In 2007, writer Geoff Johns and Dave Gibbons asked themselves a question that would change the DC Universe forever: If there was a Green Lantern Corps, why couldn't there be other colors too? Since then, the Emotional Spectrum’s warriors of light flew into readers' hearts and shined a bright spotlight on the cosmic side of the DC Universe.
While every Lantern Corps has similar abilities, they each have powers unique to each emotion the Corps represent. Comprising varying degrees of power, importance, and size, each Lantern Corps brings something unique to the table, leading many to ponder which entities outshine the rest.
Updated on September 29th, 2022 by Casey Lawrence: This list has been updated to highlight each Lantern Corps' prominent members, add relevant information, and include direct references to the comic source material.
11 Ultraviolet Corps
Emotion/Source: Hidden Negative Feelings
One of the newer Lantern Corps, the Ultraviolet Corps made its debut in Justice League (Vol. 4) #2 by Scott Snyder, Jorge Jiménez, Alejandro Sánchez, and Tom Napolitano. Part of the invisible spectrum of light, the Ultraviolet Corps received power from Umbrax, a primordial force created from the Source Wall that acts as the center of the Invisible Spectrum.
Notable Members:
- Thaal Sinestro
- Hal Jordan
Since his inauguration into the Green Lantern Corps, Sinestro investigated the existence of an Ultraviolet Corps, and he eventually discovered it. The only members were Sinestro and an unwilling John Stewart, who fueled the ring's power with negative emotions.
10 White Lantern Corps
Emotion/Source: Life
The White Lantern Corps were powered by the life entity during the DC event, Blackest Night by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis. Unlike the other Lantern Corps, its members couldn't create constructs, nor were they specifically chosen to become a member.
Notable Members:
- Kyle Rayner
- Saysoran
- Tallahe
- Hal Jordan
Many of DC’s heroes became White Lanterns after they embraced life during the confrontation against Nekron and the Black Lantern Corps. The rings healed the wearer, brought people back to life, and enhanced the other powers the wearer had. Interestingly, those benefits didn't apply to Kyle Rayner as the ultimate White Lantern.
9 Star Sapphire Corps
Emotion/Source: Love
Debuting in Green Lantern (Vol. 4) #20 — by Geoff Johns, Daniel Acuña, and Rob Leigh — the Star Sapphires were basically a cosmic version of Themyscira's Amazons. The race of women warriors harnessed the powers of the Star Sapphire Ring, which was fueled by the violet love of the wearer. Most of the Star Sapphires, however, represented the darker sides of love.
Notable Members:
- Queen Aga'po
- Carol Ferris
- Dela Pharon
- Fatality
There were two exceptions to that concept: Star Sapphire Fatality and Star Sapphire Ferris. As Hal Jordan's main love interest, it wasn't surprising that Carol Ferris found a place among the Corps of love. While she started off as a villain antagonizing Green Lantern and The Flash, she learned how to control the Star Sapphire ring and became an ally of the Green Lantern Corps.
8 Alpha Lantern Corps
Emotion/Source: Logic
The only Corps that is already within a Corps, the Alpha Lanterns are essentially a group of inner police officers on the planet Oa, home of the Green Lanterns. Many consider the Alpha Lanterns to be more devoted to the Guardians' cause than any other faction.
Notable Members:
- Boodikka
- The Green Man
- Varix
Debuting in Green Lantern (Vol. 4) #27 — by Geoff Johns, Mike McKone, Andy Lanning, Marlo Alquiza, Mark Farmer, J.D. Smith, and Steve Wands — the Alpha Lanterns were the enforcers of all the Guardians' laws, and they had a direct connection to the Central Power Battery. As a result, they never needed to charge their rings. The only human considered for a position was John Stewart, but he declined the position.
7 Indigo Tribe
Emotion/Source: Compassion
The Indigo Tribe is unique from the other Lantern Corps in several ways. The tribe was founded by Abin Sur, the Green Lantern who passed his ring on to Hal Jordan when he perished. Seeking to rehabilitate criminals, the tribe taught them the ways of compassion.
Notable Members:
- Indigo-1 (Iroque)
- Munk
- Natromo
- Kreaven
- Slog the Slayer
Making its first appearance in Green Lantern (Vol. 4) #25 (by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, Ethan Van Sciver, Oclair Albert, Julio Ferreira, Moose Baumann, Rod Reis, and Rob Leigh), the tribe lived on the planet Nok and has no use for names. Led by their leader, Indigo-1, the tribe possessed the unique ability to tap into any part of the emotional spectrum, granting them access to the special abilities and colored constructs of the other Lantern Corps.
6 Orange Lantern Corps
Emotion/Source: Avarice
The Orange Lantern Corps is actually a one-man army controlled by Agent Orange, also known as Larfleeze. Consumed by greed, Larfleeze first debuted in Green Lantern (Vol. 4) #25 by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, Ethan Van Sciver, Oclair Albert, Julio Ferreira, Moose Baumann, Rod Reis, and Rob Leigh. Rather than comprise living members, Larfleeze's Corps were actually the ghosts of those he'd killed using the orange ring.
