire, it will be up to these very heroes (and Kyle, of course) to save all of existence.”

“With this event still months away, it's way too early to mention much more than that,” Vaughan concluded. “But I will revise someone's previous statement that this story will ‘define Kyle Rayner as the one, true Green Lantern’. I like Kyle a lot, but I think that most readers feel as if that story may have been done before. I tend to agree, and promise that Ring of Fire will definitely be trying to accomplish something different. As a matter of fact, this story will introduce us to six new Green Lanterns. But that's all I should say for now...”

Here’s a few more details on writer Brian Vaughan’s August 5th week event for DC, Green Lantern: Ring of Fire. A total of seven issues, the event features two bookend chapters written by Vaughan and five additional one-shots, two written by Vaughan and one each by contributors Jay Faerber, Scott Beatty and upcoming ongoing Green Lantern scribe, Judd Winick.

March 13, 2000                                                       
HAL AND THE CORPS TO RETURN IN 2001? 

This excerpt came from Judd Winick himself over on his board.  Pretty exciting news:

"Now, Hal, the Corps and such. Here's a scoop. I have ideas and ways of bringing back both of them. I think they're pretty cool concepts, too. BUT, it will take awhile. I also need to get the okay from the powers that be. For the next year I have the stories laid out. There will be no Hal and there will be no Corps. What I am planning to do is pretty cool. At least I think so and DC thinks so. So, hang tough."

Of course, he may be just saying this to get us Hal fans off his back so he can write Kyle in peace, but I sure hope it is real!  Go Judd go!

March 3, 2000                                                       
MINI GREEN LANTERN STATUES TO SHIP IN 2000

Well if any of you missed the ultra cool (and pricey $195!) Green Lantern statues that came out over the past couple of years (Kyle Rayner, Hal Jordan and Alan Scott) do not fret! They are re-releasing them this year, but in a smaller scale and even smaller price-tag! They will be about a third the size (maybe bigger) and will retail for $39.95 each (according to Diamond previews) So all you Kyle fans, put your order in now for the Kyle statue as it is the first one, followed by Hal's and then Alan's. I think they are staggering them about one a month or two. Kyle will come out in Jun/Jul 2000. Check out what they look like altogether [here]

January 31, 2000                                                       
GIL KANE PASSES AWAY

by Matt Brady & Michael Doran Contributing Editors
AnotherUniverse.com's Newsarama

Long-time and highly respected comic book artist Gil Kane died Monday morning at his home in Florida. Kane, born in 1926, had been suffering from cancer.

Born in 1926, Kane produced volumes of material for MLJ, Marvel and DC, but is probably best known to current comic book fans for redesigning the Silver Age Green Lantern and creating the Ray Palmer version of the Atom for DC. Among other creations, Kane also created Morpheus (whom Kane based on Jack Palance) and Iron Fist for Marvel, as well as redesigned Captain Marvel's costume.

During his career Kane was closely associated with many characters, including the Atom, Green Lantern, the Hulk, Captain Marvel and Spider-Man, as well as numerous Western heroes, which he counted among his favorites.

Throughout his career, Kane strove to be an innovator of the comic book medium, pioneering the graphic novel format (with the stories Blackmark and His Name is Savage) as well as independent publishing, two achievements he's rarely acknowledged for. Additionally, in the late '70s, Kane left comics and launched Starhawks, a science-fiction newspaper comic strip in the form of a comic page to critically acclaimed five-year run.

As the 1980s came around and many of Kane's contemporaries found themselves replaced by younger artists, Kane's fluid and dynamic style fit right in, allowing him return to creating comics without so much as a career hiccup. In the early '80s, Kane found himself working on Action Comics and again the Atom - in a new role that he himself had suggested - a miniature barbarian in The Sword of the Atom.

During that stretch of working on the Atom and Action Comics in the early '80s, Kane performed what would be considered an unapproachable task by many artists today - penciling and inking his own work, sometimes up to 50 pages plus two covers a month. His output, he insisted in a slightly curmudgeonly way, was due to the fact that he hated seeing his pencils inked by anyone other than himself.

