The three essential runs of Green Lantern are the legendaryO'Neil/Adams(1970-1972), the titanicGeoff Johns(2004-2013) and the boldMarz/Banks with Kyle Rayner(1994-2000).
Green Lantern is one of DC Comics' richest franchises, carried by successive incarnations – Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner, John Stewart, Kyle Rayner – who each marked an era. For the collector, the spectrum (no pun intended) of memorable runs is wide and varied.
From O'Neil/Adams' revolutionary social commentary to Johns' cosmic mythology, this ranking identifies the runs that defined the Lantern Corps and represent the best collecting opportunities, from the Silver Age to contemporary.
Top 1 — Geoff Johns (2004-2013)
Screenwriter:Geoff Johns |Designers:Ethan Van Sciver, Ivan Reis, Doug Mahnke |Numbers:Green Lantern: Rebirth #1-6, GL vol.4 #1-67, GL vol.5 #1-20 |Period :2004-2013
Johns reconstructs the entire Lantern mythology: the emotional spectrum, the different Corps, Sinestro Corps War, Blackest Night, and the redemption of Hal Jordan. Nine years of perfectly orchestrated continuity that transform a secondary title into a pillar of the DCU. The most ambitious DC run of the 21st century.
Key numbers:Rebirth #1 (Hal return), GL #25 (Sinestro Corps War finale), Blackest Night #1-8.Market value:Rebirth #1 in NM: €20-40 | Full run: €400-800.
Top 2 — O'Neil & Adams (1970-1972)
Screenwriter:Denny O’Neil |Designer:Neil Adams |Numbers:Green Lantern/Green Arrow #76-89 |Period :1970-1972
The run that proved that comics could deal with serious social issues. Racism, drugs, poverty — O'Neil and Adams confront Hal Jordan and Oliver Queen with real America. The “Snowbirds Don’t Fly” issue (#85-86, Speedy dependency) remains a major cultural milestone.
Key numbers:GL/GA #76 (start run), #85-86 (Speedy heroine), #87 (1st John Stewart).Market value:#76 in French: €800-1,500 | #87 in French: €400-800 | Full run: €3,000-6,000.
Top 3 — Marz & Banks—Kyle Rayner (1994-2000)
Screenwriter:Ron Marz |Designer:Darryl Banks |Numbers:Green Lantern vol.3 #48-125 |Period :1994-2000
After the “Emerald Twilight” controversy that eliminated Hal Jordan, Marz built Kyle Rayner as a credible successor. Freelance artist turned cosmic hero, Kyle brings freshness and modernity to the title. Banks creates visually inventive constructs. A polarizing but historically crucial run.
Key numbers:GL #48-50 (Emerald Twilight), #51 (1st Kyle), #0 (Zero Hour).Market value:#48 in NM: €15-25 | Full run: €120-250.
Top 4 — Steve Englehart (1986-1988)
Screenwriter:Steve Englehart |Designer:Joe Staton |Numbers:Green Lantern Corps #201-224 |Period :1986-1988
Englehart transforms the title into a true ensemble series with the Whole Body as the protagonist. Kilowog, Salaak, Ch'p and the alien Lanterns take the lead. A cosmic and inclusive vision that foreshadows Johns' work decades later. Very underpriced in today's market.
Key numbers:GLC #201 (start), #224 (final).Market value:Full run: €30-60.
Top 5 — Grant Morrison & Liam Sharp (2018-2020)
Screenwriter:Grant Morrison |Designer:Liam Sharp |Numbers:The Green Lantern #1-12, Season Two #1-12 |Period :2018-2020
Morrison reimagines Hal Jordan as a space cop in a mind-bending cosmic procedural series. Sharp delivers double pages of astonishing visual density, mixing psychedelia and hard SF. A demanding run, reserved for experienced readers, which divides but fascinates.
Key numbers:GL #1 (Morrison relaunch), #12 (season 1 finale).Market value:#1 in NM: €8-15 | Full run: €60-120.
Top 6 — Tomasi & Gleason—Green Lantern Corps (2006–2011)
Screenwriter:Peter J. Tomasi |Designer:Patrick Gleason |Numbers:Green Lantern Corps vol.2 #1-63 |Period :2006-2011
The perfect companion title to Johns' run, focused on Guy Gardner and Kyle Rayner. Tomasi excels in military action and relationships between Lanterns. The Sinestro Corps War and Blackest Night tie-ins are as good as the main series. Essential to complete the Johns experience.
Key numbers:GLC #14-15 (Sinestro Corps War), #39 (Blackest Night).Market value:Full run: €80-160.
Consult our guide toGreen Lantern key numbersand theeditorial history of the characterto deepen your knowledge of the franchise.
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