After decades of standing in the shadows of DC icons like Batman and Superman, Green Lantern is being positioned as one the biggest comic book superstars of next year.
The primary reason behind the major push behind "Green Lantern" is the upcoming live-action adaptation starring Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan, with Mark Strong, Peter Sarsgaard, Blake Lively, Tim Robbins, Jon Tenney and Angela Bassett rounding out the cast. The film will be released in theaters in June, 2011.
Warner Brothers has also revealed that a new "Green Lantern" animated direct-to-DVD film will also be released in June, 2011; to coincide with the live-action movie. Additionally, a "Green Lantern" video game is also in the works and there are also indications that DC Comics will be releasing additional "Green Lantern" comics in the build-up to next summer.
The "Green Lantern" character and logo are also being used on a wide variety of new merchandise.
In 1959, John Broome and Gil Kane created Hal Jordan — the Silver Age "Green Lantern" — whose character is at the center of the emerging franchise.
After a long absence, DC Comics brought Hal Jordan back as Green Lantern in 2004, with the character moving to the forefront of the DC Comics pantheon under the guidance of popular comic scribe, Geoff Johns.
