Set Description:
Synopsis: This GL set is one of three sets in our collection that has won a best SA set award. It contains all 89 books with a minimum grade of 9.2, and has topped the census since 2012, although for a couple of years we kept it obscured. The set features 81 highest graded books, including 15 books that are single highest graded-down from a high of 26 books a few years ago. Of the eight issues where we lack a highest graded example, all but two are bested by a single copy, with the other two trailing two books one grade above. No book in this set is worse than second highest graded.
Background: The first Green Lantern character, Alan Scott, was created in 1940 by Martin Nodell with scripting or co-scripting of the first stories by Bill Fingerduring the Golden Age of Comic Books and usually fought common criminals in Capitol City (and later, Gotham City) with the aid of his magic ring. For the Silver Age of Comic Books, John Broome and Gil Kane reinvented the character as Hal Jordan in 1959 and introduced the Green Lantern Corps, shifting the nature of the character from fantasy to science fiction. During the Bronze Age of Comic Books, Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams introduced John Stewart, a new member of the Corps who was one of DC's first black superheroes. Other notable Green Lanterns include Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner, Simon Baz, Jessica Cruz and Jo Mullein.
The Green Lanterns are among DC Comics' longest lasting sets of characters. They have been adapted to television, video games, and motion pictures.
Our Collection: Unlike many sets where we rank #1, because the top collections are not registered, I think it is safe to say that this is the greatest collection of SA Green Lantern books in existence containing copies of every single issue, including 62 9.8s and 15 single highest graded issues.
We really jumpstarted this set back in 2011 when CL auctioned off what was up until that time the #1 registry set containing a slew of Pacific Coast pedigrees.
During 2019, we were lucky enough to add 7 single highest graded books through a private transaction with a good friend and fellow collector. But in the last five years, 11 of the books we owned that were previously single highest graded lost that distinction, so that the total in this set has decreased to just 15.
Currently, the highlights of this set are the first four issues that are all highest graded examples.
2024 Update: As I try to do each year before making my sets public, I went through the descriptions of each book to check for census changes. One thing that struck me is that there have been several high grade books in this title that have emerged from CGC in recent years, but I have not seen any of those books on the market, which is rather strange. They are also nowhere to be found in the Registry. I’ve got nothing as far as an explanation, but it is unusual.
2025 Update: We upgraded just one book during the past year as there were otherwise no opportunities to do so, accordingly, this set looks pretty much the same as it did a year ago.
2026 Update: We did upgrade this set once this year with the acquisition of the single highest graded Pacific Coast 9.8 copy of Issue #29, a book we have long coveted to add to our other Pacific Coast Green Lanterns. But on the negative news, two books we own that have long been single highest graded were tied, our #2 9.6 and #8 9.6. Those two really hurt and once again prove the folly of paying a premium for single highest graded books, as the second copies have been on the market at far cheaper prices than we paid many years ago. What can you do LOL?
Current Stats:
89/89 Books
62 9.8s-All Highest Graded
20 9.6s-18 Highest Graded
4 9.4s-1 Highest Graded
3 9.2s
47 WP
34 OW/W
8 OW
15 Single Highest Graded
81 Highest Graded
8 Second Highest Graded
35 Pedigrees |
|
|
| The gallery tab shows only items with images. Click the thumbnails to enlarge. |
| Slot: |
Green Lantern 1 |
| Item: |
Green Lantern 1 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4411840001
|
Owner Comments
Green lantern #1 marks the first appearance of the Silver Age Green Lantern in his own magazine. In the featured story, "Menace of the Giant Puppet!" Green Lantern is puzzled by a series of bizarre crimes that have been plaguing the city. In each case, a law-abiding citizen tries to rob a place and is captured by the Green Lantern. In each situation the person caught claims to have been controlled as if like a puppet. After a series of "puppet master" crimes, Green Lantern is convinced that there is somebody controlling other people. Hal is suddenly snapped out of his thoughts when one of the balloons in the parade -- made to look like a puppet -- suddenly comes to life and starts shooting at him with a giant gun. Hal however, easily defeats the puppet with his power ring.
