The Green Lantern of Far Sector, Sojourner “Jo” Mullein, stands out as the only creature in the City Enduring legally allowed to have emotions. Jo’s connection to her feelings may be the key to helping an alien society cope with the first murders in centuries.
The City Enduring is an expansive metropolis constructed from the destroyed homeworlds of three alien species after a gruesome war. After letting their anger be manipulated to destructive levels, the Nah, the @AT, and the keh-Topli opted to remove emotion entirely and achieved a new golden age. Lantern Mullein is assigned to the City Enduring when Switchoff, an illegal drug that overrides the Emotional Exploit suppressing the emotions of the City’s citizens, is blamed for the first murder in centuries. Jo has her hands full, navigating the politics of contentious alien species, investigating killings, and protecting protesting citizens, all while learning to use the unique power ring on an emotionless alien world.
Jo’s retention of her emotions is one of the most important facets of her presence as the lone Lantern in the City Enduring, so she can’t be blamed for embracing them. Far Sector #6 finds Jo having a rough time grappling with her progress. Riots have claimed more lives. Being the only creature not numbed by Emotional Exploit is weighing on Soujourner. Which is why when Marth of the Sea, the Nah’s representative, shows up to Jo’s door more emotionally open due to Switchoff, she lets him inside. Jo unleashes harsh impassioned words when Marth apologizes for commanding peace officers fire on protestors. Learning that she’s inspired him to resign and atone softens her fury. Having each other to confide in, on an alien world otherwise devoid of emotion, is mutually impactful and the two spend the night together, allowing Sojourner some needed physical and emotional relief.
The rings of Green Lanterns tap into the Emotional Electromagnetic Spectrum, and humans are notorious for their various passions, so it makes sense a human Lantern would be requested for the City Enduring’s unique plight. In Sojourner, they receive a Lantern like no other, with a ring like no other. The Guardian who recruited Jo offers her a trial year, as an autonomous agent with a ring that needs no power battery and recharges on its own, but isn’t as powerful as standard rings. This means Jo must be more tactful and discerning about flexing her power, which she does when needed, however a subtler touch is often more useful in her jurisdiction.
NK Jemisin, Far Sector’s scribe, has created one of the most dynamic and enchanting Green Lanterns and tasked her with unfolding an expansive sci-fi noir mystery. There’s significance that a black woman is given one of the galaxy’s most powerful objects and asked to save emotionally stunted species from themselves. Although she may question herself along the way, there’s no question she’s qualified. One of the first displays of Lantern power Jo displays is confidentially pulling up a literal seat at the table, undoubtedly making Solange Knowles proud. Jemisin’s Lantern is a former NYPD officer horrified by injustice she witnessed on the force and a former Army vet inspired to serve after 9/11. She’s displayed incredible compassion and a yearning to help in any way she can. Jo would manage to help the City Enduring without a powered ring, it’s why she’s the right person to have one. In an alien environment, Sojourner’s humanity shines through, even in blackest day.