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Green Lantern:

Gerard Jones Era (1990-1994)

After Emerald Dawn, DC launched a new ongoing Green Lantern series, written by Gerard Jones.

The first eight issues of the new series did the hard work of reconstructing the Green Lantern characters in the present, climaxing in a great battle and Hal Jordan set to reconstruct the Corps. The next four issues focused on Guy Gardner. Green Lantern #13 was extra-long and focused on Hal’s new Corps. A four-issue storyline followed, focusing on John Stuart, assigned to manage the patchwork of cities from various worlds left over after the end of the first eight-issue storyline. Issue #19 was another extra-length issue, this one focused on Golden Age Green Lantern Alan Scott.

A family of characters was being systematically — and quite artistically — reconstructed. With #25, that family took the form of a family of titles with the launching of Green Lantern: Mosaic — a risky but ingenious title focusing on John Stuart and the patchwork world of clashing cultures — and Green Lantern Corps Quarterly — an anthology handling the wide-flung world of Green Lanterns and related characters. A 3-issue prestige-format mini-series, Guy Gardner Reborn, quickly followed; after its conclusion, an ongoing title entitled Guy Gardner was launched. The same month, the ongoing title Darkstars was also launched, focusing on a group competing with the Corps. Green Lantern had in short order become a whole family of titles on par with Superman’s or Batman’s, but with unique titles for Hal Jordan, John Stuart, Guy Gardner, the rest of the Corps, and a Corps competitor.

As Green Lantern approached #50, a big shake-up was in store for the Green Lantern family of titles. But first, a major event would unite DC’s cosmic or outer space titles. Comprised of two bookend specials and taking in two months worth ofGreen LanternDarkstars, and L.E.G.I.O.N. ’93 issues, “Trinity” was a major DC event at the time. In the months immediately following “Trinity,” Green Lantern: Mosaic would conclude with #18, its experimental nature never adequately catching on with fans. The final fate of the Mosaic world, created in the relaunched Green Lantern‘s first storyline, was at last revealed. At the same time, in Green Lantern, Hal Jordan returned to Earth and discovered that Coast City, his home since the Silver Age, had been eradicated during Superman’s blockbuster “Reign of the Supermen” storyline.

DC editorial apparently had dictated that issues #48-50, comprising the “Emerald Twilight” storyline, would feature the destruction of the Corps and of the Guardians — as well as Hal Jordan becoming a bad guy. Gerard Jones — who had overseen the Green Lantern titles since Emerald Dawn and who had written the stories that had reconstructed the Corps which DC now so cavalierly wanted demolished — wrote a script for the story but came into conflict with DC over the changes DC wanted. Though already solicited, Jones’s issues were scrapped and a new version ordered — to be written by Ron Marz, who would replace Jones permanently on Green Lantern. Thus #47 saw Jones’s abrupt exit from the title: the end of the era he had guided became visible in the end of the Mosaic world and in the good but rushed “Emerald Twilight” storyline, mirroring the Emerald Dawn mini-series that had launched the new era. As everything Jones had constructed fell apart — in nicely mirrored though rushed fashion – Green Lantern Corps Quarterly, with #8, came to an end as well, its titular group of characters having been destroyed.

An era was indeed over. The Green Lantern family of titles had been scaled back, with Guy Gardner retitled Guy Gardner: Warrior and its hero given new, non-Green Lantern-affiliated powers. Darkstars also survived. After “Emerald Twilight,” the Corps was gone, the Guardians and Sinestro killed, and Hal Jordan made nearly omnipotent. In his place was Kyle Rayner, to whom Ganthet gave a ring at the end of #50. With the end of the Corps, a new and exciting era had begun.

Gerard Jones’s tenure on Green Lantern was a titanic one, which restored the Green Lantern Corps to prominence and saw an explosion of titles. In many ways, it was the template for Geoff Johns’s revival of Green Lantern, years later. Including “Emerald Twilight,” which marked the definitive end of Johns’s continuing story, as well as issues set in the past (e.g. Emerald Dawn), Johns’s tenure comprises an impressive 135 issues, most coming from his final two years on the franchise (when the number of Green Lantern-related titles exploded).

