ThroughoutGreen Lantern’slong history, only Sinestro has been able to truly challenge Hal Jordan and the other Lanterns who have defended the DC Universe. But why is it about the wielder of the Yellow Light of Fear that has given him his endearing popularity? Two writers actually have the exact answer to this question about the infamous DC villain.
Spreaking with Screen Rant,Green Lanternwriter Jeremy Adamsand writer Ron Marz know the exact reason why the rivarly between Hal Jordan and Sinestro is as resh and relevant today as it was when first introduced:
Jeremy Adams: My thing is that I love that the philosophy between Hal and Sinestro is really a thin line. Sinestro is using fear to instill order, especially in the newer incarnations, especially with new Corps guard ruining running things.And he’s going “Listen, it’s lawless out there. And this is the way forward in a lawless land. You have to be the ultimate authority,“and Hal’s a little more like “Well, you know, not so much.” You can see both sides of their philosophy but they also come in direct conflict. I think there’s a lot of mutual respect between the two.
Ron Marz:There is an unfortunate attraction to fascism for a segment of people and frankly, Sinestro is a fascist. He’s willing to he’s willing to sacrifice your freedom for his order. He’s definitely the bad guy. But I think the best villains are always the ones that you can go. “Well, maybe he kind of has a point.” I think the villains that appeal to us the most is if maybe we don’t agree with them, but you can see from their point of view. He is completely convinced that what he’s doing is right and won’t even consider the possibility that he’s taking things too far.
Adams notes that with Sinestro and Hal, the two’s philosophies are closer than most other hero and villain dynamics. Ron Marz takes it a step furtherand calls Sinestro a fascist, saying that for some, there’s an allure to a villain so committed to their worldview.
Sinestro' Ideology Has Helped Define His Role as the Green Lanterns' Ultimate Nemesis
No villain has vexed the Green Lanterns as much as Sinestro. Thaal Sinestro was once a member of the Corps who was noted for guarding the most orderly sector in the DCU. However, it was discovered that Sinestro was using his powers to reign as a dictator, not even sparing his home planet from his oppressive rule. Sinestro was booted from the Corps, but he’d only come back stronger and eventually founded his own rival organization, the Sinestro Corps. To this day,Sinestro continues to plague the Corps, operating under the idea that fear is the key to establishing peace.
The Green Lantern Corps has a lot of compelling and interesting villains. Black Hand, Hector Hammond, and Doctor Polaris, to name a few. But Sinestro is one of the few villains who has had a stable, unending presence in Green Lantern’s career. Even when Kyle was the universe’s sole Green Lantern, Sinestro continued to be his main adversary, despite no real connection between the two. Sinestro’s commitment to his fascistic ideology is a frightening one, butthe juxtaposition of Sinestro’s beliefs with the Green Lantern’s valuesis always going to make for a compelling story.
Sinestro is the Embodiment of the Corps' Worst Behaviors
Sinestro essentially serves as a cautionary tale for other Green Lanterns to show what happens when power can go to one’s head. At his core, Sinestro believes he’s doing the right thing to establish order in a lawless world. A villain who believes that they’re in the right is always going to make for a good story, especially when the heroes he’s paired against hold similar, yet different values.
TheGreen Lanternmythos is filled with plenty of unique villains, but none that rivals the intensity of the disgraced, yet determined Sinestro.
