POWER RINGS
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FIRST APPEARANCE:
Golden Age (Alan Scott's) Power Ring
ALL-AMERICAN COMICS # 16
(July, 1940)
"The Green Lantern"
Silver Age (GL Corps) Power Ring
SHOWCASE # 22
(September-October, 1959)
"S.O.S. Green Lantern!"
Current (Kyle Rayner's) Power Ring
GREEN LANTERN 3rd series # 50
(March, 1994)
"Emerald Twilight Part Three: The Future"
HISTORY:
Creation of the Power Ring
Following the rebellion of the Manhunters and the subsequent split of
Oan society, the Guardians of the Universe explored other options to
further their agenda for the cosmos. Intrigued by the success of the
Halla's, a group of living agents working for the Guardians, the elders
of Oa decided a new force for justice should be created. The perils in
the vast reaches of space required a formidable weapon, so the
Guardians created the power ring to aid their warriors in their quest
against evil.
[JLA # 140, GL2 # 90]
The product of an alien super science, the fabled power ring has long
been wielded by the heroic members of the Green Lantern Corps. Though
the full story of its creation may never be known, observations can be
made from the recorded experiences of those who wielded the emerald
ring. From those examples, conclusions can be drawn regarding the
ring's miraculous abilities.
The power rings were developed by Oan technicians and then
psionically "carved" from the Central Power Battery. The actual
composition of the power ring remains a mystery. There is evidence
suggesting it is made of an alien metal or crystal, the origin of the
construction material can be debated.
[SO # 23, GL2 # 223]
Power rings are said to be made of "Oaite," a compound found on Oa.
Other compounds have been taken from worlds throughout the cosmos, at
least five power rings were comprised of ore mined on Titan, a moon of
Jupiter.
[FLASH # 221]
The individual personal power batteries are conduits to the Central
Power Battery, and the power ring is a mind-keyed transmitter of that
power.
[GLED # 3]
The power itself, like all cosmic power, is an aspect of The Source.
Any being with control over the Source can also control the ring's
energies.
[TAK # 1-2]
The Green Lantern Corps
The first power ring was awarded to Rori Dag of Rojira. Dag was the
model for all the ring wielders to come as the Green Lantern Corps was
born.
[GL2 # 67]
From each of the known inhabited worlds the Guardians chose a single
champion. The Guardians deployed the Green Lantern Corps across space,
dividing the universe into 3600 sectors, with Oa as the center. Each
point met at Oa, defending the Guardians as well as the universe. For
three billion years the Green Lantern Corps was unmatched in their
quest to bring order to the universe.
[GLGANTHET]
Form of the Power Ring
The power ring's form is incidental to its function. It has been
suggested that the ring's shape was chosen because it will fit on
almost any shape of alien. Indeed, this seems to be the case. Power
rings have been worn on the fingers of humanoid species as well as more
exotic, non humanoid species.
[from "Playgrounds of the Mind" by Larry Niven]
On aliens without appropriate appendages to wear the ring, a
form of band is used in place of the "ring". G'nort and M'Dahna
are two Green Lanterns who wielded this alternate form of the power
ring. Eddore of Tront utilized the "power ring" in a different fashion;
the "power globe" within his gaseous body acted as his ring.
In an unusual case, Rot Lop Fan of the Obsidian Deeps transformed his
power ring into a bell, to create sound waves that he could shape into
solid forms.
[GLCA # 2]
The Guardians have continually redesigned the power rings. The
Corps was usually called to Oa to receive updated power rings.
One recent modification of the power ring allowed the wielder to alter
its shape to that of other objects.
[GL2 # 90, 93]
To hide his identity from an alien race, Green Lantern Hal Jordan
disguised his power ring as a common pair of sunglasses. Once he
learned of the aliens' scheme to force humans to rebuild and colonize a
barren world, Jordan willed the sunglasses to return to ring form and
was able to foil the alien plans.
[GL2 # 93]
The power ring was designed to withstand the rigors of space travel.
Its operational lifespan was three billion years before the relatively
recent destruction of the Central Power Battery and Oa itself.
[GL3 # 50, 0]
Programming
The power ring has many systems, from energy constructs to life
support. All the functions were programmed by the Guardians, the ring's
strengths as well as limitations. The Guardians of the Universe can
change the programming, though the average ring wielder could not.
Operating Procedures
The power ring is focused by the wielder's will power, enabling
the control of green psychoplasmic energy. The energy does not
give off heat, unless the ring wielder wills it to do so. It is
soundless, unless willed otherwise. The emerald energy can be used in a
variety of ways, usually it is shaped to form objects of varying
degrees of complexity.
A basic understanding of the object being created is necessary to give
the object form and substance. Thinking of an object is not enough, the
wielder must will an object into being. The more complex the object,
the harder the wielder must concentrate. A direct line of sight is not
required to create an energy construct. When using the ring for other
functions, a basic understanding and comprehension is again needed.
There are virtually no limits to the energy constructs the power ring
can create, whether giant green boxing gloves or high tech robotic
equipment. Some wielders choose a diversity of forms to create while
others go for the tried and true.
While there is a psychological advantage of creating an imposing energy
construct to unnerve a foe, creativity can only go so far. A strong
will is needed to back up that power. Distractions can cause a ring
wielder to break concentration and weaken the energy construct. Fear is
the greatest enemy of a Green Lantern. Control is needed to wield the
power ring effectively.
The energy construct can attain great speed at the moment of
its creation, allowing the construct to hit a target with great
force.
