Saarek was first introduced during a general gathering on Oa many years before Parallax destroyed the Corps. Saarek and Hal Jordan were among the many Green Lanterns that had attended the Guardian's unveiling of new and improved power rings.

Saarek is an obvious homage to the Star Trek character Mr. Spock; the two characters sharing similar appearances, personalities, and both come from a home planet named Vulcan. Saarek even flashed Jordan the “live long and prosper” during his first appearance. Saarek appeared to be on a friendly basis with Hal Jordan and discussed the changes to the Corps that both Lanterns had seen over the years.

Saarek later fought in the battle to defend Oa from invasion by a hostile alien race lead by Ffa'rzz, the Mocker.

Following the destruction of the Corps by Parallax, Saarek returned home and has worked diligently to hone his natural telepathic talents. He aspires to become a powerful enough telepath to commune directly with the Guardians.

It has been widely reported that Saarek claims to be skilled enough telepathically to speak with the dead. This statement has been met with skepticism by the majority of the Corps.

Saarek returned to Oa claiming that he was invited by the dead Lanterns of the Crypts of Oa. He was found meditating among the emerald monuments of the fallen Lanterns by the crypt keeper Morro. When asked what he was doing, Saarek informed his fellow Lantern that he was speaking to the dead. "The dead were cold" he stated, and more disturbingly, they were scared over the coming future. Shortly thereafter, Kilowog, Kyle Rayner and the rookies they were horrified when their training exercises were interupted by a grusome rain of  eyeballs from the sky. The Lanterns were confused as to who committed this disgusting act, and more importantly, who were the unfortunate victims.

Saarek responds to the "call" of the Lantern's dead.

Saarek was happy to aid in bringing these killers to justice but acknowledged that many Lanterns, including Salaak, doubted his claims that he could speak to the dead. Guy Gardner thought the endless chattering of the dead would be a curse to someone with Sarrek’s unique abilities but when questioned by Kilowog, Saarek informed the Lanterns that he had this ability since birth, and had considered it a blessing. Seeking to prove his claims, Saarek immersed himself into the tank with dozens of eyeballs. Using both his power ring and his natural ability, the eyes completely covered Saarek’s body. With a scream multiple images of the same alien face burst forth from each of the victims eyes.

Saarek had identified the killer once more. The same face had committed all of these murders and would no doubt strike again. A plan was formed to search the sectors of recent recruits. Saarek joined Rayner, Gardner and Kilowog in their hunt. Shortly after, a Sinestro Corps Soldier was located by as she was preparing to kill the parents of a new Lantern recruit. Rather then face interrogation, the Sinestro Soldier blew off her own head. believed the case closed, when he was contacted by Kilowog who had located and apprehended an identical killer in another sector.

Identifying the killer