In the midst of his return to comics in the early '80s, Kane took a cue from his contemporaries and headed to California to try his hand at animation and work for Ruby-Spears and Hanna-Barbera, working on development for a number of different series and concepts. During his approximately five-year stay in the animation field, Kane managed to squeeze out a few comic projects for DC, most of which coming in as favors for Kane's long time friend, Julie Schwartz.

For more on the late legend's life and career, click here.

January 7, 2000                                                       
BUSIEK TO DO GREEN LANTERN/HAL JORDAN SPECIAL! 

As part of DC's 5th week event entitled THE SILVER AGE, starting this May, Kurt Busiek will be doing the following:

Green Lantern #1 (Week Four)– by Kurt Busiek, pencils by Brent Anderson and a cover by Gil Kane and Kevin Nowlan. Explained Busiek – an admitted Hal Jordan/Green Lantern fanboy, “Taking place toward the end of the whole shebang, I pick up Hal Jordan at a time when he's trapped inside Sinestro's body, and chasing the Injustice League - in the JLA's bodies - through space in a desperate attempt to stop them from getting the third and final mystery - component they need for their super-weapon. So it's Sinestro versus the JLA for the fate of the universe - and unless Sinestro wins, we're all doomed!”

“There are a few twists to it here and there, including an appearance by the Green Lantern Corps, another Silver Age band of alien cops and the usual Silver Age ins and outs - including a pretty severe character-based problem Hal's got to overcome. Plus, there's a story within a story, for those who want to see Hal-as-Hal, and not as Sinestro, as we flash back to tell a tale of a clash between Green Lantern and Sonar, Master of Sound. It's there both to give me a chance to write Hal as GL for real, and because it's a building block of the main story - and just how, you'll have to wait and see to find out.”

“It's a "complete 3-part novel" in the spankin' Silver Age tradition, and I'm hoping readers'll have at least as much fun as I did...

For more info on this project, click here.

January 6, 2000                                                       
DEMATTEIS' UPDATE
(thanks to the Comic Continuum)

J.M. DeMatteis' many DC Comics projects this year will include a new Green Lantern graphic novel featuring Hal Jordan.

"I got an approval on a 96-page Green Lantern graphic novel," DeMatteis told The Continuum on Wednesday. "A very offbeat fantasy in the Little Nemo mode, set in the very early days of Hal's GL career, to be illustrated by Seth Fisher."

DeMatteis is also writing DC's new Spectre series, which is being drawn by Michael Zulli but hasn't been scheduled officially yet.

"We're working away on Spectre, but I honestly have no idea when the book is coming out," he said. "I'm about to start working on issue #4, Michael's drawing away on issue #3...so things are moving along. I, for one, wouldn't mind, if we finished five or six issues before they schedule it."

January 5, 2000                                                                   
WINICK CONFIRMED BY DC AS NEXT REGULAR GREEN LANTERN WRITER

This week DC Comics officially confirmed creator Judd Winick as the next regular writer of the Green Lantern ongoing series. Longtime scribe Ron Marz, who recently announced his departure from the title with issue #125 (April) due to his commitments to CrossGen Comics, has named Winick in the past few weeks as a potential new GL writer. Marz was very pleased DC’s choice for his successor. Friends for the past two years, Marz had asked Winnick to pencil a comic strip in an upcoming GL issue that would have been drawn by Kyle Rayner as part of that issue’s story, and Winnick’s role in the book’s future took off from there.

Winick, tentatively set to begin his Green Lantern run with issue #128 (July, after 2 issues - #126-127 – by Jay Faerber), is writer and illustrator of Oni Press’ The Adventures of Barry Ween, Boy Genius, and is maybe best known as one of the seven ‘roommates’ in MTV’s 3rd season of The Real Word, set in San Francisco.

