I damn well better see some benevolent Red Lanterns beefing with Sinestro Corps guys

[prodigy]

All this stuff leading up to "Blackest Night" will truly put writers to the test to see if they're worthy to be writing or if they're just a general scumbag.

People filled with rage can still be good guys.

With that said, I better not pick up some GL titles in the future and see the Red guys beefing exclusively with the "good guys" (i.e. The Green Lanterns and all the other good ones).

[titanfan]

People filled with rage can still be good guys.

Have you been reading Green Lantern Corps?

That red lantern that was just recruited from the GLC certainly shows that it can be a gray issue.

[carabas]

Some of them may technically be good guys, but the farthe raway you get from the centre of the emotional spectrum, the more overpowering the rings become.
At the centre (green), people pretty much don't change by wearing a ring. Small deviation from the centre (blue/yellow) does seem to control the user somewhat. It tried to control Batman. At the extremes of the spectrum (violet/red), there is practically no control, as demonstrated by the Star Saphires.

[sschroeder]

All this stuff leading up to "Blackest Night" will truly put writers to the test to see if they're worthy to be writing or if they're just a general scumbag.

Tough standard you have there, worthy or general scumbag. Kind of like Yoda's "there is no try."

We don't really know what "all this stuff" will cover yet. I can see rage (red) and fear (yellow) causing some disagreements and fighting for sure with everybody including themselves. And greedy (orange) doesn't really play well with others either. When you overdo something it can lead to problems. Same for all the emotions or lack of them.


People filled with rage can still be good guys.

It wouldn't surprise me if the stories explore this. Ultimately, though, I think if someone can't control their rage, they'll be considered less good than those who can just by virture of flying off the handle and doing more unnecessary killing and damage.


With that said, I better not pick up some GL titles in the future and see the Red guys beefing exclusively with the "good guys" (i.e. The Green Lanterns and all the other good ones).

Based on GL # 28, I don't think you'll need to worry about this.


Some of them may technically be good guys, but the farthe raway you get from the centre of the emotional spectrum, the more overpowering the rings become.

Good point. That's what they've seemingly set up and will be the point they use to probably keep the Greens superior. But, hey, if we get a Red Lantern comic, that might be interesting too.

[MutoMikey]

Not to sound dark or anything but, just to show how uncontrolled and rage filled they are, I think Laira should actually kill a guardian.

Can anyone else picture Doomsday as a Red Lantern? That'd make sense to me...

[Karl O'Neill]

Not to sound dark or anything but, just to show how uncontrolled and rage filled they are, I think Laira should actually kill a guardian.

Can anyone else picture Doomsday as a Red Lantern? That'd make sense to me...

or subjeck 17 from kurt buseik's superman run.

now he's a cool, uber powerful villain:)

[carabas]

Not to sound dark or anything but, just to show how uncontrolled and rage filled they are, I think Laira should actually kill a guardian.
I don't see that happening. Superboy Prime and the Anti-Monitor couldn't kill a guardian (the one that died kamikazed himself to shunt Superboy Prime to another dimension).

[MutoMikey]

I don't see that happening. Superboy Prime and the Anti-Monitor couldn't kill a guardian (the one that died kamikazed himself to shunt Superboy Prime to another dimension).

Well, I guess I just meant, we should see her do something big while in that rage filled state that she's gonna regret.

[Jared H.]

I'm just hoping to see Superman get a blue ring at some point, myself.

As a matter of fact, I'd be amazed if Johns DIDN'T do this.

[sschroeder]

I'm just hoping to see Superman get a blue ring at some point, myself.

Superman's powers fade when away from a yellow star, right? So that might be a neat way to give him powers away from Earth.

Which is more strongly identified with Superman, hope or compassion? Maybe he'll just have to get two rings. ;)

[phantom1592]

Might be fun to see Guy get a red ring. In the 90's it was always focused on how his ring and will was fueled by his rage.

He does seems to have mellowed "a bit" since then.

Of course it might be MORE fun to see his rage AGAINST a Red lantern :)

[Gloom Cookie]

I'm waiting to see if any current Green Lanterns defect to a different Corp later. I wouldn't count Laira, as she had already been kicked out before she received the red ring. It'd be interesting to see some of the GLC leave because they identify more with another color or they disagree with what the Guardians are doing.

