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10 Things GL Could Improve
Aside from better characterization and stories in general, there are plenty of things that the comics could improve upon. Rather than adding more Lanterns with different colors or gimmicks I believe that creators should look back and develop some of the things that have been left untouched for years and in some case decades. Put a microscope to the GLC and look at what's already there to work with. Here's just 10 Things that've come to mind, lemme know what you agree or disagree with and what you think they could improve.
1.) Space Cops or Space Soldiers - I think most of us would consider them cops but there's not enough procedural stuff going on. If they're gonna be cops actually show them doing more law enforcement type of situations. There's a middle ground between Morrison and Johns that DC needs to explore...
2.) the Honor Guard - A different badge or standard uniform could be created to help separate them from the rest, but there's no clear definition of what these Lanterns are for. They've been called troubleshooters in the past with no assigned sector. DC could do much better than 'everybody's backup'.
3.) Flagship Title Balance - I firmly believe that what kept the Kyle Rayner era a success was the balance of Earth and Space adventures. After Hal was brought back he stuck around Earth more for a bit but was quickly drawn into the event era of DC where everything lead into the next big crossover. Now it's no wonder casual fans think that GL's can't have normal lives or day jobs! Regular cops don't always stop bank robberies or get in on hostage situations on a daily basis, it should be ok for GL's to have slow and boring days and time to get into their lives back on their home planets.
4.) The Planet Oa - I've always wondered what was in the city that seemed to be on Oa around the Central Battery. We know there are living quarters for the Lanterns, and we always see all manner of buildings of various shapes and sizes. Could a portion of the survivors of dead planets call Oa home? Somebody had to be working at Guy's place and I doubt they'd go off world to get home.
5.) Sector Partners - If its going to be a thing then do something with it. The Green Lanterns title proved that two GLs could share a title, and the pair were BOTH on the Justice League as well. Not saying they'd have to be, but no reason the two Lanterns in 2814 couldn't rotate.
6.) Hal & Kyle - There is absolutely NO REASON that the two most popular GL's shouldn't be in the 'main' title. Since the beginning of Vol. 4 of GL in 2005 sector partners have been a thing, yet these two haven't shared a title. Guy and Kyle have been in GLC, then John and Kyle, and both John and Guy showed up in Hal's book somewhat regularly. Its okay to be both a Hal fan and a Kyle fan. The 90's was a long time ago, and the fanbase wouldn't be as splintered with a solid flagship title featuring these two. You know how to consistently sell over 35k-40k? Stop taking a gamble with new heroes like Baz and Cruz and let the characters who've kept the legacy alive carry it as they should. You don't see Spoiler and Duke Thomas taking panel time from Batman, Robin, or Nightwing do you?
7.) No More [insert gimmick] Lanterns PLZ - Since the Emotional Spectrum became a thing we've had the addition of Reds, Oranges, Yellows, Blues, Indigos, and Violets as well as Black, White, the First, the Phantom, an Ultraviolet, a Teen, and now a Gold. It's got way out of hand and all of this extra stuff is taking the focus away from the GREEN Lanterns. There's a few diamonds in the rough like whomever is controlling Ion, but at this point we're even up to our 4th era of Darkstars.
8.) Rogues Gallery - Geoff Johns had the right idea reworking several classic enemies into more potent threats in the modern era. However there is so much more out there in terms of enemies that isn't being touched. DC could be reworking classics like the Puppet Master or Invisible Destroyer, or reintroduce a new Empire of Tears or Black Circle Syndicate. Any aliens/species that show up in Superman comics, Justice League, and the Legion of Superheroes should also come into play more often.
9.) Expanding/Connecting Cosmic Concepts - There are tons of cosmic characters and concepts sitting on the shelf that could be used sparringly here and there without it being an event or crossover. Adam Strange always gets a shot every so often but what about the Omega Men, New Gods, Capt. Comet [or is it just Comet now?], Lobo, Throneworld, the Wanderers, the Tamaranians, Thanagarians, LEGION/REBELS, etc? And why can't we get new cosmic heroes without ties to the various Corps? All the humanoids in space and there's no more than what we've got? Cosmic Marvel dwarfs DC easily.
10.) Rebuilding the Franchise - Once DC figures out how to make GL work without hiring the biggest names they can find another GLC title should be around the corner. There's enough characters to go around though, and it's been proven that the franchise can hold strong enough to support a third title. While other spin-offs have worked for a limited time, refocusing on Green Lanterns and not the various other colors and gimmicks would work just as well if not longer if handled with a bit more care. A third title centered around the Honor Guard could work, maybe rework the Alpha Lanterns... or if TPTB are determined to keep Hal and Kyle separated just stick Kyle in the last book. A third title can be a great thing without being Red Lanterns, Sinestro, Larfleeze, or the New Guardians, and if they want to test the waters with something first just give us a mini series here and there. Emerald Warriors was great while it lasted and it worked alongside both a GL monthly as well as GLC.
