Justice? Hal Jordan seems to be the most popular of the Green Lanterns and yet I find it hard to understand why. He was not the first Earth Green Lantern and there are four other human lanterns to choose from. All of them seem cooler and better than Hal hands down.
Why other Lanterns Are Better Let's start with Alan Scott. Alan is the original Lantern way before Hal. He has the golden age look and feel. He also has Jade as a daughter who is a great character in her own right. In Addition Alan has the most unique power, origin and costume of all the earth Lanterns.
Guy Gardner is the smart-@$$. He is the less than reverent, rebel with his emotions bubbling to the surface. I remember watching the special features of the recent Green Lantern cartoon and they attributed a similar attitude to Hal. In the cartoon I would agree and I liked the cartoon but, that is not the Hal I see in the comics. Hal seems much more dry in his comics. Guy is also the crazy one who has been burned over and over again. Despite that Guy has a heart of gold that he tries not to let anyone see. This can be seen in his romance with Ice and his friendship with G'Nort who wouldn't have even been in the league if it wasn't for Guy.
Is this for real? Guy was also chosen to be the Green Lantern when Abin Sur crashed his ship on earth. Hal only got the ring because he was closer. How would the mythology of the Green Lantern be had Guy been selected before Hal?
John Stewart has two neat personalities. In the DC Animated Universe John is a marine. (once a marine always a marine) It gives a whole new aspect to the Corps. In the comic books he is the human Green Lantern who doesn't wear a mask. He is a man of the people and he even got married unlike most superheroes. John is also the only main Green Lantern who is a minority and is one of the most popular superheroes of color ever.
Kyle Rayner seemed like a younger Hal Jordan in the beginning and he did have the horrible origin story of his girlfriend being cut up and put in a refrigerator. Kyle however came into his own as a more relaxed hero. He is also the most creative of the Green Lanterns. Being an artist he makes really neat constructs with his ring and has a much more modern uniform than the other Lanterns.
Hal takes advantage of Kari's loss.Why Hal Is Not That Great To me Hal has always had a "Superman" like attitude. He has also always had a self-righteous attitude and, yet seems more screwed up than any other lantern and most heroes. Look at his track record.
Hal is a quitter. He quit being a Lantern for a time.
Hal doesn't get along with his fellow Lanterns. He took away Guy Gardner's ring and tried to take away John Stewart's.
Hal can not be counted on. He inadvertently trapped Guy into the Phantom Zone and thought he was dead but before his body would have even been cold he hits on Guy's fiance Kari Limbo. a very short time. Can anyone really blame Guy for his anger...Oh yeah Hal can.
Hal is not a team player. When Guy was put in charge by the Guardians during Crisis of Infinite Earth's Hal turns on him. Again he quit the corps and the League and tried to take other lanterns rings and get members kicked out of the league.
Hal has a questionable relationship with a very young woman. Hal has a serious relationship with Arisia. Arisia was a young teenager who willed herself to look older. Hal himself said that he still thought of her as a child and then a very short time later had his relationship with the young girl. Tell the judge "she looked 18" and see how far it gets you. Later, even after the age reboot of Arisia he is seen hitting on an underage Supergirl. All the while reminding himself that he has food in his refrigerator that is older.
Hal with Arisia Hal has problems with Alcohol. Hal is the only superhero I know of who went to prison for drunk driving.
Hal is a weak protector. Hal is the only hero I know to loose his "protected city" completely. Other heroes have had tragedies in their city but under Hal's watch Coast City is completely destroyed. Every man, woman, child and blade of grass is wiped out.
Hal is unstable. Hal went mad with the loss of Coast City and tried to will it back with his ring. He then went and killed all the remaining Green lanterns and became Parallax. Yes, I know after the fact a story was written saying he was possessed but that didn't really fit what happened originally. When going back and reading the stories it never seemed fit. Lets face facts the Parallax story was made up just to bring Hal back. I maintain he was too far gone to come back.
