A total of 7200 Green Lanterns are selected to defend the 3600 space sectors designated by the Guardians of the Universe. These individuals are chosen to join the Green Lantern Corps based on their courageousness and ability to overcome great fear.
While every Green Lantern in DC Comics is courageous, some Lanterns excel in this department and become the best of the best. Guy Gardner is fearless to a fault, Kyle Rayner is as helpful as he is hopeful, and lesser-known characters like Sodam Yat and Ch'p have proven themselves some of the greatest Lanterns in history, battling evil Supermen and possessing the Entity of Will itself.
10 Hannu Rarely Uses His Green Lantern Power Ring
Hannu is a rock-like creature who originates from a part of the universe called Ovacron Six. Hannu was a member of the Lost Lanterns, a group of Green Lanterns who were assumed destroyed by Hal Jordan when he was under the influence of Parallax, the Entity of Fear. However, years later, Hal rescued Hannu and cleared his name.
One of the perks of joining the Green Lantern Corps is the power ring. Lanterns wield one of the greatest weapons in the universe, which can perform incredible feats. But as an Ovacron Six warrior, Hannu hates weapons. Regardless, he's an incredible fighter who led the Lost Lanterns when they had no one else. He may not use his ring often, but when he does, he's extremely powerful.
9 Sodam Yat Gained The Power Of Ion, The Entity Of Will
Comic book fans might be unfamiliar with Sodam Yat, but he was an important part of the Green Lantern lore – at least, he was according to some characters. Sodam Yat was mentioned in an old prophecy that involved the destruction of the Green Lantern Corps. So, after he was recruited, the Guardians kept a close eye on him.
Sodam's race, the Daxamites, are similar to Kryptonians who develop incredible strength under a yellow sun. During the "Sinestro Corps War," Sodam was instrumental in the Yellow Lanterns' defeat. He led a squad of Lanterns in destroying Ranx, the Yellow Lantern base, and ultimately bonded with Ion, the Entity of Will.
8 Soranik Natu Reluctantly Joined The Corps
The rings choose wearers based on their ability to overcome fear, but people like Sinestro also possess villainous qualities. Sinestro ruled over his home planet Korugar while his daughter, Soranik Natu, used her skills as a doctor to help her people. After Sinestro's fall from grace, Soranik was chosen as his replacement in the Corps.
She was reluctant at first, not wanting to be associated with the Corps, but she begrudgingly accepted and went on to play major roles in the Green Lantern Corps comic series. Soranik aligned herself with the Corps when she battled her father's forces during the "Sinestro Corps War," and even attempted to reform the Yellow Lanterns during the "Bottled Light" arc.
7 Ch'p Challenged An Evil Superman
Ch'p is a squirrel-like alien who was born on the planet H'lven. Ch'p first appeared in Green Lantern #148 in 1982 and served as a member of the Corps for much of the Bronze Age until he was killed during Green Lantern: Mosaic. Ch'p may not be one of the most powerful Lanterns, but that makes him all the more courageous.
Following the destruction of Oa's Central Power Battery, Ch'p was one of the last remaining Lanterns who attempted to salvage the Corps. Additionally, the Ch'p of the Injustice universe attacked the tyrannical Superman head-on, attacking the Kryptonian's brain with his power ring constructs.
6 Jessica Cruz Overcame Volthoom's Control
Jessica Cruz didn't become a Green Lantern through the conventional process of being selected by the Guardians. Instead, Jessica first appeared during the Forever Evil event and was chosen by the Ring of Volthoom – a corrupted Lantern ring from Earth 3. This ring tried to take over Jessica's mind, but thanks to advice from Batman and training from Hal Jordan, she fought Volthoom's influence.
Jessica officially joined the Green Lantern Corps with fellow Earthing, Simon Baz, and the two became partners while defending the planet from Red Lanterns and Dominators. Like Kyle Rayner, Jessica was thrown into the fire and had to overcome her anxiety while learning how to use her power ring.
5 Kilowog Is The Meanest, Most Dedicated Green Lantern
While the Green Lanterns of Earth receive most of the attention, Kilowog is one of the most recognizable members of the Corps. The character was first introduced in Green Lantern Corps #201 and is primarily known as the Corps' trainer, teaching new recruits how to use their rings.
Kilowog is never far behind any of the other brave, courageous Lanterns who charge into battle. He was present during the Corps' resurrection in Green Lantern: Rebirth; helped lead the Lanterns with John Stewart during DC's Rebirth era, and stood up to an evil Hal Jordan in "Emerald Twilight," giving his life to save what was left of the Corps.
4 Kyle Rayner Carried The Legacy Of The Lanterns Alone
Batman trained his body and mind to perfection to fulfill a mission. On the other hand, Kyle Rayner was randomly selected to become the last Green Lantern in the universe after Hal Jordan/Parallax destroyed the Corps.
Kyle spent a lot of his earliest adventures trying to prove himself. He claimed he was only a Lantern through dumb luck, but his actions suggested otherwise. During Green Lantern: Rebirth, Kyle battled Sinestro alone. During "Sinestro Corps War," Kyle stood by Hal's side to defend Coast City. Through his adventures as the last Lantern, Ion, and the White Lantern, Kyle has saved lives and inspired others with his heroism and optimism.
3 John Stewart Leads The GL Corps & Makes The Tough Choices
John Stewart was originally chosen as Hal Jordan's replacement in Green Lantern vol. 2 #87. Though he wasn't the Guardians' first pick for the Green Lantern of sector 2814, John quickly proved himself as one of the greatest Lanterns of all time. Hal is a bit of a renegade, but John is a strategic thinker who's led the entire Corps on many occasions.
John led the Corps following Green Lantern: Rebirth, he kept the Lost Army safe until they returned to the universe, and he led them again in Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps. John isn't simply a leader who ushers commands from a throne, but a battle master who leads the charge against foes like Larfleeze or the Sinestro Corps.
2 Guy Gardner Is Headstrong But Fearless
Guy Gardner shouldn't be overlooked when determining the greatest Green Lanterns of all time. Sure, he rubs people up the wrong way, including his friends and teammates, but that's part of his charm. Guy may not be as likable as Kyle Rayner, but he loves being a Green Lantern and will sacrifice anything, even his life, for any member of the Corps.
Despite his verbal objections to becoming a Green Lantern, he rejoined the Corps in a heartbeat during GL: Rebirth. Guy helped train new recruits in Green Lantern Corps and volunteered for a one-man scouting mission that would put him in the lion's den of the Sinestro Corps.
1 Hal Jordan Has Overcome Fear More Than Any Other Lantern
For 10 years, Geoff Johns crafted comic book epics like "Sinestro Corps War," "War of the Green Lanterns," and "Rise of the Third Army." In those stories and more, Hal battled Sinestro with a powerless ring, sacrificed himself to take control of the Black Lanterns, and led an assault against corrupted Guardians of the Universe.
Following the New 52, during Robert Venditti's Green Lantern run, Hal took the fall for the Corps' greatest crimes and became a renegade, painting a target on his back as he traveled the universe. No matter the challenge, no matter the power of the enemy, Hal Jordan will be the first to put his life on the line for his loved ones.