An Underrated Green Lantern Had a Strange Run in a Popular DC TV Franchise

by

In contrast to his impressive abilities within the DC Comics universe, Green Lantern often doesn’t receive as much spotlight as characters like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. This might be due to the fact that several individuals wield the ring and fight alongside other DC heroes, making it challenging for fans to single out one favorite. Presently, Hal Jordan and John Stewart are the ones receiving attention, even from higher-ups at DC Studios. As part of the expanding DC Universe, both characters will make an appearance in the HBO Max series Lanterns, along with Guy Gardner, another Green Lantern from Earth who was intriguing enough for James Gunn to include in Superman.

The Dublin College University (DCU) often collaborates with the company’s animation division, frequently involving Hal, John, and Guy in their productions like “Young Justice” and the DC Animated Movie Universe. However, there’s another Green Lantern who resides on Earth but isn’t often recognized. In fact, their most notable appearance outside of the comics is a fleeting one in the DC Animated Universe, so unremarkable that it’s easily overlooked.

Kyle Rayner Was the DCAU’s First Green Lantern

In the mid-1990s, DC made a significant move to bring their comic characters to television, starting with “Batman: The Animated Series.” This show proved popular, paving the way for “Superman: The Animated Series” to follow suit. As Superman’s world was more friendly, it became the platform for introducing other DC characters like The Flash, Doctor Fate, and Aquaman. However, Green Lantern stood out among them. In the 90s, comic books were going through a transition period, and one of DC’s strategies to boost their popularity involved replacing Hal Jordan, the primary Green Lantern, with Kyle Rayner. Rayner earned the ring after Hal went on a rampage and caused extensive damage within the Green Lantern Corps.

As Hal was viewed as a villain by many, Kyle became the preferred candidate for introducing Green Lantern in Superman: The Animated Series. The creative team ingeniously decided to portray him as an artist at the Daily Planet who was friends with Jimmy Olsen. While at work, he received Abin Sur’s power ring when the Green Lantern crashed on Earth, which caught Sinestro’s attention. They had a battle, and Kyle emerged victorious, becoming one of the heroes he used to sketch in his dreams. Regrettably, Kyle made only brief appearances in the background of Justice League cartoons, paving the way for John Stewart to be the primary Green Lantern in the DCAU. It’s unfortunate that such a pure-hearted character didn’t get the chance to stand out on the small screen, but Gunn and Co. have the chance to rectify this situation.

The DCU Could Have Room for Kyle Rayner

The initial season of Lanterns will revolve around Hal Jordan mentoring John Stewart while they probe a murder case. The broader role of the Green Lantern Corps within the series is yet to be revealed, but with Guy Gardner present, it promises to be an exciting gathering of power rings. At this time, it seems the DCU does not intend to introduce Jade (John Stewart’s alias in their universe), as they portray him as still developing his abilities. However, given the vastness of the cosmos and the numerous dangers that lie ahead, additional Green Lanterns might be crucial in facing those challenges.

John will undoubtedly move onto feature films at some point, starring alongside Superman, Batman, and the Justice League. At this juncture, Kyle would be an ideal candidate to replace him. This transition could pave the way for the Lanterns to serve as a sort of training ground for future movie heroes. It’s clear that Kyle possesses the potential to excel as a live-action Green Lantern; he just needs someone to recognize his talent, much like the DCAU did.

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/10-best-fighters-new-dcu-ranked-superman-strongest/embed/#

Read More

2025-08-09 22:54