WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #43, by , on sale now.


The battle for control of the universe between the Green Lanterns and the Darkstars is now an arms race. Both sides have numbers, power and incredible resources at their disposal, but Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #43 reveals that the Darkstars are the stronger of the two organizations. And while the two sides agree to something of an uneasy truce, it's clear that the Corps plans to challenge their new enemies in the near future.

Only recently unleashed upon the Rebirth-ed DC Universe, the Darkstars have already been able to rapidly expand their numbers. This has allowed them to make their presence known to the Green Lanterns and legitimately challenge the Corps' claim as the preeminent police force of the cosmos. The GLC has been outnumbered before, of course, but the difference here is the amount of power fueling the Darkstars, and the fact that they may have the support of the universe at large.

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The Infinite Power of the Darkstars

Despite what had been believed, the Controllers are not dead after all. When the first Darkstar Mantle activated itself, in defiance of its maker's orders, the suit left the rogue Guardians to an uncertain fate. The scene may have looked like an execution, but as it turns out, the Darkstars are more strategic and innovative than that. Instead of being led by the evil machinations of the Controllers, they are now the ones who are in charge and have turned their former masters into the ultimate resource.

The suits have already shown to be incredibly powerful on their own. They are significantly upgraded over the previous model (seen during the '90s) and now possess onboard computers that help guide the wearer. What's more, Darkstars have the ability to teleport to seemingly any fixed point in space. This allows them to quickly ambush the Green Lantern Corps when they come to attack the headquarters of the Darkstars. They can then quickly teleport their targets away by remaining body contact.

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Green Lantern turned Darkstar Tomar Tu shows Hal Jordan just how much power they've been able to attain in such a short amount of time; with the Controllers captured and being used as power sources, the Darkstars now have the ability to communicate with each other through thought. The cosmic energy of these beings is also being used to power their foundry and develop more Darkstar Mantles to be sent out into the universe.

Already, they outnumber the Green Lanterns, and a constant stream of new recruits capable of advanced levels of communication will only make them more effective. We have yet to see the two sides in combat together, but there is a reason John Stewart was forced to stand down. The Darkstars are dangerous, and if the Corps is going to fight them, they need to make sure they are strong enough to stop them.

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A Fight for the Will of the People

The Darkstars pursue lethal justice across the cosmos, and so far they have done a pretty good job of it. As it is explained in this issue, the biggest danger to the Corps is the fact that this new force may have the will of the people on its side. Tomar Tu explains that despite the Green Lanterns best efforts, and the power of so many other colored Corps throughout the universe, lawlessness still flourishes. To him, the methodologies of the Green Lanterns have failed to keep crime at bay, so now it's the Darkstars' turn -- and the people are already responding.

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This take on justice and its intersection with vengeance is a dark and pessimistic reflection on society, but it's one that may feel appropriate for 2018. People are angry, people are unhappy, and to some, only a tougher stance on those who have wronged us will do. Tomar Tu says that the Green Lanterns were surprised by the sheer number of Darkstars because most of their activity hasn't even been reported. People see them take out criminals, and they look the other way. They support it.

The Green Lantern Corps may be an institution that believes in justice and due process of the law, but for many, the legal system is too slow and often not enough to keep them safe. In the lawless corners of the universe, people in need will look to anyone who can get results and keep them safe. A police force that is righteous but ineffective is not going to get much sympathy or cooperation from those who suffer. These are the people the Darkstars stand for, and the people they are actively recruiting from. In this dark universe, willpower stands no change against the power of revenge.

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If this were Gotham City, the Green Lanterns would be the GCPD, unable to keep the streets clear of villains like the Joker, Two-Face and the Scarecrow. They may be doing the right thing, by giving them due process, but ask a regular citizen on the street and see if they care. The Darkstars, meanwhile, are the vigilantes enacting brutal street justice across the cosmos. They are Batman... if Batman killed people. When the system fails you again and again, it's easy to support a cause that shows the initiative to bring about real, actionable change.

The Green Lanterns have now gone to ground in order to recruit more members to their cause. From the looks of things, they may end up turning to the very criminals they are trying to keep in check for backup. How long will it be before they lose all sense of what they are fighting for? This is a battle that will not be solved by throwing punches; instead, the Green Lanterns must garner support from the people before it's too late.