History and mythos.
Regular readers of this blog will know that one of the key factors fueling my obsession with Green Lantern is the rich backstory that can be attributed to the character. I am fascinated by the real life history of a concept that has been developed from the gaudy Golden-Age knockabout hero of the 1940s into the multi-titled space opera of recent issues. I am equally captivated by the fictional continuity of a legendary Corps that stretches back over billions of years. Whereas readers in the pioneering days of comics had to make do with one Lantern only, we modern day fans are spoiled with some 7,200 recruits to choose from in the Green Lantern Corps alone, nevermind the ring bearers who make up the other Corps of the emotional spectrum.
To my mind there was a sweet spot in DC Comics' chronology that managed to capture the best of all worlds. Somewhere between Crisis on Infinite Earth's in the 1980s and the New 52's introduction in 2011 we were blessed with the presence of an elder statesman to shine a guiding light over the Green Lanterns we know and love.
Kilowog might have been the first port of call for other rookies who sought to learn control over their their power ring but when it came to dispensing valuable lessons on Earth there was only one person to go to... Alan Scott. Green Lantern #140, vol. 3, by Judd Winick and Darryl Banks, illustrates this relationship perfectly when Alan steps up to teach Kyle Rayner a thing or two about slinging his ring with maximum effect.
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