The greatest threat to the DC Universe briefly became a reality when two Green Lanterns merged into one. Two Lanterns with an unfortunate past with the fear entity Parallax merged to create one of the most powerful villains alive.
As the number one peacekeeping force in the DC Universe, the Green Lantern Corps has gone up against some terrifying threats in their history. But there’s one villain that few Lanterns have faced and lived to tell the tale. The fear entity known as Parallax isn’t just the living embodiment of fear, it’s the same evil force that possessed Hal Jordan and turned him into one of the greatest killing machines ever. Though Jordan was able to rid himself of Parallax’s influence, he wasn’t the only Green Lantern to fall under its sway. Parallax also seized control of Kyle Rayner after Sinestro orchestrated the murder of the Green Lantern’s mother.
But a much more powerful version of the villain nearly became the DC Universe’s biggest threat. In Green Lantern #24 by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis, the Sinestro Corps have revealed their true target after the recent assault on the Green Lantern Mogo. The Earth is now under attack by Sinestro’s corps, who plan to destroy it as a symbol of their might. Hal Jordan isn’t backing down without a fight, and hightails it to face the evil Corps’ biggest asset on himself. Unfortunately, that asset is Kyle Rayner, still under the influence of Parallax. Though Jordan’s Power Ring is completely depleted, he attempts to free Kyle after it appears the Lantern is making an escape from his possession. However, it turns out to be a trap that allows Parallax to consume Jordan, and create a more powerful form by merging Hal and Kyle’s bodies.
Why A Parallax Fusion Is A Green Lantern’s Nightmare
What’s truly terrifying about this version of Parallax is that it’s the only time the bug has possessed both Hal and Kyle at the same time. Green Lantern fans don’t need to be reminded of how Hal Jordan destroyed the entire Green Lantern Corps while he was under Parallax’s influence. And as for Kyle, he was once the hero Ion, and is well adapt at handling godlike power. Put those two together, and they spell a recipe for the disaster as far as the rest of the DC Universe is concerned.
While this take on Parallax is only temporary, things could have gotten out of hand fast. Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner are two of the most powerful Green Lanterns to ever wear a ring, and by fusing them together, Parallax has both of their skills at its disposal. Jordan’s mastery over the Green Light plus Kyle’s experience with an entity of his own makes them prime targets for Parallax to corrupt. By fusing them, Parallax could have exceeded its previous body count and annihilated the entire Earth in a matter of seconds. It’s a good thing the Green Lantern Corps found a way to save their allies, because this monster could have been a serious nightmare.