Later, the Puppet Master uses his hypno-ray to bring Green Lantern to his secret hideout. The Emerald Crusader manages to free himself and the Puppet Master is no match in battle against him and he easily captures him and turns him over to the police.
Our 9.6 is one of just two books to ever obtain this lofty grade and boasts white pages to boot! In addition, it is the first of three straight 9.6s, all of which top the census, which is the highlight of this set. We acquired the book in April 2024.*
|
| Slot: |
Green Lantern 2 |
| Item: |
Green Lantern 2 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1010166007
|
Owner Comments
In Issue #2, Hal Jordan is confronted by a man named Telle-Teg, who asks for the help of Green Lantern. Wanting to know what it's about, Hal has a telepathic story beamed into his head; Belle-Teg is from the Antimatter Universe on a planet call Qward, where being evil is lawful and being good is against the law. Telle-Teg and some other non-evil Qwardians have learned about a device that can transport them into the positive matter universe. The device however is being held by the Weaponers of Qward. Transporting himself across this device, Telle-Teg has since been followed by a Weaponer who has been trying to smite him with their golden thunderbolts. Hal agrees to find Green Lantern and leaves Telle-Teg alone while he changes.
When Green Lantern arrives, Telle-Teg is attacked by a Weaponer, during the fight Green Lantern is able to force the evil Qwardian to flee, but Telle-Teg is killed in the fight. Hal then travels through the doorway into Qward, and battles the Weaponers, free's Telle-Teg's friends and brings them into the positive matter universe. After sealing the doorway closed, one of Telle-Teg's friends warns that he too spied on the Weaponers, and learned that their ultimate goal is to collect all the Green Lanterns in the positive matter universe.
As of this writing, this is the single highest graded issue and was for years the earliest 9.6 in the GL silver age run. I lost this book at auction about 2010 and then had to overpay when the opportunity arose to acquire it the second time in 2017. Hopefully, there will not be a second 9.6 to surface, or I will lose my shirt on this one.
2024 Update: Looking back, this is a book for which I dramatically overpaid. At the time I acquired it, I believe it was the only book above a 9.2 in the census. Now there are two 9.4s, so the pack is creeping up. I have no plans to sell it, but I also see no way this book will ever turn a profit, I just overpaid for a book that was otherwise not on the market. Live and learn.
|
| Slot: |
Green Lantern 3 |
| Item: |
Green Lantern 3 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
2091760002
|
Owner Comments
In Issue #3, Green Lantern travels to the Negative Matter universe and to the world of Qward and battles the Qwardian army. When he finds that his Power Battery is sealed in a yellow dome, he discovers a small flaw in the dome, which allows him to send ring energy into the dome and turn into a hammer smashing it from the inside out (the opposite side was not painted yellow) and liberate his power ring. Returning to the Positive Matter Universe, Green Lantern then rounds up the Qwardian spies living in Pieface's rooming house and turns them over to the police.
This book is the single highest graded issue with only one 9.4 in the census, which we also previously owned. I have seen and at times owned many high grade copies of this book, this one is far and away the best centered with the richest colors and one of few without cream pages.
We acquired the book in the March 2020 CL auction.
|
| Slot: |
Green Lantern 4 |
| Item: |
Green Lantern 4 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0963107003
|
Owner Comments
Green Lantern battles the Qwardians in Issue #4, including a missile they send to lure him into battle. Our copy emanates from the Circle 8 Collection. In 1992 this massive collection of 100,000 comics was discovered in a barn in Tuscon, Arizona by Greg Buls and Howard Harris. It was assembled through a used bookstore between 1955 and 1972 who discounted unsold comic books by writing a grease pencil "8" inside a circle, indicating a discount of 2 cents off the original 10 cent cover price. This practice continued as cover prices increased to 12 cents (with a grease pencil "10" written as the discount), 15 cents, and 20 cents, with an estimated 50% of the collection exhibiting the written discount. Of note, many of the highest graded horror and science fiction Atlas comics from the '50s hail from this pedigree.
