WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Green Lantern #5 from DC Comics, on sale now
The recent events of the DC Universe have seen some pretty notable heroes depowered in major ways. But there's at least one who isn't taking his depowering lying down and has actually found a new technological way to continue serving as a hero in the field.
Although Simon Baz is down a Green Lantern Ring, he's still able to enter the fray with his new weapons, including a suit of impressive power armor, as revealed by the story "The Standard Model" from Green Lantern #5 by Geoffrey Thorne, Tom Raney, Marco Santucci, Andy MacDonald, Michael Atiyeh and Rob Leigh.
Since the collapse of the Green Lantern Corps, most of the heroes who once wore the ring have found themselves powerless in unique situations. This includes Simon Baz, who was on Oa when the Central Power Battery exploded. Surviving largely due to the last-second protection of Teen Lantern, Simon was left injured and with a ruined ring. But just because he no longer has powers doesn't mean Simon is out of the fight. In Green Lantern #3, Simon vowed to be Jo Mullein's back-up, helping her with his techno-augmented arm and gun. However, it appears that tech expands even further. After evidence pointed towards Sinestro having the motive to attack Oa, Teen Lantern goes on the warpath and attacks his world of New Korugar.
The ships defending the world -- as well as a number of Yellow Lanterns -- fail to slow her down, with Sinestro watching the battle with an interested gaze. It's finally a mysterious hooded Sinestro Corp member -- who could possibly be former Green Lantern Jessica Cruz -- who stops her, forcing Teen Lantern to confront her own personal fears. Stopping the battle, the hooded figure is confronted by Simon, who arrives on the planet with the authority of the United Planets behind him. Landing on the planet in a green orb, Simon exits in his own new suit of mechanical armor. In essence, this is Simon's own variant of the suits Iron Man and War Machine wear in the Marvel Universe. He even has a shoulder-mounted cannon, similar to War Machine's Gatling gun.
Simon quickly confronts the Sinestro Corp member, and while his suit doesn't allow him to overwhelm the constructs she creates, it does allow him to hold his own. The Yellow Lantern eventually allows him to escape, telling him to leave before reinforcements arrive. Simon is confused by the strange figure (and how she knows his name, hinting at their deeper connection), but takes Teen Lantern and returns to his ship. While Simon losing his ring was a blow to the hero, it's exciting to see his new armory continue to grow in the DC Universe. Simon can now essentially lay claim to being DC's own cosmic-level Iron Man, flying around the cosmos and helping the United Planets even without the aid of his ring.
It's an exciting place for Simon to be because it allows him to continue to be an active player in Green Lantern storylines even without his Power Ring. It's also a fun development for Simon, considering his previous use of firearms made him more comfortable with blunt weapons like a suit of armor. While he may not be as overtly powerful as he once was, it's possible this suit will be adaptable to the various elements and threats the galaxy can throw at him, on top of potentially being only the first such suit that he gets the chance to pilot. It also gives Simon a unique element compared to the other human Lanterns, giving him an additional edge going forward.