Winick, who describes himself as a long-time GL fan who’s been reading the title for about 10 years, told Newsarama he plans on “bringing Kyle into his own.”

“Ron has delivered him this far and now I see the responsibility to follow through with it. Kyle’s in his late 20's and he’ll reflect that. He’s a cartoonist and he’ll reflect that. I’m also both of these things and my writing will reflect that. Kyle’s no longer the ‘new kid with the ring’ and we’re going to get beyond that.”

Winick is keeping a tight lid on most of his plans, but did say “we’ll see” when asked if he saw the GL Corps as part of the future GL mythos, said he plans on introducing a new villain soon (as well as updating an old GL villain!), that he plans on incorporating a little more “natural, conversational” humor to the title and said, “I'm more excited that I can possibly tell you.”

Leave Judd a message!  Visit next planet over to do so!

January 4, 2000                                                                
MARZ'S LAST GL STORY
(thanks to the Comic Continuum)

Ron Marz's last Green Lantern story won't be in Green Lantern #125, his last issue of the DC Comics title; it will be in the Green Lantern/Aliens mini-series.

"Yup, I'm still writing GL/Aliens, which I believe will ship -- first issue of a four-issue mini -- in August," Marz told The Continuum. "So, in an ironic twist, my final GL project will be coming out from Dark Horse."

Marz confirmed that the overall storyline for Green Lantern/Aliens has been approved by both DC and Dark Horse. Rick Leonardi is the artist for the mini-series.

December 30, 1999                                                                   
NEXT WRITER TO WEAR 'GREEN LANTERN' RING? JAY FAERBER, BRIEFLY 
(thanks to the comic wire at comicbook resources)

Ron Marz has officially stepped down as the writer of DC Comics' "Green Lantern" with issue 125. And while the next full-time writer on the series has yet to be announced, another writer who knows his youthful heroes will be pinch-hitting for one issue.

"I'm writing ['Green Lantern'] #126," Jay Faerber told the Comic Wire on Monday. "I think I got the gig because I resemble Ron Marz - or so I'm told. I've been mistaken for him in the halls of DC a number of times, but my favorite instance was when a DC editor had an entire conversation with me, thinking I was Ron the entire time."

Faerber is no stranger to heroes learning the ropes: He's the current writer of Marvel Comics' "New Warriors."

"Gus Vasquez is penciling the issue, and I've been a fan of his stuff since 'Sunfire & Big Hero 6,' so I'm looking forward to seeing what does with my story. It's a stand-alone adventure that finds Kyle posing as a super-villain, so he can go undercover in the Slab, where he needs to buddy up with one of the inmates, who may have information on a woman who was abducted by an escaped inmate."

December 23, 1999                                                                   
MARZ LEAVES 'GREEN LANTERN' (TO WINICK?) IN FAVOR OF CROSSGEN TITLES

November 18, 1999                                                                   
Possible Golden Age 9" Figures in 2000?
Loved the 9" Hal Jordan figure? Well the rumors are popping up that Hasbro may be producing a Golden Age line similar to the very well received Silver Age 9" Superheroes line (Green Lantern, Aquaman, Green Arrow, Supes and Bats). It appears this is more than a rumor and quite a possibility as a Toys R Us exclusive. Currently, Target is the store chosen for Silver Age exclusives (Supes and Bats) and KB Toys will be the store for Modern exclusives (Y2K Bats).  More as we get more information in early 2000!  Here's to a possible Alan Scott!

October 27, 1999                                                                   
Green Lantern By Alex Ross Poster!
The November Previews (page 88) has a new Alex Ross poster for advance solicitation, and will be in stores by Feb 16!  Order yours now as they are limited and anything Alex does, sells out for good!  And at only $7.95 a piece, you know they won't last!  It measures 22"x34" and is designed to stand on its own OR be placed side-by-side with others in the set. Flash/Barry Allen is also offered.