A Green Lantern's mental capacity also affects the workings of the
ring. Green Lanterns Guy Gardner and Boodikka once battled the
genocidal race of the Ophidians. When chasing the Ophidian star ship,
neither of them could catch up to it, for neither of them could
comprehend the speed at which it was going. The two Green Lanterns had
to combine their wills to overcome the ship.
[GG # 10]
Additionally, the emerald energy can be used to animate otherwise
inanimate objects, such as willing a statue to move.
[GL2 # 12]
Combat Situations
Though it is preferable to find peaceful solutions to
difficulties, the Guardians were aware this was not always
possible. The power ring is one of the most powerful and versatile
weapons in the known universe.
The effectiveness of the power ring in a combat situation can best be
measured by the ingenuity of the ring wielder. Though it is not
uncommon for Green Lanterns to learn in a trial by fire, most ring
wielders are taken to Oa for training.
[GLED # 4-6, GLED2 # 1-6]
Strength of will is vital, as is concentration. It is in a combat
situation that the phrase "without fear" is most important. A ring
wielder who succumbs to fear or doubt breaks his/her/its concentration,
leaving him/her/itself open to attack.
Though a Green Lantern wields vast power, he/she/it should not become
overconfident. With the ring's ability to launch a long range attack,
the possessor of a power ring may find a tactical advantage with some
space between their foes and themselves. Distance can be used as a
safety buffer, as some of the more hostile species in the universe are
often the strongest. Staying out of "arm's length" can save the life of
a ring wielder.
A combat maneuver theorized by Guardian Ganthet involves the
retreat of a ring wielder at near light speed. At a distance of
approximately one light minute (11,170,267 miles) a ring wielder can
will a force beam to strike a target. The green beam functions as if it
were a standing wave of light, and when the light source moves away
from an observer at high speeds, the resulting red shift will change
the green beam to yellow. Green Lantern Hal Jordan used this maneuver
with great success against Doranchatok, destroying his enemy's power
ring.
[GLGANTHET]
Psychic Backlash
Despite even the greatest of wills, sometimes a ring construct can be
broken. It may seem a mere annoyance to a ring wielder, but in reality
it could prove quite deadly. A ring wielder links his/her/itself to the
power, a psychic backlash occurs immediately after the disruption of a
ring generated construct. The backlash can be very painful and
disorienting but leaves no permanent damage to the ring wielder. The
real danger to the ring wielder is the split seconds of incapacitation,
leaving him/her/it vulnerable to attack.
Protection from Mortal Harm
The power ring features an emergency energy reserve, to be utilized
only when the wielder faces mortal injury. This power automatically
activates to preserve the wearer's life and can be used only once
during a twenty four hour period, unless the power ring is recharged at
the power battery. The effect can then last up to an additional twenty
four hours, to protect the ring possessor if energy runs out in the
void of space. As always, the ring is susceptible to the color yellow,
leaving the wielder helpless to an attack involving that color.
Kilowog of Bolovax Vik inadvertently used this feature to save his home
world's population of sixteen billion. Bolovax Vik was destroyed by
waves of antimatter during the Crisis, but Kilowog's power ring saved
him from certain death. Kilowog's mental link with his fellow
Bolovaxians, known as the "mass mind," was so strong that the power
ring could not differentiate the thought patterns of the Green Lantern
from the rest of the planetary population. Though it was beyond even
the power ring's limits to save their physical forms, the ring was able
to save their life forces.
Months later, a suitable world was chosen to be terraformed to the
environmental conditions of Bolovax Vik. Kilowog could now free the
life forces from his power ring, and could set to creating bodies for
them. Unfortunately for the Bolovax Green Lantern, Sinestro and his
ally Sector 3600 destroyed their new world. The power ring could not
save the life forces twice.
[GL2 # 218-219]
Another Green Lantern, Driq of Criq, found that the power ring could
not save him from mortal harm but would not let his life force escape
his dead body. Driq was finally given rest when his power ring was
disintegrated on Oa during the collapse of the Central Power Battery.
[GL2 # 217-219, 223-224]
Protection of Life
The ring's programming forbids the taking of life, yet surprisingly
this restriction can be removed on Oa. Ordinarily, the ring will issue
a warning to the wielder and may even shut down, leaving the wielder
vulnerable to attack.
[GLCQ # 1, GLED # 6, GL3 # 50]
Space Travel and Force Field
Despite the many forms of transportation available by force
manipulation, the majority of ring wielders choose unencumbered flight
as their mode of transport. Travel through dense atmospheres as well as
the vacuum of outer space is made possible by the power ring.
Additionally, a ring wielder can dematerialize his/her/its form to
phase through matter. As with all functions of the ring, the presence
of the color yellow can hamper a wielder's progress.
With the cosmic scope of a Green Lantern's duties, it is only
natural that the power ring is designed for operation in space.
The ring creates a forcefield around the wearer, protecting him/her/it
from the hazards of the void including filtration of stellar radiation
and microscopic particulate matter which would ordinarily be fatal
should the space debris strike the ring wielder at high speeds.
An atmosphere appropriate to the ring wielder's biology is created
inside the forcefield, body temperature is maintained and waste
products are removed. Gravitational stresses which could cause injury
are stabilized for the ring wielder. Theoretically, a ring wielder
could use the ring as his/her/its sole
source of life support.
The forcefield seems to be created instantaneously, whether this is due
to programming or an instinctive reaction from intensive training has
not been established. It could be considered as a subroutine of the
ring's automatic defensive system, but as of yet this theory has not
been proven.
Flight is possible at velocities exceeding light speed. In atmospheres,
air friction is not a hindrance, since heat is either absorbed or
reflected by the ring's field.
