The first issue of the new Green Lantern series features a new partnership between two unlikely Lanterns that may be the start of something epic.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Green Lantern #1 by Geoffrey Thorne, Dexter Soy, Marco Santucci, Alex Sinclair & Rob Leigh, on sale now
One of the most notable elements of the Green Lantern franchise are the number of heroes who go by that title, and the unique elements they can bring to the role. This includes Simon Baz, who was introduced by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke during the New 52 era. Now, he’s been given a new responsibility, and it might be the perfect role for him to play.
Green Lantern #1 just teased the concept of Simon Baz becoming partners with Teen Lantern, and he might really be the perfect mentor for the young hero.
Keli Quintela is one of the youngest ring-wielders in the history of the DC Universe. The Bolivian pre-teen discovered a dying alien, who gave her a device that ended up having the ability to absorb energy from the Green Lantern Power Battery. Dubbing herself Teen Lantern, Keli became a member of the newly restructured Young Justice team. Now, in the Post Dark Nights: Death Metal DC Universe, the Green Lantern Corps have decided to try to figure out the full truth behind her equipment. This involves being brought to Oa for the first time, with Keli forging connections with John Stewart and Simon Baz, two of the Earth-born Green Lanterns.
Both of them are present for when she’s brought before the Guardians, and although both of them try to convince her to maintain a straightforward relationship with them, they also defend her to the Guardians as their attempts to learn more about the gauntlet risk removing it from her and dismantling it. Since John is busy with his surprise commitment to the Guardians of the Universe as an impartial voice in their decision-making, Simon becomes the primary person to watch over Keli. He also proves to be a capable caretaker, providing her with some food and helping watch over her when a group of apparent dissidents from Gemworld attack Oa. But he specifically tries to be a good example to her, showing his potential as a mentor to the young hero.
Simon also does his best to soothe over any conflict between her and others who come seeking chaos on the planet — but jumps to her defense as soon as a fight breaks out. When Simon became a Green Lantern, it was hinted that his greatest attribute as a Lantern would be as a “Miracle Worker,” helping train others like Jessica Cruz in the use of their abilities and making them into the best Green Lanterns they could be. While Jessica now his peer and equal, it might be time for Simon to be fully partnered with someone new like Keli, giving him the chance to help her hone her abilities while she discovers more about the device she’s utilizing.
With the possible fate of Future State awaiting the Green Lantern Corps — including Keli being stranded in the middle of the cosmos with a depowered Mogo — this might be the perfect way for Baz to prepare her for the kind of dangerous universe that awaits them. It would also give Simon a clear mission in the current DC Universe as the human Lantern dedicated to training — potentially setting him up as the next generation’s version of Kilowog. It’s the perfect role for Simon to take, helping him carve out his own unique place within the Green Lantern mythos as it continues to expand and grow.
