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 OATHS OF THE CORPSHISTORY 
Created by various

The Original Universe

PUBLICATION DATA


Name: Oaths of the Corps
First Appearance: various
Creators: various




HISTORY

Despite the vast power of the emerald power ring, it is limited to a finite operating period before it needs to be recharged. A number of ring wielders consider this a solemn, private moment, when they would reaffirm their dedication. Though an oath is not necessary for the ring or power battery to function properly, it can be used for timing and to steel the ring wielder's concentration.

- Showcase #22

Oaths may reflect the ring wielder's adventures, their homeworld, the cosmos, or be a battle cry. A few Green Lanterns, such as Lysandra of Zintha, chose oaths to honor their deities, and would speak it as a prayer. - Green Lantern Vol. 2 #162

A number of oaths, such as that of Olapet of Southern Goldstar, remain untranslatable by the power ring. Katma Tui-Stewart of Korugar did not choose to recite an oath for many years. She would remain silent while recharging her power ring, but later chose a fellow ring wielder's oath. It is not known when members of the Green Lantern Corps started the practice of reciting oaths. Some oaths have been passed down through the years. - Green Lantern Corps #217

A Green Lantern might honor his/her/its predecessor, trainer, or other notable Green Lantern by adopting their oath. The most widely known oath was that of Hal Jordan of Earth, considered the greatest Green Lantern off all. Jordan's oath would be adopted by many of his fellow Green Lanterns, including most of the Green Lantern Corps of Earth. One member of that Corps, Salakk of Slyggia, chose to keep his oath, the oath spoken by Tomar-Re and Alan Scott. - Showcase #22; Green Lantern Vol. 2 #36 - #201

Jordan's oath was composed a week after he became Green Lantern. Each line has special significance to the emerald crusader. He explained how he wrote the oath to Tom "Pieface" Kalmaku, keeper of the Green Lantern Casebook.

"In brightest day" was from a bank robbery involving a super-magnesium bomb. When the device exploded, anyone without protective eye-goggles were blinded, including Hal Jordan. He switched to his Green Lantern identity, but still could not see the bank robbers. Green Lantern used his ring as a radar device and managed to capture the criminals.

A day or so later, Green Lantern followed a trio of train robbers to a network of caves in the Sierro Hills. The robbers had memorized every foot of the caves and easily eluded capture. The cave was darkened by a thick, black fog that even the power ring had trouble penetrating. Green Lantern commanded the ring to make the robbers themselves glow. Sweeping the beam around the cave, the robbers were now visible, even "in blackest night..."

A break-in at Ferris Aircraft netted two burglars a safe containing a large sum of money, the company payroll. Green Lantern knew he had no time to waste. It was his duty to find the criminals, "...no evil will escape my sight..." no matter how difficult it would be. He blanketed the area surrounding Ferris Aircraft with a wide belt of radiation. When the safe was blown, Green Lantern detected the minute earth tremors which led him to the criminals.

The last two lines "...let those who worship evil's might, beware my power --Green Lantern's light!" were added to make the oath rhyme. - Green Lantern Vol. 2 #10

In later years, Jordan changed the oath slightly. The word "blackest" was replaced with "darkest." He told Kalmaku that he was becoming a bit politically correct. -::Green Lantern Vol. 3 #43

To be denied the recitation of the oath is a mark of dishonor. As seen in the case of Dalor of Timron, a Green Lantern accused of malfeasance may not speak his oath until his guilt or innocence is determined. Though the Green Lantern of Timron was cleared of charges leveled against him, he later adopted the oath of Tomar-Re, the previous ring wielder of Space Sector 2813. - Green Lantern Vol. 2 #155, #193

The sad case of Driq of Criq shows how important the oath is to a Green Lantern. Even after his death, his ring refused to let his life force escape his body. Despite the obvious difficulties, he still managed to verbalize some thought during the charging of his power ring. - Green Lantern Corps #217,

OATHS OF THE GREEN LANTERNS

Prior to the rebirth of the Green Lantern Corps, some members of the Corps spoke their own oaths.

