Lanterns episode six, “Bad Optics,” shifts the action fully into 2026 as John Stewart investigates Hal Jordan’s murder. While he’s almost totally unwanted in Rushville, NE, the one-time Green Lantern heir apparent signals to former Athletic Director, Guy Gardner, to request that he get Hal’s suit and ring to bury him. While Guy initially gives a big “Hell no” to that, John reminds Sir Bowl Cut that it’s entirely because of John that Guy is the GL in the first place.
But this raises an interesting question. We learn that, rather than giving Guy Hal’s ring, the Guardians decommissioned it and forged a new one. Why would they do that?
Guy Gardner Does Not Use Hal Jordan’s Ring
People noticed early on that the ring prop that Nathan Fillion wore as Guy Gardner in Superman was not the same as the one we saw on Kyle Chandler or Aaron Pierre’s finger in Lanterns. Aesthetic choices are certainly a thing, however, the premise of the Green Lantern Corps as presented in Lanterns is that each space sector only has one Lantern and their ring passes from one to the next with their death. (Or forced replacement, as with Sinestro or Hal.) So wouldn’t, we assume, Guy wear Hal’s ring?
Not so. In “Bad Optics,” John wants to give a proper burial to Hal and asks Guy to retrieve Hal’s uniform and ring from Oa. Specifically we learn the Guardians forged a new ring for Guy to wear. This isn’t unheard of by any stretch in the comics. The Guardians can forge new rings any lanterns any time they want.
Multiple Rings for Earth Lanterns
In the comics, Guy Gardner initially had the role of Hal Jordan’s backup. This did not mean Guy would get Hal’s ring if he needed to assume the lead role. He had his own ring and lantern. During the period of time when Guy was in a coma following a car accident, John Stewart became Hal’s official backup. He too had his own ring.
By the 1980s, writer Steve Englehart and artist Joe Staton thought it was silly not to have multiple Lanterns operating at once. While Hal remained the official Lantern of Sector 2814, John and Guy served as reserve members, or Lanterns who served out in space instead.
Eventually, post-Crisis, and post-the entire GLC falling to Parallax, the rule changed so that space sectors had two official Lanterns at the same time. Now, in the comics, Hal, John, Guy, Kyle Rayner, Jessica Cruz, Simon Baz, and more can serve as Lanterns, despite all of them coming from Earth.
How Lanterns Can Change the Rules
The practical, real-world reason for Guy not wearing Hal’s ring is that the creators of the show need a reason for John to have a ring without stripping it from Guy. Maybe we’ll hear that the rings only go to the next worthy candidate via death or if someone else steals it from them. Otherwise, a dishonorable discharge might mean the ring is tainted or whatever.
Though the Guardians on the show seem like real pieces of crap, I think it’s entirely plausible that Lianna will decree that, if not every sector, at least 2813 has enough activity to warrant more than one Lantern on patrol. That also allows for any other member of the Corps future creatives want to add to the DCU to do so. And it might allow for Hal Jordan to eventually return to life and resume his role. Hey, he’s done that plenty in the comics.
Nerdist Take
By the end of the series, I have a strong feeling both Guy and John will bear the title Green Lantern of Earth, however the show spins it.
Lanterns has two episodes left!