Our book is one of five 9.4s with none higher. I bought this book at NYC’s ComicCon in 2012. I more recently had a 9.6 CBCS, but when CGC refused to transition it I sold it in the CBCS case. I have had very little luck getting CBCS books to transition to CGC in the same grade and have pretty much stopped buying them.
2022 Update: There are now 5 9.4s topping the census, still no 9.6s.
|
| Slot: |
Green Lantern 5 |
| Item: |
Green Lantern 5 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0005877018
|
Owner Comments
Green Lantern #5 introduces Hector Hammond, a super-villain with strong mental powers who will frequently appear in future issues. Exposure to an alien meteorite caused his brain to evolve at an accelerated rate making him into an intelligent super-being trapped inside the limitations of his human body. His telepathy and telekinesis allow him the abilities to read and control others' minds as well as flight. Trapped forever grotesquely deformed and spending most of his life in prison, more than anything he craves to feed on the life experiences of others
Our issue is second highest graded trailing a single 9.4. We acquired the book In the June 21, 2013 ComicConnect auction.
2024 Update: Well, there are now two 9.4s in the census, so maybe one day we will get a shot at upgrading this book. It is one of three 9.2s in our set with none lower and the only 9.2 where there is more than one better example.
|
| Slot: |
Green Lantern 6 |
| Item: |
Green Lantern 6 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0005877019
|
Owner Comments
Issue #6 features the first appearance of Tomar-Re, who was the first non-Earth/Sector 2814 Green Lantern to be introduced. With dangers simultaneously threatening his world and the planet of Aku, the Green Lantern of Xudar contacts the Green Lantern of Earth for help.
For many years this was the single highest graded issue, but CGC recently upgraded a book making it 1/2. To my mind, this is the better copy since it has WP and the other has C/OW, but the emergence of a second 9.4 undoubtedly affected its value adversely, as I paid about three times as much for this book as the second one made at auction. Oh, the hazards of buying single highest graded books, they rarely stay that way, so Buyers beware!
Purchased on 6/21/2013 in a ComicConnect auction.
2021 Update: Well, my once single highest graded copy, for which I paid a princely sum, is now an also ran, as a 9.6 has appeared in the census. I would now probably be lucky to get 25 cents on the dollar for what I paid back in 2013. Anyone who buys comic books as an investment better stick to Marvel keys.
|
| Slot: |
Green Lantern 7 |
| Item: |
Green Lantern 7 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1225435002
|
Owner Comments
The first Sinestro, this is one of the three most valuable books in this run. A renegade ex-Green Lantern, exiled to Qward, Sinestro was once Hal Jordan's instructor, however during an incident it was revealed that he was more of a dictator than a protector and was banished to Qward, where he found allies in the Weaponers who hated the Guardians and Green Lanterns as much as he did. They helped him fashion a yellow power ring which the Lantern's green power rings could not directly affect. In Issue a#7, Sinestro teleports an entire city of Earth people to the anti-matter universe, and Green Lantern must rescue them.
There are two 9.6s above this one. I had a chance to buy one in a recent Pedigree Auction, but dropped out when the bidding approached $30,000. I mean, I would love to have a 9.6, but that seemed awful pricey to me for a book valued at 4500 registry points.
|
| Slot: |
Green Lantern 8 |
| Item: |
Green Lantern 8 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0986972002
|
Owner Comments
Issue #8 introduces the first 5700 A.D. story. In the story, Green Lantern is transported into the year 5700 A.D. and given a false set of memories so that he may, as the Solar Director of that time, help save humanity from a race of ray-blasting mutant gila monsters.
Issue #8 was for years the lowest graded book in this set and a tough book for us to find in high grade. We finally upgraded this slot with this second highest graded copy from the Don & Maggie Collection in September 2020 in an acquisition from another private collector. The Thompsons were responsible for several publications and writings during the '60s that helped bring together comic book fandom as we know it today. Already adults when Fantastic Four #1 was released in 1961, the Thompsons carefully stored away copies of most Marvel and DC comics throughout the '60s and '70s. Don passed away in 1994, and in 2013 Maggie decided to sell the collection through Heritage, resulting in nearly $1 million in sales, thanks to the pristine condition of their comics, which included an Avengers #1 and Tales of Suspense #39 in 9.4, a Journey into Mystery #83 in 9.2 and a Hulk #1 in 8.5.