The power ring grants its wearer access to wormholes in space, enabling
the ring wielder to rapidly cut time and distance needed for transport.
The Guardians established at least one known wormhole to Oa, which
required the use of a power ring to enter. This wormhole was opened by
a group of hostile aliens in the Mosaic project on Oa. John Stewart's
ring was used against his will to signal a number of worlds and lead
their starships to Oa.
[GLM # 16-18]
Black holes can be navigated by experienced ring wielders.
During a battle with Sinestro and his ally, MadGod Sector 3600,
members of the Green Lantern Corps of Earth and the Green Lantern Corps
of the Klyminade travelled through a black hole to be deposited outside
a white hole in Space Sector 872.
[GL2 # 217-218]
The power ring cannot generate a Boom Tube, as it needs a Mother Box
and a sample of the highly unstable X-Element. There is no known way to
duplicate either item, even with the power ring. Should a Green Lantern
make his/her/its way to the other-dimensional worlds of Apokolips or
New Genesis through a Boom Tube, the ring will function as it does in
the rest of the universe. John Stewart encountered no ring related
difficulties during his stay on New Genesis, despite the loss of the
Central Power Battery. The ring wielder would still need a Boom Tube to
return to his/her/it's dimension.
[CO # 1]
Time travel is possible with the power ring, though the further forward
in time a ring wielder travels, the more willpower it takes. As Green
Lantern, Hal Jordan once explored as far as the 70th century.
[JLE # 55]
Jordan had also travelled to the 58th century as Pol Manning, a role
later adopted by Salakk of Slyggia.
[GL2 # 51, GL2 # 214-215]
Residual Energy
The ring leaves a trace residue of green energy on objects it touches
or in the immediate vicinity of its use. The residue lingers for a few
hours and is detectable by those with heightened senses of awareness,
or by sophisticated mechanical devices, such as the creature known as
Legion or the robotic Fists of the Guardians.
[GLED # 2-4, GLED2 # 4-6]
The energy residue itself can be absorbed and reused. The
supervillain Black Hand discovered a way to utilize the energy
residue in his many attacks on Green Lantern. Surprisingly, Black
Hand's power rod could store the emerald energy far longer than twenty
four hours, but still faced the same restriction against the color
yellow.
[GL2 # 29]
Sinestro circumvented this problem by absorbing the green energy to
fuel his yellow power ring. As with Black Hand's power rod, the time
limit was of no consequence, as power failure was based on the amount
of energy expenditure. Sinestro's ring could be overloaded by absorbing
too much green energy.
[GL2 # 9]
Voice of the Power Ring
Upon request, the wielder can access the ring's database. The "voice"
the ring wielder hears is in actuality his/her/its own unconscious
mind, accessing the ring's database.
[GL2 # 128]
The personality of the wielder dictates the voice of the power
ring. The power ring by itself is flat, devoid of personality.
It simply responds to interrogatives by accessing its vast database.
[GLCQ # 2]
Each power ring is programmed to operate in its assigned space sector.
When entering another sector, the ring calibrates itself by
"downloading" operational information from the Central Power Battery.
Though the power ring can work in a different sector, the ring wielder
will experience difficulty in utilizing the ring without the additional
information from the Central Battery or a period of retraining. Hal
Jordan experienced this problem when entering Space Sector 1634,
several months after the Central Power Battery had been destroyed.
Fortunately, Jordan was retrained by the former Green Lantern known as
Priest.
[Act # 622-625]
Universal Translator
Keeping in mind the myriad of worlds, life forms, and cultures
throughout the cosmos, it is understandable why the Guardians added a
translation system to the power ring. The power ring can translate
virtually any language in the universe, facilitating diplomatic
encounters rather than violent confrontations.
Complications arise when a frame of reference for translation is not
available, as evidenced during Katma Tui's induction of Rot Lop Fan
into the Green Lantern Corps. Katma Tui had the difficult assignment of
explaining the concepts of "light" and "color" to the sightless Rot Lop
Fan. She overcame this barrier by using sound rather than light as the
basis of the ring's power.
[GLCA # 3]
Some Green Lanterns, such as the planetform known as Mogo, have used
the ring to create an intermediary "being" to expedite communication.
[MrM2 # 13-14]
Invisibility and Light Refraction
A ring wielder can render him/her/itself invisible by willing the ring
to bend light waves around his/her/its form, as well as that of the
power ring. Presumably, a similar action allows an experienced ring
wielder to create objects of colors other than green. As Hal Jordan's
experience grew, he was able to create power ring illusions of people
and objects. It can be assumed the ring wielder would not risk the
extra time and effort to create other colors in a combat situation.
[GL2 # 2, GLED2 # 2, GL2 # 30]
Full Environmental Playback
Upon request, the power ring can recreate a holographic environment
based on data in its memory banks. The ring wielder can observe events
in a ghostlike state, but the ring wielder cannot alter the outcome of
the playback. All objects in the playback will appear in the full
spectrum of colors, regardless of the wielder's level of expertise
creating simulcrums. The power ring will automatically end the playback
if outside interference warrants the ring wielder's undivided
attention.
[GLED # 3]
Energy Twins
The power ring allows the wearer to create an "energy twin" of
his/her/itself that can travel at far greater speeds than that
of the ring wielder's physical form. While the energy twin is active
the ring wielder remains motionless, his/her/its life force is needed
to guide the energy twin. The energy twin can not alter its
surroundings, and may only be perceived by the Guardians or another
ring wielder as a green, ghostlike image. Any knowledge gained by the
energy twin is transferred back to the ring wielder's physical form
upon recontact with the body. The Guardians frequently used energy
twins as a means of contacting a Green Lantern.
