The future of the DC Universe is almost always in flux, but plenty of potential futures and timelines offer a solid idea of what the future may hold for DC's mightiest heroes. One of the most optimistic though came during the final issue of writer Geoff Johns' lengthy tenure on Green Lantern.
At the end of 2013's Green Lantern #20, the issue jumped into the future and showed a rookie Lantern asking the Bookkeeper -- the protector of the ancient Book of Oa -- to tell him what eventually became of the Green Lanterns who defended Earth. While it's not entirely clear if these fates are still in the cards for the human Lanterns, this story suggests that the Green Lanterns' brightest days could still be ahead of them.
WHAT HAPPENS TO GUY GARDNER?
Guy Gardner has always been defined as the most gung-ho of the Earth-based Green Lanterns, a boisterous and brash bruiser. That seems to continue into the future, as Guy Gardner can be found post-retirement from the Corps. He's taken to traveling the galaxy, picking fights, hitting on alien women and drinking his way through every bar he can find.
It appears that Guy never fully settled down, and has instead decided to spend his old age telling stories of his previous victories. For the blowhard, it's not a terrible fate, although it does imply that Guy will never actually end up in a stable relationship.
WHAT HAPPENS TO JOHN STEWART?
John Stewart has a future almost the exact opposite of Guy's, since Stewart eventually decides to fully relocate to Earth and lay down some roots. He marries Fatality, with her becoming incredibly supportive of her husband's ambitions for the Earth.
He ends up running for public office and winning by a landslide, which sets up the former Green Lantern to use his will in a new way that could benefit the public. It's even suggested that his actions as a government leader will be what he's remembered for, more than any of his work as a Green Lantern.
WHAT HAPPENS TO KYLE RAYNER?
Kyle Rayner is revealed to eventually become the White Lantern once more. Using his connection to the inherent power of life, Kyle leads a simple life in the cosmos, serving as a healer for any and all who come to him.
It's revealed that doing this will lead to Kyle saving millions of lives, but it will also eventually drain Kyle of all his lifeforce and will ultimate cause his death. However, Kyle proves to be at perfectly content with his role in the universe and the peace he can bring to it.
WHAT HAPPENS TO SIMON BAZ?
Simon Baz was the newest Green Lantern when Geoff Johns left the title, and he didn't receive as much attention as the other human Green Lanterns. However, the issue does hint that Simon eventually becomes a valued and important member of the Green Lantern Corps.
Baz becomes dedicated to helping people on Earth, becoming a more proactive and helpful figure. He also has a crucial role in helping Jessica Cruz regain control of herself after she gets Power Ring's ring, and he served as her partner in the DC Rebirth title Green Lanterns.
WHAT HAPPENS TO HAL JORDAN?
Despite being the high-flying and committed superhero, Hal Jordan actually ends up with perhaps the most mundane fate. After spending his time as a hero, Hal eventually retires from active heroics and settles down. He marries Star Saphire, and the pair have a son named Martin in honor of Hal's long-dead father.
Martin eventually has his own family, and Hal and Carol get the chance to grow old together in a quiet piece of suburbia. It's a decidedly quiet life for the former hero, but a peaceful one if nothing else.
WHAT HAPPENS TO SINESTRO - AND EVERYONE ELSE?
As the Book of Oa closes on the human Green Lanterns, there are still questions to be asked about the eventual fates of other characters. Future Lantern Jessica Cruz had only recently been introduced when this issue was published, and other Green Lanterns like Jo Mullein, Keli Quintela, and Tai Pham had not been created yet. It's likely the Book of Oa contains many of their stories and fates, especially with Jessica. However, there's one other Lantern who's fate is hinted at in this issue: Sinestro. The renegade former Green Lantern was a core member of the Johns run on Green Lantern, with the writer fleshing the character out during events like "Sinestro Corps War." It's implied that the one reading the Book of Oa in the far future is actually Sinestro, having found peace in his solitude as the Bookkeeper on Oa.
Things have shifted since the events of Green Lantern #20. Hal has become more unmoored from Earth than he's ever been in The Green Lantern, John has been fighting alongside the Justice League, and Kyle spent a period with the Omega Men in a crusade that challenged his morality more than ever. But the potential endings for the Lanterns from Green Lantern #20 still ring true for the characters, especially how they've been established in the present. For example, Simon Baz did end up becoming crucial to Jessica's training - albeit as her partner, not her mentor. It's especially fun to consider Sinestro's final fate as being a peaceful one, given his heavy role in the Legion of Doom in recent years.
Even if most of DC's possible futures look decidedly dark, this issue proved that the Green Lanterns' light could guide the cosmic heroes to the endings they've always dreamed of.