Green Lantern #61

A few months ago, unexpected visitors knocked at my door. After exchanging pleasantries, two ladies opened our conversation by posing the off-handed question, "If all the evil people on earth were wiped out, wouldn't it be great?" Their question was a tactical one, designed for only one response -a 'Yes.' Of course, I'd want all the evil people killed, right? Umm...not so fast.

The problem of evil has been explored by many over the ages. The medium of comic books is no different. In Green Lantern #61, Mike Friedrich writes a classic comic dealing with the complexities of power and black-and-white solutions.

Green Lantern #61 predominantly follows Alan Scott as he flows from Earth-One to Earth-Two answering the calls of his power ring to confront evil. Alan Scott grows tired of being constantly called into action. In classic hero-complex fashion, Scott drains both himself and his power ring of energy. In his worn down and raw emotional state, the Green Lantern of Earth-Two, Alan Scott responds. His simple solution? Order his newly-recharged power ring to rid the earth of evil. I mean, if you had the power to rid the earth of evil, wouldn't you?

With Scott's impulsive decision, the world is emptied...and no one is left standing, not even Earth-Two's Green Lantern! Fortunately, Hal Jordan saves the day, but the problem of evil remains - and there are no simple solutions. Our heroes realize they have limits, even as two of the most powerful beings in the universe.

This comic is a classic. And, its iconic cover is only the beginning. The characters go through the tragic realization they cannot save everyone - and they cannot win over evil, not completely. The message of the story is revealed as Alan shows Hal an ad on a subway train - "To conquer the world, you have to start small, pal." In #61, the Green Lanterns are confronted with the need for serenity - to learn to accept the things they cannot change, to have the courage to change the things they can, and the wisdom to know the difference.