Mogo the Living Planet is one of the most distinct and weird Green Lanterns. But since the cosmic corner of the DC Universe is already pretty bizarre, Mogo is kind of perfect. He's a strange concept from one of the most famous creative teams in comics, and he has become one of the defining pieces of weird for an entire section of the DC Universe.
Now, CBR is looking back at the history of Mogo, and the role he's played as one of the most important members of the Green Lantern Corps.
Mogo Doesn't Socialize
Mogo first appeared in the short story "Mogo Doesn't Socialize" by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The story featured a bounty hunter arriving on a lush world looking for Mogo. The seldom seen Green Lantern was rumored to be one of the most powerful beings in the universe, and the bounty hunter was after him. After camping on the planet, the hunter realized that Mogo wasn't on the planet; Mogo was the planet. The reason he didn't socialize was that his gravity would damage other planets if he were to approach them. However, if someone were to land on Mogo, he can use constructs to communicate with outsiders.
Mogo spent much of the early DC Universe operating on a larger scale than most Green Lanterns. Entire species lived on the planet, serving a symbiotic relationship with Mogo. However, after the Central Power Battery was destroyed by Parallax, Mogo essentially fell into a coma. He'd been feeding off the Green Lantern energy, and without it he drifted off further into the cosmos. He was eventually colonized by a race of alien settlers, but was rescued and restored by Kyle Rayner.
Home Away From Home
When the Green Lantern Corps returned after Green Lantern: Rebirth, Mogo rose in prominence. He became a secondary base of operations for Lanterns, and something of a vacation spot for members of the Corps on leave. He also served as the guiding command for the Green Lantern rings. Without Mogo, the rings wouldn't be able to find new wielders, and the Corps would be paralyzed. Mogo became more active in occasional missions as well. He helped bring down Superboy-Prime in Infinite Crisis, and was a major target during the "Sinestro Corps War."
A prophecy told to Abin Sur suggested that Mogo would be the final Green Lantern. It also suggested that an alliance between the enemies of the Lanterns (including the Empire of Tears and Ranx the Sentient City) would unite and detonate a powerful bomb within his core. This almost came to pass during the "Sinestro Corp War," but decisions made by a young Sinestro turned the Empire of Tears against the eventual alliance. This allowed the Green Lantern Corp to defy fate and save Mogo before he was destroyed.
The Future Of Mogo
Mogo remained an important Green Lantern throughout the New 52 era. During "War of the Green Lanterns," Mogo was corrupted by Krona. He was used to brainwash an army of Green Lanterns for Krona's schemes. John Stewart was forced to kill Mogo to stop the spread of Krona's influence. However, following the battle, John was relieved to discover that Mogo could reconstruct himself following such an act. Stewart learned that to complete the process, he would have to reunite to the two halves of Mogo's core, which were revealed to be two loving consciousness in one form. Working with the old Green Lantern foe Fatality (who'd become a Star Saphire), they were able to reunite the core of Mogo and restore the massive Green Lantern.
When Oa was destroyed in "Lights Out," Mogo became the new base of operations for the Green Lantern Corps. He has remained as such throughout the Rebith era, even when being targeted by Hank Henshaw and the First Lantern. Luckily, Mogo was relieved of this position upon the construction of New Oa by the Guardians. However, there's still a danger that Mogo could one day die once and for all, taking the Green Lantern Corps with him. During the events of Legion of Three-Worlds, it's revealed that by the 31st century that has indeed happened. Without Mogo to guide the Green Lantern rings, the Corps has all but died out. Only Sodam Yat survives into the era thanks to his connection to Ion. However, at the end of the story, he decides to honor Mogo by taking his place as the being who sends rings into the universe.