If you're watching Lanterns on HBO and you're wondering where to start in the comics, you're not alone. Green Lantern has one of the deepest histories in superhero comics, and it can be intimidating to know which book to pick up first. We put together four recommendations that cover everything from Hal Jordan's origin to John Stewart's current solo series, so whether you're brand new or just looking to go deeper, there's an entry point here for you.
1. Green Lantern: Secret Origin
Available for pre-order, releases September 22
- Retells Hal Jordan's origin from the ground up, the perfect starting point for readers who know him only from the show.
- Written by Geoff Johns, the architect of the modern Green Lantern mythology, with art by Ivan Reis.
- Releases September 22, pre-order with your local comic shop
2. Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Vol. 1
- Picks up where Secret Origin leaves off, the run that defined Hal Jordan and the Corps for a generation of readers.
- Introduces the Sinestro Corps and the emotional spectrum concept that expanded the entire Green Lantern universe.
- Essential reading for anyone who wants to go deeper after finishing the origin story.
3. Green Lantern: War Journal Vol. 1
- Puts John Stewart front and center in an ongoing, current series, ideal for fans drawn to his role on the show.
- A fresh jumping on point with no decades of backstory required.
- Balances Earth based stakes with cosmic threats, showing the range of what a Green Lantern story can be.
4. Green Lantern: Rebirth Compendium
Currently out of stock, ask us about special ordering
- Collects the full 2004 Rebirth saga plus the Sinestro Corps build up, the moment that relaunched Hal Jordan and the entire GL line.
- A massive value pick for readers who want to binge the modern era in one volume.
- Currently out of stock. Ask us about a special order while we work on restocking.
Honorable Mention: DC: The New Frontier (DC Compact Comics Edition)
- Not a Green Lantern solo book, but Hal Jordan is one of the central figures in Darwyn Cooke's retro-futuristic take on the birth of the Justice League.
- The Compact Comics format is small, affordable, and easy to carry, a great low-commitment pick for readers who want to sample the wider DC Universe before diving deeper into Green Lantern.
- A great gift or grab-and-go pick at $9.99.
Ready to start reading?
Whichever entry point speaks to you, our staff is happy to help you find the right next volume too. Stop by the shop or check out these titles online.