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Green Lantern Reading Order

Created in 1940 by Martin Nodell and Bill Finger in DC Comics’ All-American Comics #16 (July 1940), the first superhero named Green Lantern was Alan Scott–one of the founding members of the Justice Society of America.

Alan Scott was the first, but certainly not the last. He was a Golden Age hero (read all about Alan Scott here) and, with the Silver Age, a new Green Lantern appeared: Hal Jordan. This test pilot was given a power ring and a battery (the famous lantern) by a dying alien named Abin Sur whose spaceship crashed on Earth. The ring wants only go to someone “utterly honest and born without fear,” and there is more than one human being fitting that description as new Green Lanterns from Earth appeared in the DC Comics Universe through the decades: John Stewart, Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner, Simon Baz, Jessica Cruz, and more.

Once chosen by the ring, Hal and the others automatically joined the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic law enforcement organization founded by the Guardians, a race of immortals residing on the planet Oa. The Green Lanterns must protect the 3600 “sectors” of the universe–Earth is in Sector 2814.

The Lanterns have only one weapon, but it’s the most powerful one in the DC universe: the power ring. Those who wear a ring gain incredible abilities and control them with their own willpower. The ring protects the Lanterns and, with it, they can form constructs of Oan energy: thoughts become physical constructs. There are downsides, like the need to recharge the rings or the effects of the color yellow (for a time thought).

Green Lantern Comics Reading Order

Before going into the various Green Lantern comics, check out our primer on the most important Green Lantern Characters.

Green Lantern Reading Order: The Menu

  1. Green Lantern vol. 1 (1941-1949) – The Golden Age
  2. Green Lantern vol. 2 (1959-1988) – The Silver and Bronze Ages
  3. Green Lantern vol. 3 (1990-2004) – The Modern Age Part. 1
  4. Green Lantern vol. 4 (2005–2011) – The Modern Age Part. 2: The Geoff Johns Era Recommended Entry Point
  5. Green Lantern vol. 5 (2011-2016) – The New 52 Era
  6. Green Lanterns and Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps (2016-2021) – The Rebirth/DC You Era
  7. Green Lantern vol. 6 & 7 (2021–2024) – The Infinite Frontier/Dawn of DC Era

Green Lantern vol. 1 (1941-1949) – The Golden Age

Introduced in the anthology series, All-American Comics #16 (July 1940), the Green Lantern Alan Scott received his own ongoing series in fall 1941. It lasted for 38 issues (published between 1941 and 1949). The first use of the Green Lantern oath was in issue #9. Also, the canine sidekick named Streak was introduced in issue #30.

Green Lantern vol. 2 (1959-1988) – The Silver and Bronze Ages

Asked by editor Julius Schwartz to revive the Green Lantern comics, John Broome and Gil Kane created Hal Jordan in Showcase #22 (October 1959). After a successful storyline in the anthology book, Hal got his own ongoing comic book series. With Jordan came the mythology surrounding the Green Lantern Corps, but also new characters, like supervillain Sinestro who was introduced in Green Lantern Vol. 2 #7; Carol Ferris, Hal Jordan’s love interest who became the Star Sapphire in issue #16; and later, in issue #59, with the story “Earth’s Other Green Lantern!” Guy Gardner made his first appearance.

DC Finest: Green Lantern

The new DC Finest collection by DC Comics is offering large-size paperbacks collecting reprints of classic popular stories from different eras.

Silver Age Green Lantern Trade Paperbacks

Part of the Silver Age Green Lantern comics were also partly collected in TPBs:

Beginning with issue #76 (April 1970), and ending with issue #122 (November 1979), Hal Jordan was joined by Green Arrow in a series of stories by writer Dennis O’Neil and artist Neal Adams that famously dealt with social and political issues of that time:

What does it take to be a superhero? Where should a superhero stand in society? What is important to a superhero? These are all questions Green Arrow aims to ask Green Lantern by forcing the space cop out of the stars and onto the ground where real issues are festering. Together, these hard-traveling heroes traverse America, and a few alien landscapes, to understand how the world is not black-and-white. Poverty, corruption, pollution, racism, and drug addiction are only some of the issues the Emerald Warriors face.

It was during that period that another backup Green Lantern appeared. First introduced in Green Lantern vol. 2 #87 (December 1971/January 1972), John Stewart became DC’s second black superhero.

  • Green Lantern/Green Arrow: Hard Travelin’ Heroes Omnibus
    Collects Green Lantern #76-87, 89-123, Worlds Finest Comics #201, and stories from Brave and the Bold #100, DC Special-Series #1, DC Super-Stars #17, The Flash #218-224, #226-228, #230-231, #233-234, #237-238, #240-246, Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1, and Worlds Finest Comics #210, #255, with a brand-new introduction by Mike Grell.