1. The Road Back

Green Lantern Vol. 3 #1

first issue; published by DC Comics; cover-dated June 1990

Green Lantern Vol. 3 #2
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #3
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #4
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #5
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #6
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #7
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #8
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern: The Road Back

collects Green Lantern Vol. 3 #1-8; published by DC Comics

2. Single Title

Green Lantern Vol. 3 #9
published by DC Comics; cover-dated Feb 1991
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #10
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #11
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #12
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #13
published by DC Comics; 38 pages
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #14
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #15
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #16
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #17
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #18
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #19
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #20
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #21
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #22
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #23
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #24
published by DC Comics

3. Family of Titles

Green Lantern Corps Quarterly #1

first issue; published by DC Comics; cover-dated June 1992

Green Lantern Vol. 3 #25
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #26
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #27
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #28
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #29
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Corps Quarterly #2
published by DC Comics; cover-dated Sept 1992
Green Lantern: Mosaic #5
continues from Green Lantern Corps Quarterly #2; John Stuart battles Hal Jordan; published by DC Comics; cover-dated Oct 1992
Green Lantern Annual Vol. 2 #1
participates in the “Eclipso: The Darkness Within” storyline running through DC’s 1992 annuals; Star Sapphire returns and gets eclipsed; refers to Green Lantern: Mosaic #5 as very recent; published by DC Comics; cover-dated 1992
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #30
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #31
published by DC Comics
Guy Gardner #1

first issue; published by DC Comics; cover-dated Oct 1992

Green Lantern Vol. 3 #32
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #33
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #34
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #35
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #36
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #37
Guy Gardner appears; published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #38
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #39
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #40
Hal Jordan battles Ferin Colos (from Darkstars); crosses over with Flash‘s “Return of Barry Allen” storyline; published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #41
Eclipso appears; published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #42
Hal gives Carol answer to her proposal of marriage; Deathstroke appears; published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Corps Quarterly #5
published by DC Comics; cover-dated June 1993
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #43
continues from Green Lantern Corps Quarterly #5; published by DC Comics
Green Lantern Annual Vol. 2 #2
part 7 of the “Bloodlines” storyline running through DC’s 1993 annuals; contains the first appearance of Nightblade; published by DC Comics; cover-dated Aug 1993
Skin Graft: The Adventures of a Tattooed Man #1

first issue; written by Jerry Prosser; art by Warren Pleece; cover by Gavin Wilson; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; cover-dated July 1993

Skin Graft: The Adventures of a Tattooed Man #2

written by Jerry Prosser; art by Warren Pleece; cover by Gavin Wilson; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; cover-dated Aug 1993

Skin Graft: The Adventures of a Tattooed Man #3

written by Jerry Prosser; art by Warren Pleece; cover by Gavin Wilson; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; cover-dated Sept 1993

Skin Graft: The Adventures of a Tattooed Man #4

final issue; written by Jerry Prosser; art by Warren Pleece; cover by Gavin Wilson; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; cover-dated Oct 1993

4. Trinity

DC Universe: Trinity #1
published by DC Comics; cover-dated Aug 1993
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #44
published by DC Comics; cover-dated Aug 1993
Darkstars #11
published by DC Comics; cover-dated Aug 1993
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #45
published by DC Comics; cover-dated Sept 1993
Darkstars #12
published by DC Comics
cover-dated September 1993
published by DC Comics
DC Universe: Trinity #2
published by DC Comics; cover-dated Sept 1993

5. Returning to Earth

Green Lantern Corps Quarterly #6
published by DC Comics; cover-dated Sept 1993
Green Lantern: Mosaic #16
Flash, Guy Gardner, Power Girl, and Martian Manhunter, all led by Hal Jordan, arrive at the Mosaic to take the cities back; John meets a living Katma Tui; published by DC Comics; cover-dated Sept 1993
Darkstars #13
the Darkstars return to Earth following “Trinity”; Flint is kidnapped; published by DC Comics; cover-dated Oct 1993
Green Lantern: Mosaic #17
John Stuart battles Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner, Kilowog, Flash, Power Girl, and Martian Manhunter; published by DC Comics; cover-dated Oct 1993
Darkstars #14
published by DC Comics; cover-dated Nov 1993
Green Lantern: Mosaic #18

final issue; the previous issue’s battle continues; published by DC Comics; cover-dated Nov 1993

Darkstars #15
published by DC Comics; cover-dated Dec 1993
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #46
Hal Jordan returns to earth and discovers the destruction of Coast City, then battles Mongul; crosses over with the Superman titles’ “Reign of the Superman” storyline; published by DC Comics; cover-dated Oct 1993
Darkstars #16
published by DC Comics; cover-dated Jan 1994
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #47
features Green Arrow; published by DC Comics; cover-dated Nov 1993
Darkstars #17
published by DC Comics; cover-dated Feb 1994

