WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for The Green Lantern Annual #1, by Grant Morrison, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Trevor Scott, Steve Oliff and Tom Orzechowski, on sale now.
So often the occupation of superhero is a family business in the DC Universe. Batman has his family of Robins, Superman has a super family, Wonder Woman has her Amazonian sisters and the Flash belongs to a crew of speedsters. The list goes on, where one generation of hero passes the mantle down to the next.
One hero that is usually seen as detached from familial connections is Green Lantern, where duty and honor bind members together as they serve for the betterment of the universe. No one is actually related, though. While the ring itself might link generations together, these powers rarely run in the family.
However, in The Green Lantern Annual #1, we are reminded that the practice of superheroics actually does run in the family for one ringslinger. It's easy to forget, but Hal Jordan comes from a superhero dynasty, and this issue brings that truth back into the light.
Welcome to the Jordan Family Reunion
Hal Jordan has a big family. If your only knowledge of Hal comes only from Geoff Johns' long run on the character, you will be forgiven for not knowing how important the Jordan family is to the character. He has spent so much time in space over the last decade that it even became a plot point for awhile that he was neglecting those close to him.
The Green Lantern Annual #1 finally gives Hal a much needed break from being a space cop to enjoy a nice little get together with his family. Everyone is there: his brother Jim and sister-in-law Susan, their kids Howie and Jane and the children of his late brother Helen and Jason. There is even a retcon that brings Jack Jordan's wife Jan back to life.
Of course, the party doesn't go smoothly. All the adults pass out and the kids are left to deal with an invasion from Kwyzz, aka Radioland. Though Hal Jordan is able to wake up and help deal with these dangerous beings, it is another member of the Jordan family who jumps into action to help save the day -- Hal Jordan Jr.
A Hero for the First Time Once Again
Green Lantern might be one of the greatest heroes in the world, but he's not the only hero in the Jordan family. Hal's younger cousin (also named Hal) reveals himself to the be the superhero Air Wave when the family comes under attack. While he may be young and inexperienced, he has quite the legacy to live up to. Not only is there a Green Lantern in the family, but the Air Wave name has history.
Cousin Hal is the son of the Golden Age hero Larry Jordan, who was later revealed to be an uncle to Green Lantern. After the character's death, the mantle was briefly passed to his wife before it was given to Hal in the 1970s. The new Air Wave was young, and spent his early career learning from his older cousin. In the end, he would go on to die in Infinite Crisis and never be mentioned again.
Now Air Wave is back, and he's looking to kickstart his superhero career. He has the power to control radio waves, but is still having trouble figuring out how to use them to fight bad guys. This isn't a new secret origin for the character because nothing seems changed. The name was passed down to him, he has a costume and Green Lantern already knows what he's trying to do. Instead, the issue serves as a statement of purpose for the character.
In Post-Crisis continuity, Air Wave's power set made him a difficult character to use in a fight. He actually died because he couldn't do anything useful as the universe died, so he chose to sacrifice himself in order to send messages between people and their loved ones. Basically, the younger Hal Jordan previously died acting as a radio tower -- a truly ignoble death for a superhero.
Now, everything is different. Air Wave is instrumental in helping Green Lantern defeat the invaders, even though he does spend a significant number of pages possessed. Hal makes an effort to appreciate the kid's effort and calls him a hero, but will he accept Air Wave's offer to be his sidekick? Now that the character is back, it would be a crime not to keep him around, right?