[GL2 # 1]
As a rule, a ring wielder can not create actual, independent duplicates
of him/her/itself, as the power ring cannot create life. On the world
of Aku in Space Sector 2813, Green Lantern Hal Jordan proved the
exception to this rule. Trapped by the manipulation of Aku's
gravitational field, Jordan created duplicates of himself to help
battle renegade thought images that sought to destroy their host
bodies. It is important to note this feat could only be performed on
the planet Aku, due to strange properties in Aku's gravitational
fields.
[GL2 # 6]
Mind Tampering
Though the ethics of mind tampering may be debatable, sometimes
it is necessary. As the power ring relies on thought and will
to operate, mind tampering is not impossible, the real difficulty lies
in properly applying the power. There lies a risk of catastrophic
damage to the mind should mistakes be made. A ring wielder can use the
power ring to erase portions of an individual's memories. To protect
his secret identity as Hal Jordan, Green Lantern created a mental block
in the mind of Major Disaster.
[GL2 # 57]
Green Lanterns have used mind techniques as part of training. New
recruits may be subjected to mind scans by other Green Lanterns or the
Guardians of the Universe. They are taught to build mental defenses to
protect themselves from psionic attack.
Green Lanterns Boodikka and Kreon were forced to link and swap minds by
John Stewart during their training on Oa. They discovered each other's
fears and learned how to work together rather than fighting each other.
[GLM # 6]
The power ring can also be used to beam information from the ring
wielder to another being. Green Lanterns have used this technique to
share information regarding their enemies during combat situations.
[GL2 # 201]
Remote Control of Power Ring
Direct contact with the power ring is not necessary to control its
power. Presumably, this feature makes it possible for the more unusual
members of the Green Lantern Corps to utilize the ring's power. An
abstract lifeform, Flodo Span of Inner Tasnia, required the power ring
to create a gaseous body for himself.
[GL2 # 219, 224]
The power ring can be controlled from distances up to 100
yards, but closer contact can protect the power ring and its
wielder from manipulation by another's willpower.
[GL2 # 18, GL3 # 3]
A power ring can be willed to stay in a Green Lantern's possession. The
command is indeed strong but can be broken by superior will power or
overwhelming physical force. Separation of the ring from the Green
Lantern's body by violent means has been shown effective in the
unfortunate cases of Zharan Pel, Ash, and Jack T. Chance. For Jack T.
Chance, the power ring was programmed by the Guardians to operate
solely on the planet Garnet. After his battle with Lobo, Chance found
the restriction was lifted as he was sent on a failed mission to defend
Oa from the renegade Hal Jordan.
[DDAY ANNUAL # 1, GLCQ # 7-8, GL3 # 49]
The ring can stay in contact with its wielder, if preprogrammed, at
distances of at least twenty light years. John Stewart ordered his ring
to that distance when he contemplated suicide. The distraught Green
Lantern believed the ring could not prevent self-inflicted mortal
injury from that distance. Fortunately, he did not choose to prove his
theory. Stewart ordered the ring to return to his finger.
[CO # 4]
Possession of Multiple Power Rings
Possession of more than one power ring does not increase a ring
wielder's strength. While it may be a psychological advantage,
increasing a ring wielder's confidence, this does not translate into
more power. A ring wielder can utilize the will power of other ring
wielders, working in concert to a common goal. Hal Jordan was able to
marshal the energy of his fallen comrades in a last ditch attack on
Krona. The energy blast meant little to the renegade Guardian, but
Krona was later defeated by Jordan's resourcefulness.
[TGLC # 2]
Will power can also be added by another strong will joining with the
ring wielder. On two separate occasions, Superman joined wills with the
Green Lantern Corps of Earth and a pair of Green Lanterns, Hal Jordan
and Guy Gardner.
[Act # 589, S:ADV # 473]
Duplication of the Power Ring
An experienced ring wielder can create other power rings, duplicates of
his/her/its own. These power rings are subject to the same limitations
as their "original" copy, and will run out of power in twenty-four
hours if not recharged.
Hal Jordan created a power ring for Tom "Pieface" Kalmaku which later
fell into the hands of Hector Hammond. The villain used the power ring
to create a death trap for Green Lantern, only to discover his power
ring had run out of power.
[GL2 # 5]
Months later, Jordan created dozens of power rings to sell on the
streets of Coast City. At a dollar each, the power rings were fast
sellers, citizens used the rings to experience the joys of flight.
While Tom "Pieface" Kalmaku thought his super-hero friend had gone mad,
it was really part of Jordan's plan to save the Earth from alien
invasion. Green Lantern used the will power of the people of Coast City
to help fight the alien Grolls. The rings were later returned.
[GL2 # 31]
Physiological Effects of Power Ring Energy
The ring attunes itself to the wielder, measuring physical responses as
it taps into the wielder's mind. In the three billion year history of
the power ring, there have been limited records of physiological
effects related to power ring usage.
During the Green Lantern Corps battle against Nekron, Lord of the
Unliving, Guy Gardner and John Stewart could sense the danger in the
air. A connection to the Corps was obviously there, but that seemed to
be all.
[TGLC # 3]
Years later, John Stewart gained the power of a Guardian, though it was
for a limited time. Stewart seemingly ate a power ring, but it can be
assumed the ring was absorbed by his Guardian power. The destruction of
the Central Power Battery brought Stewart back to human levels.