ALAN SCOTT'S OATHS

And I shall shed my light over dark evil,
For the dark things cannot stand the light,
the light of the Green Lantern!
All-American Comics #16 (July 1940) Martin Nodell, Bill Finger
Tomar-Re of Xudar
Green Lantern Vol. 2 #38


-this would altered slightly in some comics, with "upon" replacing "over" in All-American Comics #23

I shall shed my light upon dark evil,
For evil cannot stand the light of Green Lantern!
Green Lantern Vol. 1 #4 (Summer 1942)


Let the light of the lantern
penetrate the dark places
of ignorance and wrong,
setting all minds right
and overthrowing all servants of evil!


I shed my light upon the darkness!
Evil has no place to hide itself!
Green Lantern goes forth to conquer!
Green Lantern Vol. 1 #5 (Autumn 1942)
My rays strike the darkest corner,
Banishing all wickedness!
All-American Comics #45 (December 1942)


Let all power and triumph be mine in whatever right I do!
Comic Cavalcade #1/6 (Winter 1942-1943), Bill FInger


The light of the Green Lantern
pierces darkness and mystery,
and its radiance
will strike at the heart of evil!
Green Lantern Vol. 1 #6 (Winter 1942-1943)


As the green rays strike forth into darkness,
so may all black evil be exposed and driven away!
All-American Comics #47 (February 1943)


HAL JORDAN'S OATHS

In brightest day
in blackest night,
no evil shall escape my sight!
Let those who worship evil's might,
beware my power,
Green Lantern's light!
-Alan Scott, the Golden Age Green Lantern
1943, credited to Alfred Bester
Showcase #22 (September-October 1959) – John Broome


In brightest day,
in blackest night,
all evil shall escape my sight!
let those who worship evil's might
fear not my power
Green Lantern's light.
-Hal Jordan (Hal was controlled by the Spectarns, a hostile alien race)
Green Lantern Vol. 2 #13 (June 1962) – John Broome


In brightest day,
in blackest night,
no justice shall escape my sight,
let those who worship justice's might,
beware my power,
Evil Green Lantern's light!
-The "Evil Green Lanterns" led by Sinestro
(Sinestro had stolen the Central Power Battery to form his own "Corps")
Green Lantern Vol. 2 #52 (April 1967) – John Broome


By daylight fair,
and darkest hour,
no evil may
withstand my power
"The Arcane Green Lantern" of Earth-13
Infinite Crisis: Fight for the Multiverse #2 (October 2014) - Dan Abnett

ABIN SUR

I will fear no evil,
for I illuminate the darkness
with the light of justice --
the justice of the Green Lantern!"
Legends of the DC Universe #21 (April 1999) - Steven Grant

ANYA SAVENLOVICH

For social justice
and the future of
workers everywhere
Green Lantern: The New Corps #2 (April 1999) - Chuck Dixon

BARIN

In this place of black and grey and dark...
the green shall be my light, my hope, my strength.
All that is good is all I defend.
I shall not falter."
Green Lantern Corps Quarterly #7 (Winter 1993): "Green Hell!" - James Robinson]

DALOR

I charge this ring with matchless might,
To banish all of evil's blight.
May all my --
(interrupted before completion)
Green Lantern Vol. 2 #155 (August 1982) - Mike W. Barr

DRIQ

PLUPHH!
Green Lantern Corps #217 (October 1987) - Steve Englehart
(since death, Driq's verbal skills are not what they used to be)

EDDORE

From lantern comes the gift we give -
-to shed light's grace on all that live!
Tales of the Green Lantern Corps #1 ( ) - Len Wein
...power to foil evil with me instill...
my Green Lantern vow to fulfill!
Green Lantern Vol. 2 #160 (January 1983): "Head Trip" by Mike W. Barr

FLODO SPAN

Once there was but darkness,
full and forever--
but then came the light of the Green Lantern--
and then myself--
to do it justice!"
Green Lantern Corps #217 (October 1987) - Steve Englehart
(alteration of K'ryssma's oath)