6. Emerald Twilight

Green Lantern Corps Quarterly #7
published by DC Comics; cover-dated Dec 1993
Green Lantern Vol. 3 #48

written by Ron Marz; pencils by Bill Willingham; inks by Romeo Tanghal and Robert Campanella; Hal Jordan, devastated by his loss, uses his ring to remake Coast City, including his parents; when the Guardians charge him with using his powers for personal gain, he goes crazy and takes off for Oa; Kyle Rayner appears on the last page; published by DC Comics; cover-dated Jan 1994

Green Lantern Vol. 3 #49

written by Ron Marz; pencils by Fred Haynes; inks by Romeo Tanghal and Dennis Cramer; Hal Jordan paves his way through space to Oa, defeating other Green Lanterns and taking their rings; on Oa, Hal Jordan is confronted by a returned Sinestro, chosen as champion for the Guardians; published by DC Comics

Green Lantern Vol. 3 #50

written by Ron Marz; pencils by Darryl Banks; inks by Romeo Tanghal; Hal Jordan kills Sinestro, Kilawog, and the Guardians by going into the power battery and absorbing its might, transforming his costume; concludes with Ganthet, before dying, giving Kyle Rayner the last Green Lantern ring; glow-in-the-dark cover; published by DC Comics; 36 pages; cover-dated Mar 1994

Green Lantern: Emerald Twilight

collects Green Lantern Vol. 3 #48-50; published by DC Comics

Green Lantern Corps Quarterly #8

final issue; published by DC Comics; cover-dated Mar 1994

NOT IN ORDER: Green Lantern Corps Quarterly

Green Lantern Corps Quarterly #3
published by DC Comics; cover-dated Dec 1992
Green Lantern Corps Quarterly #4
published by DC Comics; cover-dated Mar 1993

NOT IN ORDER: Green Lantern Mosaic

Green Lantern: Mosaic #1

first issue; published by DC Comics; cover-dated June 1992

Green Lantern: Mosaic #2
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern: Mosaic #3
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern: Mosaic #4
published by DC Comics; cover-dated Sept 1992
Green Lantern: Mosaic #6
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern: Mosaic #7
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern: Mosaic #8
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern: Mosaic #9
a Christmas story; published by DC Comics
Green Lantern: Mosaic #10
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern: Mosaic #11
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern: Mosaic #12
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern: Mosaic #13
John Stuart deals with the KKK and racism; published by DC Comics
Green Lantern: Mosaic #14
published by DC Comics
Green Lantern: Mosaic #15
John Stuart confronts those he has killed; published by DC Comics

NOT IN ORDER: Guy Gardner

Guy Gardner: Reborn #1

first issue; published by DC Comics; softcover; prestige format; cover-dated July 1992

Guy Gardner: Reborn #2
published by DC Comics; softcover; prestige format
Guy Gardner: Reborn #3

final issue; published by DC Comics; softcover; prestige format; cover-dated Sept 1992

Guy Gardner #2
published by DC Comics
Guy Gardner #3
a silent fight issue; published by DC Comics
Guy Gardner #4
published by DC Comics; cover-dated Jan 1993
Guy Gardner #5
published by DC Comics
Guy Gardner #6
published by DC Comics
Guy Gardner #7
published by DC Comics
Guy Gardner #8
published by DC Comics
Guy Gardner #9
published by DC Comics
Guy Gardner #10
published by DC Comics
Guy Gardner #11
published by DC Comics
Guy Gardner #12
published by DC Comics
Guy Gardner #13
published by DC Comics
Guy Gardner #14
published by DC Comics
Guy Gardner #15
published by DC Comics
Guy Gardner #16
Guy’s long-dead brother returns, but becomes Militia and fights Guy; followed by Guy Gardner: Warrior #17; published by DC Comics; cover-dated Jan 1994
Guy Gardner: Warrior #17
published by DC Comics; cover-dated Feb 1994

NOT IN ORDER: Darkstars

Darkstars #1
published by DC Comics; cover-dated Oct 1992
Darkstars #2
published by DC Comics
Darkstars #3
published by DC Comics
Darkstars #4
published by DC Comics
Darkstars #5
published by DC Comics
Darkstars #6
published by DC Comics
Darkstars #7
published by DC Comics
Darkstars #8
published by DC Comics
Darkstars #9
published by DC Comics
Darkstars #10
published by DC Comics

Tagged Darkstars, , , Green Lantern: Mosaic, , Green Lantern Corps Quarterly, Guy Gardner, .