[JCAll]

Superman's powers fade when away from a yellow star, right? So that might be a neat way to give him powers away from Earth.

Which is more strongly identified with Superman, hope or compassion? Maybe he'll just have to get two rings. ;)

Well, Superman is apparently MORE powerful under a Blue Sun, so a blue ring might augment him in more ways than one.

[carabas]

If that reasoning bears out, Superman's going to be absolutely rubbish when fighting a red Lantern.

[Alex L]

Have you been reading Green Lantern Corps?

That red lantern that was just recruited from the GLC certainly shows that it can be a gray issue.

Been a while since I read that issue, but I thought Laira beat the snot out of a GL before escaping. Not exactly white-hat territory.

But yes, the concept of a good Red Lantern -- say, someone fighting against an oppressive empire -- is intriguing.

[prodigy]

Yeah, I have a really bad feeling what I'm going to see is just a bunch of 2-bit writers presenting us with a Red Lantern going "Arrr! I'm a Red Lantern. I'm full of hate and am nothing more than a 1 dimensional gimmick and opposite of you. I see you're a Green Lantern... One of the good guys. We're going to fight now despite the fact that we full damn well COULD serve the same purposes in life - maintaining order and justice throughout the universe. But nah. We're gonna have to fight cuz I'm an angry guy so that automatically means that fundamentally, philosophically, and on every other level, I'm your opposite and off that alone we're total enemies. All rage basically means is, is you're evil and all you wanna do is fight. Anyway, time to die. Arrr."


Please DC.... Don't do this...

Someone could full well be qualified for a Red Lantern but still be benevolent. I imagine someone like an outcast in school with a lot of aggression who could still be heroic.

Someone like Anakin from Star Wars (kinda). He essentially turned to the dark side to try and save his wife.


I damn well better see a) Orange Lanterns fighting everyone (makes sense) and b) Yellow Lanterns fighting with Red Lanterns.

Hell, Dr. Doom hates Red Skull, so Yellow Lanterns vs Red Lanterns would make sense.

A common mistake I see is that just about ALL "villains" side with each other in some point just off the strength of "Hey, I'm a jewel thief with a family who I love and you're a rapist. But who cares? You're bad. I'm bad. Let's team up." meanwhile heroes are always bickering and refusing to team up.

[Limelantern]

Well if the Red Lanterns are all about Anger and rage and the ends of the spectrum have the most control over the user, I doubt there will be any benevolent members.

[carabas]

At best, there'll be some guys who aren't bad people, but who go all "Raaaaaarrrrghh!! Hulk Smash!!!!" as soon as they power up their rings.
Also, keep in mind that rage isn't the only requirement to be a Red Lantern. The Red Lantern Corps is being put together by something with a bad grudge against the guardians.
Batman was the first one selected for the Sinestro Corps from his space sector, but was rejected because incompatible morals and liking Green Lanterns too much.

[prodigy]

Well if the Red Lanterns are all about Anger and rage and the ends of the spectrum have the most control over the user, I doubt there will be any benevolent members.

....So they can have rage towards people who commit crime and spread evil throughout the universe. They just focus their rage on that and target bad people. Seriously, do you have to be a jolly saint to be a hero?

[carabas]

They don't have much control or focus. Sure, a Red Lantern can set out to do some good, but pretty soon something will set him of on a good old Huld Smash rampage across the stars. And when he gets to his senses and remembers he was trying to help someone before he got the urge of throwing asteroids at people who talk on cell phones in the theatre, he'e surrounded by half an army of superheroes trying to take him down.

[carabas]

Oh, and like I said, the Red Lantern corps is being put together by some sort of Lovecratftian evil entity. He's not going to be recruiting any do-gooders into his army that he intends to use to annihilate the GLC.

[Seraku]

Atrocitus (Red Corps's Sinestro) has Sinestro on his hitlist and says so quite explicitly so I don't think we have to worry about the Red Lanterns being all evil.

[sschroeder]

Someone could full well be qualified for a Red Lantern but still be benevolent. I imagine someone like an outcast in school with a lot of aggression who could still be heroic.