GARL RATHBONE

uh...
I swear only to do the right thing and not hurt anyone...
uh... who doesn't deserve it already."
Green Lantern: The New Corps #2 (April 1999) - Chuck Dixon

GREEN MAN

Bring light to the ring,
I charge thee--unveil every evil around me!
Replenish the power to--"
Omega Men #29 - Todd Klein
(interrupted before completion)

GUY GARDNER

On worlds afar or scenes at home,
wherever the cause should make me roam,
always I vow to fight the good fight--
to combat evil with all Green Lantern's might!
Green Lantern Vol. 2 #59 (1968) - John Broome

HAMMEROON

To protect the weak
and have the guts
to hunt down the bad guys
and kick their ---
Green Lantern: The New Corps #2 (April 1999) - Chuck Dixon

JACK T. CHANCE

You who are wicked, evil, and mean--
I'm the nastiest creep you've *ever* seen!
Come one, come all; put up a fight;
I'll pound your butts with Green Lantern's light.
Yowza."
Green Lantern Corps Quarterly #1/2 (Summer 1992): "Layin' Down the Law" - John Ostrander

KHO KHARHI

Against dishonor and traitor’s flight
I stand beside my clan to fight
With dying breath I claw and bite
Beware my power
Green Lantern’s light!"
Wonder Woman Vol. 3 #19 (June 2008): Expatriate Part 2: Lifeblood by Gail Simone

K'RYSSMA

Once there was but darkness,
full and forever-
but then came the light,
and then the life,
and then the light of the Green Lantern--
and then myself,
to do it justice!"
Green Lantern Vol. 2 #198 (March 1986): "1, 0" by Steve Englehart

KT21

In brightest day,
in blackest night,
no evil shall escape my sight..."
Green Lantern Vol. 2 #187/2 (April 1985): "Forever Blowing Bubbles" by Mike Baron
(variation of Hal's oath)

LIANA

The cosmos through,
in every part,
one thing endures:
a loving heart.
Against the knaves
who'd quell this song
Green Lanterns stand,
to right the wrong!
Green Lantern Vol. 2 #162 (March 1983): "The Price You Pay!" by Kurt Busiek

LYSANDRA

As I touch this battery,
flow the power into me.
Guide my hand, my heart, my soul...
make right and justice my lasting goal!
In the name of Thar...Amen!"
Green Lantern Vol. 2 #169 (September 1983): "The Lyssandra Saga, Part Two: Sun-Fall!" by Jack C. Harris

MEDPHYLL

In forest dark or glade beferned,
no blade of grass shall go unturned.
Let those that have the daylight spurned,
tread not where this green lamp has burned
Swamp Thing Vol. 2 #61 - Alan Moore

PENELOPS

In brightest light,
in darkest sea,
all dangers will be seen by me!
While others from these dangers flee,
I shall always a Green Lantern be!
Green Lantern Vol. 2 #159/2 (December 1982) - Bob Rozakis

PERDOO

When day is bright...
...or is it night?
No... ah...
...something or other
will escape my sight...
...let those who...who...
Let all those looking for a fight...
...something something something...
Green Lantern's light."
Green Lantern Annual Vol. 3 #5 (1996) - Len Wein
(confused variation of Hal's oath)

RAK ARRANYA

In brightest day,
in darkest night,
beware my power--
Green Lantern's light!"
Green Lantern Annual Vol. 3 #5 (1996) - Chuck Dixon
(variation of Hal's oath)
Later used by: Taa

ROT LOP FAN

In loudest din or hush profound,
my ears catch evil's slightest sound.
Let those who toll out evil's knell,
beware my power: The F-Sharp Bell!"
Green Lantern Corps Annual #3 (1987) - Alan Moore

SINESTRO

Let those who worship evil's might--
beware my power,
the power of the Green Lantern!"
Green Lantern Corps #222 ( ) - Steve Englehart
(flashback to his days as GL, a modification of Hal's oath)

