The Best Green Lantern Is Finally Getting a Chance to Shine

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The Justice League, DC Comics’ top-tier superhero group, is now reunited once more! Over the past 15 years, being a fan of the Justice League has been quite challenging due to DC Comics’ inconsistencies with the team since revitalizing it in the ’90s and early ’00s. The Absolute Power event and the subsequent series Justice League Unlimited, which drew inspiration from the eponymous animated show, have restored the Justice League to its former glory. This new era of the team introduces an unprecedented level of inclusivity, allowing even the lesser-known heroes – from A-listers to Z-listers – to become members, however temporary, of the Justice League for a specific mission.

The first issue of “Justice League Red” introduces a new team of Justice Leaguers, assembled to tackle tasks that the main league may find impossible or unwilling to undertake. Red Tornado, recognizing potential danger from the Justice League’s reemergence for Earth, gathers a group of esteemed former members. Among them is Simon Baz, not only a previous member of the Justice League but also one of Earth’s Green Lanterns. Baz first appeared during the New 52 era and had an intriguing history. Since then, he has been somewhat absent from the DC Multiverse. It seems that “Justice League Red” is poised to offer Baz the long-overdue recognition and prominence his character deserves.

Simon Baz Is Earth’s Most Underrated Green Lantern

Simon Baz, a man of Lebanese and American heritage, had worked as a mechanic but dabbled in auto theft due to his financially challenging circumstances. Eventually, he was apprehended following the theft of an explosive-laden van. Since he is of Arab descent, he was initially suspected of terrorism and interrogated by federal authorities. However, fate had other plans for him; a malfunctioning Green Lantern ring materialized in the room, enlisting Baz into the Corps. This occurred during a significant period for the Green Lanterns as Sinestro returned to serve as the Green Lantern of Sector 2814, replacing Hal Jordan. The Corps itself was grappling with an existential danger originating from within its ranks. There were several complications regarding Baz’s entry into the Corps; the Justice League believed he had stolen Hal’s ring and confronted him, he returned the stolen van to its rightful owner who turned out to be a terrorist, and cleared his name in the process. Later, Baz was drafted into the conflict against the Third Army, a group engineered by the Oan Guardians of the Universe with the goal of annihilating the Justice League. Eventually, Baz would team up with another troubled Lantern, Jessica Cruz, who wielded an Earth-3 ring before receiving her own Green Lantern ring. Together, they took charge of the Green Lanterns in Sector 2814.

In the DC Rebirth publishing initiative, Baz and Cruz were both enlisted into the Justice League and were co-headliners in the comic series “Green Lanterns”. Unlike his fellow Green Lantern, Baz was a more impulsive and aggressive character, acting before thinking. Raised in post-9/11 America, he often faced negative assumptions about him, an experience that deeply influenced him. Similarly to how Cruz dealt with her fears, Baz had to confront the prejudice of those around him in order to grow as a person. After “Green Lanterns” concluded in 2018, both Baz and Cruz left Earth and parted ways with the Justice League. Since then, Baz has taken a backseat role in the storylines. As a Green Lantern, Baz was intriguing due to his belonging to a community that was often portrayed as fearful by society, which he had to overcome to become a stronger and more unique Green Lantern. This character arc made Baz one of the most distinctive Lanterns in the series.

Simon Baz Might Be the Most Interesting Character in Justice League Red

As a fan, I’m thrilled to be part of the conversation about Justice League Red! This dynamic team includes characters like Red Tornado, Power Girl, Red Canary (who I absolutely adore and am excited to see in action), Deadman, Cyborg, and Simon Baz. Each member brings unique strengths to the table, making them an exceptional fit for this particular team.

Simon Baz, in particular, seems to gel well with his fellow heroes, as they each carry their own burdens – issues that have often hindered them in the past. It’s fascinating to see how they’ll work together to overcome these challenges.

During the New 52 and DC Rebirth eras, Baz experienced a significant growth in popularity and development. His story arc was well-crafted, leaving him in an excellent position when we last encountered him. The evolution of his character since his tenure as the main Green Lantern is sure to provide an intriguing aspect of the upcoming book. Introducing Simon Baz brings a wealth of innovative ideas to the narrative – particularly given our current political climate and how his cultural background could enrich it further. This addition has the potential to elevate the book beyond what it would have been without him.

Justice League Red #1 is on sale now.

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2025-08-22 23:12