DC's Green Lantern to be joined 3 other GL books

[June 03, 2011]  PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Amid the change ahead for the heroes that make up DC Comics' universe, Green Lantern's ring will burn bright and emerald, the character's adventures guided by a familiar face.

Geoff Johns, the company's chief creative officer, will write the upcoming relaunch of "Green Lantern," part of a DC-wide effort that will see 52 new first issues enveloping all of its heroes from Superman to the Justice League to Hawkman, but he's promising a different take and tone for the long-time character.

"It's building off the Green Lantern stories I've done since `Rebirth,'" he told The Associated Press about the series, which is set to start in September and features art by Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy. "Taking it in a very new direction that we've never seen in `Green Lantern' before."

"Green Lantern" isn't the only title planned, either. DC is also going to launch three other Green Lantern-related books, too, including "Green Lantern: The New Guardians," written by Tony Bedard and illustrated by Tyler Kirkham and Batt. That will feature Kyle Rayner leading the team. There will also be the "Red Lanterns," featuring Atrocitus and his fellow Red Lantern Corps members facing off against injustice and serving as judge, jury and executioners. The book is being written by Peter Milligan with art by Ed Benes and Rob Hunter.

A third book will also launch, too, "Green Lantern Corps." DC says that title, written by Peter J. Tomasi and illustrated by Fernando Pasarin and Scott Hanna, will see familiar Green Lanterns Guy Gardner and John Stewart as part of an elite strike force aimed at keeping the peace.

What role Hal Jordan will play in all of this, Johns won't say, but the longtime Green Lantern of Sector 2814 will be part of the new Justice League series that kicks of the DC-wide relaunch.

Johns kept details of his writing for the new series close to the vest, but said that if "I didn't think I had a great idea for Green Lantern, I wouldn't have relaunched the book. I would move on if I didn't think I had a great plan for it."

As for what will happen, Johns said he would strive to make the new series fresh but mindful of its historic roots to longtime fans and new readers, too, and stay true to the spirit of the Green Lantern Corps and its emotional content.

Some hints may come in the final issue of the current series, No. 57, which is due out later this month.

"'Green Lantern' 1 picks up a few months later in a very different space than we are now," Johns said. "When you see the cover you'll know exactly what I'm talking about."

___

Online:

http://www.dccomics.com/

[Associated Press; By MATT MOORE]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.