A major DC superhero was added to the DC Animated Universe at the right time by 2019’sJustice League vs. the Fatal Five. After the overwhelming success of 1992’sBatman: The Animated Series, the next TV series in Bruce Timm and Paul Dini’s newfound universe wasSuperman: The Animated Series, which brought theSupermancomic lore to life along with other corners of the vast DC Universe. This included characters and lore from theGreen Lanterncomics.
The Green Lantern Corps was introduced to the DCAU with the debut of Kyle Rayner in season 3 ofSuperman, though the show’s iteration of Rayner is an amalgamation of his comic iteration and the iconic Silver Age Green Lantern Hal Jordan. Despite Rayner being the DCAU’s first Lantern, John Stewart would become the franchise’s most prominent Green Lantern Corpsman, with Stewart having a starring role inJustice LeagueandJustice League Unlimited. The decision to skip over Hal Jordan, while perplexing by today’s standards, made sense at the time, considering the character’s baggage in the 1990s.
Hal Jordan Became A Controversial Character In The 1990s
While Hal Jordan was not the first superhero to use the Green Lantern moniker, he arguably ties with John Stewart as the most famous one.Hal Jordan was one of DC’s most beloved heroes for decades, but the 1990s saw several controversial storylines alter the public perception of him, both in-universe and among readers. 1994’sEmerald Twilightsaw Hal become the murderous supervillain known as Parallax, though Hal would redeem himself – and die – at the end of 1996’sThe Final Nightcrossover arc.
Superman: The Animated Seriesdebuted in 1996, so Hal Jordan had become a controversial character well before the series decided to introduceGreen Lanternlore.The show’s creative team most likely did not want to introduce such a contentious character, so they opted to adapt Kyle Rayner but imbue him with some of Hal Jordan’s traits, like having Abin Sur pass his Green Lantern ring to Kyle and making Sinestro Kyle’s nemesis. Hal Jordan’s name appears as an easter egg in Kyle’s debut, however, and Hal has a cameo inJustice League Unlimitedas a Green Lantern from another timeline.
The DCAU Included Hal Jordan At The Right Time
Geoff Johns’s 2004-2005 miniseriesGreen Lantern: Rebirthnot only resurrected Hal Jordan but also retconned his 90s stories, revealing that Hal was possessed by Parallax – a cosmic entity that embodies fear – rather than genuinely turning evil. SinceRebirth, Hal Jordan has regained his status as one of DC’s most beloved heroes, so naturally, he was properly added to the DCAU.Justice League vs. the Fatal Fiveintroduces Jessica Cruz as a new Green Lantern but also confirms thatsometime after the events ofJustice League Unlimited, Hal Jordan (and Guy Gardner) joined the Green Lantern Corps.