Well, I was perfectly happy with our Don & Maggie Pedigree 9.4 when the single highest graded 9.6 hit the market and the damn thing is gorgeous, so I broke my cardinal rule and sprung for the upgrade-and it was not cheap. This one has topped the census for over a decade and, hopefully, will continue to do so for many years-otherwise we overpaid LOL. This is certainly one of the only sets we own where we would have paid up for a single step upgrade-and I question the sanity of doing so here, but it is a sweet one! We acquired the book in the 5/28/2025 CL Auction.
Oh, if anyone out there is interested in our Don & Maggie 9.4, it’s available.
|
| Slot: |
Green Lantern 9 |
| Item: |
Green Lantern 9 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0988310002
|
Owner Comments
Issue #9 marks one last and one first. From the last standpoint, it was the final issue priced at 10 cents, as the price jumped a whopping 2 cents in Issue #10. From the first standpoint, Issue #9 marks the first appearance of Sinestro on a cover.
This issue is tied with four others for second highest graded trailing a single 9.4. We acquired it in the 3/27/2011 CL auction.
2024 Update: This really is no update, but it’s still surprising to me that no more 9.4 copies of this issue have surfaced. It does get better after this issue, with the exception of Issue #24, but I guess there is some comfort in knowing that there are some titles where grade inflation has not run rampant.
2025 Update: And just like clockwork, right after my comments above about being surprised that there is still just one 9.4 in the census on this issue, now there are two. I know where the first one is, but I’m a little surprised the second one never hit the market, maybe I missed it.
|
| Slot: |
Green Lantern 10 |
| Item: |
Green Lantern 10 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1007426015
|
Owner Comments
Issue #10 reveals the origin of Green Lantern's oath, and sends a team of shrunken scientists from the future into GL's ring to save Hal Jordan from a deadly trap.
Our copy is one of just two 9.4s, with none higher. We acquired this book in the February 2011 Pedigree auction.
2020 Update: While still the highest graded copy, this book now shares that distinction with two other books.
|
| Slot: |
Green Lantern 11 |
| Item: |
Green Lantern 11 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1999342002
|
Owner Comments
Issue #11 features the third appearance of Sinestro, but one again he does not appear on the cover. The cover instead displays the amazing diversity of the galaxy's Green Lantern Corps. In the cover story, the Green Lantern Corps strips Green Lantern of Earth of his insignia and power ring, and exiles him to Qward, where he falls into the hands of Sinestro.
Our copy is one of two 9.8s, although I believe the other has cream pages. I also believe that they are the earliest 9.8s in this run. Needless to say, the books was expensive when I won it in the November 2018 Pedigree Comics auction.
|
| Slot: |
Green Lantern 12 |
| Item: |
Green Lantern 12 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1053562015
|
Owner Comments
Issue #12 features the second 5700 A.D. In the main story, Green Lantern is transported to 5700 A.D. to deal with the threat of a group of renegade generals who wish to seize power.
Our copy is highest graded, an honor it shares with three other 9.6s with none higher as of May 2020.
|
| Slot: |
Green Lantern 13 |
| Item: |
Green Lantern 13 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1215045005
|
Owner Comments
No it isn't Flash #131, it's Green Lantern #13 that marks the start of the Flash-Green Lantern duo, a team-up that will be reappear numerous times in both books. This beauty is also the single highest graded issue.