So what say you [all half dozen or so that are still around anyway LOL]?
1.) Space Cops or Space Soldiers - I think most of us would consider them cops but there's not enough procedural stuff going on. If they're gonna be cops actually show them doing more law enforcement type of situations. There's a middle ground between Morrison and Johns that DC needs to explore...
2.) the Honor Guard - A different badge or standard uniform could be created to help separate them from the rest, but there's no clear definition of what these Lanterns are for. They've been called troubleshooters in the past with no assigned sector. DC could do much better than 'everybody's backup'.
3.) Flagship Title Balance - I firmly believe that what kept the Kyle Rayner era a success was the balance of Earth and Space adventures. After Hal was brought back he stuck around Earth more for a bit but was quickly drawn into the event era of DC where everything lead into the next big crossover. Now it's no wonder casual fans think that GL's can't have normal lives or day jobs! Regular cops don't always stop bank robberies or get in on hostage situations on a daily basis, it should be ok for GL's to have slow and boring days and time to get into their lives back on their home planets.
4.) The Planet Oa - I've always wondered what was in the city that seemed to be on Oa around the Central Battery. We know there are living quarters for the Lanterns, and we always see all manner of buildings of various shapes and sizes. Could a portion of the survivors of dead planets call Oa home? Somebody had to be working at Guy's place and I doubt they'd go off world to get home.
5.) Sector Partners - If its going to be a thing then do something with it. The Green Lanterns title proved that two GLs could share a title, and the pair were BOTH on the Justice League as well. Not saying they'd have to be, but no reason the two Lanterns in 2814 couldn't rotate.
6.) Hal & Kyle - There is absolutely NO REASON that the two most popular GL's shouldn't be in the 'main' title. Since the beginning of Vol. 4 of GL in 2005 sector partners have been a thing, yet these two haven't shared a title. Guy and Kyle have been in GLC, then John and Kyle, and both John and Guy showed up in Hal's book somewhat regularly. Its okay to be both a Hal fan and a Kyle fan. The 90's was a long time ago, and the fanbase wouldn't be as splintered with a solid flagship title featuring these two. You know how to consistently sell over 35k-40k? Stop taking a gamble with new heroes like Baz and Cruz and let the characters who've kept the legacy alive carry it as they should. You don't see Spoiler and Duke Thomas taking panel time from Batman, Robin, or Nightwing do you?
7.) No More [insert gimmick] Lanterns PLZ - Since the Emotional Spectrum became a thing we've had the addition of Reds, Oranges, Yellows, Blues, Indigos, and Violets as well as Black, White, the First, the Phantom, an Ultraviolet, a Teen, and now a Gold. It's got way out of hand and all of this extra stuff is taking the focus away from the GREEN Lanterns. There's a few diamonds in the rough like whomever is controlling Ion, but at this point we're even up to our 4th era of Darkstars.
8.) Rogues Gallery - Geoff Johns had the right idea reworking several classic enemies into more potent threats in the modern era. However there is so much more out there in terms of enemies that isn't being touched. DC could be reworking classics like the Puppet Master or Invisible Destroyer, or reintroduce a new Empire of Tears or Black Circle Syndicate. Any aliens/species that show up in Superman comics, Justice League, and the Legion of Superheroes should also come into play more often.
9.) Expanding/Connecting Cosmic Concepts - There are tons of cosmic characters and concepts sitting on the shelf that could be used sparringly here and there without it being an event or crossover. Adam Strange always gets a shot every so often but what about the Omega Men, New Gods, Capt. Comet [or is it just Comet now?], Lobo, Throneworld, the Wanderers, the Tamaranians, Thanagarians, LEGION/REBELS, etc? And why can't we get new cosmic heroes without ties to the various Corps? All the humanoids in space and there's no more than what we've got? Cosmic Marvel dwarfs DC easily.
10.) Rebuilding the Franchise - Once DC figures out how to make GL work without hiring the biggest names they can find another GLC title should be around the corner. There's enough characters to go around though, and it's been proven that the franchise can hold strong enough to support a third title. While other spin-offs have worked for a limited time, refocusing on Green Lanterns and not the various other colors and gimmicks would work just as well if not longer if handled with a bit more care. A third title centered around the Honor Guard could work, maybe rework the Alpha Lanterns... or if TPTB are determined to keep Hal and Kyle separated just stick Kyle in the last book. A third title can be a great thing without being Red Lanterns, Sinestro, Larfleeze, or the New Guardians, and if they want to test the waters with something first just give us a mini series here and there. Emerald Warriors was great while it lasted and it worked alongside both a GL monthly as well as GLC.
So what say you [all half dozen or so that are still around anyway LOL]?
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