October 26, 1999                                                                  
CrossGen Hires Marz, Castellini
by Michael Doran, AnotherUniverse.com's Newsarama

CrossGeneration Comics, the new publishing venture that will premiere next spring with Brandon Peterson as its art director and Barbara Kesel as its head writer (with both creators also penciling and writing titles respectively) have announced two new additions to its growing creative stable, artist Claudio Castellini and writer Ron (Green Lantern) Marz.

Castellini is committed to penciling CrossGen's premiere title, a May 2000 release written by Marz that will establish the background for the new publisher's entire universe. "We wanted to get off with a bang and Claudio was the man for the job," said CrossGen spokesperson Ian Feller.

Though currently committed to only that one book for the company - CrossGen hopes he'll like it there enough to come back and join them as a staff employee.

Marz will be joining their staff and working from their Tampa, Fla. offices, and according to CrossGen's policies, with that comes a certain level of commitment. "Anyone CrossGen hires will only be working on CrossGen projects," Feller explained. "If someone came here with previous commitments to finish, I'm sure finishing them up wouldn't be a problem and would be expected."

This of course raises questions regarding Marz's current ongoing assignment for DC, Green Lantern. Rumors surrounding Marz's possible departure from the title have been circulating on AOL message board forums and on the 'net for weeks, but Marz has not indicated that a definitive exit is in sight. When reached for comment, the writer addressed the issue, responding, "The general rule is that all CrossGen employees are supposed to be exclusive to the company, but I certainly have a number of commitments elsewhere that I can't and won't walk away from. All parties involved have been understanding, and I'm grateful for that. Beyond that, I don't want to say anything too specific, because a lot of the specifics aren't worked out yet..."

Asked directly if this means he'll be leaving Green Lantern sometime down the road, Marz replied, "Down the road, everyone eventually leaves their books. I can say that I feel a very strong responsibility to DC as well as the readers of GL, so I definitely won't just turn on my heel and walk away from the book feeling as if I've left my job undone."

"My other responsibilities to DC, as well as Dark Horse, are part of an ongoing discussion at this point. I absolutely intend to fulfill the commitments I've made to them, on a number of projects I'm really looking forward to. But I can also confirm that I will be working for CrossGen, and I'm very excited about the new opportunities that presents."

October 11, 1999                                                              
Spectre Takes The H.E.A.T.

Last week we checked in with some notable pros for their reaction to the recent developments in Hal Jordan's life (well, afterlife might be more accurate), this week we decided to take a look at the reader perspective, so we contacted a spokesperson for the Hal Jordan fan advocacy group H.E.A.T to ask them what the general consensus is among their members regarding the results of the Day of Judgment mini-series and the upcoming new Spectre ongoing series.

"HEAT has responded very favorably to the outcome of Day of Judgment," said spokesperson John Keady. "Hal Jordan is returned to continuity and many of us are looking foreword to the new Spectre series and the storylines that Mr. DeMatteis has hinted at. Overall, we're very happy with these developments and I believe that many Hal fans will endorse the Spectre series. I think that it's a great step in the right direction. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Geoff Johns in writing the tale that returned Hal Jordan and we hope that he is given the opportunity to write more Spectre/Hal stories in the future!"

"That being said, however, our goals remain the same - the return of Hal Jordan to his rightful place as a Green Lantern. We feel that the Spectre is a good starting point in reintroducing Hal Jordan back to the DC Universe but I think the ultimate goal is to restore his rightful place as a GL along with Alan Scott and Kyle Rayner. There are Hal fans out there that want to see the redemption storyline and his return to grace and some that will accept nothing less than his total exoneration from the events of Emerald Twilight."

October 9, 1999                                                                     
Having a Monopoly on the JLA!
Monopoly will soon be releasing a Justice League retro game (box below). The set is based on the old Justice League of America circa 1970's. The token figures consist of Aquaman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Martain Manhunter, Superman and Wonderwoman. See board.

