Warning: Spoilers for Green Lantern #15!
While Batman is often criticized for being overly serious, Green Lantern, on the other hand, embraces a more carefree demeanor. Among the Justice League’s lighter-hearted members, none exhibit the rebellious spontaneity of Hal Jordan, something Batman finds difficult to tolerate. Their tumultuous history is well-documented, but in a recent twist, Green Lantern has executed a clever maneuver against Batman, proving he can outwit his “frenemy” like no one else.
Joined by his ally, Flash Wally West, Green Lantern embarks on a mission without his powered ring, following the events of Absolute Power. In a sneak peek of *Green Lantern #15*, crafted by Jeremy Adams, Fernando Pasarin, Oclair Albert, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Dave Sharpe, Hal takes the Flash to one of Batman’s islands. There, he showcases the Batwolf prototype, a Bat-Plane that only a pilot of Hal Jordan’s caliber could operate.
Green Lantern declares his insight into Batman’s greatest vulnerability: his strategic nature makes him predictable.
Batman and Green Lantern Are Heroes, But Not Friends
Hal Jordan and Bruce Wayne Are Practically Opposites
Typically, Batman isn’t labeled as “predictable.” He’s a tactical genius who has honed his body and mind to the pinnacle of human capability, making him nearly god-like. Yet, it is his very seriousness that makes his actions foreseeable. Batman is known for his intricate planning and reliance on strategy, contrasting with Hal Jordan’s penchant for spontaneity. A hero with countless backup plans eventually becomes one of the most predictable figures in comics.
To delve into Batman’s activities during Absolute Power, explore *Batman #152* by Chip Zdarsky, Mike Hawthorne, Adriano Di Benedetto, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Clayton Cowles, now available from DC Comics.
Conversely, Hal Jordan excels in improvisation, a trait underscored by his Green Lantern abilities, where creativity embodies the essence of willpower. Hal is perpetually improvising, crafting constructs tailored to each situation. As Hal Jordan, he is a daring pilot; as Green Lantern, he embodies impulsive creativity—a nightmare for a meticulous planner like Batman.
Green Lantern and Batman Have Had Their Share of Disagreements and Even a Few Fistfights
Despite being teammates, Green Lantern and Batman have never enjoyed a smooth relationship. Across every universe, they seem destined to irritate each other. In the *New 52 Justice League* series by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee, Batman removed Hal Jordan’s ring to highlight his need for greater focus. In the alternate universe of *All-Star Batman & Robin, The Boy Wonder* by Frank Miller and Lee, Bruce Wayne went further, coating his suit and an entire room in yellow paint—the Green Lantern’s weakness—demonstrating the extent of Batman’s contingency planning.
Green Lantern's New Costume Is Rainbow-Themed Nightmare Fuel
Green Lantern, meanwhile, has orchestrated his own series of affronts against Batman. As far back as the nineties’ *Zero Hour*, Hal Jordan briefly turned villain as Parallax, necessitating intervention from Batman and the Justice League before major changes to Green Lantern lore.
In smaller incidents, Green Lantern enjoys reminding Batman that he’s merely a man in a bat suit without powers. Hal Jordan exudes the energy of an annoying younger brother, constantly jesting at his overly serious older sibling. Yet, it’s more than mere jokes; Green Lantern comprehends Batman’s weakness like no other.
Batman’s Planning Makes Him the Most Predictable Hero
And Green Lantern Is Nothing If Not Creatively Unpredictable
To someone as quick-witted as Hal Jordan, Batman is predictable. Billionaire Bruce Wayne often leaves costly gadgets behind as he pursues new models, and Hal Jordan is always ready to capitalize on the leftover dangerous experiments. He navigates around the kill switch on Batman’s high-speed plane because Batman operates within expected limits, and Hal has mastered circumventing those boundaries. To Green Lantern, Batman’s greatest flaw is his excessive planning. It’s easy to strategize against a strategist.
Batman could take a lesson from Green Lantern and learn to embrace spontaneity. His contingency plans have undone the Justice League more than once, a situation that might be avoided if Batman could trust both his teammates and his instincts. Hal Jordan possesses enough instinct for the entire Justice League, and, as demonstrated during Absolute Power, he doesn’t require a magical ring to stir up a bit of chaos.
Green Lantern’s Powers of Improvisation Will Save the Day
Not Batman’s Contingency Plans
Ironically, Batman’s meticulous preparations often lead to his undoing. Fortunately, this time it’s not a villain exploiting a contingency plan, but a friend aware of Batman’s vulnerabilities. Just as Batman might leverage Hal’s impulsiveness against him, Hal knows how to use Batman’s diligence to his advantage. In a crisis without superpowers, an improvising hero like Green Lantern is exactly what DC needs.
*Green Lantern #15* is slated for release on September 11th, 2024, 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.
Batman
One of DC's most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world's leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.