Hal has an evil soul. Hal became the Spectre because his soul was in purgatory for his sins. Supposedly this was for killing all the Green Lanterns. In the DC Universe the Spectre is the Wrath of God himself. This brings up many questions. Is God wrong in having Hal in purgatory? Was Parallax more powerful than God and was he able to stay undetected for a time? Did God not care that Hal was possessed and therefore not responsible. Was Hal in purgatory for something else? I'm still not sure. This is just one of the problems with the reboot.
I CAN'T!?! Hal Jordan is prejudice. Hal had a friend Tom who he referred to by the racist name "Pieface" or "Pie". Now in his defense Hal seemed to treat Tom with respect in most cases but calling him Pieface is not that respectable. Hal also had weak relationships with people of color. (see image)
Hal has so many poor qualities and they are so many Green Lanterns to choose from. I do not understand his popularity. I do not understand when there are so many other Lanterns to choose from people still think of Hal as a good hero. He has been rebooted over and over again because he always does scuzzy or lame things that make him look bad. You can reboot Batman and say he was always a ham sandwich but that doesn't change things in the past stories. This is just another point of proof to his being a less than great hero. Who is your favorite Earth Lantern, and why? I also ask again What's so great about Hal Jordan?
330 Comments
@avenging_x_bolt: and you calling me an asshole and homophobic isn't a personal attack? Considering you know nothing about me (or homophobia for that matter). let me tell you it most certainly is. I shouldn't have to justify it to someone who throws around such accusations, yet here I am having to defend myself. Also, my remark wasn't indicative of homophobia. It was indicative of your absolute fanboyism for the character. I guess my joke has offended your sexuality, and if so I am sorry. I, myself, am actually a very accepting person so it never would cross my mind someone could be silly enough to confuse my remark for homophobia. But you like to throw around and label me with such offensive ignorance when you know nothing about me? Bad form.
It seriously gets under your skin that I don't agree with you does it? Get over it, seriously. All I tried to point out was that Hal is not a relatable character. It's my opinion. Now, please, eff off.
@avenging_x_bolt: and you calling me an asshole and homophobic isn't a personal attack? Considering you know nothing about me (or homophobia for that matter). let me tell you it most certainly is. I shouldn't have to justify it to someone who throws around such accusations, yet here I am having to defend myself. Also, my remark wasn't indicative of homophobia. It was indicative of your absolute fanboyism for the character. I guess my joke has offended your sexuality, and if so I am sorry. I, myself, am actually a very accepting person so it never would cross my mind someone could be silly enough to confuse my remark for homophobia. But you like to throw around and label me with such offensive ignorance when you know nothing about me? Bad form.
It seriously gets under your skin that i called you an asshole because you took a debate over fictional characters and made it personal with a slur. what you may have intended it as and what it was are two different things (butt buddy,ass bandit etc) are all the same. i never clled you a homophobe but remark in itself is still one derived from homophobia.
n what you sayt I don't agree with you does it? Get over it, seriously. All I tried to point out was that Hal is not a relatable character. It's my opinion. Now, please, eff off.
i believe stated that i respect your opinion even if i dont understand it but whatever. at least you were smart enough to hide your dickery this time.
@extremis: Was that your primitive attempt at communicating something? You'll need to speak in coherent sentences if you expect people understand you. Although I doubt you have any original opinion to share other than that you hate that Hal gets more respect than your avatar, the boring lantern. Yeah, yeah, we all heard John Stewart is more interesting in the cartoon. Who cares, he is boring in the comic. Get over it.
@avenging_x_bolt: I actually wouldn't be surprised if Hal was a homophobe. He's certainly a womanizer. Not a very progressive guy *cough*Silver-Age*cough*. So it's ironic you brought it up to begin with.
@extremis: Was that your primitive attempt at communicating something? You'll need to speak in coherent sentences if you expect people understand you. Although I doubt you have any original opinion to share other than that you hate that Hal gets more respect than your avatar, the boring lantern. Yeah, yeah, we all heard John Stewart is more interesting in the cartoon. Who cares, he is boring in the comic. Get over it.
