WARNING! Spoilers for Green Lantern / Green Arrow: World’s Finest Special #1
BatmanandSupermanmay be widely recognized as an iconic duo, but I think another pair deserves their status as the “World’s Finest” bromance in DC lore.Green Lantern’s friendship withGreen Arrow, despite being less popular, is worthy of much more recognition. This criminally underrated superhero pair puts Batman and Superman to shame, and I don’t understand how anyone could think otherwise.
It’s no surprise why Batman and Superman’s friendship is featured so prominently in comics; after all, they’re both key members of theJustice League’s Trinity. Now, inGreen Lantern / Green Arrow: World’s Finest Special#1 by Jeremy Adams and Lucas Meyer, their position at the top has been challenged as this overlooked duo reunites on a road trip.
Green Lantern and Green Arrow may butt heads constantly, yet when it’s time to get serious, they’re an even more formidable team than Batman and Superman. This bromance is the best that DC has to offer, and I won’t rest until these Hard-Traveling Heroes receive the love they deserve.
Green Lantern and Green Arrow Just Proved They Share DC’s Greatest Friendship
Sorry, Batman and Superman: DC Has a New “World’s Finest” Team-Up
WhenDeathstroke attacks, Green Lantern and Green Arrow are quick to defend each other after spending their entire trip bickering. For instance, after Hal gets shot, Oliver shoves him out of the way - even though he’s far more vulnerable - and carries him to safety without hesitation. Later,Hal immediately activates his powersupon learning that Oliver went after Deathstroke alone, even though he should stay put and should focus on healing.Green Lantern and Green Arrow don’t always see eye-to-eye, but the way they put their lives on the line for each other reveals how much they truly care.
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A fan-favorite member of the Green Lantern Corps just regained his powers after a shocking betrayal, in a moment that’s been a long time coming.
Although Batman and Superman have fought plenty of battles together, I believe Green Lantern and Green Arrow’s final showdown with Deathstroke solidifies them as the superior team.Green Lantern arrives to assist Green Arrowin the battle, but their opponent manages to knock them both down. Rather than admitting defeat, Oliver suggests to Hal that they perform “the standby”. Together, they charge at Deathstroke, andGreen Arrow fires his classic boxing-glove arrow while Green Lantern creates a matching construct with his Power Ring. Their ability to pull off this innovative combo attack without much communication at all is proof of their next-level synergy.
DC Finally Brings Back Green Lantern and Green Arrow’s Classic Dynamic
Green Lantern and Green Arrow’s friendship got its start back in the 1970s, during an arc called “Hard-Traveling Heroes”.Written by Dennis O’Neil with art by Neal Adams, this acclaimed era ofGreen Lantern comicsbrings Hal and Ollie together on a wild road trip across America. This duo initially joins forces when Hal faces backlash upon realizing he hasn’t been using his superpowers on behalf of civil rights on Earth. Green Lantern has been so focused on the world above that he’s forgotten the ordinary people he left behind, so he starts traveling around the country with Green Arrow to fix this oversight.
For those who want to experience the classic adventures of Hal and Ollie, keep an eye out for theGreen Lantern/Green Arrow: Hard-Traveling Heroes Omnibus, available on March 19th, 2024 from DC Comics!
As a street-level vigilante, Oliver Queen has contended against many social issues that affect people while Hal Jordan has been off fighting in the stars. Theinspiration he draws from Robin Hoodis no coincidence, as his core gimmick is fighting for the poor despite being rich himself. The “Hard-Traveling Heroes” arc fleshes outGreen Arrow’s anti-fascist stanceby emphasizing his left-leaning politics in opposition to Hal, who isn’t nearly as embroiled in social issues.Green Lantern’s friendship with Green Arrow makes him a more open-minded hero, and in my opinion, this quality sets their dynamic apart from any other in DC continuity.
Green Lantern and the Flash’s Friendship Also Puts Batman and Superman to Shame
Hal Jordan’s Bonds Are Stronger Than Any Other Hero’s in DC Lore
In this issue, Green Arrow isn’t the only friend who Green Lantern has the pleasure of reuniting with. The second story, written by Adams with art by Travis Mercer, bringsBarry Allen’s Flashinto the fray when Deathstroke starts targeting him as well.Green Lantern and the Flash’s bromancereturns as they team up to stop him, with Barry hilariously expressing jealousy about Hal’s closeness with Ollie. These two heroes have their own history throughout DC lore, with every Green Lantern having a Flash pal from their generation, and Hal’s connection with Barry is perhaps the strongest of these Lantern-Flash duos.
Green Lantern’s bond with the Flash may be memorable in its own right - and it’s certainly better than Batman and Superman’s bond - but his true DC match is Green Arrow.
Batman and Superman undoubtedly have history together. However, that history is full of tumultuous ups and downs, which diminishes the integrity of their dynamic. Batman’santi-Superman contingency plansshow that there will always be some degree of distrust between the two of them, despite their closeness. With this in mind, I can’t say I agree with those who consider them DC’s best friendship, especially when Green Lantern hastwofriendships that supersede theirs. Of course,Green Lantern’s bond with the Flash may be memorable in its own right - and it’s certainly better thanBatmanandSuperman’s bond - but his true DC match isGreen Arrow.
Green Lantern / Green Arrow: World’s Finest Special#1is available now from DC Comics.
Green Lantern
Green Lantern is the name given to multiple enforcers of intergalactic justice in the DC Universe. Green Lanterns can harness the cosmic energy of willpower, and create unique spectral objects to face off against their enemies. Though some Green Lanterns have assisted with the Justice League, they primarily belong to the Green Lantern Corps.
