Alan Scott was the first human to wear a power ring when he took up the mantle of Green Lantern in All-American Comics #16 (1940). But pilot Hal Jordan made the Green Lanterns a household name with his Silver-Age adaptation, once he debuted in Showcase #22 (1959). The cocky and charismatic Jordan is arguably the most recognizable GL.
Guy Gardner, John Stewart, and Kyle Rayner all added their own unique flair to the character over the years, serving as protectors of Sector 2814. However, there have been a plethora of other earthlings that have slipped the power ring onto their respective fingers. Barry Allen, Wally West and even Mortal Kombat alumnus Sonya Blade have taken turns wielding its power.
This list is dedicated to the other huamns that sometimes don't get the credit they deserve -- even a couple of the Batman's baddies find themselves draped in green. So, without further ado, here are the 15 Humans You Forgot Held Green Lantern Rings.
15. Bruce Wayne
The billionaire playboy of Gotham is by far one of the coolest D.C. characters ever, but put a Green Lantern ring on him and let the fun begin. There have been several instances in which the Dark Knight has flirted with emerald energy.
In Detective Comics' Elseworlds tale Batman: In Darkest Knight (1994) the script gets radically flipped. Wayne finds the means to bring fear to his enemies by becoming a Green Lantern.
In this one-shot comic book venture, the dying Abin Sur passes his power ring along to Mr. Wayne rather than Hal Jordan. This sets off a chain of events that includes Green Lantern helping Jim Gordon capture the Red Hood at the fabled chemical plant, which in turn erases the Joker from history.
Later, Batman borrows Hal Jordan’s power ring to battle Sinestro in The Batman animated series titled “Ring Toss” (2007).
Finally, Geoff Johns teamed Batman with Hal Jordan in Green Lantern #9 - “Branded” (2016). Together, this somewhat unorthodox dynamic duo tangled with Mark Richards, aka the Tattooed Man. In the end, Hal offers Bruce his power ring as a means to overcome the Dark Knight’s deepest fear: the death of his parents.
14. Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn and the Joker might be the dark queen and king of Gotham, but in Harley’s Little Black Book #2 (2016) Miss Quinzel inexplicably teams up with Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern. Puddin’ would have been more than a little upset to see his Harley sporting Hal’s emerald ring, but that is exactly what happened.
Harley gets her hands on an amalgamation of Red and Black Lantern power, which possesses her. Even more out of her mind than usual, Harley engages in some epic mischief. Harley and Green Lantern tangle, but eventually the Azakarians abscond with her power ring.
During a brief tussle with the aliens, Hal is knocked unconscious. Harley puts on his power ring, as they plummet toward death, and she saves the day. Harley and Hal share a passionate kiss at the end, but Quinn surprises him by grabbing his butt, too.
13. Jessica Cruz
Geoff John’s Green Lantern #20 (2013) introduced comic book fans to Jessica Cruz. After surviving a hunting trip in which two of her friends were murdered by the Crime Syndicate, Cruz was chosen by the Ring of Volthoom.
Having accepted the weapon, in Justice League #30 (2014), Cruz became the evil Power Ring. After encounters with both the Justice League and the Doom Patrol, Cruz was eventually counseled by Batman. The Bat helped Jessica overcome the hold the ring had over her.
Once Cruz overcame her fear, she became an ally of the Justice League. Later, the Flash brought in Earth’s original Green Lantern, Hal Jordan. With Jordan’s help, Cruz was able to control her power ring. During the Darkseid War, Cruz proved her worthiness. After the destruction of the Volthoom ring, a Green Lantern ring chose Cruz to be a member of the Corps.
12. Power Ring
Prior to the first appearance of Harold Jordan in Justice League #23 (2013), there was the original origin of Power Ring in Justice League of America #29 (1964).
In the alternate reality of Earth-3, an unknown man was given both a power ring and lantern by a mysterious monk. The chosen was knighted Power Ring: an evil opposite of Earth’s Hal Jordan.
In the Modern Era of comics, Power Ring of Earth-3 is the spineless Harold Jordan. He attracted the attention of the Ring of Volthoom because of his cowardice. In that alternate version of Green Lantern’s home world, Abin Sur gave his power ring to the most worthy of the unworthy.
At the close of the Trinity War, Power Ring emerges with his unruly comrades Ultraman, Superwoman, and the other members of Earth-3’s Crime Syndicate to conquer and destroy. Over the years many have become the villainous Power Ring, including a thunderer from the Qward Universe and several anti-matter universe incarnations.
