Summary
One of the mainstays of theDCComics universe is the Lantern Corps mythology, forming the backbone of most of the space-faring stories. It was easy enough to follow; the Green Lanterns were kind of space cops, wearing rings powered by their willpower that let them generate hard-light constructs. Then there were Yellow Lanterns, powered by fear.
After that, things got a little trickier to keep track of. There are now ten different Lantern Corps powered by the so-called emotional spectrum. We’ve put them together in a list for you, along with their oath, to help you keep track of this fascinating aspect of the DC comics setting.
10Green Lantern Corps
Willpower
The most well-known of the Lantern Corps, and the one most likely to spawn a superhero for Earth, the Green Lanterns are an intergalactic peacekeeping force, dedicated to keeping sentient life across the galaxy safe using the power of willpower.
Mostly noble protectors, their oath is a stirring battlecry against dark forces.“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!“Don’t pretend you’ve never said this to hype yourself up. If you haven’t, give it a try; you’ll feel ready for anything.
9Sinestro Corps
Fear
Not content to be the Yellow Lantern Corps, their leader Sinestro named them after himself. The Yellow Lanterns harness thepower of fearand are regularly at odds with the Green Lanterns. The power of fear isn’t inherently evil but is regularly wielded by those with bad intentions.
Sinestro, not content with naming the Corps after himself, went so far as to include his name in their oath.“In blackest day, in brightest night, beware your fears made into light. Let those who attempt to stop what’s right burn like his power – Sinestro’s might!“Maybe Sinestro should have made a ring powered by arrogance.
8Red Lantern Corps
Rage
The Red Lantern rings are powered by the wearer’s rage, which means that most of the Red Lanterns areraving, mindless killers. There are a few exceptions, but generally speaking, they’re berserk killers.
Their oath reflects their anger and murderous nature.“With blood and rage of crimson red, ripped from a corpse so freshly dead, together with our hellish hate, we’ll burn you all, that is your Fate!“How charming.
7Orange Lantern Corps
Avarice
Powered by greed, there is only one Orange Lantern Corps because he hilariously refuses to share out any of the rings. Larfleeze, the sole Orange Lantern, instead fills out the ranks using his ring to create constructs of people he has killed.
The Orange Lantern Corps is also unique in having had two different oaths. The first one Larfleeze coined was,“What’s mine is mine and mine and mine. And mine and mine and mine! Not yours!“It was followed by his second, more poetic oath,“This power is mine, this is my light. Be it bright of day, or black of night. I lay claim to all that lays within my sight. To take what I want, that is my right!”
6Blue Lantern Corps
Hope
One of the more benevolent Lantern Corps, the Blue Lanterns are powered by the feeling of hope. Their goal is primarily to support other Lantern wielders who seek to do good, rather than replace them. They have a much longer and more selective recruitment process than other Corps, leaving them with one of the smallest memberships.
Their oath is another great one for giving yourself an emotional boost.“In fearful day, in raging night, with strong hearts full, our souls ignite! When all seems lost in the War of Light, look to the stars, for hope burns bright!”
5Indigo Tribe
Compassion
You might think a ring powered by compassion would be a good thing, and it is, sort of. The Indigo Tribe, less formal than other Lantern Corps, is made up of some of the worst killers and sadists in the universe. Their rings force them to feel compassion, making them experience remorse for their actions. They’ve had their agency removed, which ironically doesn’t seem very compassionate.
Using their powers for good is nice and all, but the whole thing feels a little off. Even their oath is inscrutable, made in an alien language.“Tor lorek san, bor nakka mur, Natromo faan tornek wot ur, Ter lantern ker lo Abin Sur, Taan lek lek nok – Formorrow Sur!”
4Star Sapphire Corps
Love
The Star Sapphire Corps are powered bythe emotion of love, which is a wonderful thing. Usually. Although often a force for good, the Star Sapphires are often people who have been loved and spurned, leading to a lot of angry exes who now have superpowers. you may see how that might cause problems.
Their oath, at least, conveys the essence of what you would hope a group dedicated to love would carry.“For hearts long lost and full of fright,for those alone in blackest night,accept our ring and join our fight!”
3Black Lantern Corps
Death
Okay, yes, admittedly, death isn’t an emotion despite what the Black Lantern Corps would have you believe. But in this context, death represents a total absence of emotion, which sort of makes sense. Does having the power of no emotions let you raise the dead? DC Comics says yes.
The force that all other Lantern Corps would unite to fight against, the Black Lanterns are a threat unlike any other in the universe. They are the blackest night so many other oaths refer to, including their own.“The Blackest Night falls from the skies. The darkness grows as all light dies. We crave your hearts and your demise. By my Black Hand, the dead shall rise!”
2White Lantern Corps
Life
If the Black Lanterns representing death are the absence of emotion, then their perfect opposite is the White Lanterns. Associated with life, it would be more accurate to say that they’re the Lantern Corps representing the full emotional spectrum, life in living colour.
There has never been an officially revealed oath for the White Lanterns, but there is one that fans have adopted. As stated by Sinestro when he became a White Lantern it’s not as long as the other oaths, but it is beautiful. It is simply,“Live.”
1Ultraviolet Corps
Repressed Emotion
The most recently revealed Lantern Corps, the Ultraviolet Corps represent hidden emotions. Anything that you could feel that you might try to hide from yourself or others is represented here; emotions like shame, guilt, or sadness.
These so-called negative emotions are something the Ultraviolet Corps wishes to bring into the light and reveal, showing people their true selves. It might be a noble goal, a sort of mental health corps in another timeline perhaps, but their methods leave a lot to be desired. They don’t leave us wanting with their oath though, it’s got something special about it.“By shield of day, and shield of night, we feed and grow, beyond all sight your darkest self shall be our knight, wield the sword of unseen light!”