October 3, 1999                                                                    
DeMatteis Finally Talks About The New Spectre
Michael Doran, AnotherUniverse.com's Newsarama

Newsarama has spoken to writer JM DeMatteis before about his upcoming new Spectre ongoing series with artist Michael Zulli for DC a number of times in fact. But in all our previous conversations, there was one very important aspect of the title DeMatteis couldn’t speak on specifically who the Spectre’s new human host would be. But as of last Wednesday’s release of Day of Judgment #5, the cone of silence has been lifted, so we caught up with the writer to get the first complete preview and comments on his upcoming
plans.

Said DeMatteis, re-explaining the premise of the title now that he can talk about the identity of his protagonist, The series is a journey of discovery for Hal Jordan, a man in desperate search of personal redemption - but who finds himself frustrated, and overwhelmed, by the fact that he has to achieve that redemption through the medium of the Spectre, the Spirit of Wrath. For all his faults this guy was a hero's hero. Now he's being asked to fry men's immortal souls. It's quite a leap.

As I may have noted before, the first year is going to be an evolution - as Hal - who, in the beginning is NOT in full control of the Spectre powers, its more like they control him - learns to master the Spectre...even as he questions his role AS the Spectre. Each storyline will advance Hal's understanding and alter our conception of who and what the Spectre is. By the
end of the first year, both Hal and the Spectre will be in a place VERY different from where they started.

Asked whether readers should consider this a true Spectre series, or more of a next-phase-in-the-life of former Green Lantern Hal Jordan, DeMatteis split the difference down the middle. Both, said the writer. Hal Jordan IS the Spectre now...not Green Lantern. His Spectre adventures and his inner journey will be inextricably linked. In some ways he's not even the Hal we knew, having gone through a fall from grace, death, and resurrection (which can really change a guy). But the series will be VERY character driven...and Hal is one of the oldest and greatest characters in the DCU.

DeMatteis admits to being thrown when he first learned of DC’s plans for Hal Jordan, but the creator inside soon began to consider the possibilities. Part of me, the part that grew up with Hal, would've been happy to see him remain the pure, untainted GL forever, DeMatteis said. But being who I am...and gravitating toward the kinds of psychological/spiritual tales that I love to write...how could I pass up a chance to chronicle Hal's journey to redemption? (A journey, I might add, that will ultimately have repercussions not just for Hal...but for the human race he said cryptically.) The fact is, Hal is now a far more multi-layered and fascinating character than ever.

Finally, when asked how he felt about the whole "controversial" aura surrounding Hal over the last 6 years, and whether or not he expects Hal loyalists to accept this development, DeMatteis replied, Who knows what readers will think? That's up to them, isn't it? What Dan Raspler (series editor), Michael Zulli, and I want to do is create a book that is intelligent, emotional, thought-provoking...and fun! We want to bring in wild storylines, 
a mix of new and old villains, super-hero action and supernatural weirdness. In the end, all we can do is do our best. Let the readers make what they will of it. 
(But I do hope they enjoy it!)

Oh, we will JM!

DeMatteis expects the series to debut very early in 2000!

September 15, 1999                                                           
New Green Lantern editor named!
Beginning with issue #120 of the current series of Green Lantern, new editor Bob Schreck begins his tenure.  First, he will be working with Mike Carlin as co-editor, until he gets his feet wet.  He has worked with Ron Marz in the past and the two have some good ideas for Kyle in the near future.  Welcome aboard Bob!  For more of this news, click here.

Also, in Day of Judgment #3, Hal is back: as Green Lantern!

September 12, 1999                                                             
More Hal sightings and Spectre News!
With Day of Judgment #2 out, here is a great Hal shot.  Wait till number three hits!  Hal is back as something unexpected in that issue! 
Click here for recent Hal shot.

Also, here's a Newsarama interview with new Spectre writer JM Dematties!