[GLM # 18, DSTARS # 21]
In two other examples, Arisia of Graxos IV and Guy Gardner of Earth
used the power ring to alter their bodies.
Arisia's change was from a teenager to an adult. Over the course of a
few weeks her body grew and her mind developed. Her change was part of
a subconscious desire to make herself more attractive to fellow Green
Lantern Hal Jordan. The forced maturation left Arisia mentally
vulnerable to attack by Star Sapphire and Hector Hammond.
[GL2 # 201-213]
Some time after she had lost her power ring, Arisia was accidentally
struck in the head. Her memories were wiped away as her personality
reverted back to that of a teenager. It was many weeks before her mind
was fully restored. Though she identified herself with the identity of
Green Lantern, the power ring had no part in her recovery.
[JLA2 # 33, GLCQ # 1, GL3 # 42]
Guy Gardner used the power ring to keep his body young and strong. His
latent Vuldarian genes may or may not have contributed to this
decision.
[GL3 # 25]
The effects of power ring energy on the human metagene has not been
measured. The only possible subject of investigation would be Celeste
Rockfish McCauley, a woman from an alternate 30th Century.
[LSH4 # 12]
Subconscious Control
A ring wielder with a strong enough will can project his/her/its
subconscious thoughts through the power ring while remaining unaware of
the action. Green Lantern Hal Jordan was knocked out when he created
the creature known as "The Chiller-Diller Menace." Coast City was saved
before too much damage was done.
[GL2 # 5]
A few weeks later in an unrelated event, Jordan changed Tom Kalmaku
into a pigeon. Jordan had been sleeping when the event occurred but
later changed his friend back into human form. While the two events
were humorous, Jordan took steps to make sure it did not happen again.
[GL2 # 7]
Emergency Beacon
A Green Lantern in distress can use his/her/its power ring as an
emergency beacon. The alert can be directed to a Green Lantern's
neighboring sector, or it can be a Corps-wide alert.
[GL2 # 6, 124, GL3 # 23]
Homing Beacon
A homing beacon in the power ring can lead one Green Lantern to
another. This was one of the recent power ring upgrade features
added by the Guardians of the Universe.
[GL2 # 90]
The power ring can be ordered to disguise itself to elude power ring
wielding trackers. Guy Gardner successfully escaped the Green Lantern
Corps of Earth by willing the power ring to keep his location a secret.
[GL2 # 197]
Most often ring wielders will allow the beacon to signal their location
to others. The Green Lantern Corps of Earth found the remnants of the
Green Lantern Corps of The Klyminade by tracking them through their
power rings.
[GL2 # 216-217]
Inside the Power Ring
Within the ring exists the possibility of an entire world. When Green
Lantern Abin Sur of Ungara defeated the evil sorcerer Myrwhydden, he
reduced the magician to submicroscopic size and imprisoned him inside
the power ring, into a world created by the Green Lantern's will.
This undefined space may be a tesseract or a virtual reality created by
the power ring. Whether or not this area exists in all rings has yet to
be proven. Years after Abin Sur's death, Myrwhydden's power grew,
allowing him to alter his environment and escape to battle the next
Green Lantern, Hal Jordan.
[GL2 # 26]
The power ring's interior appeared as a barren wasteland, dotted with
dead trees and sea shells which Myrwhydden used during an escape
attempt. A few years ago, Mywhydden was removed from the power ring to
be sentenced to an Oan Sciencell.
[GL2 # 41, GL2 # 164]
Twenty-Four Hour Limit, Recharging
The power ring can carry a charge for twenty-four hours before it is
depleted. Minutes before it runs out of energy, the power ring will
flash on and off, indicating its need for recharge at a power battery.
Recharging takes approximately ten seconds. Many consider that time to
be a solemn moment, and choose to recite the Green Lantern Oath. The
ring can also be charged at the Central Power Battery and can draw off
a charge from other rings.
[Sh # 22, TGLC # 1, GLS # 1]
Additionally, the Guardians of the Universe can recharge the power ring
at will, as their bodies are storehouses of the emerald energies. Power
can be drawn off their projections as well.
[TGLC # 3, GLGANTHET, GL3 # 48, DDAY ANNUAL # 1]
The garments of the ring wielder are transformed to that of the Green
Lantern uniform. This is a controllable by-process of ring recharge.
The uniform can be customized by the wielder and will become the
"default setting" at the next ring charge.
[GLED # 3]
Yellow Impurity
Despite its vast power, the ring is not without weaknesses. First and
foremost is the ring's ineffectiveness against the color yellow. The
Guardians claim the weakness is due to a necessary impurity, as a
yellow crystal was needed to stabilize the energy admixture in the
Central Power Battery. The mix of the Guardians' blue energy with the
yellow crystal creates the power of the Green Lanterns.
[GL2 # 223]
Some doubt the Guardians' reasons for the impurity. They may believe
the yellow weakness was placed in the ring so a Green Lantern could not
become all powerful. It is possible the Guardians chose yellow to stop
their servants from piercing through the illusion in the time stream of
their origin, created by Dawlakispokpok to protect the Guardians'
ancient past.
[GLGANTHET]
Others believe the yellow weakness is a post hypnotic suggestion. They
may believe the unbridled power of the ring would drive a mortal
insane.
The weakness can indeed be removed by the Guardians, as seen in the
story of Green Lantern Yalan Gur of Space Sector 2814. After the yellow
weakness was removed, Yalan Gur was corrupted by the virtually
unlimited power in his grasp. His interference with the social and
technological development of the human race was noticed by the
Guardians and actions were taken against the Green Lantern. The
Guardians punished Yalan Gur by imposing a new weakness on his ring, a
vulnerability to wood.
