Red Lantern Corps

The Red Lantern Corps is a supervillain and sometimes anti-heroic organization appearing in DC Comics. Their power is derived from the emotional spectrum relating to anger.

Publication history

The Red Lantern Corps debuted in ''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #25 (January 2008) and were created by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver. Some of their characteristics were inspired by ''28 Days Later'', one of Van Sciver's favorite films.''Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps'' #2 (July 2009)

Johns describes the Red Lantern Corps as likely being "the most violent of the Corps ..based on violent reaction driven by emotional eruption – rage – instead of any clear-cut plan of war." He describes Atrocitus as "the most coherent and in control of the Red Lanterns", but notes that he will have trouble controlling the other, more feral members. Sinestro is their primary target.

Fictional group history

The Red Lantern Corps are first mentioned during the "Sinestro Corps War" storyline. Former Guardian Ganthet reveals the Blackest Night prophecy to Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner, John Stewart, and Kyle Rayner, which describes a War of Light among the seven Corps powered by the emotional spectrum.''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #25 (January 2008)

Before recruiting sentient beings to the Green Lantern Corps, the Guardians of the Universe created the Manhunters, a group of robotic peacekeepers. However, the Manhunters massacre the inhabitants of space sector 666, with the survivors forming the Five Inversions, a terrorist cell bent on destroying the Guardians.''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #33 (September 2008) Inversions member Atrocitus is consumed by rage, becomes the first Red Lantern, and kills the other members.''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #28 (April 2008)

Blackest Night

During the ''Blackest Night'' event, the Guardians are shown observing the War of Light unfolding among the various Corps of the emotional spectrum; one of the scenes depicting the Lost Lanterns confronting the Red Lantern Corps to retrieve Laira's body from Ysmault. As the seven Corps battle one another, a new eighth group powered by death is introduced to the DC Universe: the Black Lantern Corps. Black Hand, the leader of the Black Lanterns, releases black power rings that reanimate the deceased as Black Lanterns, including Laira and the four deceased Inversions.''Blackest Night'' #1 (September 2009)''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #45 (October 2009) Atrocitus works with Hal Jordan, Sinestro, Carol Ferris, Indigo-1, Saint Walker, Ganthet, and Sayd, representatives of the other Corps, to battle the Black Lanterns, as their powers combined will create a white light that will destroy the Black Lantern Corps.''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #47 (December 2009)

During the Black Lantern siege of the Green Central Power Battery, Kyle and Guy release the Red Lantern Vice from prison so he can help them battle the Red Lanterns. Believing that Vice has escaped rather than being released, Chaselon kills him. Vice's ring later attaches to Guy, who has become full of rage following Kyle's supposed death.''Green Lantern Corps'' (vol. 2) #42 (November 2009) Mogo removes most of the Red Lantern energy from Guy's body and informs him that the only way to completely cleanse him is to bathe in the light of a Blue Lantern.''Green Lantern Corps'' (vol. 2) #45 (February 2010)

The New 52 and solo title

In September 2011, The New 52 rebooted DC's continuity. In this new timeline, the Red Lantern backstory, despite having not been radically altered, was explained and expanded in the eponymous series written by Peter Milligan.

After the end of the ''War of the Green Lanterns'', disappointed at the fact that he was not the one who killed Krona, the culprit of the Ryut massacre, Atrocitus, feeling his rage dimming, is left without a purpose.''Red Lanterns'' #1 (September 2011) He chooses Bleez to be his equal and right hand and restores her mental faculties.''Red Lanterns'' #2 (October 2011)''Red Lanterns'' #3 (November 2011) Bleez becomes the Red Lanterns' representative in the New Guardians, consisting of representatives from the seven Corps working together for mutual interest.

Hal Jordan sends Guy Gardner to join the Red Lanterns as an undercover operative to keep them in check, with Guy defeating Atrocitus and taking command of the group.''Red Lanterns'' #21 (June 2013) Atrocitus leads a splinter group and allows new Red rings to cause murderous justice-based rampages to continue. After defeating Relic, Hal allows the Red Lanterns to patrol Space Sector 2814, which contains Earth.

Prominent members

Leadership

* Atrocitus (of Sector 666): The founder of the Red Lantern Corps, Atrocitus is one of the few survivors of the massacre of Sector 666 and among the few Red Lanterns who maintains his mind and the ability to create constructs.