While we're still a few weeks away from learning the "secret" identity of the new human host of the Spectre, with this week's release of DC's Day of Judgment #1, we figured we'd check in with writer JM DeMatteis to see how he's coming with the new ongoing Spectre series…

"Well, I just finished the plot to the 2nd issue," said DeMatteis. "And the amazing Michael Zulli's halfway through the first...and it's shaping up into something very interesting, I think. Asked what he could reveal about the series at this point, the writer replied, "Whoever the new Spectre is, the 1st year will be a real voyage of discovery for him…or her…or it. The character's traditional role will come profoundly into question...and there will be a tremendous growth curve. New villains will be introduced. And everything you thought you knew about the Spectre will be changed by issue #12. The book will, I hope, be a mix of strong characters, spiritual themes, supernatural happenings, and good old-fashioned slam-bang adventures."

"You can also look for a main supporting player who's been around the DCU for nearly 40 years...and who, paradoxically, we virtually knew nothing about."

"Is that cryptic enough..?"

Phantom Stranger anyone?

September 9, 1999                                                             
Welcome back Hal!
Here is a foreshadow picture of Hal appearing in Day of Judgment #1.  Check out DoJ #2 due out today for Hal's full blown return!  It has been a long six years, but it looks like it is over!  All hail the return of Hal Jordan!

September 2, 1999                                                              
Green Lantern vs Dr. Polaris Action Figures coming soon!
HasbroCollectors.com will be releasing the long awaited and rumored cool two pack soon.  It features Kyle in battle armor (very cool, looks like a cross between Parallax and Alan Scott in Kingdom Come!) and Doc Polaris in his newer costume. For more info, click here.

August 24, 1999                                                                   
Green Lantern figure sighted at Jack in the Box restaurants restaurants restaurants
Jack-in-the-Box food chain (located primarily in the western part of the USA) is offering DC Superheroes Kids meals with figures!  If you don't have a JItB near you & want to see pictures, click here.

August 13, 1999                                                                  
Fifth wave of DC Direct Sales figures revealed!
This just in!  DC Direct Sales (meaning available at comic shops ONLY) will be offering a NEW Hal Jordan figure along with Black Canary and Green Arrow!  This will be their (DC) 5th wave of Direct sales figures.  Exact release date appears to be 02/23/00 (watch for them in Previews).  
Man,  Hal looks EXCELLENT here!

• Also word of a PVC set is also due out April 2000! 

Source: San Diego Comic Con '99

August 9, 1999                                                                      
Kyle ... Hal ... And a Whole Lotta Bugs
reported by Newsarama

Dark Horse Comics and DC will continue their inter-company face-offs late this year or early next, this time with a showdown between DHC's Aliens and both of DC's most prominent Green Lanterns.

Published by DHC, Green Lantern/Aliens will be a 4-issue mini-series written by Green Lantern's Ron Marz and illustrated by Rick Leonardi and an inker to be named later. According to Marz, the way the project is shaping up, issue #1 will take place in the past, and feature Hal Jordan and members of the GL Corps facing an alien infestation. The remaining 3 issues will then be set in current continuity, and feature Kyle Rayner and a handful of the few former still living - but of course now powerless - GL Corps members. The two stories are linked naturally, with the events of the past paving the way for the conflict in the present.

"When I wrote Batman/Aliens, I wanted a tone more like the original Alien movie, kind of a haunted house story with relatively few Aliens," explained Marz. "This one will be more like Aliens, meaning they'll be a horde of them."

Marz hopes to have Ollie Queen and Black Canary ("in her fishnet days") make appearances in issue #1, and cryptically added, "Kyle's confrontation with the Aliens will take place out in space (not on Earth), in a location that should hold some meaning for GL fans. "

Let's see...Superman has faced 'em, so has Batman, and now two GL's...Here's hoping the JLA has finally put a file together on these guys.

July 19, 1999                                                                              
DC Spoils us for Y2K
On Saturday at the Wizard World comic convention in Chicago, DC announced their plans for the year 2000, DC made some revelations that sound promising! It's possible that Green Lantern Kyle Rayner will be walking down the aisle in the year 2000. The new Green Lantern Corps and a resurrected Hal Jordan will also play a part in his life! More Information as I get it!