This era was also partly collected in the following Green Lantern/Green Arrow comic books:

In Green Lantern #123 (December 1979), Hal Jordan resumed the title spotlight and Green Arrow left the comics. Writer Marv Wolfman and Staton created the Omega Men in Green Lantern #141-144 (1981).

Green Lantern vol. 2 #123-147 completing this era are not collected yet. After that, there are a lot more missing comics. For now, you can only find some of it in the two following books that mostly collect backup stories.

In Green Lantern vol. 2 #182 from writer Len Wein and artist Dave Gibbons, John Stewart becomes the new Green Lantern of Earth. After that, he has to face the threats of Eclipso and Star Sapphire and battles his predecessor as Green Lantern of Earth, Hal Jordan.

Crisis on Infinite Earths is the first universe-redefining crossover comic book event ever. The goal was to simplify and unify the DC Universe. As a consequence, the full line-up was relaunched after the crisis, including the Green Lantern–issues #194-198 are tie-ins. For more information, go to our Crisis on Infinite Earths Reading Order.

Following the double-sized 200th issue, the format and the title changed, becoming “Green Lantern Corps” and focusing upon the seven members of an Earth-based contingent of the corps, up until the cancellation of the comic series in 1988 with issue #224.

Millennium DC Comics EventMillennium – After the Guardians and Zamarons exile themselves from this dimension, one of each remains and seeks out 12 Chosen to become the New Guardians. The robotic Manhunters aim to prevent this and several supporting characters are revealed to be Manhunters. This event starts after #219 and includes #220 & 221 (Millennium #1-3, GLC #220, M #4-6, Secret Origins #23, M #7, GLC #221, M #8).

From out of the pages of Millennium come…the New Guardians!

In the last comics of Green Lantern Corps, the Corps disbands…

After that, we mostly follow Hal Jordan in the pages of Action Comics (Vol 1) #601-635, 642, Green Lantern Special #1 & 2, and Green Lantern/Superman: Legend of the Green Flame #1. Not Collected Yet!

Green Lantern vol. 3 (1990-2004) – The Modern Age Part. 1

After the Crisis, nothing really changed for Hal Jordan. In 1990 though, DC published a revisited origin story for the character with the miniseries titled Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn. At the same time, a new Green Lantern ongoing comic was launched, volume 3. Most of it has not been collected yet for some reason.

It was not the only Green Lantern comics at that time. DC Comics launched Green Lantern Corps Quarterly, Green Lantern Mosaic, and a Guy Gardner comic book–the character also joined the Justice League International.

The three remaining members of the Green Lantern Corps–Hal Jordan, John Stewart, and Guy Gardner–must face off against an insane Guardian in order to protect Earth and rebuild the Corps.

After that and up to Kyle Rayner’s introduction, very little has been properly collected. It’s hard to find the issues and to put them in order the way we do it here. As an alternative, a Green Lantern fan did a great job at writing an issue-by-issue reading order, you may need it to navigate this era.

  • Green Lantern (Vol 3) #9-47 are not collected yet.
  • New Series! After Green Lantern vol. 3 #24, Green Lantern Corps Quarterly, and Green Lantern Mosaic were launched–not collected yet.
  • Green Lantern: Ganthet’s Tale published between Green Lantern vol. 3 #25 & #26.
  • Guy Gardner Reborn was launched around that time too.
  • The Flash/Green Lantern: Gorilla Warfare crossover (Flash vol. 2 #69-70 & Green Lantern vol. 3 #30-31) has been collected in The Flash by Mark Waid Book Two.
  • New Series! The Guy Gardner ongoing series was launched at that time. The first issues are not available, but you can find #9 and beyond here.
  • New Series! The Darkstars series was launched and lasted a total of 39 issues, ending with issue #38, you can find all of it here. Issues #24 and 25 are part of the Zero Hour crossover event storyline, around issues #55-56 of GL.
  • The DC Universe: Trinity took place after Green Lantern vol. 3 #44. It worked like that: DC Universe Trinity #1, GL #44, L.E.G.I.O.N. #57, Darkstars #11, GL #45, L.E.G.I.O.N. #58, Darkstars #12, and DC Universe Trinity #2.
  • Guy Gardner: Year One storyline: Guy Gardner #11-13, Justice League America #82, Guy Gardner #14, next came JLA #83. With #17, Guy’s series was rebranded “Guy Gardner: Warrior”.

