WARNING: Spoilers Ahead for Green Arrow #16
In a groundbreaking twist to the Green Lantern mythos, a new White Lantern emerges, turning the concept of life-giving power on its head. This tale unfolds in a distant, troubled realm where vengeance is now directed at Hal Jordan’s long-time ally, Green Arrow.
Amanda Waller’s Power Grab
Amanda Waller has orchestrated a coup by deploying a squad of Amazos to strip nearly every hero on Earth of their powers. Surprisingly, by her side is Green Arrow, a former Justice League member turned traitor. During his tenure with Waller, Green Arrow is haunted by Bright, a sinister enforcer with ties to the Green Lantern lore.
Green Arrow’s New Adversary: An Evil White Lantern
Bright’s Origin Unveiled
In “Green Arrow #16,” crafted by Joshua Williamson and his talented team, Amanda Waller is furious as heroes rally against her forces. She demands to know the whereabouts of her agents, specifically Oliver Queen and Bright. Meanwhile, aboard a cargo plane bound for Waller’s base on Gamorra, Green Arrow arrives just in time to thwart Bright’s attempt to kill Lian Harper. Bright unleashes a brilliant flash, but Green Arrow’s mask shields him from its blinding effects.
Green Arrow creates a diversion, allowing Lian to escape, Arsenal to seize control of the plane, and Connor Hawke to join him in combating Bright. Despite Bright’s combat prowess, Connor lands decisive blows, forcing the villain to reveal his past. Bright is from Earth-3, home to the Crime Syndicate, and was once his world’s White Lantern.
Betrayed by His Own
Bright’s tale of betrayal unfolds as he recounts an event called the “Brightest Night,” where Earth-3’s Deadeye and Power Ring, counterparts to Green Arrow and Green Lantern, stole his ring and left him for dead. Waller found him, promising a chance for revenge on Oliver Queen and his loved ones. Despite a final attempt to kill Oliver, Bright plummets from the plane, though Green Arrow is convinced he will survive.
White Lanterns and Earth-3’s Twisted Reality
Inversion of Morality
The Green Lantern Corps represents a fraction of the Emotional Spectrum, originally unified as the White Light of Life. This light, a source of life in the DC Universe, was shattered by darkness but awaited a worthy bearer. This power was first harnessed by Kyle Rayner, who mastered all light sources to become the inaugural White Lantern.
However, the multiverse’s diverse histories present Earth-3 as a world where roles are reversed—heroes are villains, and vice versa. The Crime Syndicate, led by tyrants like Ultraman, rules with fear. In this world, Power Ring serves villainously under an evil ring’s influence.
Amanda Waller, determined to conquer Earth-3, assembles a new Suicide Squad, successfully subjugating the Crime Syndicate. She recruits Earth-3 assets, including Bright, to eradicate metahumans from her home world.
The Emergence of an Evil White Lantern on Prime Earth
Potential Threat to the Emotional Spectrum
Bright’s animosity towards Green Arrow transcends universes, posing a significant threat. His past as a White Lantern is peculiar, as only Sinestro and Black Hand have villainously wielded such power before. Earth-3’s inversion makes this plausible.
Currently, Bright lacks White Lantern powers, relying on Waller’s cybernetic modifications. The origins of his White Lantern abilities remain unclear—whether they were literally gifted or earned through effort like Kyle Rayner. If the latter, could Bright reclaim them on Prime Earth?
With the Emotional Spectrum fragile due to recent events, Bright’s potential to regain his powers and exploit its instability is alarming. Surviving his fall from the plane, Bright remains intent on making Green Arrow suffer.
Bright: The Ideal Adversary for Green Arrow and Green Lantern
A Perfect Foil for Iconic Allies
While Bright’s disdain for his universe’s Oliver is evident, his contempt for Hal Jordan is implied. With his whereabouts unknown and a chance at regaining his White Lantern powers, Bright becomes an ideal nemesis for Green Arrow and Green Lantern. Fans relish their team-ups, and after the events of “Absolute Power,” pursuing this formidable White Lantern adds intrigue.
“Green Arrow #16” is now available from DC Comics.
Green Lantern
Green Lantern is the name given to multiple enforcers of intergalactic justice in the DC Universe. Green Lanterns can harness the cosmic energy of willpower, and create unique spectral objects to face off against their enemies. Though some Green Lanterns have assisted with the Justice League, they primarily belong to the Green Lantern Corps.