DC Announces New Black Lantern, Strongest of All Time

The most dangerous Lantern in Green Lantern lore is making a grand return, with a new Black Lantern who's even more powerful than Superman himself...

While most of the Lantern colors in Green Lantern lore draw their powers from a specific emotion, the Black Lanterns are different. Black Lantern rings tap into death itself, and a living being who wields one can resurrect and command the zombified corpses of the dead - complete with the skills and superpowers they had in life.

In the past, the Grim Reaper-like Nekron and Batman have both wielded Black Lantern rings, but now a shocking hero will become the latest to have that dubious honor...

Superman Is Becoming DC's New Black Lantern

Since early this year, Superman has been out of play in DC Comics, stepping outside reality in the conclusion of the DC K.O. event. Upon his return, he plunged straight into the Kingdom of Zod event, literally without even having time to shave. Now, DC reveals that as his solo adventures resume, he'll be investigating a "corrupted Black Lantern ring" that has chosen him as its host.

DC recently revealed solicit information for the upcoming Superman #43 and #44, which will challenge Clark Kent's skill as a journalist, as he investigates a mysterious cult. The first issue's summary reads:

THE MAN OF STEEL RETURNS TO METROPOLIS FOR A NEW STORY ARC BY JOSHUA WILLIAMSON AND NEW ONGOING SUPERMAN ARTIST XERMÁNICO!

After Superman was in DC K.O.'s tournament, lost in time, and at war with General Zod, Lois Lane gives Clark Kent a new adventure... to be a reporter?! Clark Kent begins a new investigation into a mysterious death cult in Metropolis, but he's not the only one on the case... Marilyn Moonlight makes her return! Both heroes are drawn to a dangerous side of Metropolis that Clark Kent didn't know existed, where one of DC Comics' greatest enemies is hiding...

Superman #44's summary offers more details:

NIGHT SHIFT CONTINUES! MYSTERY IN METROPOLIS! An old friend of Superman has gone missing in Metropolis. And they are not alone. Superman must show how he is not only a great hero but a great detective to uncover the truth behind a secret cult in Metropolis. But his search takes a deadly turn when he finds the cult worships a corrupted Black Lantern ring! One that tries to claim Superman as its new master! If Superman succumbs...Nekron will rise again!

Xermánico's cover for Superman #44 shows Superman wearing the Black Lantern ring, which is extending eldritch tentacles throughout his body. What does it look like when DC's ultimate champion of life becomes the master of the dead?

Is Superman Taking on Nekron?

With the solicit for Superman #44 promising Nekron will rise again and Xermánico's cover for #43 showing the villain's shadow against the moon, Green Lantern fans will be incredibly excited.

Nekron is one of the most powerful villains to ever torment the DC Universe, mentioned in the same breath as Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor. He's a bigger threat than even Superman can face alone, and would be the worst person possible to gain control over the Man of Steel.

Nekron is most famous as the antagonist of the Blackest Night event - the single biggest Green Lantern story in DC history, still referenced two decades later as a high watermark in event storytelling. Of course, with the DCU's Lanterns currently airing, it's no surprise DC is taking some big swings with Green Lantern lore...

Supergirl Is DC's Latest Blue Lantern

While Superman is DC's latest Black Lantern, Supergirl: Survive's alternate universe has turned Kara Zor-El into a surprise Blue Lantern, powered by hope. Supergirl showcased her immense power by recreating Krypton itself with her new powers, trying to give a young Kal-El an experience of his homeworld.

Meanwhile, Green Lantern Corps has seen the majority of Lanterns connect to the entire Emotional Spectrum, taking on a chrome appearance and vastly expanding their powers, with only a few 'Alpha Guardians' still connected to a single emotion, and stronger than ever before.

It's an incredibly exciting time to be a Green Lantern fan, as the comic franchise's lore spills out into the wider DC Universe, pulling iconic characters like Superman and Supergirl into the world of the Emotional Spectrum. At the same time, the Lanterns themselves have never looked more different, with DC redefining what the Emotional Spectrum means and how its colors can operate.

As Superman becomes Green Lantern lore's newest Black Lantern, fans of Hal Jordan's intergalactic peacekeepers are eating better than at any point since Blackest Night.

Superman #43 is coming October 28 from DC Comics, followed by Superman #44 on November 25.