I’m Really Tired of DC Wasting The Most Complex Green Lantern

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The Green Lantern Corps is a truly exceptional group within the DC Universe. Unlike most heroes, ‘Green Lantern’ isn’t a single person’s identity, but rather a position – like an intergalactic police officer. This allows many Green Lanterns to serve simultaneously. Currently, Earth has a surprisingly large number of Lanterns – seven, or eight if you count Teen Lantern – each with their own unique background and role. However, one of them doesn’t quite fit the pattern.

It’s unfortunate that Jessica Cruz isn’t being utilized to her full potential as a Green Lantern. While Hal and Kyle defend Earth, and John, Guy, Simon, and Keli lead adventures in space, Jessica has been largely sidelined. Though a different version of Jo is currently featured as a powerful force, fans of Jessica have been waiting for her to have a significant role for years. This feels like a major oversight by DC, as she offers a truly unique perspective among the Green Lanterns.

Jessica Cruz Has a Niche Like No Other

Each Green Lantern has a unique strength – Hal represents sheer willpower, John is a planner, Guy is a powerhouse, Jo loves to discover new things, and so on. What sets Jessica apart is that she’s a Green Lantern who struggles with intense fear. Kyle Rayner was once known for understanding fear, but he’s grown into someone who experiences all emotions equally, becoming the White Lantern, and even then, he still felt normal levels of fear in tough situations. Jessica, however, is fundamentally defined by her fear. She experiences severe anxiety and post-traumatic stress stemming from a traumatic event: she and her friends accidentally witnessed mobsters burying a body, and she was the sole survivor.

For four years, Jessica isolated herself until she was selected to wield Earth 3’s Ring of Volthoom, a powerful artifact that gains control by exploiting the wearer’s fears. Learning to manage the ring was a difficult battle, but she eventually gained mastery over it. Ultimately, she bravely attempted to sacrifice herself to save Barry Allen, proving she could conquer even immense fear. This act of courage led to her being chosen as a Green Lantern.

As a huge cinema fan, I’ve always been captivated by the Lanterns, and Jessica Cruz really stands out. While the others seemed naturally brave, we saw Jessica *earn* her place. What I find so compelling is that she still battles intense anxiety – something none of the other Lanterns deal with. It’s brilliant storytelling material! Green Lanterns are supposed to conquer fear, but for most of them, it’s almost easy. For Jessica, it’s a constant struggle, and that’s what makes her such an inspiring character, at least to me.

Bottom Line: Heroes Are Meant to Inspire

Superheroes often represent the best versions of ourselves. We’re meant to see a part of who we are, amplified and used for good, even when facing challenges, which motivates us to improve our own lives. With the character Jessica, the story explores feelings of fear and anxiety that many of us experience. Her struggles with overwhelming anxiety are relatable, even if not everyone experiences it to the same degree. We see Jessica’s intense fear and her desire to avoid conflict, but also witness her courage in fighting through it.

Traditionally, Green Lanterns are known for being incredibly fearless, always facing danger head-on. Jessica, however, is different – she’s easily startled and often struggles with even minor anxieties. Despite this, she consistently pushes forward, conquers her fears, and ultimately succeeds as a hero, earning the same recognition as her fellow Lanterns. This sends a powerful message: anyone can be brave, and we all have the inner strength to overcome challenges, no matter how scared we may be. Jessica uniquely represents this struggle, making her a vital character within the Green Lantern universe and DC Comics as a whole. Her relatability allows her to inspire in a way few other heroes can, and DC should focus on highlighting this exceptional quality.

I’m really excited about Jessica Cruz and I’m curious to hear everyone else’s ideas! What do you think is the best way to showcase her potential? Let’s discuss it over at the ComicBook Forum – come share your thoughts!

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2025-10-07 00:10