Lol where did you come from little pest? But a shoot and a miss dear friend.
I'm not even a John fanboy. I just like the cover art for GLC #22 which comes out in July. Nice try though.
@avenging_x_bolt: I actually wouldn't be surprised if Hal was a homophobe. He's certainly a womanizer. Not a very progressive guy *cough*Silver-Age*cough*. So it's ironic you brought it up to begin with.
@avenging_x_bolt: yeah its so ridiculous looking back on those now
Also, at first I thought your avatar was from JLA #1 but I realize it's not. This is the one I was thinking:
nope, its from issue 2 in the Martian Manhunter backup. anyway, i'm sorry for freaking out and calling you an a**hole. it was unacceptable.
No worries. All is forgiven here. But yeah, I'm sorry as well. I definitely made myself look like a royal a** there. I was trying to make a point and somehow misguided my passion for the topic into negative remarks towards you. Definitely uncalled for from my end.
@avenging_x_bolt: yeah its so ridiculous looking back on those now
Also, at first I thought your avatar was from JLA #1 but I realize it's not. This is the one I was thinking:
nope, its from issue 2 in the Martian Manhunter backup. anyway, i'm sorry for freaking out and calling you an a**hole. it was unacceptable.
No worries. All is forgiven here. But yeah, I'm sorry as well. I definitely made myself look like a royal a** there. I was trying to make a point and somehow misguided my passion for the topic into negative remarks towards you. Definitely uncalled for from my end.
we've all been there. we're a passionate bunch, us comic fans. glad we can just put this behind us and learn from it.
@liberty: Sorry dude, that's like saying Bruce Wayne isn't the best Batman, or Nick Fury the best S.H.I.E.L.D. Director.
There are far more positive traits of him than negatives. He's the only one that has fun while he's out there. He`s the only one who can beat Sinestro. He has the biggest balls. He THINKS, unlike all others, who just take orders. He sacrificed himself to save the earth. You blame him for Coast City? Why not blame Superman(men)?
I'm not even going to compare him to the others, they are way below Hal. Especially Alan Scott, he's NOT EVEN a Green Lantern.
Remember this?:
He's a modern hero, he has issues like normal people, not a 60's truth, justice and the american way hero. Remember, he is a (space) cop, not a caped crusader.
Because Alan Scott wore ballerina slipers, John Stewart is boring as hell, Guy is a douche and Kyle doesnt make a lot of sense. That leave Hal a complete bad ass compared to the rest. Deal with it and quit crying about your favorite lantern not selling half the books that Hal does.
Not sure where I was whining about my favorite lantern or selling books. I'm laying up at night wringing my hands over Hal's popularity. It is funny how just posting a question like "Why is Hal so great" in a constructive argument gets such hostile responses. I'll paraphrase Spock in the film that is out now. (Awesome BTW. I just couldn't resit referencing it) The hostility in the opposing views makes me think that you realize on some level that I am correct in my argument. If your comment was directed toward me than please disregard mine with my apologies.
I know you hate this blog but the constant posting has ironically kept it fresh. If you would not be so tenacious this blog wouldn't stay fresh for days at a time. Every time someone posts you seemingly attack until you beat the last word out of them or brow beat them into submission. I'm not sure but I think you have posted on this blog more than me. =)
Because Alan Scott wore ballerina slipers, John Stewart is boring as hell, Guy is a douche and Kyle doesnt make a lot of sense. That leave Hal a complete bad ass compared to the rest. Deal with it and quit crying about your favorite lantern not selling half the books that Hal does.
