Little Known Facts About Green Lantern

The film "Green Lantern" hit theaters this summer. Actor Ryan Reynolds played the self-titled superhero. Die-hard comic book fans might know a lot about Green Lantern, but the average movie-goer probably isn't that familiar with the character. So, for the average guy, here are some little known facts:

Little known facts on the first Green Lantern: Green Lantern was first brought to life by All-American Comics writer Bill Figers and artist Martin Nodell. The character in the Ryan Reynolds' movie had the real name of Hal Jordan and was a test pilot. Whereas, the first character's real name was Alan Scott and was a railroad engineer.

Little known facts on Hal Jordan: Alan Scott was changed to Hal Jordan in 1959 by DC Comics. Sometimes, Hal Jordan would give his ring to Clark Kent after becoming injured and falling from the sky.

Little known facts on actors: Ryan Reynolds was not the first actor to play the superhero. Howard Murphy first played him in the 1977 TV series "Legend of the Superheroes".

Little known facts about other Green Lanterns: Hal Jordan and Alan Scott are not the only Green Lanterns. Guy Gardner, John Stewart, and Kyle Rayner are three others. Guy Gardner started out as a trouble man who eventually became a teacher and Hal Jordan's back-up. John Stewart is an African American who is also an architect and marine, and became the back-up after Guy Gardner got hurt. Kyle Rayner began as a Mexican American who grew up rather poor with an absentee father and eventually became a graphic artist.

Little known facts about the oath: Hal Jordan's oath is quoted as being "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!" The original oath of Alan Scott, though, was "and I shall shed my light over dark evil. For the dark things cannot stand the light, the light of the Green Lantern!"

Fact Sources:

Muir, John Kenneth. "The Encyclopedia of Superheroes on Film and Television." McFarland and Company, Inc.; North Carolina. (2008)

Wikipedia, "Green Lantern"