Someone like Anakin from Star Wars (kinda). He essentially turned to the dark side to try and save his wife.

But look how that turned out. The intentions going into it aren't the only thing. I think there will be an interesting and fairly unique set of circumstances that makes a Red Lantern stay "benevolent" in the long run. Look at Laira. She was already using the letter of the law to kill while a GL. Her rage to destroy Yellows will probably lead to some collateral damage.


I damn well better see a) Orange Lanterns fighting everyone (makes sense)

Condemning absolutes and then dictating your own might not be the way to go. If Orange is based on greed, then they would wish to maximize their own gain, correct? If this can be achieved by joining forces then they might do so.


and b) Yellow Lanterns fighting with Red Lanterns.

Clearly Laira will go out and seek vengence on the Yellows for killing her mentor and his family, so there will be at least one.

[carabas]

Atrocitus (Red Corps's Sinestro) has Sinestro on his hitlist and says so quite explicitly so I don't think we have to worry about the Red Lanterns being all evil.Well, yes. But he's on the list for things he did to Atrocitus back when he was the Greatest Green Lantern Of All, not because Atrocitus wants to fight evil.

[Seraku]

Well, yes. But he's on the list for things he did to Atrocitus back when he was the Greatest Green Lantern Of All, not because Atrocitus wants to fight evil.

He's powered by rage is he really gonna forgive him now that he's no longer a Green Lantern, hell no he's still going to go after him and his allies:evilangry:

[Limelantern]

I really think these guys are going to essentially be Hulk+powerrings. Nothing but "Lantern Smash Raaaaugh!!!!!"

[Samuraixsithlord]

I'm waiting to see if any current Green Lanterns defect to a different Corp later. I wouldn't count Laira, as she had already been kicked out before she received the red ring. It'd be interesting to see some of the GLC leave because they identify more with another color or they disagree with what the Guardians are doing.

Some of the current Green Lanterns will defect to the Blue Lanterns when the Guardians start issuing more draconian laws and regulations. Like placing all beings with power rings under arrest regardless of how they act and behave and if they can't apprehend them, then ordering their termination

[Assassin Spider]

The concepts you seem to be discussing about the Red Lanterns, i.e. can someone filled with rage still qualify as good, are pretty interesting. However, what naysayers are forgetting is that with a weapon that can take anything you imagine and make it real, it takes a certain degree of concentration and will to make it effective. I tend to regard it kind of like Super Saiyan Levels 1 and 2 in Dragon Ball Z; it takes great anger to achieve that kind of power, but the anger provides the will to use that power in the service of justice provided the wielder doesn't get carried away by either the anger or the power. In other words, as long anger simply provides the emotional impetus behind the focus required to power the Red Lantern ring constructs, a Red Lantern shouldn't completely lose control of him- or herself, but it can be a looming danger that can cripple Red Lanterns who haven't sufficiently mastered their rage.

Plus, if I may suggest a Sector 2814 Red Lantern, I'd say Jason Todd. Before Countdown, he was very angry, and yet that anger motivated him to try to do what he saw as good, even if other characters --- mainly Batman --- disagreed with him. He'd be a pretty decent candidate for a Red Lantern ring if that corps came to recruit in Sector 2814.

[Limelantern]

I have wondered if the GL's would be allied with the Blue Lanterns or if they would just be against any other power ring user.

[Limelantern]

Plus, if I may suggest a Sector 2814 Red Lantern, I'd say Jason Todd. Before Countdown, he was very angry, and yet that anger motivated him to try to do what he saw as good, even if other characters --- mainly Batman --- disagreed with him. He'd be a pretty decent candidate for a Red Lantern ring if that corps came to recruit in Sector 2814.


Planet Ysmault is in 2814, I think Atrocitus is going to be the lantern for that sector. Although that would be a good direction for Jason Todd. Looks to me like no one has any idea what to do with the guy anymore.

[lazlo_toth]

Well, I guess I just meant, we should see her do something big while in that rage filled state that she's gonna regret.

That's almost a given, wouldn't you think? If not her, then some other red lantern whose set up to be at core a fairly "good" individual, albeit one filled with rage.

Plus, I don't think you're going to have to worry about seeing the reds mix it up with the yellows. I think even the "bad" reds are not going to have much of a problem with smacking down a Sinestro or two.

