Justice Society. According to the solicitation for the new JSA series, Ruby Sokov, the daughter of DC's original Red Lantern, is officially ing the Injustice Society of America. But it’s not just her history with the JSA that makes her decision interesting, but her connection to Green Lantern Alan Scott.

Ruby’s future in the DC Universe is secure as she’s pictured in the new roster of the ISA in a variant cover by Cully Hamner for JSA #1, a new title by Jeff Lemire and Diego Olortegui, launching November 2024 as part of DC's All In initiative. Ruby is the current wielder of the Crimson Flame, an energy source dependent on rage, the opposite to Alan Scott’s Green Lantern energy, which is fueled by willpower.

Ruby's father, Vlir Sokov, the original Red Lantern, was an adversary of the Justice Society during DC's new Golden Age — and also the star-crossed love of Alan Scott. Ruby made her DC Universe debut in Justice Society of America #1 by Geoff Johns and Mikel Janín as part of an alternate futuristic timeline before officially entering the current timeline in Justice Society of America #8 by Johns and Janín.

The Original Red Lantern, Vlad Sokov, Is Ruby's Father

How Is He Connected to Green Lantern Alan Scott?

Ruby's family connection to Vlir Sokov, the original Red Lantern, left her with natural red skin, and so Ruby was taken to be studied at the Red Labs. The New Golden Age #1 by Johns, Steve Lieber, Jerry Ordway, Olortegui, and more revealed that Vlir tried to take her back but was unsuccessful, his attempt ending in a massacre that killed every scientist — and himself. When readers first meet Ruby, she’s determined to find her father, believing that he’s still alive.

Justice Society of America #8 opens with Ruby’s hunt for her father. Despite his objections, JSA member Huntress convinced Alan Scott to go looking for Ruby to try to sway her onto the right path. Alan comes across Ruby leaving a trail of bodies behind her, using her power to enact her version of justice. While Alan is very obviously wary of her rage, it’s also clear that Green Lantern's complicated history with her father convinces him to offer Ruby another shot.

For more about Alan's fraught history with the Red Lantern — both romantic and contentious — check out Alan Scott: The Green Lantern by Tim Sheridan and Cian Tormey, available in a new softcover collected edition September 24th, 2024 from DC Comics.

Red Lantern Fought for the JSA in a Different Future - Now She's Siding with the Villains

Variant Cover by Sweeney Boo

Ruby’s fate might seem final, but there is still potential for the Red Lantern to do good, even if she's now pictured with the ISA. In the far future, Huntress and Power Girl lead a Justice Society whose roster consists of reformed villains; Ruby is one of them, making her a full JSA member. That version of Ruby Sokov no longer exists thanks to a villainous time-traveling scheme, but it proved that the power of the Crimson Flame can be harnessed for good. Redemption might not be a part of Ruby’s imminent future, but it could be a part of her larger journey, as Huntress refuses to give up on her old friends.

The current Justice Society of America series still has two more issues to go before the arc closes out, but it’s clear that Ruby has a large role to play in the Justice Society’s future. Whether or not Ruby chooses to do good after ing the ISA is unclear, but her history with both Huntress and the first Green Lantern remains strong. As the Red Lantern, Ruby Sokov could be their most powerful ally — or their most powerful enemy.

JSA #1 is available November 6th, 2024 from DC Comics.