Warning! Spoilers ahead for Green Lantern #14!I’m not gonna lie, I was slightly confused seeingGreen Lantern’sally/love interest/occasional villain Star Sapphire in the promotional materials for the newJustice League Unlimitedseries. But her recent journey is making it clear that Carol Ferris is truly ready to join the big leagues.
Carol has come a long way since she first battled her on-again/off-again love interest Hal Jordan. She’s been a villain, a CEO, and even a queen. But in all her time, she’s never been a dedicated superhero, much less one willing tofight with the Justice League. ButAbsolute Poweris giving Carol a brand-new perspective on the life of a hero.
Star Sapphire’s Time with the Justice Society is Teaching Her About Heroism
InGreen Lantern #14by Jeremy Adams and Fernando Pasarin, Oclair Albert, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Dave Sharpe, Amanda Waller’s reign of terror continues. The Justice Societyhas just encountered Jadestone, one of Task Force VII’s powerful Amazo soldiers. Thankfully, Alan Scott was able to save his comrades by willingly going with the android to Waller’s prison on Gamorra Island to help it understand free will. The two play a game of chess, but just as Alan starts to teach Jadestone about decision-making,the android detects Hal Jordan making an escape attempt.
…Star Sapphire begins to admire the team and their determination to save the day.
The younger Green Lantern’s Power Ring has no energy, forcing him to dig into the armory for any equipment that can fight back against Waller’s Task Force agents. Hal holds his own using devices such as Condiment King’s guns and Blue Devil’s trident. Unfortunately, Jadestone is far more powerful than any weapons Waller has confiscated. Hal makes a break for it and thankfully crashes into a box that contains Abra Kadabra’s wand. With a wave of the wand,Green Lantern disappears and winds up in Themyscira with his Justice League allies.
Far from the chaos, Carol Ferris is hiding out with the last free members of the Justice Society in the Tower of Fate. They discuss a plan to strike back at Waller and recover their missing members. As they talk, Star Sapphire begins to admire the team and their determination to save the day. Carol even wonders if she could be a brave or a hero like them. As it happens,the Justice Society needs someone to be their eyes and ears and the powerless heroes all turn to Star Sapphire.
Carol Ferris Has Embraced Being Star Sapphire Again
While she’s usually all about business, Carol’s life has had huge amounts of excitement, largely due to her connection to Hal Jordan. But after years of being Star Sapphire and all the stress it brought, Carol gave it all up for a simpler life. She returned to run Ferris Air and even got a new boyfriend, Nathan Broome. Carol was content to live a life that was much less fast-paced. At least that’s what she thoughtuntil Hal came back to Earth after retiring from the Green Lantern Corps.
Hal attempted to woo Carol, as he was wont to do. But Carol insisted that things between the two of them were over. But as chaos brewed thanks to Lord Premier Thaaros’ assault on the Emotional Spectrum, Carol found herself growing more and more concerned over Hal, though she still couldn’t bring herself to admit she still had feelings for him. Speaking of the Emotional Spectrum,Thaaros traveled to Zamaron and destroyed the Star Sapphire Central Battery, annihilating every wielder of the Violet Light of Love.
Carol reclaims her Star Sapphire Ring inGreen Lantern #11 (2024)!
Carol attempted to push Hal out of her mind once and for all with a spontaneous trip to Las Vegas to marry Nathan. However, a Star Sapphire ring interrupted the ceremony, informing her that Hal was in trouble. Carol took the Power Ring and became Star Sapphire once more to rescue Hal from Thaaros’ enforcers. She brought him back to Earth,where Carol finally admitted her feelings for Green Lantern. Unfortunately, their reunion was interrupted by Amanda Waller’s forces, who’d come to arrest Hal.
DC is Perfectly Setting Up Star Sapphire’s New Hero Era
I’ve been a fan of Green Lantern for nearly two decades and I know perfectly well that Carol Ferris does have a heroic spirit in her. I really loved the role she played in Blackest Night, aiding Jordan and the rest of the multicolored Lanterns in defeating Nekron. But even though she’s far from the villain she was back during the Silver Age, I’ll admit I did a small double-take seeingher in the new Justice League lineup as DC began previewingJustice League Unlimited.
It’s those kinds of questions that are going to take Star Sapphire to the next level and see her try things she’d never considered before.
Don’t get me wrong, I think she’s got a great heart and is an absolute powerhouse. Carol’s just never really expressed a big desire to be on a superhero team, much less be a hero in the way that Justice Leaguers usually are. But this issue does a great job of giving us a bit of insight into Carol’s mind. From her perspective, things have been happening at a breakneck speed betweenreuniting with Green Lantern, leaving Nathan at the altar, and going on the run from Amanda Waller.
But her time with the Justice Society is already rubbing off on her. She’s asking herself questions she’s never asked before, wondering if she can be as brave or selfless as the Justice Society. It’s those kinds of questions that are going to take Star Sapphire to the next level and see her try things she’d never considered before. Namely, being a member of the biggest superhero team in the DC Universe. I had some doubts, butI can’t say DC’s not laying the groundwork for Star Sapphire’s journey to being a true hero.
I’m Ready to See What’s Next For Star Sapphire
I can’t speak on what’s going to happen, but I’m guessing this adventure with the Justice Society is going to go well enough that Carol’s going to want to do more, both for herself and the world. I love character arcs that show people pushing themselves and finding the greatness they have hidden within them. Star Sapphire’s always been an awesome character and now DC is setting her up to be a hero in the best way possible. I’m excited to see what’s going to happen when theJustice Leaguehas a Star Sapphire instead of aGreen Lantern.
Green Lantern
Green Lantern is the name given to multiple enforcers of intergalactic justice in the DC Universe. Green Lanterns can harness the cosmic energy of willpower, and create unique spectral objects to face off against their enemies. Though some Green Lanterns have assisted with the Justice League, they primarily belong to the Green Lantern Corps.