Yalan Gur was mortally injured by those he sought to repress and, in
his death throes, was merged with the power of the Starheart and his
power battery. The remains were seen as a green meteor, which hundreds
of years later became the power ring and battery of Alan Scott, the
Golden Age Green Lantern.
[GL3 # 19, GLCQ # 7]
Apparently the intervention of the Guardians is not needed to defeat
the yellow weakness. In the case of two ring wielders, Lord Malvolio
and Priest, both had circumvented the limitation to gain greater power,
rendering the power ring unnecessary.
[Act # 624]
There is one time on record that the power ring has been altered by
someone other than the Guardians. A filter fitted over the power ring
was created to alter the light waves of whatever the power beam
touched. It worked by cancelling the yellow portion of the light
spectrum.
Green Lantern told the Guardians of this new discovery but soon found
it had backfired. He had difficulty concentrating and rapidly grew
tired. After seven days had passed the vital yellow element in the
power ring had dissolved. The ring was now useless.
Green Lantern soon discovered it was a plot by an alien pirate,
Commander Calibax, who had disguised himself as a scientist in order to
get close to the ring wielder. Jordan was forced to use his fists
against Calibax, rather than the power ring. The Guardians repaired
Jordan's ring after he had beaten his pirate adversary.
[GL2 # 68]
Death and Succession
Numbered in order of decreasing likelihood, there are four thousand
seven hundred sixty-five possible programmed responses for a power ring
in the possession of a Green Lantern whose death is imminent. Most
involve sudden loss in a combat situation. Some involve other members
of the Corps. More than two thousand of them entail the direct
involvement of the Guardians and several hundred are in the event of
the demise of the Guardians and the Corps themselves.
[Act # 642, by Elliot S! Maggin]
The ring will sustain the life of a Green Lantern for as long
as possible so that a worthy successor may be found. The ring
energy encircles the planet, probing the population, and selects a
number of worthy candidates, bringing the chosen successor to the
fallen Green Lantern's side.
[Sh # 22, GL2 # 59]
In the case of Laham of Scylla in Space Sector 2814, the power ring did
not choose one of his world. Rather, the energy shot across space,
choosing Waverly Sayre of Earth as a successor.
[GLCQ # 2]
During the assault on Oa by the Tchk-Tchkii Legion creature,
Green Lanterns Khen-To and Squagga were killed in battle. Their
power rings sought out other Green Lanterns on Oa, presumably to stay
out of their enemy's hands.
[GLED # 5]
At times, the power rings will be retrieved by the Guardians of the
Universe. After the death of the Green Lantern of Sector 1014, the
Guardians chose Ch'p of H'lven as that sectors's emerald warrior.
[GL2 # 203]
Though not all responses are known, as seen by the sheer number of
available responses, the succession of the power ring is not
surprisingly one of the most important responsibilities of a Green
Lantern's career.
Following a Green Lantern's death, the power ring can be accessed for
the ring wielder's memories using a "post mortem device" created by the
Guardians. Hal Jordan learned of Guy Gardner's possible induction into
the Green Lantern Corps from the last thoughts of Abin Sur.
[GL2 # 59]
Defeating the Power Ring
Aside from the obvious weakness to yellow, the power ring can be
defeated by other means.
A time null zone can render the ring powerless by freezing the flow of
time around the helpless ring wielder. Likewise, the flow of time can
be accelerated in the ring's vicintiy, causing the power ring's charge
to be depleted in what may seem seconds to the ring wielder.
[GL2 # 102, ZH # 3]
A weapon capable of firing a Xantha charge can kill a ring wielder. The
crimson colored Xantha charge shifts to yellow upon contact with the
ring's emerald energy. If the defending ring wielder is not careful,
he/she/it will be killed.
[GL2 # 102]
The emerald power itself can be diverted, whether at the level of the
Central Power Battery or the ring wielder's vicinity.
Numerous foes of the Guardians have been able to disrupt the ring's
connection to the Central Power Battery. Maaldor was one enemy capable
of temporarily cutting off the flow of emerald light.
[GLCA # 1]
The being known as Takion was capable of disrupting the ring's
connection to the Source. Though Kyle Rayner's ring was not of the
Green Lantern Corps, it can be assumed the outcome would remain the
same, regardless of the ring's origin.
[TAK # 2]
The emerald energy appears to be connected to the ring, regardless of
the time period the power ring may reside in. Though he had
time-travelled to the late 19th Century, John Stewart's power ring lost
energy after the Anti-Monitor struck at the Central Power Battery in
the late 20th Century.
[GL2 # 195]
During Hal Jordan and Salakk's adventures as Pol Manning in the 58th
century, their rings still functioned normally, despite the lack of a
Central Power Battery in that time period. The power rings, arguably an
extention of the Guardians, might have kept a frame of reference to
their "original" time line. Sort of how Barry (Flash) Allen could
"relax his internal vibrations" to return to his original time.
[GL2 # 8, 214-215]
Some advanced technologies such as those of Qward or Apokolips have
managed to develop nullification fields. The Weaponers of Qward had
created such a field in one of their fortresses, while a rogue
parademon from Apokolips had set up a null field around an Earth
island.
[GL2 # 125, TJ # 1-3]
The Guardians of the Universe also employed a nullification field
against power rings. To study a possibly defective power ring, a field
was set up on the deserted side of Oa.
