The DC Universe’s Green Lanterns have the ability to bring whatever they imagine to life with their Power Rings. Provided they have the willpower, they can fashion anything from weapons, to support items, and even backup in case of an emergency.
But as amazing as the Green Lantern’s constructs are, they wouldn’t be half as impressive if it weren’t for the artists who bring these manifestations to life on paper. The real world might not have Power Rings or a Green Lantern Corps, but talented artists can create amazing visuals for fans to enjoy. Read on to discover 10 Green Lantern constructs that only DC’s best artists could actualize.
10 Guy Gardner’s Monster Truck Was Just Too Cool
Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #48 (2018) by Robert Venditti and Rafa Sandoval
Green Lantern Guy Gardner is a lot of things: A loudmouth, a jerk, and one of the Green Lantern Corps’ most brash members. But he’s got the willpower to use his Power Ring’s full potential and indulge in some of his biggest fantasies. In Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #48, Guy charges into battle in a giant construct of a monster truck alongside Arkillo, Orion and fellow Green Lantern Kyle Rayner. Rafa Sandoval truly gives Guy a vehicle that suits his personality and it makes one hell of an asset while in a giant space battle.
9 John Stewart Almost Resurrected a Solar System
Green Lantern #26 (2008) by Geoff Johns and Mike McKone
Not every construct a Green Lantern makes is out of necessity or entertainment. Sometimes it comes from a place of pain. In Green Lantern #26, John Stewart was reminiscing about his failure to save Xanshi from his earlier, more overconfident days. Desperate to make things right, Stewart pushes his ring to its limits and tries to reconstruct Xanshi and several moons. Mike McKone’s art shows the strain Stewart is undergoing as he tries to revive the dead planet. It doesn’t work, but it’s a fantastic example of what a Green Lantern’s ring can do when effort is put in.
8 Hal Jordan Tried to Bring Coast City Back
Green Lantern #48 (1994) by Ron Marz and Bill Willingham
Speaking of loss and trying to make things right, Hal Jordan went through a considerably trying period himself when Coast City was destroyed. The destruction pained the Green Lantern so much that he tried to revive the city with his willpower in Green Lantern #48. Bill Willingham illustrated the haunting scenes of Hal flying through the green-hued city, populated only by the images of long-gone citizens. Not only was it a fascinating look at what the Power Ring could do, but Willingham’s art expertly communicated the grief Jordan was having trouble processing.
7 Guy Gardner Constructed the Worst Villains in Existence
Doomsday Clock #9 (2019) by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank
The Power Ring is capable of many things, including intimidation. In Doomsday Clock #9, dozens, if not hundreds of heroes travel to Mars to confront Doctor Manhattan. One of the few who isn’t intimidated by the naked, blue, godlike being is Guy Gardner who boasts that DC’s heroes have faced far worse than Manhattan. Gary Frank illustrates Guy’s point by having him construct Darkseid, Doomsday, Superboy-Prime and others. Granted, it fails to intimidate Manhattan, but as Frank shows, the Lanterns can create frighteningly real simulacra of the greatest evils in the DC Universe.
6 Kyle Rayner’s Green Lantern Pirate Ship is Imagination Incarnate
Green Lantern #87 (1997) by Ron Marz and Tom Grindberg
What’s always separated Kyle Rayner from his comrades in the Green Lantern Corps is his unabashed creativity. In Green Lantern #87, he and J’onn run afoul of a craft headed to Earth to colonize it. Prepared to defend his home, Kyle generates a ship of his own, but not a space-faring vessel. Tom Grindberg showcases Kyle’s artistic sensibilities and humorous side by having him create a pirate ship, complete with a crew to fire old-school cannonballs at his enemy. Grindberg absolutely nails Kyle’s amazing, if not unorthodox thinking when it comes to using his Power Ring.
5 Hal Jordan Can Make His Own Justice League
Blackest Night #1 (2009) by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis
Sometimes a Green Lantern needs to bring someone up to speed and they’ll use their Power Ring to assist them. In Blackest Night #1, Barry Allen is still adjusting to how much the world has changed since he’d been gone. Flash asks his friend how many of their allies have died and Green Lantern simply responds with a display of every fallen hero. Ivan Reis illustrates this poignant moment in a gorgeous, yet somber splash page. Only someone with amazing talent can make the Justice League look so powerful, yet tragic at the same time.
4 Kyle Rayner’s Giant Pinball Machine is Just Awesome
Green Lanterns #23 (2017) by Sam Humphries and Eduardo Panisca
A Green Lantern’s creativity is their best asset and no one can teach that lesson better than Kyle Rayner. In Green Lanterns #23, newbie Simon Baz is paired up with Rayner to get better control of his Power Ring and Kyle puts Simon through the works. Rayner generates a giant pinball machine and traps Simon inside, encouraging him to generate a way out. Eduardo Panisca draws the humorous construct and doesn’t skimp on the details. His portrayal of Kyle’s training is comical but also conveys the importance of not holding back when generating constructs.
3 Hal Jordan’s Mecha is Badass and Effective
Green Lantern #6 (2023), Jeremey Adams, Xermanico, and Scott Godlewski
Kyle might be more well-known for his use of giant mechas on the battlefield, but another Green Lantern likes using them as well. In Green Lantern #6, Hal Jordan fights an out-of-control Sinestro, who creates a powerful kaiju monster to destroy the Earth. Hal appropriately enough makes a mecha to combat Sinestro and successfully defends Earth. Xermanico and Scott Godlewski illustrate the issue featuring the powerful smackdown and Hal’s amazing weapon is one that could only exist with talented artists not pulling their punches.
2 John Stewart Revived His Own Sister With His Powers
Green Lantern: War Journal #1 (2023), Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Montos
Sometimes a Green Lantern creates a construct for the sole purpose of making someone feel better. In Green Lantern: War Journal #1, John Stewart returns home to his mother who’s struggling with dementia. To help her cope, John begins generating a copy of his little sister Ellie. Montos’ representation of John’s family is simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking. The Ellie construct is full of life and comes off like any ordinary child. Only someone with skill can draw something like this and really tug at one’s heartstrings.
1 Alan Scott’s New Oa is the Most Beautiful Construct of All Time
Kingdom Come #1 (1996), Mark Waid and Alex Ross
When it comes to artists bringing out the very best of a Green Lantern’s abilities, enough can’t be said about Alan Scott’s fortress in Kingdom Come, New Oa. Alex Ross’ magnificent, almost-lifelike artwork showcases the vast beauty and magnificence of Alan’s ultimate construct. Sure, Alan’s Power Ring operates differently from every other Lantern, but that doesn’t make New Oa any less amazing. Few constructs inspire such awe from readers and only talent like Alex Ross can actualize such amazing imagery.
The Green Lanterns are amazing heroes, but it’s because of DC Comics’ amazing artists that their constructs are as impressive as they are.
