DC’s New Guardians are a fascinating superhero team with a complex history. The original lineup from 1988 wasn’t well-received, but the recent version is much more enjoyable. This team uniquely brought together one Lantern representing each of the emotional spectrum’s power sources – with only the White and Black Lanterns missing. Formed after the major events of Blackest Night and the “War of Light,” the New Guardians aimed to unite all the Lantern Corps and protect the universe as one. They successfully fostered a period of peace between the Corps, and now, sixteen years later, Absolute Universe is taking on the concept with a new iteration.
Absolute Green Lantern is a particularly impressive addition to the Absolute series. It presents a fresh take on the Emotional Spectrum, portraying different levels of light as stages of understanding – with black representing the most basic level and gold symbolizing the highest. Beyond crafting a large-scale, horror-infused space opera centered around Sojourner Mullein, the comic has been subtly preparing for the return of the New Guardians. With issue #11, the team is nearly ready to make their debut, and all the necessary groundwork has been established.
The Gathering Lanterns
The latest issue showed that Hal Jordan still has a link to the energy of the Guardians of Oa, even after being freed from the Black Hand’s influence. He had a dream about Tomar-Re, who defied Oa, and woke up repeating those defiant words. Meanwhile, Hector Hammond used Hal’s remaining connection to the Black Hand to find Hal and Jo’s team. He then unleashed a new creature empowered by the Black Hand. Just before the attack, Kari used her psychic abilities to examine Jo’s power ring, receiving six quick visions, each representing a different emotion with a specific color. Hal appeared pink, Sinestro was pale yellow, and a figure believed to be a Manhunter was blue. Sadly, Kari also saw Simon as black.
A monster broke into the building, killing Kari and throwing Simon Baz, dislodging his mask. With Jo’s ring lost in the debris, the remaining people fled. Meanwhile, on the moon, John and Guy left the Green Lantern ship, talking about how only a few out of over two thousand candidates would become Lanterns. Suddenly, Tomar-Re, a red energy being, appeared and announced his plan to conquer the world or destroy the new Lantern recruits.
The New Guardians and Tomars
The original New Guardians team was made up of the strongest representatives from each emotional spectrum, truly embodying their respective Corps. However, the Absolute version of the team seems to be breaking that mold. Jo and Tomar-Re are already unusual cases, defying expectations for their power levels, and it looks like future members will be too. Kari’s vision showed Hal Jordan repeatedly identifying as a Tomar – another anomaly – while surrounded by pink energy. Considering Hal’s continued connection to the Black Hand, this suggests he’ll be the first member of that Corps to embody this unique state. Instead of succumbing to destruction, Hal might choose to confront darkness with compassion.
The Manhunters show up as visions bathed in blue light. While blue typically symbolizes hope in the main universe, the Manhunters are cold and metallic, suggesting that blue light in this other universe represents emotionless control. This means a Tomar with blue light might be able to harness hope to master that control. It seems Tomars consistently tap into the opposite of what their light usually stands for – Tomar-Re used anger to amplify his abilities, and Sinestro used understanding to create fear.
As a huge fan, I’m really excited about the Absolute New Guardians. From what I’ve gathered, they’re going to be similar to the regular Lantern Corps in that they’ll be beings of light and represent different emotions. But here’s the twist: they won’t be the ideal representatives of those emotions, they’ll be the exceptions to the rule. They aren’t chosen protectors of the universe – they’re people the Guardians of Oa never intended to give power to, but who seized it anyway, driven to save the day. Basically, they’re rebels, and in this new universe, that makes them exactly what we need.
Absolute Green Lantern #11 is on sale now!
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2026-02-07 00:13