At that point, Kyle Rayner became the main Green Lantern of Earth and joined the JLA written by Grant Morrison (see reading order).

The lone surviving Guardian has come to Earth and bequeathed the final power ring to a young man named Kyle Rayner. With it, a new chapter in the legacy of Green Lantern has begun. But this time, there’s no one to train the new bearer of the ring, and he must learn to wield it in a trial by fire against some of the DC Universe’s most powerful threats!

  • Green Lantern: Kyle Rayner Rising Compendium
    Collects Green Lantern (1990) #0, #48-65; R.E.B.E.L.S. ’94 #1; New Titans #116-117, #124-125; Guy Gardner: Warrior #27-28; Darkstars #34; and Damage #16. Green Lantern #54-55 are part of the Zero Hour: A Crisis in Time crossover event. GL #0 is part of the resolution of the event, it was released between issues #55-56.

The Darkstars #30 took place after GL #61. The Crimelord/Syndicate war started with The Darkstars #31 and continued in Deathstroke the Terminator #48, New Teen Titans #122, Deathstroke the Terminator #49–not collected yet.

At that point, The Darkstars concluded with issue #38 and Guy Gardner: Warrior concluded with issue #44.

Alert Event! The Final Night is major to the story of Hal Jordan. The comics crossover event included Green Lantern Vol. 3 #80-81, Parallax: Emerald Night #1.

We arrived at the moment when Kyle Rayner became known as “Ion”.

  • Green Lantern: The Power of Ion
    Collects Green Lantern vol. 3 #142-150.
  • Green Lantern: Brother’s Keeper
    Collects Green Lantern vol. 3 #151-155 and Green Lantern Secret Files #3.
  • Green Lantern: Passing The Torch
    Collects Green Lantern vol. 3 #156, 158-161 and Green Lantern Secret Files #2.
  • Green Lantern vol. 3 #162-181 are not collected yet. Although, #162 is part of the “Black Circle: Urban Knights” crossover with Green Arrow, it goes as follows: GA #23, GL #162, GA #24, GL #163, GA #25, GL #164.
  • Green Lantern continued up to #181.
  • Identity Crisis – Collects Identity Crisis #1-7. See the reading order for more information.

Green Lantern vol. 4 (2005–2011) – The Modern Age Part. 2 aka The Geoff Johns Era

With the conclusion of Green Lantern Volume 3, Kyle Rayner’s run ended. Geoff Johns became the new writer, bringing back Hal Jordan to the front in his Green Lantern Costume. This is the most famous run in the series. It introduced a lot of new concepts and led to major events, new spin-offs, and beyond the New 52 reboot.

The official synopsis: It’s been years since the death of Hal Jordan and the end of the Green Lantern Corps. But as the Torchbearer Kyle Rayner is about to find out, the adventure of epic and mythological proportions is about to begin as the former Lantern returns to the land of the living to atone for his sins. And the cosmos will never be the same as Sinestro wages his war against the Green Lanterns with his newly founded, Sinestro Corps!

What follows is the simple version (and without the spin-offs Red Lanterns, and more). You’ll find everything and more in our Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Reading Order.

  • Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus Vol. 1
    Collects Green Lantern Rebirth #1-6, Green Lantern Corps Recharge #1-5, Green Lantern #1-25, Green Lantern Corps #14-18, Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Special #1, Green Lantern Secret Files 2005 #1, Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Superman Prime #1 and Green Lantern/Sinestro Corps Secret Files #1.
  • Green Lantern Corps by Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason Omnibus Vol. 1
    Collects Green Lantern Corps: Recharge #1-5; Green Lantern Corps #1-38; Green Lantern #21-25; Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Special #1; And Stories From Showcase ’95 #7-8, Blackest Night: Tales Of The Corps #1-3, And Untold Tales Of Blackest Night #1.
  • Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus Vol. 2
    Collects Green Lantern #26-52, Blackest Night #0-7, DC Universe #0, Untold Tales of Blackest Night #1-2, Blackest Night Tales of the Corps #1-2. This omnibus collects parts of the Blackest Night event, for more information, go to our Blackest Night Reading Order.
  • Green Lantern Corps by Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason Omnibus Vol. 2
    Collects Green Lantern Corps #39-47 #59-60, Green Lantern Corps (The New 52) #0-20, Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #1-13, Blackest Night #8, Green Lantern #65-67, Green Lantern (The New 52) #17, #20, Green Lantern Corps Annual #1, and a story from Green Lantern 80th Anniversary JOO-Page Super Spectacular #1.
  • Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus Vol. 3
    Collects Green Lantern #53-60, Green Lantern: Larfleeze Christmas Special #1, Green Lantern (2011) #1-20, Green Lantern Annual #1, Green Lantern Corps #58-60, And Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #8-10.
  • War of the Green Lanterns: Aftermath
    Collects Green Lantern Corps vol. 2 #61-63, Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #11-13, and War of the Green Lantern: Aftermath #1-2.