Notable Members:
- Larfleeze
- Hal Jordan
- Lex Luthor
- Kyle Rayner
The power of Avarice spread fear throughout the universe, leading the Guardians to make a deal with Larfleeze, promising the Corps would never set foot on Okaara, his planet, or anywhere else outside of the Vega system. The only other major member of the Orange Lantern Corps was Lex Luthor, who wielded the ring during the events of Blackest Night.
5 Black Lantern Corps
Emotion/Source: Death
The most terrifying of the Lantern Corps, the Black Lanterns are powered by the very edge of the emotional spectrum, death. A human named William Hand created the Corps during the events of Blackest Night. Black Hand, as he became known, used the power of Nekron, the entity of death, to raise an entire army of the dead.
Notable Members:
- Black Hand
- Nekkron
- Scar
- Hal Jordan
The Black Lanterns comprised former heroes and loved ones of DC's main characters. Eventually, The Flash deduced that the rings only resurrected those who significantly influenced the lives of those still living. The only hero to become a Black Lantern of their own will, Hal Jordan sacrificed his life, took the ring, and led an army of Black Lanterns against the super villain, Volthoom.
4 Blue Lantern Corps
Emotion/Source: Hope
Founded by Ganthet and Sayd, hope fueled the Blue Lanterns' rings. The Blue Lantern Corps made its debut in Green Lantern (Vol. 4) #25 (by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, Ethan Van Sciver, Oclair Albert, Julio Ferreira, Moose Baumann, Rod Reis, and Rob Leigh). The Corps most closely associated with the Green Lanterns, and the Corps' respective power rings could work off of each other.
Notable Members:
- Ganthet
- Sayd
- Saint Walker
The Green power ring activated the Blues' powers, and in return, the Blue Lanterns could supercharge the Green Lanterns' rings. During the event, Blackest Night, the Blue Lantern Corps accepted Barry Allen into their ranks as he embodied the undying hope of the Justice League.
3 Red Lantern Corps
Emotion/Source: Rage
The Red Lanterns of Atrocitus are fueled by rage. Atrocitus’ entire planet had been ravaged by the Manhunters, the Guardians' original police force before the GLC. In response, he forged a ring of rage, and pure liquid anger began flowing through his veins instead of blood.
Making its first appearance in Green Green Lantern (Vol. 4) #25 (by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, Ethan Van Sciver, Oclair Albert, Julio Ferreira, Moose Baumann, Rod Reis, and Rob Leigh), the Red Lantern Corps definitely required the most out of its members.
Notable Members:
- Atrocitus
- Dex-Starr
- Skallox
Because the Red Lantern ring replaced the heart of the wearer, if a Red Lantern took off their ring, their heart stopped, and they died. However, this effect could be dismissed with the power of a Blue Lantern ring. Mera, Queen of Atlantis, became a Red Lantern during the events of Blackest Night, and Supergirl wielded a Red Lantern ring during the New 52.
2 Sinestro Corps
Emotion/Source: Fear
After being banished from the Green Lantern Corps, Sinestro fled to Qward. There, Sinestro forged a ring powered by the yellow impurity of fear. Making its first official appearance in Green Lantern (Vol. 4) #10 — by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, Marc Campos, Moose Baumann, and Rob Leigh — the Sinestro Corps became the Green Lantern Corps' most iconic enemy.
Notable Members:
- Thaal Sinestro
- Mongul
- Arkillo
- Anti-Monitor
During the events of the Sinestro Corps War, Earth became a battleground for the Green Lanterns and their war against both the Sinestro Corps and the yellow entity of fear, Parallax. Some of the scariest DC villains joined the Corps' ranks, including Mongul, Scarecrow, Cyborg Superman, Superboy Prime, and even the Anti-Monitor.
1 Green Lantern Corps
Emotion/Source: Will
The Green Lantern Corps made its debut in the pages of Showcase (Vol. 1) #22 — by John Broome, Gil Kane, Joe Giella, and Gaspar Saladino — and have been lighting up the DC Universe ever since. With each new crisis and reboot to the DC Universe, The Corps' roster underwent drastic changes and saw the rise of legendary heroes.
Notable Members:
- Hal Jordan
- Guy Gardner
- John Stewart
- Kyle Rayner
- Kilowag
- Tomar-Re
Kyle Rayner established himself as the most creative Green Lantern and was definitely the most in tune with the powers of the Emotional Spectrum. Guy Gardner remained a hotheaded but brave footsoldier who'd do anything to defend the things he cared about. John Stewart became leader of the Lantern Corps and proved there was no one better at the job. Finally, there was Hal Jordan. Known for being cocky, courageous, and sometimes impulsive, the Air Force pilot stood tall as the best ringslinger the Green Lantern Corps had ever seen.