Hal Jordan was the first contemporary character introduced as Green Lantern, setting the stage for fans’ long-term appreciation of this space-police force. He not only paved the way for the wider Green Lantern Corps but also consistently demonstrated heroism even among them, earning him the reputation of having the strongest willpower within the entire group. His story took a significant turn after his resurrection, which also served as an introduction to other vibrant Lantern Corps. Despite my fondness for Hal, I strongly feel that he shouldn’t have come back to life.
Hal Was Done Dirty by DC
Frankly speaking, I’ve never been fond of Hal as a villain. The transformation of Hal Jordan into a villain is arguably one of the most questionable instances of character degradation in comic books. While there are indeed other instances where heroes abandon their principles for seemingly no reason, Hal’s actions were particularly extreme. After Cyborg Superman devastated his hometown, Coast City, Hal lost control. He attempted to rebuild the city with his ring, but the Guardians promptly dismissed him for this action, leading him to fight his way through the Green Lantern Corps until both the Guardians and the Central Power Battery were eliminated. Reincarnated as Parallax, he brought destruction across the universe, either trying to rebuild Coast City or making amends for his past wrongdoings. In a valiant act, Hal Jordan ultimately gave up his life to destroy the Sun-Eater and save Earth in The Final Night. He utilized the last of his power to restore the sun, reciting the Green Lantern oath one final time.
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In the Green Lantern: Rebirth storyline, Hal Jordan was later resurrected and his villainous deeds were explained as him being possessed by Parallax – a malevolent entity symbolizing fear. Fans were pleased with his comeback and the erasure of his previous wrongdoings because the iconic DC hero had fallen to villainy in one of the most disgraceful ways imaginable. Despite deserving this redemption, the period following his sacrifice during The Final Night was one of the most impactful events that could have occurred. Rather than just moving forward, Hal Jordan transformed into the Spectre instead.
Hal Jordan, Spirit of Vengeance and Redemption
The Spectre is an angel who fell from grace and serves as a manifestation of God’s wrath, meting out punishment to those found guilty. He ranks among the most powerful entities in the DC Universe and is often referred to as one of the Justice League’s strongest members. To prevent him from succumbing to vengeance and rage, the Spectre is perpetually linked to a human host. After Hal Jordan’s demise, he assumed this role, becoming the Spectre. The period when Hal served as the Spirit of Vengeance marked a significant phase of redemption for his character. He had memorable moments such as resurrecting Oliver Queen in the “Quiver” storyline, expunging Wally’s public identity in Flash #200, and dividing the Marvel and DC universes without causing harm at the conclusion of the JLA/Avengers event. However, Hal’s tenure as the Spectre went beyond notable incidents; it symbolized a profound redemption for his character. Despite his past errors, he strived to improve daily. He fought to be a hero not to erase his past deeds but because he understood that choosing goodness was the right path. Although it stemmed from a tragic event, this phase of Hal’s character development was truly remarkable.
As a dedicated film enthusiast, I can’t help but reflect on the impact of Hal Jordan’s return in the DC universe. While he undeniably shines as the superior host for the Spectre, there’s another aspect that leaves me a bit disheartened: the meta reason. In isolation, his resurrection was acceptable, but when considering the broader implications post-event, it brought about some rather unpleasant consequences.
Hal’s return signaled a shift back to the conventional, classic lineup reminiscent of the Silver Age comics. Prior to this, many DC heroes had been replaced by legacy characters, who had since become cherished versions in their own right. However, once Hal returned, so did several of his contemporaries. The most evident example is Barry Allen’s return in The Flash: Rebirth, which effectively nullified one of the last permanent hero deaths in DC. Though Hal didn’t intend for this chain reaction, his resurrection paved the way for the reappearance of other characters from his generation.
This trend eventually led to the erosion of the legacy characters and ultimately the New 52 reboot that wiped them off the map. I’m not claiming Hal’s return directly caused the New 52, but it’s crucial to acknowledge that he set a precedent for DC to continually revive nostalgic characters, often requiring significant retconning to make it work.
Hal Jordan is a fascinating character, and I found his stint as the Spectre intriguing in terms of how it shaped his image within the superhero community. I’m not upset that he’s back, but I believe it would have been equally compelling if he had remained deceased. At least now, his legacy isn’t permanently associated with Parallax.
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2025-06-23 15:12