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Green Lantern Corps: Red Lantern

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Disappointed by how the Green Lantern Corps changed since the Guardians left, Kilowog longed for the way things were before coming to Earth. After learning about "communism," Kilowog decided to give

      For introduction of the Red Lantern Corps, see Rage of the Red Lanterns.

 Green Lantern Corps: Red Lantern is a story arc in The Green Lantern Corps (vol. 1), in which Kilowog visits the Soviet Union and co-created the Rocket Red Brigade.

Synopsis

Disappointed by how the Green Lantern Corps changed since the Guardians left, Kilowog longed for the way things were before coming to Earth. After learning about "communism," Kilowog decided to give it a try and see the other "side" of the world.

A Russian spy he met in America took him to meet Mikhail Gorbachev, who showed Kilowog the "Rocket Red" project, an armored army of Soviet soldiers. There, Kilowog met and befriended Josef Denisovich. Using his knowledge as a genetic engineer, Kilowog helped them get successful results, and Josef became the first Rocket Red soldier.

Getting near his power ring's limit, Kilowog called his Power Battery, drawing the attention of his fellow Green Lanterns, who followed it to Soviet air space. At first, the Russians attacked the invaders, and the Green Lanterns defended themselves. Kilowog intervened to calm his friends down, claiming that Russia was his home now. Katma and John decided to accompany him and see his side of the situation, splitting the Corps into two groups.[1]

Gorbachev welcomed John and Katma with open arms, trying to prove that he had nothing to hide. But the differences in political views caused them to disagree, and Gorbachev saw them as a threat. Thus he ordered the newly operating Rocket Red Brigade to capture the Green Lanterns without letting Kilowog or Josef know about it.

The news of the "defecting" Green Lanterns reached Guy Gardner, who proposed to attack the Soviet Union head-on. Despite Hal Jordan rejected the idea, Guy headed straight to Russia, blasting any defenses he encountered and triggering a red alert on both countries.[2] Kilowog confronted the invader in an airborne fight, and the Rocket Red Brigade joined shortly. Guy got the upper hand over them, and the soldiers let it slip that if he hurt them, they would kill John and Katma, much to Kilowog's surprise.

President Reagan informed the Green Lanterns in America about the brewing situation in Russia, and they headed there immediately to stop any conflict. Soviet radars detected the U.F.O.s, but they assumed they were American projectiles, so Gorbachev ordered to retaliate, shooting all the missiles in their arsenal. The Green Lanterns intercepted the rockets, thus averting World War III.

While Guy rescued John and Katma, Kilowog confronted Gorbachev directly, accusing him of betraying their confidence. Under the order of the General Secretary, Josef, wearing his Rocket Red Armor, stepped in to defend Gorbachev and fight Kilowog. Both friends, reluctant to fight each other, took their fight outside, crashing through multiple buildings. When the battle reached a standstill, Kilowog offered Josef to escape Russia with him, but Josef was a patriot who loved his country, and he would never turn his back on his motherland. Kilowog was forced to strike one final blow, which smacked Josef to the ground, killing him. World War III was averted, but Kilowog, kneeling over his friend's corpse, witnessed first-hand the terrible consequences of war.[3]

Issues

Notes

Recommended Reading

Links and References


  1. ↑ Green Lantern Corps #208
  2. ↑ Green Lantern Corps #209
  3. ↑ Green Lantern Corps #210
Green Lantern Storyline
This event or storyline specifically revolves around the Green Lantern of Earth, or the Green Lantern Corps as a whole. This template will automatically categorize articles that include it into the Green Lantern Storylines category.
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