[Alex L]

I have wondered if the GL's would be allied with the Blue Lanterns or if they would just be against any other power ring user.

I can see the Blues being opposed to increasingly draconian measures of the Guardians.

"The Green Lantern Corps has abandoned hope" or some such thing.

[prodigy]

They don't have much control or focus. Sure, a Red Lantern can set out to do some good, but pretty soon something will set him of on a good old Huld Smash rampage across the stars. And when he gets to his senses and remembers he was trying to help someone before he got the urge of throwing asteroids at people who talk on cell phones in the theatre, he'e surrounded by half an army of superheroes trying to take him down.

Who said they don't have much focus? They've only been around for about, like, 4 issues.


You're reading the wrong book.

I really think these guys are going to essentially be Hulk+powerrings. Nothing but "Lantern Smash Raaaaugh!!!!!"

That's what we, intelligent people, call predictable gimmicks and bad writing.

Condemning absolutes and then dictating your own might not be the way to go. If Orange is based on greed, then they would wish to maximize their own gain, correct? If this can be achieved by joining forces then they might do so.
Jesus Christ, hell no. HELL NO.

So basically, based off what you're saying, we'll see the Greedy Lanterns (badguys) team up with the other badguys (i.e. the old "Hey. You're bad. I'm bad. Let's be buddies" concept).

Like that hasn't been done before.


What a sensible writer would do is have the Orange guys be like "Well, we want all the power, the Sinestro guys have a lot of it, so let's kill them all and take their rings."


Not no teaming up nonsense. Look at the bigger picture.

Ugh. I hate bad ideas.

However, what naysayers are forgetting is that with a weapon that can take anything you imagine and make it real, it takes a certain degree of concentration and will to make it effective.
The rings are supposed to feed off their rage, that's it, though.


I tend to regard it kind of like Super Saiyan Levels 1 and 2 in Dragon Ball Z; it takes great anger to achieve that kind of power, but the anger provides the will to use that power in the service of justice provided the wielder doesn't get carried away by either the anger or the power. In other words, as long anger simply provides the emotional impetus behind the focus required to power the Red Lantern ring constructs, a Red Lantern shouldn't completely lose control of him- or herself, but it can be a looming danger that can cripple Red Lanterns who haven't sufficiently mastered their rage.
I heard Guy Gardner used to be like that back in the day. That his constructs were fueled by his anger or something.... I dunno. He just really wanted to let it out or whatever. Something like that. But he's mellowed out since then, though.

[carabas]

Who said they don't have much focus? They've only been around for about, like, 4 issues.Geoff Johns does. What he said was that the further away from the emotional green centre you get, the less control you have. He was talking about Purple Lanterns aka Star Saphires (the reds' opposites on the other side of the spectrum), who are basically good, being powered by love and all, but have little control over their actions.

[Superboy-Prime]

i like the fact that you guys think superman's powers depend on the color yellow instead of the sun's energy. ...

[sschroeder]

Jesus Christ, hell no. HELL NO.

So basically, based off what you're saying, we'll see the Greedy Lanterns (badguys) team up with the other badguys (i.e. the old "Hey. You're bad. I'm bad. Let's be buddies" concept).

I don't know what we are going to see. I'm just allowing these characters possibilities. I'm open to different takes on it.

You seem to have decided how you want these characters to behave and are determined not to like it otherwise.


Like that hasn't been done before.

What a sensible writer would do is have the Orange guys be like "Well, we want all the power, the Sinestro guys have a lot of it, so let's kill them all and take their rings."

This isn't an original concept either at this point.

And what you are suggesting doesn't quite make sense in a couple of possible ways. If people with Orange rings won't team up, why would they even team up with each other? Because they have matching jewelry? They wouldn't.

Also, the fear based Yellow rings might not necessarily work very well for an Orange ringed guy, so they might not get much by just trying to capture them. They didn't work too well for Hal Jordan, for example.

Now, maybe they will each be on their own. But it makes them obvious villains who won't get much done other than create chaos and little fires around the universe that need attention. That's fine, but not some serious emergency for Green Lanterns or any other group.