July 12, 1999                                                                              
DON'T FORGET TO PICK UP YOUR GREEN LANTERN: 
JLA YEAR ONE ACTION FIGURE THIS SEPTEMBER !
Looking at the Diamond Previews for September, the new 9" Silver Age assortment of DC Heroes will be available in this classic style that is similar to the old 1970's Mego-style action figures which have long been considered by collectors to be the definitive action figure style. They are listed at $20.00 a piece. The figures are of the JLA: YEARONE era Aquaman, Green Lantern (Hal), and clean shaven Green Arrow (Ollie) in his classic outfit.

June 30, 1999                                                                              
The Cat is Out of the DC Bag:
Hal Jordan returns as Spectre!  WARNING: SPOILERS FOLLOW WARNING: SPOILERS FOLLOW
It is official!  Hal will indeed be the new Spectre this Summer/Fall!  By evidence of the cover of JLA #35 and GL #119, we finally see the face of the new Spectre and it is pretty obvious who it is! Check the checklist section on the synopsis of that issue. WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD! Go here for the cover shot of [JLA#35]   And cover of [GL#119]JLA#35]   And cover of [GL#119]

• Special thanks to Parallax, of our sister site, The Lord of the Green, for discovering this info!

• Want to learn more about the Spectre?   Check out this cool Spectre page!

May  30, 1999                                                                              
DOOLEY DOINGS
reported by Newsarama
As we reported last week, DC editor Kevin (Green Lantern)
Dooley's long, eventful and sometimes controversial career with the publisher ended on 5/28. Asked why he chose to resign, Dooley recently told Newsarama, "It was just time for me to go. I've been at DC for 10 plus years, and I've done a superb body of work that I'm very proud of. I just edited my 100th issue of Green Lantern (#116), a book I came to DC to do because I love GL and Hal and the other characters.
I've succeeded in making GL the best selling single character DC title, and I wanted to leave on an up note. Someone at work compared me to The Mary Tyler Moore Show."

       As to what's next for him, Dooley didn't go into specifics,
saying only, "Something where I can interact with people on a more one-to-one basis. For now, not in the comics field."
Ron Marz, who's often linked with Dooley in the controversy
that has sometimes surrounded Green Lantern during the last 6 years - the Kyle Rayner era - had this to say about his departing editor. "I'm grateful for the opportunity I was given by Kevin when he turned Green Lantern over to me, especially when such a drastic change was in store for the book," said Marz. "I'm proud of the work the entire GL team has done over the last 6 years or so, and Kevin was an instrumental part of that. I wish him nothing but the best in his post-career."
"I consider Kevin my friend even more than my editor, and
certainly it's going to be an adjustment without him, but I couldn't wish to be in better hands than those of my new editors."

      As to who those new editors are, a spokesperson for DC
informs us that Executive Editor Mike Carlin and new Senior Editor Bob Schreck will co-edit Green Lantern, Carlin takes over Aquaman, and Dan Raspler takes over the full editing duties on the summer crossover/event-style 5-issue mini-series Day of Judgment.

It's Not Easy Being Green

     DC has made no secret that there are big plans in the works
for the Spectre, and that the character will be featured prominently
in September's Day of Judgment "summer crossover/event" style
miniseries, and then later will appear during year 2 of the new upcoming JSA ongoing series (Comic Shop News is also reporting the writer JM DeMatteis has signed to write an upcoming Spectre mini or ongoing series, but we have not confirmed that with DC). But what exactly are those big plans? DC isn't tipping their hand just yet, saying only that, "Day of Judgment will host the rebirth of one of the DCU's greatest heroes." So the crack staff here at Newsarama - having entirely to much time on our hands - figured we take another close look at the story and see what they could come up with. We don't know if our unconfirmed speculation needs to be
            

SPOILER WARNED...

but just in case, you have been...
Earlier this year, as-of-today ex-DC editor Kevin Dooley
explained what he has in store for the spirit of vengeance in Day of Judgment...

