Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) Reading Order

This reading order is designed to give an outline of major storylines featuring Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) throughout DC Comics. It may not encompass every one of his appearances but is an outline of the major ones and the stories that affect them.

The continuity details relating to each specific storyline are explained in the “Review” of each storyline. Every “Review” link will provide a detailed continuity breakdown of that story and will explain any reference the story makes to other aspects of the DC Universe. All of this can be found under the “Continuity” section of each link.

New 52

With the start of the New 52, the DC Universe was reset. However, Hal Jordan and most characters related to the Green Lantern series were less affected by this reset than other characters. It appears as if most of Hal’s solo history was preserved, specifically his position and history within the Green Lantern Corps and the status quo established at the conclusion of the Green Lantern: War of the Green Lanterns event.

Hal Jordan’s major appearances in this era mostly play out through the Green Lantern series, in which he had a starring role. His role in this series allowed him to take part in numerous Green Lantern crossover events, including Rise of the Third Army (Reading Order), Wrath of the First Lantern (Reading Order), Lights Out (Reading Order), and Godhead (Reading Order). This series sees almost all of Hal’s character development from this era and directly leads to his transition into the Rebirth era.

In addition, Hal Jordan is a member of the Justice League (Reading Order). His early appearances with the team redefine how it was founded, in the wake of this era’s continuity changes. Then, after a period of absence from the team, he returns to it for the Darkseid War (Reading Order) event.

GL:NG = Green Lantern: New Guardians
JLA = Justice League of America
Justice League issues are from the Vol. 3 series.
Green Lantern issues are from the Vol. 5 series.
The Flash issues are from the Vol. 4 series.
Green Lantern Corps issues are from the Vol. 5 series.
Justice League of America issues are from the Vol. 4 series.
Lobo issues are from the Vol. 3 series.

Notes

1. Hal Jordan only appears for a page or two in each issue from Green Lantern #0 and Green Lantern #13-17. However, these pages are critical in understanding his situation at this time. Plus, they help give a full picture of the storyline at the time.
2. These events all star Hal Jordan as a supporting character. In addition, they all take place around the same time as Green Lantern #21, rather than immediately after it. They are placed after it on this reading order as we suggest readers understand the changes made in Green Lantern #21 before reading these issues.
3. Hal's role in these issues is pretty small. However, they help expand on his relationships with John Stewart (Reading Order) and Sinestro (Reading Order) respectively.
4. This story arc centers around the Justice League (Reading Order), which, at this time, Hal Jordan was a member of. However, during this story arc, Hal ends up being more of a secondary character, as other members of the team take the spotlight.
5. This issue briefly features Hal Jordan but mostly focuses on the New 52 version of Lobo (Reading Order). However, it may be of interest to readers looking to see more of Hal's adventures as a "Renegade".

Other Appearances

• Hal stars alongside Harley Quinn (Reading Order) in Harley's Little Black Book #2, collected in Harley's Little Black Book (Review). However, the events of this issue, and most of the Harley Quinn series, appear to take place at an unspecified time separate from the main DC continuity.
• A pre-Zero Hour version of Hal Jordan has a moderate presence in this era of comics. This version starts with a pretty significant role in the universe but ends up not making much of an impact. His storyline can be read in the following issues in the following order:  Convergence: Green Lantern/Parallax #1-2, collected in Convergence: Zero Hour Book Two (Review); Convergence 7-8, collected in Convergence (Review) (Reading Order); Telos 5-6, collected in Telos (Review), and Green Lantern #47-50, collected in Green Lantern Vol. 8: Reflections (Review)

Rebirth

The transition from the New 52 to the Rebirth does not appear to introduce any major continuity changes for Hal Jordan. It directly continues the narrative from the previous era, with his first Rebirth appearance addressing cliffhangers from his last New 52 appearance.

In the Rebirth era, Green Lantern's adventures mainly play out in the Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps series. Hal stars in this series alongside several other Green Lanterns, like Guy Gardner (Reading Order), John Stewart (Reading Order), and Kyle Rayner (Reading Order), and the series explores the bulk of the Green Lantern Corps' activities. Besides this, Hal also appears as a mentor figure in a few issues of Green Lanterns, helps his friends in issues of The Flash (Reading Order) and Green Arrow (Reading Order), and makes a few small appearances alongside the Justice League (Reading Order).

HJatGLC = Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps
The Flash issues are from the Vol. 5 series
Green Arrow issues are from the Vol. 6 series
Justice League issues are from the Vol. 3 series
Superman issues are from the Vol. 4 series

Notes

1. In these issues of Green Lanterns, Hal only makes small appearances that typically have him assume the position of a mentor. These are not necessary to his progression in this era but help show his relationship with Simon Baz (Reading Order) and Jessica Cruz (Reading Order).
2. This issue is a broad overview of the Green Lantern Corps' future. Hal is a part of this future but does not play a large role in the issue so it can be skipped if desired.
3. Hal has a supporting role in these issues. They do not do much to advance his personal story but they elaborate on his relationship with the Flash (Reading Order).
4. Hal has a supporting role in these issues. They do not do much to advance his personal story but they elaborate on his relationship with Green Arrow (Reading Order).
5. This issue is an inspiration story about a group of children visiting the Justice League (Reading Order). Hal only has a small role in the issue but its upbeat tone showcases him in a unique light.
6. Though this story arc still primarily features Simon Baz (Reading Order) and Jessica Cruz (Reading Order), Hal has a larger role in it than in previous Green Lanterns stories.
7. Hal makes a few brief appearances in the Justice League: No Justice (Reading Order) event. However, his role is much smaller than most heroes involved.

All DC Comics Reading Orders