[GL2 # 116]
Destruction of the Power Ring
As part of its programming, the power ring will not allow itself to be
destroyed, even at the cost of the ring wielder's life. This should not
be seen as callousness on the part of the Guardians. Any force strong
enough to destroy a power ring would be more than a match for the
native abilities of its possessor.
The first recorded destruction of a power ring was at the hands
of a Guardian. Attempting to halt the Kryptonian Armageddon
Creature, centuries later known as Doomsday, a lone Guardian melted the
power ring the creature had torn from Zharan Pel, the ill fated Green
Lantern of Space Sector 2813.
The sudden release of the Guardian's power plunged the creature through
a space warp. A new power ring would be created for that space sector,
centuries later it would be worn by Tomar-Re of Xudar.
[DDAY ANNUAL # 1]
On two occasions, Evil Star of Aoran managed to explode Hal Jordan's
power ring. Each time the Guardians reissued an identical power ring to
the Green Lantern of Earth.
[GL2 # 37, 44]
Apparently, the new power ring was so precise a copy that Myrwhydden
continued his imprisonment inside the new ring.
[GL2 # 41, 162-164]
During the Crisis on Infinite Earths, power rings were destroyed by the
antimatter waves sweeping the universe. Even a power ring cannot
survive the end of the universe. Entropy claims all at the end of time.
[CIE # 1-12, GL2 # 40, ZH # 0]
After the death of Sinestro, the collapse and implosion of the
Central Power Battery absorbed the majority of power rings
throughout the universe. Hal Jordan stabilized the meltdown, sparing
the power rings of a few emerald warriors, such as Ch'p and Guy
Gardner.
[GL2 # 223-224]
Lord Malvolio of the Green Flame succeeded in destroying Hal Jordan's
power ring, forcing Jordan to take Malvolio's power ring to return to
Earth. Jordan never knew Malvolio had actually staged everything,
planning on Jordan taking his power ring.
[Act # 634-635]
Many months later, Hal helped the Corps to rebuild. New power
rings were created by the Guardians of the Universe as the
Green Lanterns recruited new members to their ranks. Unfortunately, the
rebirth of the Corps was cut short by Hal Jordan's attack on Oa. The
Green Lantern of Earth absorbed the power of the Central Power Battery,
becoming the being known as Parallax. In a flash of anger, Parallax
crushed his discarded power ring under the heel of his boot.
[GL3 # 13, 50]
A cascade reaction swept across space as Green Lanterns across the
universe saw their power rings disintegrate. Many died in the void
between the stars. Some, like Adara, were spared by circumstance.
[GL3 # 56]
In an alternate timeline, the sorcerer Mordru rose to power in the 30th
Century. The mystic forces at his command were more than enough to
crush the power ring of Rond Vidar.
[LSH4 # 3]
Other Power Rings
Alan Scott, the Golden Age Green Lantern wore a magical power
ring for over fifty years. This power ring was carved from a
mystic power battery, which was the result of the fusion of a standard
power battery, the soul of fallen Green Lantern Yalan Gur, and a
fragment of the mystical Starheart. Scott's ring needed to be charged
every twenty four hours, but unlike the Corps' power rings, the magical
power ring was ineffectual against wood.
[ALL-STAR COMICS # 16, GL3 # 19, GLCQ # 7]
For a few hours Alan Scott's power ring was duplicated by the
incredible mental force of Krona, the renegade Guardian. Krona
duplicated Scott's ring to escape the end of the universe, but his plan
was foiled by Jordan and Scott. The second mystical power ring was
presumably destroyed.
[GL2 # 40]
Over the decades, the nature of the emerald power altered Scott as well
as his children. Alan's body was suddenly restored one recent night to
that of a twenty-five year old's. So far, the youthful effect has not
worn off. Daughter Jennie-Lynn Hayden and son Todd Rice gained super
powers and became the super-heroes Jade and Obsidian.
[GLCQ # 5, Sh95 # 1, INFINITY INC. # 1]
After the brutal deaths of members of the legendary Justice
Society, it appeared Alan Scott's time as a hero had come to an
end. He passed his power ring to Kyle Rayner, the newest and last Green
Lantern. Rayner later lost the ring and it was crushed by Hal Jordan.
Scott would find little time away from his responsibilities, when his
power resurfaced within him and he became known as Sentinel.
[ZH # 2 Sh95 # 1]
As stated above, former Green Lantern Sinestro of Korugar used his
expertise with power rings to create a yellow power ring. Over the
years, Sinestro had a number of power rings to replace those taken or
destroyed in battle with the Green Lanterns. Each ring was crafted from
a rare substance called Qwardamite and was psychically attuned to the
Korugarian.
[GL2 # 9, GL2 # 125]
After Sinestro's death it was worn by Guy Gardner. The ring spoke only
in Korugarian and was dependent on a Green Lantern's ring energy for
its power. The yellow ring was finally destroyed by Parallax, the
ex-Green Lantern Hal Jordan, by overloading it with energy.
[GGR # 1, GG # 2, GG # 21]
A member of the Crime Syndicate of Qward, ironically named
Power Ring, wielded a mystical ring given to him by the
sorcerer Volthoom. The weaknesses of the ring remain unknown. Power
Ring and his ring were apparently destroyed by antimatter during the
so-called Crisis on Infinite Earths.
[JLA # 29-30, SSOSV # 14-15, CIE # 1]
The Weaponers of Qward had limited success with the Anti-Green Lantern
Corps. Armed with power rings that were charged with a black light, the
Anti-Green Lanterns faced inevitable death from the improperly attuned
rings. The beam from the ring brought death to its target, and may have
been able to disrupt the Green Lantern power ring's automatic defense
feature. The Anti-Green Lantern Corps were defeated with the
destruction of their main power battery on Qward.
