There was a time that there was only one Green Lantern in DC Comics. Eventually, it would be revealed that there was an entire Green Lantern Corps. Taking that an even bigger step further, it turned out that there was an entire spectrum of Lanterns, each one powered by a different emotion.
A variety of DC heroes have worn different Lantern rings over the years, and some of them have done a great job with them. But most characters have never had the honor of being a Lantern of any kind. For some of them, that needs to change while others should never have access to that kind of power.
10 NEVER TOUCH ONE: Red Hood
Jason Todd has gone through a lot in both of his lives. As the second Robin, he always felt like he didn't quite measure up to his predecessor, Dick Grayson. Then, Joker bashed his head in. Todd was later resurrected and became the violent antihero known as the Red Hood.
If he's a candidate for any color of ring, it would be a red one. The Red Lanterns are powered by anger and rage, which Red Hood has in spades. But he doesn't always keep it under control, so having access to that kind of power is a bad idea.
9 DESERVE A RING: Captain Atom
Without question, Captain Atom is one of the most underrated heroes in the DC Universe. His power levels are off the charts and he has always been the first to put himself in harm's way when it comes to protecting the world.
The good Captain would make an excellent candidate for a Green Lantern ring, not that he needs the extra power. Still, he knows how to safely wield a weapon of that magnitude and has the willpower to do it right.
8 NEVER TOUCH ONE: Shazam
Much like Captain Atom, Shazam is another hero who should never be underestimated. A powerful wizard who goes by the same name gave young Billy Batson the abilities of the Greek pantheon. Being that they are mystical in nature, Shazam can actually give Superman a run for his money.
At the same time, he probably shouldn't be given any kind of Lantern ring. Even though Shazam looks like a full-grown adult, he's still a child named Billy Batson on the inside. And that kid has more than enough to deal with at this point.
7 DESERVE A RING: The Atom
There have been a few people to use the moniker of The Atom over the years, but they have all ranked in some of the top heroes DC has to offer. That goes double for the current Atom, Ryan Choi.
If Ryan wasn't The Atom, he would be a prime candidate for either a Blue, Indigo, or Green Lantern ring. The guy exhibits all of the key attributes that would make him an excellent choice to wield any or all of them.
6 NEVER TOUCH ONE: Azrael
No. Absolutely not. Do not give this man a power ring of any kind whatsoever. Azrael was born, bred, and conditioned to be one of the most deadly assassins in the world. Not surprisingly, he has a lot of underlying baggage to deal with.
After Bane broke his back the first time, Batman asked Azrael to replace him as the Caped Crusader. He totally dropped the ball, becoming a killing machine that Bruce Wayne had to stop. Azrael went over the line with a utility belt full of Batarangs. Just imagine what would happen with a power ring.
5 DESERVE A RING: Black Lightning
There are not a lot of heroes in the world that Batman trusts but Black Lightning has managed to get his name on that exclusive list. He was brought into Batman's personal team, The Outsiders, then moved on to join the Justice League.
Black Lightning can generate and manipulate electricity in some truly incredible ways. He certainly has the ability and the willpower to do the same with a Green Lantern ring on his finger.
4 NEVER TOUCH ONE: Booster Gold
Some superhero origin stories involve great loss and sacrifice while others are about accidents of birth. Booster Gold's is neither of those. His story is that he's a glory hound who came back in time with powerful tech in search of fame and fortune.
Booster Gold might actually have the ability to operate a Lantern ring. The problem is he has a bit of an underlying greedy streak which would make him susceptible to the allure of an Orange Lantern ring, and that would not be a good scene.
3 DESERVE A RING: Adam Strange
Many in the DC Universe believe that Adam Strange might be the greatest hero of all time even though he isn't the most powerful. He is a brilliant scientist, a tactical genius, and a fierce warrior. And he fights all of his intergalactic battles with no powers. A power ring could change that.
Adam Strange certainly has what it takes to wield a Lantern ring, particularly imagination. It would certainly help him defend his adopted home of Rann. That being said, hopefully, he'll keep using the jetpack as it makes him super science fictiony and cool.
2 NEVER TOUCH ONE: Huntress
As a career angry person who does not handle her emotions particularly well, Huntress makes a reasonably good vigilante in Gotham. It takes an odd combination of skills, training, courage, and underlying rage to make that career choice work. Huntress has all of that.
At the same time, a lot of those same qualities make her a bad choice for a power ring. It's not hard to imagine her going mad with power, then doing some real damage to Gotham while trying to save it.
1 DESERVE A RING: Steel
John Henry Irons was a brilliant inventor and engineer who wanted to help fill the void left by the death of Superman. He built a suit and armor and a kinetic hammer that allowed him to become a superhero named Steel.
He should definitely be a candidate for a power ring, likely one belonging to the Green Lantern Corps. Given his background, the constructs he would make with it could easily be mind-blowing.