If Spider-Man were to become a Red Lantern, it would be Peter Parker’s most powerful form. Although Spider-Man is known as a largely affable hero, he is in fact driven by rage; in fact, his rage was the reason he became Spider-Man. Rage and anger also drive the Red Lanterns, and if Spider-Man were to receive a ring, he would be the most powerful Red Lantern of them all–not to mention it would be his strongest form.
The rage-driven Red Lanterns were first glimpsed in 2007’s Green Lantern #25 before making their first appearance in Final Crisis: The Rage of the Red Lanterns in 2008. Led by Atrocitus, the Red Lanterns posed a serious threat to the security of the universe. Yet despite their fierce and terrifying natures, the Red Lanterns were tragic figures; nearly all had experienced a great injustice in their lives, injustices that drove them mad with anger, leaving them susceptible to becoming a Red Lantern. When a person receives a Red Lantern ring, it overrides their personality, leaving them a rage-filled zombie; in some cases, such as Bleez, it also distorts their physical appearances. Removing a Red Lantern ring will kill its wielder, and only the blue light of hope can override it. Yet if the Red Lanterns existed in the Marvel Universe, Spider-Man has the potential to be their most powerful member.
When readers first met Spider-Man in Amazing Fantasy #15, he was a stereotypical nerd: thin, bespectacled and endlessly tormented by bullies. This ceaseless bullying left a deep scar on Peter Parker, one that translated into rage. However, with Peter being smaller and not as strong as his classmates, he was unable to fight back. When Peter received his spider-powers he finally had the ability to fight back; later, during J. Michael Stracyznski and John Romita Jr’s Amazing Spider-Man run, it was revealed that Peter’s inner rage was the reason he was chosen to receive such powers in the first place. This rage can be seen on two fronts: anger at himself, especially when his superhero life adversely affects his social life; and two, his trademark wise cracks, which he uses to focus his rage. And then once, every so often, Spider-Man loses his cool, unleashing his rage on hapless villains.
Spider-Man Would Be the Ideal Red Lantern.
Spider-Man’s anger, and his ability to control and focus it, makes him the ideal Red Lantern–and it would most certainly be his most powerful form. As mentioned earlier, Peter was chosen to be Spider-Man because he was able to harness his rage and this same inner rage would qualify him for membership in the Red Lantern Corps. While the Red Lantern rings traditionally override the host’s personality, Spider-Man’s ability to channel his anger could potentially allow him to retain his humanity; some Red Lanterns, most notably Guy Gardener, were able to break free and still wield the power, and it stands to reason Spider-Man would be able to do the same.
And if Spider-Man were able to retain his essence and still harness the red light of rage, then it would be perhaps his ultimate form, with access to not only Red Lantern powers, but the proportional strength and agility of a spider as well. Such a combination would strike fear into the hearts of Hobgoblin, Kraven, Doctor Octopus and the rest, as they would not stand a chance against such power. Spider-Man’s unique relationship with his inner anger would make him a formidable Red Lantern.