DC's Green Lanterns have always stood for truth and justice in the galaxy, but there’s one thing that makes their light even stronger: the diversity at the core of their institution. Every Green Lantern comes from a different background with a unique perspective, and it's this diversity that keeps their willpower so strong, even after decades of lore.

The importance of diverse perspectives is especially true of the eight human Green Lanterns in DC Comics, and as the DC Cinematic Universe shifts focus once again to the Green Lanterns, hey can’t afford to waste the opportunity to showcase such an array of interesting, unique characters. After DC's Dawn of DC initiative's focus on classic heroes came a new wave of Green Lantern storytelling, which saw the human Green Lanterns split up after Earth is quarantined from the rest of the universe.

2023’s Green Lantern series by Jeremy Adams and Xermánico features Hal Jordan investigating the Lanterns’ new "bosses" and includes side stories showing how the rest of Earth’s Green Lanterns are handling their new orders. A little over a year later, HBO ordered a new series starring Green Lanterns John Stewart and Hal Jordan as part of the new DC Cinematic Universe being overseen by Superman’s James Gunn.

The Green Lanterns of Earth Are Some of the Corps' Strongest Heroes

Sector 2184 Is Well-Protected

While fans of DC’s films and animation might be familiar with Lanterns Hal Jordan or John Stewart, comic fans will know that Earth’s sector of space (sector 2184) is well-guarded against the many extraterrestrial threats that come its way, and that’s thanks to the many different Earth Lanterns that bear a Green Lantern’s ring. In addition to Hal and John, Green Lantern lore remains iconic due to fellow Lanterns Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner, Simon Baz, Jessica Cruz, Alan Scott, and most recently, Sojourner “Jo” Mullein. That’s a lot of rings.

Alan Scott's Green Lantern ring is a special, magical case. Learn more about Alan and his powers in Alan Scott: The Green Lantern by Tim Sheridan and Cian Tormey, available now both digitally and in collected editions from DC Comics.

While overpopulation when it comes to characters remains a threat to other areas of DC, the overall narrative of the Green Lanterns has avoided this by giving every character a unique perspective on life that adds to the Green Lantern Corps' handling of larger issues: Jessica debuted with extreme anxiety borne from a traumatic experience; after witnessing the tragedy of 9/11, Jo was motivated to do good; Simon’s financial issues led him to dangerous, illegal practices. No Lantern has the same upbringing or is a direct copy of their peers, and that’s a good thing.

Diversity Remains the Green Lanterns’ Most Undervalued Asset

The Lanterns Return to the Screen Thanks to Gunn's New DCU

Generally, the Green Lanterns have starred in their own solo series, but when they’re together as a team, they’re at their strongest. Recent Green Lantern issues proved this by showcasing the efforts of the human Lanterns in leading the remaining resistance against the United Planets' corrupt ruling. The Green Lanterns are more than characters united by the same organization; they’re a group of characters who share the same strong character trait that sees them through the toughest of battles: willpower. But it’s their individual talents that keep the Corps going.

The new onscreen DCU has yet to realize this. The HBO Lanterns show will mark the first live action return of the Green Lanterns since Ryan Reynolds’ ill-fated 2011 movie, but only with Hal Jordan and John Stewart in starring roles. Guy Gardner will make his live-action debut in 2025's Superman. The new DCU doesn’t need to incorporate all eight human Green Lanterns, but it should understand how large of a role diversity plays in the Corps.

With so much history under its belt, it's hard to understand what makes the Green Lantern franchise click. But there’s no denying that the diversity among the Green Lanterns has been the shining star for a long time. Unlike the Justice League, the Green Lanterns are a forever-established team, whether Earth is quarantined or whether the Lanterns bear a ring or not. The diversity that comes from the Corps' many characters will always be a large factor in its success - fictional and commercial. Hopefully, Gunn's new DCU will keep that in mind moving forward as the Green Lanterns make their HBO debut.

The first arc of Adams and Xermánico's Green Lantern is available now from DC Comics.