SOOL

To bring order to chaos.
Law to the lawless
and light to the shadow
Green Lantern: The New Corps #2 (April 1999) - Chuck Dixon

OATH OF THE TEEN LANTERN CORPS

That the ring's light
will always be shared
and that no evildoer
shall ever be spared"
Green Lantern: Circle of Fire #1 -(2000) - Brian Vaughn
Teen Lantern Corps (Forrest & Hunter) (manifestations of Kyle Rayner’s imagination)

SODAM YAT OF DAXAM - 31ST CENTURY GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE

In brightest day
through blackest night!
No other corps shall spread its light!
Let those who try to stop what’s right
burn like my power
Green Lantern's light!
Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds #3 (2009) – Geoff Johns


N'GON

N'Gon (a villain who took Hal Jordan's ring and battery) -

With power present in lantern's light,
No force shall stay my hand this night!
Let those who do prepare to fight,
Dare no man challenge N'Gon's might!"
DC Comics Presents #26 - Jim Starlin

OATH OF THE EVIL GREEN LANTERNS

In brightest day
in blackest night,
no justice shall escape my sight!
Let those who worship justice's might,
beware my power,
Evil Green Lantern's light!
-Sinestro's Evil Green Lanterns
Green Lantern Vol. 2 #52 (April 1967) – John Broome


OATH OF THE BLUE LANTERN CORPS

In fearful day
In raging night
With strong hearts full
Our souls ignite
When all seems lost
In the war of light
Look to the Stars
For hope burns bright!
Green Lantern Vol. 4 #36 (January 2009) – Geoff Johns


OATH OF THE INDIGO TRIBE

Tor lorek san,
bor nakka mur.
Natromo faan tornek wot ur.
Ter Lantern ker lo Abin Sur.
Taan lek lek nok -- formorrow sur!
Blackest Night #5 (January 2010) – Geoff Johns


OATH OF THE STAR SAPPHIRES

For hearts long lost
And full of fright
For those alone in Blackest Night
Accept our ring
And join our fight
Love conquers all
With violet light!
Green Lantern Vol. 4 #38 (March 2009) – Geoff Johns


OATH OF THE RED LANTERN CORPS

With blood and rage of crimson red
Ripped from a corps so freshly dead
Together with our hellish hate
We’ll burn you all, that is your fate!
Green Lantern Vol. 4 #32 (August 2008) – Geoff Johns


OATH OF LARFLEEZE

What's mine is mine
and mine and mine
and mine and mine
and mine! Not yours!
Green Lantern Vol. 4 #20 (2013) – Geoff Johns


BIZARRO YELLOW LANTERN

In blackest day,
in brightest night...
huh? Why battery not charging my power ring?"
DC Comics Presents #71 - E. Nelson Bridwell


OATH OF THE SINESTRO CORPS

In blackest day, in brightest night!
Beware your fears made into light.
Let those who try to stop what’s right –
Burn like his power –
Sinestro’s might!
Green Lantern Vol. 4 #21 (September 2007) – Geoff Johns


OATH OF THE BLACK LANTERN CORPS

The Blackest Night falls from the skies
The darkness grows as all light dies
We crave your hearts and your demise
By my black hand --- the dead shall rise!
Blackest Night #0 (May 2009) – Geoff Johns


OATH OF THE PHANTOM LANTERN

In desperate day, in hopeless night...
The Phantom Ring is our last light
We yearn for power, strength and might...
I seize the ring, that is my right!
Green Lanterns #10 (January 2017) – Sam Humphries


OATH OF THE DAWNBREAKER

With darkness black I choke the light!
No brightest day escapes my sight!
I turn the dawn to midnight!
Beware my power - Dawnbreaker's might!
Batman: The Dawnbreaker #1 (December 2017) – Sam Humphries


OATH OF ZUNDERNELL, THE GOLDEN LANTERN OF EARTH 15

"With signal green comes darkest night
That superstitious fearful might
Beware the creature of the night --
The weird avenger, blazing bright!"
The Green Lantern #11 (November 2019) – Grant Morrison