Oops, not anymore, in doing my periodic census check, I noticed there is now another 9.6, making this one one of two as of August 2019. One notable thing about this one, it is the only single highest graded book I ever bought in a CBCS holder that actually transitioned to a CGC holder in the same grade, which includes a couple of other GLs. I generally view CBCS grades as 1-2 steps below a CGC grade, but occasionally you get lucky.
|
| Slot: |
Green Lantern 14 |
| Item: |
Green Lantern 14 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1198827009
|
Owner Comments
Issue #14 introduced Sonar, Bito Walden, the villain who conquered sound. Bito hailed from the tiny Balkan nation of Modora, a small, isolationist country not affiliated with the United Nations. Bito's parent were both deaf, which, to the superstitious Modorans, is considered a curse from Satan. As a result, they were shunned by their fellow countrymen. This affected young Bito, who, even though he could hear, was also shunned by his parents. This molded the boy to become resentful to the rest of the world and spend most of his time in seclusion studying the books his grandfather had hid from Fando the Mad's purge against science. He then used that knowledge about sound to prove himself better than the people who oppressed him.
Bito grew up very bright thanks to his self-taught knowledge, and he took a job as an apprentice to a clock maker, which helped his studies in engineering and sound. Stealing books and technology from other countries, Bito created his sound-based equipment, allowing him to fly and throw destructive blows. He then created his own regal garbs befitting of a world leader and flew to America to steal more technology to create his "Nucleo-Sonic Bomb." His main motivation was to make himself noticed, both by the people of Modora and of the outside world, and in turn make Modora known globally.
Green Lantern soon encounters Bito after he commences his career in crime as the costumed criminal known as Sonar. Defeated in their initial encounter, Green Lantern battles Sonar again as he tries to rob the Star Laboratory. When Sonar uses his sonic weapon to make Green Lantern believe everything is yellow, the criminal escapes again. Restoring his mind with his power ring, Green Lantern makes one more attack on Sonar, capturing him with ease when he uses his power ring to create a waterspout that washes up the criminal. With Sonar turned over to the police, his story makes international headlines, getting Modora the world images Sonar believed it deserved.
Our book is one of three 9.6s with none higher and boasts white pages as well. I have seen all three 9.6s, IMHO this one is the nicest. It also hails from the Dan and Maggie Thompson Collection. The Thompsons were responsible for several publications and writings during the '60s that helped bring together comic book fandom as we know it today. Already adults when Fantastic Four #1 was released in 1961, the Thompsons carefully stored away copies of most Marvel and DC comics throughout the '60s and '70s. Don passed away in 1994, and in 2013 Maggie decided to sell the collection through Heritage, resulting in nearly $1 million in sales, thanks to the pristine condition of their comics, which included an Avengers #1 and Tales of Suspense #39 in 9.4, a Journey into Mystery #83 in 9.2 and a Hulk #1 in 8.5. will try to add a scan soon.
We acquired the book from the March 15, 2014 Heritage Auction.
|
| Slot: |
Green Lantern 15 |
| Item: |
Green Lantern 15 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
3956424005
|
Owner Comments
issue #15 is only the second cover with Green Lantern's greatest arch-nemisis, Sinestro. In the lead story, Green Lantern becomes convinced that his old foe Sinestro is loose and attacking him from afar. But, when trailing him to the universe of Qward, he is lured into a world where everything but its inhabitants is colored yellow.
This is a tough book to find in high grade. For many years, we owned the Pacific Coast 9.4, which was the nicest example in existence. But a 9.6 emerged a few years ago and sold for about $20,000 in a very competitive auction. Sometimes early highest graded GLs go for nothing, while at other times the prices go crazy, like they did for that book. We fortunately were not the winner of that auction.
Well, as it has happened so often to us on the other side, the 9.6 #15 did not stay King for too long, as a second one emerged in 2022 and we were lucky enough to get it at less than 40% of the price of the first one. We acquired the book from the 1/14/2022 Heritage Auction.
2025 Update: And now there are three 9.6s, winner of that first auction, I feel your pain. Just yesterday, I saw a book go for 1/3 of what we paid for the same grade just a couple of years ago. I have never seen a crazier market than the current one, prices are all over the place-both high and low. My only advice to anyone reading this is don’t think you have to have a book because it tops the census, those things too often change, and not for the better if you buy the first one. The key to building a better collection without unlimited funds is patience, a trait I too often lack myself. If you try to build a high-grade set quickly, you will get burned.
|
|