"When the villainous Azmodel (last seen in JLA: Paradise
Lost) returns and takes control of the power of the Spectre in order to begin his long-awaited assault on Heaven, Hell literally descends on Earth. While most of the DCU's heroes remain on Earth to try to stop the demons and disasters that erupt all over the globe, a squad of magic-powered heroes attempts to reach Heaven and bring the spirit of Jim Corrigan back to Earth to regain control of the power that once was his to command."

    "The story is about redemption. Something big happens to the
Spectre right from issue #1 and many of DC's mystical characters will be defined and refined," promised Dooley.

    "Rebirth" and "redemption", are about the only clues to go on
at this point, but "redemption" put us in mind of that rumor that surfaced a few months back suggesting that perhaps a certain reverentially remembered former Green Lantern might be taking up the mantle of the Spectre sometime this year. That rumor puttered out almost as quickly as it began, and we never gave it much of a thought. But then we recently noticed a nearly throwaway reference in the solicitation copy for July's Green
Lantern Secret Files #2, a series that is occasionally known to
subtly foreshadow important future DCU events... The solicitation reads in part, and we quote, "...The special also includes a turning point in the life of Jade, and a never-before-seen meeting between Hal Jordan and the Spectre..."

    Mere coincidence..? Hhmmmmmmmm...

                Stay tuned...

May  28, 1999                                                                              
There is a Spectre in the shadows
The rumors have become more and more convincing that Hal will indeed return this fall to mainstream comics.  How he will return does involve the upcoming "Day of Judgement" mini-series involving most of all DC's magic heros and villians.  As a working title at DC, it has come to be known as "Hell on Earth" but several DC employees have dubbed it "Hal on Earth" as this may be the vessel to bring back Hal Jordan.  The Spectre has been mentioned a lot and since both the Spectre (which his own book had been cancelled, but now it is coming back after this event, written by J.M. DeMatteis) and Hal Jordan has apparently been dead these past six years, may be a natural for the two to come together.  Nothing official yet, but my sources say it looks good.  Stay tuned as more info comes this way! Check out this site on the Spectre to learn more about this character. [more]

May  17, 1999                                                                              
Kevin Dooley, editor of Green Lantern to leave DC!
Was Kevin Dooley fired by DC? No—but he has given up his editorial position, Patty Jeres of DC confirms, because he’s moving to the other side of the country. So who will take over as editor on Green Lantern, Aquaman and other Dooley-edited books? No decisions have been made yet, but look for announcement in the next week or two. May 28th is his last day, we wish him well!

May  4, 1999                                                                              
Blast from the past...
Ahh, remember the good old days?  When comic companies would listen to their fans?  I found this interesting postcard DC must have mailed out to fans writing in, demanding Green Lantern be made into a monthly comic, when he appeared in Showcase back in 1960.  Wouldn't it be nice to see this again?  Write DC and let them know you want Hal Jordan back!

April  29, 1999                                                                              
Hal to return in Fall '99?
A rumor has sprung up that Hal will return to mainstream comics in the Legion of Superheroes comics later this year in a hypertime story.  Is it true?  Time will tell, but take this with a grain of salt until reports are verified.  Earlier rumors of Hal becoming the new Spectre have also been circulating for sometime, all without fact from DC.  Read the synopsis of this possible tale here.

In a related story, Superman will become a Green Lantern in June!  This is not a rumor!  Check out Superman #147 in the checklist section for more details! [checklist]

April  21, 1999                                                                              
The passing of a comics Legend
 John Broome, creator of the Silver Age Green Lantern Mythos, creator of the Silver Age Green Lantern Mythos, the Silver Age Flash, Kid Flash, Elongated Man, The Rogues Gallery...and most of what we came to know as the Silver Age...has passed away this week after suffering a heart attack.  He was a legend and will be truly missed.