11. Simon Baz
Green Lantern Simon Baz made his first appearance in The New 52: FCBD Special Edition #1 (2012). As a young 10-year-old boy growing up in a Muslim family settled in Dearborn, Michigan, Baz watched the terrorist attacks of 2001 from his television. And as the years progressed, Baz and his family were scrutinized for their Muslim background.
Later, Baz went from illegal street racing to stealing cars. After a van he took exploded, Baz was suspected of terrorism largely due to his heritage. During questioning, a Green Lantern ring appeared and rescued him. The power ring was once the property of Hal Jordan and Sinestro.
During the Rise of the Third Army (2012-2013) storyline, the truth comes out about Baz's GL selection. Sinestro chose Baz because he was very much like him.
Baz is also known for having possessed Emerald Sight, which allows him to see the short-range future. In the DC Rebirth, Hal Jordan fuses Jessica Cruz and Baz’s power batteries together and forces them to work together to defend the Earth, then offers them both membership to the Justice League.
10. Night Lantern/Hal Grayson
Holy amalgamation, Batman! Meet Hal Grayson. In the pages of Batman/Superman #60 and #61 (2009), Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent find themselves stranded in a parallel world, after a visit to the Nanoverse. In this strangely mashed-up universe, Green Lantern is a combination of both Nightwing/Dick Grayson and Hal Jordan.
The arrival of Superman and Batman is thought to be a hostile one, though, as Commissioner White (Perry White/Commissioner Gordon) believes the duo is working with Doomstroke (Doomsday/Deathstroke). The Night Lantern engages them, but soon discovers they’re not a threat.
Night Lantern introduces Superman and Batman to the Justice Titans, and an interesting dynamic develops between Bruce and Hal Grayson. In Bruce’s universe, Dick Grayson is one of the people Batman trusts most, while Hal Jordan is someone he is very suspicious of. Despite the oddities of his universe, Night Lantern is a force to be reckoned with, as he possesses not only Grayson’s strength and agility but the immense power of his Lantern ring.
9. Rond Vidar
In the 30th century, Rond Vidar finds himself the last member of the once mighty Green Lantern Corps. Rond first appeared in Adventure Comics #349 (1966), and he also served as a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes. Rond also had the dubious honor of being the offspring of Universo, who used his hypnotic mind-control powers to battle the Legion.
In the Post-Zero Hour reality, Rond is still a good guy, but he is in no way affiliated with the Green Lantern Corps. Rather, he is a scientist working at the Time Institute with Lori Morning, who faces a destiny of becoming the Time Trapper.
However, in the 2008 limited series Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds, Rond is once again a Green Lantern. With the aid of the Time Trapper, Superboy-Prime and his Legion of Super-Villains travel to Earth where they murder the last of the Green Lanterns – Rond Vidar.
8. Kirt Niedrigh/Earth-Man
Kirt Niedrigh’s route to the emerald road was quite a rocky ride. The human Niedrigh exhibited a limited capacity to absorb the powers of metahumans. He tried to join the Legion of Super-Heroes under the alias of Absorbency Boy, but was refused after Saturn Girl saw the potential evil within him.
Enraged, Kirt became the villainous Earth-Man. However, he was later given a chance at redemption when he crossed paths with Dyongene, an emissary of the Guardians of Oa. Kirt found himself not only being offered membership with the Legion, which is what he always wanted, but Dyongene also invited him to join the Green Lantern Corps.
Kirt’s stint in the Corps was short-lived, though, as he tossed the ring in a swamp after a frustrating first mission. Kirt refused to be led around by the power ring, discarded it and followed the Legion. Dyongene eventually retrieved the Green Lantern ring.
7. Maria Contranetti
Maria Contranetti was one bad Green Lantern - literally. Maria first appeared in JLA: Created Equal #1 (2000). A cosmic storm infects the Earth with a strange plague, which wipes out the entire male population except for Superman and Lex Luthor. Contranetti, an aspiring stand-up comic, finds Kyle Rayner’s power ring and uses it for her own selfish reasons.
But her time as a Green Lantern is short lived, once she pops up on the radar of a new Justice League. The new team is exclusively made up of women and features Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Power Girl, and Zatanna, among others.
The Justice League hunts Maria down and forces her to give up her power ring, which is passed on to a much worthier recipient: Barbara Gordon.
6. Barbara Gordon
In the Elseworlds story JLA: Created Equal, which was published in 2000, Barbara Gordon is given a new lease on life. After his death, former Green Lantern Kyle Rayner’s power ring eventually chooses the Oracle to pursue her own emerald legacy.
The entire population of men was wiped out, except for Superman and Lex Luthor. Before Barbara takes on the GL, a nefarious comedian named Maria Contranetti absconded with Rayner’s ring.