Green Lantern vol. 5 (2011-2016) – The New 52 Era

As you may know, the DC Universe was rebooted in 2011 with the Flashpoint event. But that didn’t put an end to Geoff Johns’ run on the Green Lantern comics. In fact, the GL universe was barely affected by the event.

Following Hal Jordan and Sinestro’s apparent deaths at the hands of the Guardians of the Universe while facing Black Hand, Simon Baz, an Arab-Muslim, becomes the newest Green Lantern from Earth in Green Lantern #0. Also, Jessica Cruz made her first appearances in Green Lantern #20, then in Justice League (vol. 2) #30, when the Ring of Volthoom locates her, and she then gains her powers in the following issue. She was dubbed “Power Ring” while she was host to the Ring of Volthoom. Jessica later becomes an official member of the Green Lantern Corps in the Prime Earth reality. To follow more closely her story, see our Jessica Cruz Comics Reading Order.

Once again, there is a very detailed Green Lantern New 52 Reading Order available here, with the Green Lantern Corps comics, but also Red Lanterns, New Guardians, and Sinestro…

Green Lanterns and Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps (2016-2021) – The Rebirth/DC You Era

When The New 52 era concluded, the DC You briefly took over, and it was time for another relaunch. In 2016, the Rebirth era began and, like for the two previous eras, we already have a detailed reading order available for the Green Lantern Rebirth era.

With Rebirth, the main Green Lantern comic book series was replaced by two comics. First, Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz headlined Green Lanterns written by Sam Humphries (for its first 32 issues). Then, Hal Jordan was still flying with writer Robert Venditti in Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps.

After that, Grant Morrison teamed up with British comic book artist Liam Sharp for a run on Green Lantern, a period we also have covered on the site.

Finally, meet the new Green Lantern Sojourner Mullein created by N.K. Jemisin and Jamal Campbell. First presented as a non-canon story, Far Sector is now considered part of the main continuity and has been republished in multiple formats.

Also available in Deluxe Edition and Compact Edition.

Green Lantern Volume 6 (2021-2022) – Infinite Frontier

The Rebirth era concluded and was rebranded for a short time until the event Dark Nights: Death Metal put an end to it. Following that, DC Comics launched the Future State event, an exploration of a possible future. It’s optional.

After that, the path was cleared for the new relaunch named Infinite Frontier and a new Green Lantern comic, with Geoffrey Thorne on writing duties. As this new Green Lantern series begins, the newly formed United Planets and the Guardians of the Universe hold an intergalactic summit to decide who can best serve and protect the cosmos from danger.

With the majority of Green Lanterns called back to Oa, John Stewart arrives alongside Teen Lantern Keli Quintela, whose powerful gauntlet could be one of the most powerful and unstable weapons in the universe. With the entire landscape of the universe in flux, is this the end of the Green Lantern Corps…or a new beginning?

The series concluded after 12 issues, but the Green Lanterns play their part in the new crisis: Dark Crisis!

Following the tragic events of the Dark Crisis in Infinite Earths, the Guardians of Oa at the heart of the Green Lantern Corps have quarantined Sector 2814, home of the planet Earth—and its champion along with it! On his side, John Stewart returns as Green Lantern for a story about rediscovering your past and forging your future as a Guardian!

The main Green Lantern series comes from writer Jeremy Adams and artist Xermánico while the Green Lantern: War Journal comics focused on John Stewart is written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and drawn by Osvaldo Montos.

Also, the new Alan Scott: The Green Lantern series offers to explore Alan Scott’s early days as the Green Lantern in a way that fits with the man we know he is today.

The Absolute Power crossover event put an end to the Infinite Frontier/Dawn of DC era. It’s now time for the DC All In/Absolute Universe era. This new era begins with Green Lantern #19 from writer Jeremy Adams and artist Oclair Albert and a new Green Lantern Corps is launched, also from Adams and Albert with writers Morgan Hampton and Fernando Pasarin.

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2 thoughts on “Green Lantern Reading Order”

  1. VincentVegaFFF
    Reply

    One minor correction: Tales of the Green Lantern Corps volume 1 and 2 are mostly the backup stories from those issues, not the main story, so there is actually quite a big chunk of missing issues between the Hard Travelling Heros omnibus and the Sector 2814 books.

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