Sure, Superman Is Powerful But Only the Green Lantern Fought God... Literally
While there are several gods and deities running through the DC Universe, but Green Lantern is the only one who once fought a being that most closely resembles the Judeo-Christian God. Known as the Shepherd, this vastly powerful being bought planet Earth after it was shrunk down by an alien merchant, leaving Lantern Hal Jordan with the task of saving his world.
The Green Lantern #3 – written by Grant Morrison, with art by Liam Sharp – picks up where the prior issue left off, with Hal Jordan returning Earth only to find it missing. It’s revealed that it’s been taken and shrunk down by the Dhorian Volgar Zo, who stages an auction for the shrunken Earth among a gathering of powerful figures.
The Shepherd wins the planet at auction, and the alien’s appearance lines up with many classical representations of the God of the Abrahamic religions: a long, white beard, flowing robes and even a shepherd’s crook staff.
Green Lantern Vs. "The Shepard": How Grant Morrison Pitted Hal Jordan Against A Version Of The Almighty Himself
The Green Lantern #3 – Written By Grant Morrison; Art By Liam Sharp; Color By Steve Oliff & Dave Kemp; Lettering By Tom Orzechowski
In the DCU, many godly pantheons are represented, from classic Greek or Norse deities to the New Gods. The Abrahamic God has appeared in multiple throughout DC Comics’ entire publication history, with the first reference tracing back to More Fun Comics #52, which was the first appearance of the Spectre. More recently, this version of God has been referred to as the Presence, an ageless, all-powerful being that takes many forms and aspects throughout the history of the universe, from the Source of the Fourth World to the Light that created the DCU in the first place.
Green Lantern discovers that the Shepherd is actually a Terravore, and is a planet-eater planning to “fatten up” the Earth for a thousand years in his gallery before he ultimately devours the world whole.
While the Shepherd doesn’t appear to be a version of the Presence, he’s still made out to be a being of vast power. At first he explains he only wishes to hang the planet Earth in his gallery so that its denizens can experience an era of peace and prosperity. In due time, however, Green Lantern discovers that the Shepherd is actually a Terravore, and is a planet-eater planning to “fatten up” the Earth for a thousand years in his gallery before he ultimately devours the world whole.
As With Most Grant Morrison Characters, There Was More To The Godly "Shepherd" Than It Seemed
Green Lantern's Most Powerful Opponent
Even worse, humanity falls for the Shepherd’s promise of a better world; ultimately, Hal Jordan decides to detain Earth while he deals with the Shepherd, essentially letting the entire planet “sleep it off” until humanity can come to their senses and fight off the Shepherd’s influence. Given Morrison’s propensity for meta-commentary and subversive storytelling, it’s easy to see the story as a critique on religion and blind faith. Even though the Shepherd may not be the actual “God,” his defeat at the hands of Green Lantern still acts as a classic Grant Morrison scenario.
The Green Lantern #3 is available now from DC Comics.
- Alias
- Alan Scott, Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner, John Stewart, Kyle Rayner, Simon Baz, Jessica Cruz, Sojourner Mullein
- Created By
- Martin Nodell, Bill Finger, John Broome, Gil Kane, Dennis O'Neil, Neal Adams
- Franchise
- D.C.
- Movies
- Green Lantern
- Comic Books
- Green Lantern #1
- Cast
- Ryan Reynolds
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.
