The Guardians of Oa wrote ten new laws to give the Green Lantern Corps the means to defeat the Sinestro Corps (during THE SINESTRO CORPS WAR). The first new law allowing Green Lanterns to use lethal force against the Sinestro Corps has been implemented. And, while they gained victory, the change to the way the Corps operates has caused controversy. But nine more laws are due to be implemented, and their impact may divide the Green Lanterns. Sinestro may have been defeated, but could it be that the Guardians are now doing his dirty work for him?
Geoff Johns credits Grant Morrison with the creation of the Alpha Lantern Corps.
Minor Crossover: The fallout of ‘The Sinestro Corps War’ is felt in both Green Lantern titles, with overlapping events.
Must Reads: Story arcs marked with a ✔are must-read stories from this time period, along with any key related stories and often-forgotten tales that are worth a read.
Previous events that directly impact this story:
- EMERALD TWILIGHT (1994) – A group of Lanterns are lost in battle with Parallax
- THE SINESTRO CORPS WAR (2007-2008) – The Guardians introduce ten new laws
Want to keep it simple? Here’s the chronological reading order without story descriptions, or spoilers:
- ✔ Green Lantern #26-28
- ✔ Green Lantern Corps #21-22
| Must Reads | Title, Issue Number & Synopsis |
| ✔ | Green Lantern #26 Sinestro now awaits the death sentence in a Sciencell on Oa. On Earth, Hal Jordan reunites with Jillian ‘Cowgirl’ Pearlman. The reconstruction of Coast City continues. Graf Toren and Tomar-Tu investigate the missing pages from the Book of Oa referring to the Blackest Night. The ‘Lost Lanterns’ head to Varva to report Ke’haan’s death-in-service to his family, only to find them murdered by Amon Sur. Sur surrenders, but Laira Omoto kills him and burns his corpse… 1st appearance: Alpha Lantern Corps |
| ✔ | Green Lantern #27 Hal Jordan and John Stewart catch up with Amon Sur’s Sinestro Corps Ring in Gotham City before it can recruit the Scarecrow as its new bearer. On Oa, the Lost Lanterns accuse Laira of Amon Sur’s murder. Laira is suspended. John Stewart, Boodikka, Chaselon, Green Man, Kraken and Varix are selected by the Guardians of Oa to become Alpha-Lanterns and support their new laws. John refuses, upsetting the Guardians. When Laira chooses to flee and not stand trial, the emotionless Alpha-Lanterns – having just gone through a gruelling transformation using Manhunter tech – prevent her from leaving. They’re here to police the Green Lantern Corps… 1st appearance: Alpha Lantern Power Battery |
| ✔ | Green Lantern Corps #21 (pp.1-7) Corps member Harvid is threatened with expulsion by Boodikka following an encounter with Manhunters and Harvis’s bother, Hassp the Hunter of the Sinestro Corps. Graf Toren and Tomar-Tu become convinced Boodikka is no longer herself. |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue Number & Synopsis |
| ✔ | Green Lantern #28 On Ysmault, Atrocitus obtains the means to have his revenge on Sinestro… a Red Lantern. On Oa, Alpha-Lantern Boodikka proclaims Laira guilty and strips her of her badge. The Guardians initiate their second new law, allowing lethal force against all enemies of the Green Lantern Corps. From his cell, Sinestro warns Hal Jordan to prepare for the Corps for the Blackest Night as the Guardians refuse to acknowledge the need for the powers of the emotional spectrum. Especially now that they sense the emergence of Agent Orange. The Controllers from the Binary System hope to get to Agent Orange first. As Hannu flies Laira home, their ship is attacked, though it turns out to be a ring offering Laira membership in the Red Lantern Corps. Laira accepts. 1st appearance: Red Lantern Power Battery, Red Lantern Power Ring |
| ✔ | Green Lantern Corps #21 (pp.8-22) The Guardians send Boodikka to locate the missing Lantern of Sector 1414. His signal takes her to her home planet Bellatrix and into the path of her old bounty hunting team, the Bellatrix Bombers, who exiled her when she became a Green Lantern. And her sister, Zale, is the new Lantern of Sector 1414. 1st appearance: Recca, Zale |
| ✔ | Green Lantern Corps #22 As Zale refuses to leave Bellatrix and train with the Green Lantern Corps, Boodikka tries to take her to Oa by force. She depowers Zale’s ring, but the Bombers fight back using anti-Manhunter tech. Boodikka takes Zale to Oa where the Guardians make her Boodikka’s sector-partner. Boodikka is rewarded with a second ring. Graf Toren and Tomar-Tu find Hannu’s battered ship. The severely-injured Hannu tells them Laira was taken by a Red Power Ring… |
| Must Reads | Issue & Fallout | Event/Crossover |
| ✔ | Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns #1 (2008) The Red Lanterns stage their assault on Oa when Sinestro stands trial; Laira Omoto is among the Red Lanterns attacking her former allies; Zale continues to train with the Green Lantern Corps. Green Lantern #37 (2009) Laira Omoto gets to take her uncontrolled rage out on Hal Jordan; Laira briefly regains control of her senses, but she’s killed by Sinestro when she begins to fall to rage once more. | FINAL CRISIS RAGE OF THE RED LANTERNS |
| ✔ | Final Crisis #1-3, 5 (2008) The Alpha Lantern Corps are called upon to investigate the death of Orion of the New Gods, though they accuse Hal Jordan of being responsible for Orion’s demise; the Guardians realise the Alpha Lanterns aren’t infallible. | FINAL CRISIS |
| ✔ | Green Lantern #39-42 (2009) The Controllers who attempt to obtain the Orange Power Lantern are killed by Agent Orange (aka Larfleeze); the Blue Lantern Corps assist the Green Lantern Corps against Agent Orange. | PRELUDE TO BLACKEST NIGHT |
| ✔ | Blackest Night #0-1 (2009) Black Hand’s involvement in the creation of the Black Lantern Corps made up of deceased superhumans; following the introduction of the various Lanterns representing the emotional spectrum, the War of Light is over and the Blackest Night begins. Green Lantern #45-46 (2009) Amon Sur is resurrected with a Black Lantern Ring and joins theBlack Lantern Corps; the Indigo Tribe disintegrate Amon Sur, preventing his return; Laira is resurrected as a member of the Black Lantern Corps. Blackest Night #5-7 (2010) Nekron initiates the final phase of the Blackest Night in an effort to destroy all life in the universe; Scarecrow finally gets his Sinestro Corps Ring, becoming a deputy to Sinestro himself; Lex Luthor steals Scarecrow’s Sinestro Ring while also in possession of the Orange Lantern Ring. | BLACKEST NGHT |
| ✔ | Green Lantern Corps #48-52 (2020) The Cyborg Superman (Hank Henshaw) takes control of the Alpha Lanterns, turing them against their original purpose; repairs are made to the Alpha Lantersn to allow their emotions to return. | BRIGHTEST DAY |
Notable collected editions featuring the Alpha Lanterns…
| Collected Edition Title | Includes… |
| Green Lantern vol.7: Rage of the Red Lanterns | Green Lantern #26-28 |
| Green Lantern by Geoff Johns – Book Four | Green Lantern #26-28 |
| Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus vol.2 | Green Lantern #26-28 |
| Green Lantern Corps: Revolt of the Alpha Lanterns | Green Lantern Corps #21-22 |
| Green Lantern Corps by Tomasi & Gleason Omnibus vol.1 | Green Lantern Corps #21-22 |
Reading Order ©OmniverseComicsGuide 2023
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