Ring bearers

* Bleez (of Sector 33): A princess from the planet Havania who was kidnapped, tortured, and raped by the Sinestro Corps, losing her wings in the process. She uses her Red Lantern powers to generate skeletal construct replacements.
* Dex-Starr (of Sector 2814): A stray cat who attracted a red ring after his owner was killed by thugs. He was described by Geoff Johns in an interview with '' Wizard'' as "the most sadistic and malicious" of the Red Lanterns.''Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns'' (October 2008) Originally intended as a joke by Shane Davis, he began being featured more prominently due to positive reception.
* Rankorr (Jack Moore) (of Sector 2814): A child punk from Earth who was taken in alongside his brother, Ray, by their grandfather after their mother died. Following his grandfather's murder, Jack obtains a Red Lantern ring and is inducted into the Corps, becoming one of the few Red Lanterns able to create constructs.''Red Lanterns'' #5 (March 2012)
* Skallox: A goat-like alien and criminal who served a man named Lancer. Lancer wrongly accuses Skallox of disloyalty and throws him in an oven, disfiguring his head and causing it to resemble a skull.
* Ratchet: A jellyfish-like alien who was mutilated and deformed for defying his culture's rule of physical isolation.
* Zilius Zox (of Sector 3544): First shown in ''Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns'', he devours a Sinestro Corps member during Sinestro's abduction. He appears to be the same species as Green Lantern Galius Zed.
* The Judge (Judge Sheko) (of Sector 775): The former chief judge of her home planet of Primeen, whose society is deeply corrupt. She becomes a Red Lantern after her bailiff attempts to kill her.''Red Lanterns'' #30 (June 2014)
* Veon (of Sector 435): A purple one-eyed alien and one of Atrocitus's first recruits. In ''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #45, he is killed by Boodikka.
* Vice (of Sector 13): The most ruthless of the Red Lanterns, whose mate was murdered by Sinestro Corps member Arkillo. His forehead and jaw contain spikes which he uses to decapitate his enemies. He is killed by Chaselon during an attack by the Black Lanterns.
* Laira (of Sector 112): A former Green Lantern who is chosen by a red power ring after being punished and expelled for killing Amon Sur.''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #26 (February 2008) Hal Jordan encounters Laira on Ysmault and attempts to calm her rage, but she is killed by Sinestro.''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #37 (January 2009)
* Abyssma: First identified by name by Ethan Van Sciver during an interview, Hal Jordan is shown fighting Abyssma during a battle between the Corps.
* Antipathy: Antipathy is shown fighting Soranik Natu during the battle between the Corps. She is distinguished as being one of the few Red Lanterns to create constructs using her ring, as she is depicted wielding scissor-like constructs.
* Fury-6: First identified in ''Blackest Night'' #0, he was first seen as a participant in the abduction of Sinestro.''Blackest Night'' #0 (April 2009)
* Haggor: First identified in ''Blackest Night'' #0, he is similar in appearance to Abyssma.
* Nite-Lik: Nite-Lik was created for Mattel's series of Green Lantern figures and named for Mattel employee Scott Neitlich.

Former members

* Supergirl (Kara Zor-El) (of Sector 2813): The biological cousin of Superman. In the ''New 52'', the grief and rage from her past experiences attracts a red power ring to her. Kara later removes her ring and survives due to her healing factor.
* Hal Jordan (of Sector 2814): A Green Lantern officer given a red power ring during his attempt to rescue Sinestro from the Red Lanterns and to calm Laira's rage, only to have Sinestro kill her just as he appears to be breaking through. Enraged, Laira's red power ring detects Hal's anger and forces itself onto his finger, temporarily transforming him into a Red Lantern. Hal is able to overcome the red ring's influence with the aid of the Blue Lantern Corps.''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #38 (February 2009)
* James Kim (of Sector 2814): A man who became the avatar of the Butcher, the Red Lantern Corps' entity, after his daughter was murdered.''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #61 (December 2010)
* Guy Gardner (of Sector 2814): After Kyle Rayner's presumed death, Guy is consumed by rage, attracting Vice's red power ring. As a Red Lantern, Guy maintains control of his green power ring and is capable of using both in conjunction. Guy is freed from the ring's influence, but temporarily regains it as part of a plot to infiltrate the Red Lanterns.
* Krona (of Sector 0): During the ''War of the Green Lanterns'', Krona was briefly able to take control of Atrocitus' ring and the other six rings, using them against the Green Lantern Corps, but the ring returned to its master after Hal Jordan killed Krona.''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #67 (July 2011)
* Mera (of Sector 2814): The queen of the underwater kingdom of Atlantis. Mera is temporarily recruited into the Red Lanterns during ''Blackest Night''.''Blackest Night'' #6 (December 2009)
* Kyle Rayner (of Sector 2814): One of the Green Lanterns of Earth, Kyle once wielded the power of all aspects of the emotional spectrum, including red.
* Superboy-Prime (of Sector 2813): Superboy-Prime temporarily becomes a Red Lantern during ''Blackest Night'' as his rage causes the black power ring that tries to turn him into a Black Lantern to temporarily turn him into a Red Lantern.

