Hal Jordan

Test pilot Hal Jordan was chosen by a dying alien Green Lantern, Abin Sur, whose crashed spaceship directed the ring to seek out the most fearless and honest man nearby. Succeeding Abin Sur, Hal became Earth's protector and a member of the intergalactic Green Lantern Corps.

Few characters define the Silver Age of DC Comics quite like Hal Jordan, who blazed onto the scene in Showcase #22 in 1959, the creation of writer John Broome and artist Gil Kane — a debut so electrifying it helped relaunch the entire superhero genre. Over 67 years and nearly 900 catalogued appearances, he has become one of DC's most enduring figures, headlining Green Lantern and Justice League of America while sharing adventures with the likes of Batman, Superman, and The Flash. With 37 key issues to his name, collectors have long recognized that his story hits landmark moments with remarkable frequency. If you're building a serious DC library, Hal Jordan isn't just a great starting point — he's practically essential reading.