Maybe they'll be forced to act together somehow by those handing out the Orange rings. We'll see. Yellows team up at least partly out of fear of their leaders. If you are going to say Orange will act together to get more power, they could just as easily decide to do that with other colored rings for a while. Until they betray their allies, because they see a chance to take more for themselves, let's say, once the opposition is taken out.

Or maybe Orange will act like a big crime syndicate, forcing a piece of everything with their ringed enforcers.

They might also act the way you'd like.


Ugh. I hate bad ideas.

Or you hate ideas that aren't yours.

[drwho]

I was kind of under the impression that the rage rings actually amplify your rage even more so that probably screws with your judgement some. Of course it would be interesting to see if some of the red lanterns actually express some regret for their choice.

[xnef1025]

Since the red rings are rage controlled, I don't expect a lot of will power or concentration is really needed. The users tap into their anger instead, much like the Sinestro Corps taps into fear. Since the SC is closer to the middle of the spectrum, will power does have more involvement in what they do with their rings than a Red Lantern.

Red Lanterns will probably be melee fighters mostly. Their rage will make them want to wade into the middle of their enemies and get the visceral feeling of killing them with their bare hands. Ring power blades or claws, shields and strength enhancements would be the weapons of choice for the red. Maybe area of effect power blasts that radiate out with the corps member at the center. I just don't see a Red taking the time or having the patience to make a construct as they've been described so far.

[BoosterBronze]

I was kind of under the impression that the rage rings actually amplify your rage even more so that probably screws with your judgement some. Of course it would be interesting to see if some of the red lanterns actually express some regret for their choice.

That's what I figure too. Imagine you have the most powerful weapon in the universe that not only feeds off your rage, but the more angry you are, the greater expression that rage has. It's a vicious cycle of increasing rage and power. It might even be like a drug addiction.

I can't imagine having that weapon, then sitting down with a cup of tea and saying 'what are my long term goals here?'

As for the orange lanterns, rage almost inevitably leads to confrontation/violence (or sometimes pouting, but that wouldn't make much of a comic). Greed on the other hand leads to whatever action will satisfy that greed. In fact, if you ever play Risk, the fastest way to lose your territory is to fight everyone.

[dupersuper]

For an example of how much control people with outer spectrum rings have, Carol Ferris doesn't strike me as some one who would cut Katma Tui into pieces...

[prodigy]

Going off what I saw in that one Sinestro War comic where they had a little glimpse of some big future war between all the different Corps, it was just what I had expected (predictable tripe) hence why I made this thread.

I saw Green, Blue, Indigo and Purple fighting with Red, Yellow, and Orange.

How much you wanna bet none of the big league heroes (Superman etc) aren't getting rings? Despite the fact that Blue would make a damnload of sense for him to have?

[prodigy]

Going off what I saw in that one Sinestro War comic where they had a little glimpse of some big future war between all the different Corps, it was just what I had expected (predictable tripe) hence why I made this thread.

I saw Green, Blue, Indigo and Purple fighting with Red, Yellow, and Orange.

How much you wanna bet none of the big league heroes (Superman etc) aren't getting rings? Despite the fact that Blue would make a damnload of sense for him to have?

[carabas]

I saw Green, Blue, Indigo and Purple fighting with Red, Yellow, and Orange.Meh. I saw red and yellow fighting green and blue, with the rest of them doing pretty much their own thing. The oranges certainly weren't fighting anyone. They didn't even bother to show up in person. The indigos don't look combative at all. They're there, but they're not doing much. The violets seem to be having a group thing and don't really seem to be bothering anyone else either. also, the violets (aka Star Saphires) have a history of fighting Green Lanterns.

How much you wanna bet none of the big league heroes (Superman etc) aren't getting rings? Despite the fact that Blue would make a damnload of sense for him to have?Yes! because being a supporting character in Green Lantern is exactly what he is cut out for. Besides, Big Blue has had Lantern Rings offered to him before. He's always declined them. Besides, both Batman and Scarecrow got offered sinestro rings - you're running behind on the facts.

Finally, is this so hard to get? The chief red guy is a sworn enemy of the Green Lantern Corps (and of Sinestro). His Corps therefore will fight the GLC, and if they don't want to, they can turn in their rings.