OATH OF BAT-LANTERN OF EARTH 32

"With signal green comes darkest night
That superstitious fearful might
Beware the creature of the night --
The weird avenger, blazing bright!"
The Green Lantern #11 (November 2019) – Grant Morrison


OATH OF FLASHLIGHT OF EARTH 36

"When all is dark and in despair
The night's made bright
By Flaslight's glare!
All evil things had best beware,
By seven lights this oath I swear!"
The Green Lantern #11 (November 2019) – Grant Morrison


OATH OF MAGIC LANTERN OF EARTH 47

"When it's groovy, when it's grim,
We hum the Living Guru's Hymm.
When other Lanterns lose their shit
We keep the Magic Lantern lit!"
The Green Lantern #11 (November 2019) – Grant Morrison


OATH OF THE ULTRAVIOLET CORPS

By shield of day, and shield of night...
We feed and grow, beyond all sight...
Your darkest self shall be our knight,
Wield the sword... of unseen light!
Justice League Vol. 4 #2 (August 2018) – Scott Snyder


OATH OF THE DREAD LANTERN

And I shall shed my light for fiery evil...
for death alone survives the light...
THE LIGHT OF THE DREAD LANTERN!
Tales from the Dark Multiverse: Crisis on Infinite Earths #1 (February 2021) - Steve Orlando

OATH OF THE SHADOW LANTERNS

In deepest space
On planets far and near
The Shadow Lanterns now are here
And all who would do evil will always fear
The army that does the will
Of its Lord Premier
Green Lantern Vol. 7 #14/2 (October 2024) - Marc Guggenheim

GLCWP NOTES

Other heroes had magic words, to invoke the name of "Shazam!" granted Billy Batson the powers of the World's Mightiest Mortal. In the Green Lantern Corps, the ring wielders had their magic words too. They chose their own. These words were not needed for the power, but they added a little something extra to the characters.

The story behind the most famous Green Lantern oath of all, "In brightest day..." was told by Hal Jordan to his friend, Tom Kalmaku in Green Lantern Vol. 2 #10 (January 1962): "The Origin of Green Lantern's Oath!" The tale was written by John Broome.

The true creator of Hal's oath remains debatable. I've read references crediting science fiction novelist Alfred Bester as the oath's author, but I've also read he denied writing it.

Alan Scott's oath was given to Tomar-Re in Green Lantern Vol. 2 #36 (April 1965). According to then-editor Julius Schwartz, none of the old-time fans noticed.

Oaths were always a popular aspect of the Green Lantern mythos. A number of readers sent in oaths they created for certain characters.

I am chosen over all the rest
I must not fail when put to the test
Come what may,
Come what might,
I am forever the servant of the Lantern's light
Green Lantern Vol. 2 #146 (November 1981) Letter Column. For Arisia by Bob Kohut


For honor, duty, freedom, right,
I wield the power of Lantern's light;
All good rejoice, all evil flee,
for that power resides with me.
Green Lantern Vol. 2 #148 (January 1982) Letter Column. For Arkkis Chummuck by Pam Miller


I recharge my ring to use its power
To help the victims in their needing hour
And though my mindstalks may cease to live
I will use all the power I have to give.
Green Lantern Vol. 2 #162 (March 1983)Letter column. For Medphyll by Tony St. Clair


The light of justice is so serene,
that evil's dark can ne'er demean.
The light of justice must be seen-
And it shall-
in the lantern green.
Green Lantern Vol. 2 #163 (April 1983) Letter column. One of 15 oaths by Kevin Dooley


In blackest day or brightest night
Watermelon, cantaloupe, yadda yadda
Superstitious and cowardly lot
With liberty and justice for all
Duck Dodgers in the 24 1/2 Century: The Green Loontern
And, when Kilowog does a little more traditional version, Dodgers adds, "Yay team!"


Profile originally posted on America OnLine 8/5/1996.


CHRONOLOGY

This event was .

For a definitive list of Oaths of the Corps in chronological order click here

INDEXED ISSUES

For a list of indexed issues in this event click here




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