Entity

The Butcher is a bull-like entity and embodiment of rage who is the power source of the Red Lanterns. In ''Green Lantern: Lights Out'', the Butcher and the other emotional entities sacrifice themselves by returning to the Source to restore the emotional spectrum.''Green Lantern Annual'' (vol. 5) #2 (October 2013) However, a new red entity is born and begins gestating in Earth's core.

Oath

Like other Corps in the DC Universe, Atrocitus created an oath for the Red Lanterns to use when recharging their rings. As the other members of his Corps are rarely seen as being capable of speech, it is unknown how often they use it (if they are able to at all). However, it has been shown how Atrocitus is able to restore intelligence and abstract thought, along with full speech capabilities, to his fellow Red Lanterns by the use of his shamanistic magic, making them able to recite the full oath. The Red Lantern Corps oath is recited as follows:

Powers and abilities

Red Lantern power rings are fueled by rage and force their wielder into a feral, mindless state that can only be cured by the Blood Lake of Ysmault. Like all Lantern Corps, the red power rings give their users the ability to fly at light speed and survive in deep space. Red Lanterns possess corrosive plasma-like blood capable of destroying the constructs and protective auras of other Lanterns. Furthermore, the red ring replaces its user's circulatory system and cannot be removed without killing them.

Other versions

In the universe prior to the current one, groups managed to tap into the wellspring of power created by the Emotional Spectrum. In this universe, those who tapped into the red light were known as the Lightsmiths.

Reception

Critical reception for the Red Lantern Corps has been mixed. Their first appearance, during the ''Final Crisis'' event in 2008, was met with a mostly positive critical response. Jesse Schedeen, writing for IGN, remarked that "the Red Lanterns are an excellent addition to the increasingly crowded Lantern mythos." J. Montes, writing for Weekly Comic Book Review, noted that "The Red Lanterns are vicious and make the relentlessness of the Sinestro Corps almost wimpy by comparison." Likewise, Red Lantern Bleez's origin story, as told in ''Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps'' #2, received widespread praise, particularly for Eddy Barrows's artwork.

Their solo series, launched in 2011 as part of the New 52, initially received a negative response. Most reviewers praised the artwork by Ed Benes and Miguel Sepulveda, while criticizing the weak plot, inconsistent characterization, and uneven pacing.

In other media

Television

* The Red Lantern Corps appear in '' Green Lantern: The Animated Series'', consisting of Atrocitus (voiced by Jonathan Adams), Zilius Zox (voiced by Tom Kenny), Bleez (voiced by Grey DeLisle), Veon (voiced by Jason Spisak), Ragnar (voiced by Will Friedle), Skallox (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson), and series-original character Razer (voiced by Spisak). A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. This version of the group retain their minds, can survive without their rings, and preach a fascist-protectionist ethos and cult of personality that venerates Atrocitus as a prophet figure.
* The Red Lantern Corps appear in ''Justice League Action'', consisting of Atrocitus (voiced by Michael Dorn), Zilius Zox (voiced by Armin Shimerman), Bleez (voiced by Rachel Kimsey), Dex-Starr (voiced by Jason J. Lewis), and Skallox. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
* The Red Lantern Corps appear in '' DC Super-Hero Girls'', consisting of Atrocitus, Zilius Zox, Bleez, Skallox, and Dex-Starr (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson).

Film

The Red Lantern Corps appear in '' Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Aquaman – Rage of Atlantis'', consisting of Atrocitus (voiced by Jonathan Adams) and Dex-Starr (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker).

