Green Lantern’s Greatest Romance May Be Far from Finished

by

Alan Scott, initially introduced 85 years ago, is recognized as the first Green Lantern, a hero whose valor has been an integral part of DC comics for decades. With his alliance with the Justice Society of America and the Justice League, he has proven himself to be one of DC’s most esteemed heroes, inspiring readers with his actions. In recent years, there have been significant modifications in Alan Scott’s character; notably, the New 52 reboot asserted that Scott is gay. This change persisted beyond the end of the New 52 and has played a key role in the recent and highly praised “Alan Scott: Green Lantern” miniseries. This series chronicles the origin story of Alan Scott, as well as his romantic encounter with Vladimir Sokov, who would eventually become Red Lantern.

As a devoted supporter, I’ve found myself in an exhilarating predicament within the pages of JSA #11. The team I stand by has engaged in a fierce confrontation with the notorious Injustice Society. Among their ranks is none other than Ruby Sokov, the daughter of a formidable adversary, who currently wields the power of the modern Red Lantern.

The scene unfolds with an unexpected revelation from Ruby that leaves me reeling – Vladimir, her father and a pivotal figure in Alan Scott’s past, may not have perished as we believed. This potential resurrection has the capacity to dramatically alter the course of history for the original Green Lantern, Alan Scott, a hero whose legacy I hold dear.

Vladimir Sokov played a significant role in shaping Alan Scott’s origins, and his reappearance could reshape everything we thought we knew about this Green Lantern icon. Despite their complex relationship, it was built upon real love, a bond that transcends time and circumstance.

The Two Lanterns Had a Fiery Romance

Alan Scott, a skilled engineer, joined Project Crimson led by the Army Corps of Engineers, a mission focused on finding the legendary Crimson Flame. Scott’s assignment took him to the Pacific Ocean aboard a ship searching for the elusive flame. While on board, he met Johnny Michael Ladd, a project corporal with whom he shared a romantic relationship, keeping their encounters discreet from the rest of the crew.

After finding what they believed was the Crimson Flame, an attempt to retrieve it led to Ladd appearing to be consumed by its energies. This tragic event exposed their relationship, leading Scott to be confined in Arkham Asylum for “deviancy.” With assistance from Billie, a transgender woman, he managed to escape.

Later on, Scott found work as a locomotive engineer and met Jimmy Henton, with whom he fell in love. A train accident resulted in Scott acquiring the Starheart, leading him to become Green Lantern. During his tenure as Green Lantern, he encountered a new Soviet supervillain known as Red Lantern. In their confrontation, they discovered each other’s true identities.

However, it was revealed that Johnny Ladd, whom Scott loved, never actually existed. Instead, the individual who went by that name was Vladimir Sokov, a Russian spy.

Sokov’s objective was to penetrate the team and seize the Crimson Flame. By charming Scott, he aimed to manipulate him into obtaining the Crimson Flame, which proved effective. However, the Crimson Flame left an indelible mark on him, altering him fundamentally. His body morphed into pure energy, and he returned to Russia. Over time, he learned how to craft a new physical form for himself and rejoined the Russian military forces. He was christened Red Lantern, with the crimson force of rage coursing through him. When Scott transformed into Green Lantern, the Soviets suspected that the Crimson Flame and the Starheart were interconnected, prompting them to send Red Lantern to vanquish Green Lantern. Overwhelmed by these events, Scott was eventually informed that Sokov wasn’t merely exploiting him for his mission but genuinely harbored feelings for him. The Starheart later disclosed to Alan that the Crimson Flame was a tainted shard of itself. Eventually, Alan enlisted the entire Justice Society to aid him in combating Red Lantern. Despite their success, Red Lantern managed to slip away and return to Russia. He subsequently had a daughter named Ruby, but ultimately vanished without a trace in 1951, never to be found again.

Is Green Lantern’s Only Future Heartbreak?

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but appreciate the intriguing retcon in Alan Scott’s storyline, where his homosexuality significantly transformed his origins. Alan Scott and Sokov shared a genuine love that was profound, yet tragically unattainable due to their roles as heroes for two superpower nations. Their deep connection was tested when Sokov lashed out in jealousy, targeting Alan’s former lovers. Alas, the political tension of the Cold War prevented them from being together, but the dissolution of that era offered a glimmer of hope. Unfortunately, the disappearance of the Red Lantern robbed us of seeing how their love story might have unfolded under different circumstances.

The revelation that Red Lantern might be still alive, as shared by Ruby (a former Justice Society member), presents a significant shift for Alan. There’s a possibility that the person he deeply loved could be alive, and should they reunite, they could potentially enjoy the relationship they had always dreamed of. However, despite Scott’s invitation for her to join him in searching for her father, Ruby remains hesitant and declines. As the comic concludes, Ruby appears frightened by the Injustice Society’s summoning of Lovecraftian entities, suggesting a potential shift in allegiance. It seems the plot is setting up the possibility of Ruby helping Alan find the Red Lantern.

JSA #11 is on sale now.

Stay informed about the latest geek entertainment news by marking us as your preferred source on Google – right here.

https://comicbook.com/comics/news/10-most-underrated-dc-stories/embed/#

Read More

2025-09-09 01:40