After a new Justice League featuring Wonder Woman and Supergirl defeated Maria, they took the power ring from the comedian. When the ring reached out to Barbara, she was endowed with all of the abilities of a Green Lantern. For the first time since being crippled by the Joker in The Killing Joke (1988), the former Batgirl was able to walk again.
5. Kai-Ro
Kai-Ro is the Yoda of the DC Universe and one of the most formidable humans to ever sport a Green Lantern power ring. First appearing in the episode “The Call, Part I” of the animated television show Batman: Beyond (1999-2001), Kai-Ro is without question the youngest member to ever join the GL Corps and Justice League.
How Kai-Ro came into possession of his power ring is a mystery, as is much of his life. But it is believed that Kai-Ro studied with a master for some time in the hidden city of Nanda Parbat, which is shrouded in the Himalayas.
Kai-Ro’s character was further expanded with his first appearance in print: Batman Beyond #1 (2010). Despite his youth, he is without question the wisest member of the Justice League Unlimited. Before joining the JLU, Kai-Ro was brought up by Buddhist monks. Kai-Ro is a peaceful hero, but he will fight if necessary.
4. Jose Hernandez
Jose Hernandez is a name many fans may not know, but to the people of Earth-D, he was a hero – a Green Lantern. In his world, Hernandez was an Air Force pilot in Brazil who came across an alien named Tagin Sur. Sur had been investigating an antimatter attack prior to his death and when the men crossed paths Hernandez became the new Green Lantern.
It turned out that the Anti-Monitor was behind the assault. Superman, Hawkman, and Hawkgirl were among the first heroes to fall, as the inhabitants of Earth-D faced the imminent arrival of a massive antimatter wave that would wipe out everyone.
Along with the surviving heroes, Green Lantern helped to create a cosmic treadmill in order to evacuate humanity to Earth-One. Although his career was short lived, Jose Hernandez saved mankind from the clutches of the Anti-Monitor. Sadly, Green Lantern perished with the rest of the Justice Alliance, as they made the ultimate sacrifice for humanity.
3. Cary Wren
Cary Wren’s brief stint as a Green Lantern was quite memorable, as she had the opportunity to team up with the Legion of Super-Heroes. Cary first appeared in Green Lantern #97 (1998). After her ancestor Kyle Rayner ends up in the 31st century, Cary is presented with his ring by the Guardian of the Universe known as Ganthet.
In the future, the Green Lantern Corps is made up of the worst criminals and they battle the Legion. With the help of new Green Lantern Cary Wren, and the Legion, Kyle is able to destroy the Corps' source of power.
Having helped save his descendant, Kyle gets his power ring back from young Cary. With the help of Brainiac 5, Kyle leaves the 31st century, and Cary ends her three-issue adventure a hero.
2. The Penguin
The Penguin certainly wasn’t worthy of becoming a hero of any sort, so slipping into the shoes of a Green Lantern seemed utterly absurd. But when Hal Jordan commands his ring to seek out Batman for safe keeping, Oswald Cobblepot just happens to be in the right place at the right time. Penguin makes the steal of a lifetime.
During The Batman animated series’ episode titled “Ring Toss” (2007), the Penguin intercepts Hal Jordan’s ring before it can reach the Dark Knight. Lacking the will to properly control the power ring, Penguin struggles to take advantage of his newfound abilities.
When Sinestro shows up demanding Hal's property, Oswald quickly relinquishes the ring to Batman. The Dark Knight then does battle with Sinestro before returning the power ring to its rightful owner.
1. Jimmy Olsen
Who knew Superman’s pal, Jimmy Olsen had it in him? Well, this has to be the most obscure and unorthodox GL sighting of all time. Yes, in Action Comics #388 (1970) Mr. Olsen represented the Corps as Earth-388's Green Lantern.
While Superman was off flying in space, Professor Farlow Nurd created a duplicate Earth known as Earth-388. Unfortunately, the professor didn’t account for the fact that 388 would displace the real Earth to another dimension. When Superman returned, an emerald-clad Jimmy Olsen congratulated Clark on his upcoming wedding to Lois Lane.
Jimmy was not only a member of the Corps, but the Justice League, too. It was a bizarre Earth though. Lex Luthor had a head full of hair, Mister Mxyzptlk was an idiot, and the duplicate Superman couldn’t be hurt by Kryptonite. Chocolate syrup, on the other hand, did him in. It wasn’t glamorous, but Jimmy was a Green Lantern for one short issue.
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What other humans have worn the Green Lantern ring? Let us know in the comments!