[GL2 # 150]
In a psychodrama engineered by the Guardians to test Hal Jordan, three
"advanced power rings" were created. These rings were stronger than the
originals and did not have a weakness to yellow. As seen in the
psychodrama, the rings had a deadly side effect on Galius Zed, Kaylark,
and Eddore. The advanced power rings turned their deepest fears against
them while driving them power mad.
[GL2 # 165-169]
The Qwardians' most recent attempt at creating power rings was the most
successful, yet equally ill-conceived. Anti-Oan energy powered the
rings of G'nort and the Poglachian Green Lantern Corps in a failed
effort to discredit the Guardians of the Universe.
[GL3 # 11-12]
Another version of the power ring was created for the children of
Guardian Dawlakispokpok and his Zamaron mate, Thwarcharchura. These
power rings were used as a focus for their children's natural power.
Doranchatok's power ring was destroyed by Hal Jordan but his sister
Darthartheen remains at large.
[GLGANTHET]
After the destruction of the Central Power Battery, the
remanents of Hal Jordan's ring were fused together by Ganthet,
the last of the Guardians. Ganthet gave this last power ring to Kyle
Rayner of Earth, a young man chosen totally at random by the Guardian.
[GL3 # 50]
When Rayner received the power ring, it married itself to his genetic
template, therefore only he could use its power. Events have shown,
though, that Rayner can will the power ring to others.
[GL3 # 0, 91]
Jordan's ability to use the new power ring may be related to his prior
use of the ring, his greater experience, or as a side result of his
absorption of the Guardians' energy.
[GL3 # 50, 63-64]
Rayner's power ring differs in a number of ways from the standard power
ring. First and foremost, the ring's vulnerability to yellow has been
removed, as well as the twenty four hour charge limit. While the ring
still needs to be occasionally recharged, it is not based upon a
mandatory time limit, rather a maximum usage, akin to a gas tank. Oa,
it has been revealed, was a focal point for a much larger source of the
ring's power. With Oa's destruction, the ring still accesses the same
source. The ring now takes longer to recharge, approximately three
minutes. It appears the ring is capable of containing more power than
ever before.
[GL3 # 53, 91]
The power ring energy itself can be transferred to another as well.
Kyle Rayner thought he was doing a good deed by granting some of the
power to Paul Christian, a disabled man who soon wanted more power as
Purgatory.
[GL3 # 66-69]
Others can add their willpower to Rayner's, as seen during the Justice
League of America's battle with the Lord of Time. Presumably, Rayner
must be receptive to the added willpower and work in concert with it.
[JLA/WildC.A.T.S. # 1]
Despite the obvious advantages of these changes, the power ring has
apparently lost abilities as well. The ring's automatic defense feature
has been removed, as well as the ring's artificial intelligence.
[GL3 # 50 & up]
Rayner's mental control over the power ring can be broken, as shown
when Superman used his energy powers to disrupt the electromagnetic
impulses in Rayner's nervous system. The ring constructs lost cohesion
and disolved. The evil god of torture, Desaad, was also able to cut off
Kyle's mental signals to the ring.
[JLA SECRET FILES # 1, GL3 # 91]
The possibilities of future power rings still remains. Ganthet returned
twice, once in an attempt to reclaim the power ring from Rayner and,
more recently, to offer a new power ring to Hal Jordan before his
presumed death during the "Final Night" incident. Jordan did not take
the power ring, and Ganthet departed with it. That ring's capabilities
and whereabouts remain unknown.
[GL3 # 62-64, P:EN # 1]
Some legends foretell the rise and fall of other Green Lanterns, such
as Rak Arranya, Taa, El'Qa Sqa Zreenah, and Perdoo. It is presumed one
power ring was passed through the ages, a ring that regained the
artificial intelligence feature of the original Oan power ring.
[GLA # 5]
CREATIVE TEAM:
Due to the changes in the power rings throughout the years, it would be
unfair to list only the creative teams of three books.
KNOWN APPEARANCES:
The power ring is featured in any story pertaining to Green Lantern.
'mouse note -
Even though the characters are called Green Lanterns, more emphasis is
placed on their power rings than their lantern shaped batteries. With these
magical or super-scientific pieces of jewelry, a Green Lantern could do
almost anything. Personally, I always felt the power ring was a green
version of "Harold and the Purple Crayon," a children's book by Crockett
Johnson.
Many fans ask where they can get a power ring. To promote GREEN LANTERN:
MOSAIC, DC gave out a "power ring" with the purchase of the first issue.
Made of green plastic, the power ring had a glowing plastic center and
remains a favorite collectible of Green Lantern fans. Knowing what a fan I
was of Green Lantern, the guy at my comic store gave me five rings (thanks
Tom, wherever you are!) one I gave to my brother-in-law, the rest I'm
keeping for the wife and kids. The Kenner Super Powers Green Lantern action
figure also came with a power ring, those it was a bit smaller and on the
cheesy side.
Warner Bros Studio Stores sometimes carry a silver version of the power
ring. Retailing for approximately $125.00, the ring is the circular version
of Hal's ring, not the insignia shaped ring.
This entry took many weeks to write and rewrite and many months before that
to gather the research. Opinions are welcome and discussion is encouraged
regarding the power ring's abilities. Thanks to Jack and Matthew for proof
reading and Julie for her help sorting out some of the science stuff.
Last Updated: December 17th 1997
GREEN LANTERN © 1997 DC COMICS, INC.