Set Description:
The Silver Age Green Lantern was created by John Broome and Gil Kane in Showcase #22 (October 1959) at the behest of editor Julius Schwartz. Volume 2 of Green Lantern began publication in August 1960. The series spotlighted the Silver Age Green Lantern, Hal Jordan and introduced the expansive mythology surrounding Hal’s fore-bearers in the Green Lantern Corps. The supervillain Sinestro was introduced in #7 (July–August 1961). In 2009, Sinestro was ranked IGN's 15th Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time. Hal Jordan's love interest, Carol Ferris, became the Star Sapphire in issue #16. Black Hand, a character featured prominently in the "Blackest Night" storyline in 2009-2010, debuted in issue #29 (June 1964). A substitute Green Lantern, Guy Gardner first appeared in the story "Earth's Other Green Lantern!" in issue #59 (March 1968).
Green Arrow joined Hal Jordan in the main feature of the title in an acclaimed, but short-lived series of stories by writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Neal Adams beginning with issue #76 (April 1970) that dealt with various social and political issues in which Green Arrow spoke for radical change while Green Lantern was an establishment conservative figure, wanting to work within existing institutions of government and law. Where Oliver Queen advocated direct action, Hal Jordan wanted to work within the system; where Oliver advocated social change, Jordan was more concerned about dealing with criminals. Each would find their beliefs challenged by the other. Oliver convinced Jordan to see beyond his strict obedience to the Green Lantern Corps, to help those who were neglected or discriminated against. As O'Neil explained: "He would be a hot-tempered anarchist to contrast with the cerebral, sedate model citizen who was the Green Lantern." The duo embarked on a quest to find America, witnessing the problems of corruption, racism, pollution, and overpopulation confronting the nation. Writer Denny O'Neil even took on current events, such as the Manson Family cult murders, in issue #78 where Black Canary falls briefly under the spell of a false prophet who advocates violence.
It was during this period that the most famous Green Arrow story appeared, in Green Lantern vol. 2, #85-86, when it was revealed that Green Arrow's ward Speedy was addicted to heroin. In his zeal to save America, Oliver Queen had failed in his personal responsibility to Speedy — who would overcome his addiction with the help of Black Canary, Green Arrow's then-love interest. This story prompted a congratulatory letter from the mayor of New York, John Lindsay. Another backup Green lantern, John Stewart was introduced in #87. Unfortunately, the series did not match commercial expectations and Neal Adams had trouble with deadlines, causing issue #88 to be an unscheduled reprint issue; the series was canceled with issue #89 (April–May 1972).
The series returned with issue #90 (Aug.-Sept. 1976) and continued the Green Lantern/Green Arrow team format. Julius Schwartz, who had edited the title for most of its run since 1960, left the series as of issue #103 (April 1978). In issue #123 (December 1979), Hal Jordan resumed the title spotlight and Green Arrow left the series. On the advice of artist Joe Staton, editor Jack C. Harris gave British artist Brian Bolland his first assignment for a U.S. comics publisher, the cover for Green Lantern #127 (April 1980). Writer Marv Wolfman and Staton created the Omega Men in Green Lantern #141 (June 1981).
In issue #182, writer Len Wein and artist Dave Gibbons made architect John Stewart, who had been introduced previously in issue #87, the title's primary character. Following the double-sized 200th issue, the format changed again, this time altering the title's name to Green Lantern Corps and focusing upon the seven members of a Earth-based contingent of the Corps (including Jordan and Stewart). The series remained as such until its cancellation in 1988 with issue #224.
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