Not sure where I was whining about my favorite lantern or selling books. I'm laying up at night wringing my hands over Hal's popularity. It is funny how just posting a question like "Why is Hal so great" in a constructive argument gets such hostile responses. I'll paraphrase Spock in the film that is out now. (Awesome BTW. I just couldn't resiat referencing it) The hostility in the opposing views makes me think that you realize on some level that I am correct in my argument. If your comment was directed toward me than please disregard mine with my apologies.
well i cant speak for most others. i initially reacted in hostile manner because i felt that a lot of your arguments were horribly biased and flawed. Obviously i've changed my thoughts on CERTAIN points and we both agree to disagree, as for Rich well, he seems to be an extremely hostile borderline trollish person who picks fights with someone no matter what board i see him on.
I know you hate this blog but the constant posting has ironically kept it fresh. If you would not be so tenacious this blog wouldn't stay fresh for days at a time. Every time someone posts you seemingly attack until you beat the last word out of them or brow beat them into submission. I'm not sure but I think you have posted on this blog more than me. =)
i dont hate it so much as disagree with it but i see your point. i can get a bit over the top to put it lightly. I promise to work on that.
Hal isn't so bad...i mean i like his relationship with sinestro and his friendship with GA and Flash in nu52...he always leads from the front with will.....it is a personal thing but prefer him over all other lanterns...
Having said that...i consider Kyle to be the more relatable one....John to be more level-headed and planner and guy to be the SOB we all love to hate....
After all this, the one thing that confuses me most about the original post and most of the Hal hate is that you're not placing any blame on the writers characterizing him poorly. Instead everyone is taking all his worst portrayals at face value. The destruction of coast city and becoming parallax was just to shoehorn Kyle in because DC needed a youthful Spider-Man type character. The whole pieface ordeal or his naivety towards racism during the Neal Adams run was a product of the time, and the second example being Denny O'Neil's way of developing Green Arrow into the bad ass warrior of social justice he is, which unfortunately was completely at Hal's expense because it did make him look like an idiot. The Arisia relationship was just Steve Englehart being a creep and trying to justify Hal and her relationship for whatever reason. You could make the argument that Guy spiking their drinks, resulting in drunken pseudo-pedophilia makes him a terrible person, when all it means is Englehart made some terrible decisions during his time on that book and DC is just as responsible for letting it get published. You love blaming the writers for the reboot, but refuse to blame them for the tasteless schlock that lead to the retconning in the first place?
I admit I'm not the biggest fan of even the decently characterized stuff in Hal's life, I've always hated how boring the test pilot occupation is and how it limits Hal's supporting cast on earth to just Thomas and Carroll for the most part. Interacting with other lanterns has always been his strong point. As much as I love the mythos, the Earth GL's have surprisingly little to do when they're here and not in space.
However, when Hal can interact with a decent supporting cast he really shines. His dynamic with the justice league and the corps is done very well. I love that he takes too many risks and stands up to authority, even if it's Batman. I like his confidence and his dry sense of humor. Pre reboot I see where you're coming from, but I think his character has come a long way since then.
Hal Jordan gave us some great classic Green Lantern imagery, so we can use his creative coloring to talk about various naturalism fantasia philosophies (i.e., firefly mysticism) and amateur comic book beginner kiddie doodle art to conceptualize what kinds of oddballs Hal Jordan can surprisingly tackle.
Honestly don't have a problem with him, Kyle is my favorite of the earth lanterns though But Hal's a fun character, I think he's more relatable than Batman or Superman. My only real problem with him extends to all the other GL's too they are highly overrated on the battle forum.
At this point I think Hal, Kyle, Guy, and John are all fairly interesting characters, with decent stories under their belts. While I do find it frustrating that DC hasn't shown as much love to the other as Hal over the past few years (They really do need to start re-releasing Kyle's run as the main GL in new trades or in the omnibus format that Geoff John's run is receiving) I don't blame Hal for it personally.
Hal is one of my favorite DC characters. I like him for his bravery, determination and refusal to give up, even in the harshest of times. He is one of those characters that makes the impossible possible. He is not perfect, he makes mistakes, but he can rise above them and prove that people are better than their worst mistakes.
336 Comments