Video games

* The Red Lantern Corps appear in ''DC Universe Online'' as part of the "War of the Light" DLC, consisting of Atrocitus (voiced by Mike Smith) and Vice.
* An unidentified Red Lantern appears in the background of the Metropolis stage of '' Injustice: Gods Among Us''.
* The Red Lantern Corps appear in '' Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham'', consisting of Atrocitus (voiced by Ike Amadi), Bleez (voiced by Erica Luttrell), and Dex-Starr (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker).
* The Red Lantern Corps appear in ''Injustice 2'', consisting of Atrocitus (voiced again by Ike Amadi) and Dex-Starr.

Merchandise

* Atrocitus and Bleez received figures in the DC Comics Super Hero Collection.
* Red Lanterns Skallox, Dex-Starr, and Nite-Lik received figures in the Green Lantern Classics toyline in 2011.
* Atrocitus, Mera, and Dex-Starr received figures in the Blackest Night collection.
* Guy Gardner received a figure in the Green Lantern Series 4 collection.
* Atrocitus received a figure in the DC Universe Club Infinite Earths line.

Collected editions

* ''Red Lanterns Vol. 1: Blood and Rage'' (collects ''Red Lanterns'' #1–7)
* ''Red Lanterns Vol. 2: Death of the Red Lanterns'' (collects ''Red Lanterns'' #8–12 and '' Stormwatch'' #9)
* ''Stormwatch Vol. 2: Enemies of Earth'' (collects ''Red Lanterns'' #10 and ''Stormwatch'' #7–12)
* ''Red Lanterns Vol. 3: The Second Prophecy'' (collects ''Red Lanterns'' #13–20, #0, and ''Green Lantern'' (vol. 5) #20)
* ''Green Lantern : Rise of the Third Army'' (collects ''Green Lantern'' Annual #1, ''Green Lantern'' (vol. 5) #13–16, ''Green Lantern Corps'' (vol. 3) #13–16, '' Green Lantern: New Guardians'' #13–16, ''Red Lantern'' #13–16, Green Lantern Corps Annual #1, 416 pages, Hardcover, September 10, 2013, )
* ''Green Lantern: Wrath of the First Lantern'' (collects ''Green Lantern'' vol. 5 #17–20, ''Green Lantern Corps'' vol. 3 #17–20, ''Green Lantern: New Guardians'' #17–20, ''Red Lantern'' #17–20, 416 pages, hardcover, February 25, 2014, )
* ''Red Lanterns Vol. 4: Blood Brothers'' (collects ''Red Lanterns'' #21–26, ''Green Lantern Annual'' #2, 176 pages, Paperback, June 3, 2014, )
* ''Green Lantern: Lights Out'' (collects ''Green Lantern'' #24, ''Green Lantern Corps'' #24, ''Green Lantern: New Guardians'' #23-24, ''Red Lanterns'' #24, ''Green Lantern Annual'' #2, ''Green Lantern'' #23.1: Relic, 192 pages, Hardcover, June 24, 2014, )
* ''Red Lanterns Vol. 5: Atrocities'' (collects ''Green Lantern/Red Lanterns'' #28, ''Red Lanterns'' #27, #29-34, ''Red Lanterns Annual'' #1, ''Supergirl'' #31, 272 pages, Paperback, December 9, 2014, )
* ''Red Lanterns Vol. 6: Forged in Blood'' (collects ''Red Lanterns'' #35-40, ''Red Lanterns: Futures End'' #1, Paperback, 2015, )
* ''Red Lanterns: The New 52 Omnibus'' (collects ''Green Lantern'' #23, #23.1, #24, and #28; ''Green Lantern Corps'' #24; ''Green Lantern: New Guardians'' #24; ''Green Lantern Annual'' #2; ''Infinity Man and the Forever People'' #5-6; ''Red Lanterns'' (vol. 1) #1-40; ''Red Lanterns Annual'' #1; ''Red Lanterns: Futures End'' #1; ''Stormwatch'' #9; and ''Supergirl'' (vol. 6) #26-33, 1456 pages, Hardcover, June 10, 2025, )

References

External links

*

{{Portal bar, Speculative fiction, 2000s

Characters created by Geoff Johns
Characters created by Ethan Van Sciver
Comics characters introduced in 2008
DC Comics aliens
DC Comics extraterrestrial supervillains
DC Comics supervillain teams
Green Lantern characters