Green Lantern Question for the Green Lantern experts

[turnbolt]

So while I always dug the concept of Green Lantern, I was never a huge reader of DC titles that didn't say Batman on the cover.

So I was curious if anyone could tell me why Alan Scott, Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner wear masks, but Guy Gardner and John Stewart do not.

I am not bringing any aliens into this because it specifically interests me why the humans have made different choices here.

Just a curiosity if anyone can help.

[The P.R. Man]

Gardner actually wore a mask for awhile before his power battery blew up and he went nuts. Throughout the 80s and 90s he was a massive arrogant tool as a result. I believe he went by his given name to distance himself from jordan as well use the fist of the guardian uniform, as opposed to the standard issue one. He was also pervcieved as the subordinate GL, disite the fact that the only reason jordan was chosen over him was the fact that jordan was physically closer to Abin Sur's ship when it crashed. I believe stewart felt the same way, although the writers at the time felt compelled tomake him the steriotypical angry black man. But the whole mosaic storyline kinda gave him a reason to be pissed. He got a pretty crappy job given to him cleaning up the guardians mess.

That's how I saw it anyhow, gardner and stewart had to play secod class lantern to a guy whos personal life was in such a mess that he actually was icarcerated as a result of his alcoholism. (I think he killed a guy) gardner and stewart were like, "screw this, we're going to get some crediit. No way is this clown superior to us"

[cbikle]

This is going to sound like a joke answer, but I'm serious.

I think it's because Guy and John don't really hold down regular jobs or really have any real down time with friends/loved ones or other "civilians".

I think both are full-time super heroes who hang out with other Green lanterns and other superheroes.

Guy Gardner has a public ID and I think Stewart does too, but not certain; John Stewart has been retconned as being an engineer in the Marines, so I'd think he'd be under more scrutiny by the military, especially in regards to the potential of being recalled to active duty.

That's my theoy (theories) anyway.

[The P.R. Man]

Guess ill make use of a double post to impose my opinion,

Stewarts always been an architect, I wasn't aware of the marine engineer thing, but I've kinda only sskimmed through GL the last ouple years due to poverty. They made a big deal about his architectural background when Kyle was theonly GL and john lost theuse of his legs when the darkstarrs whent down. Needed something to do since there wa no corps and he had no powers. There was a long subplot about his struggling Architecct firm.

[The P.R. Man]

Gardner had the Warriors bar, butnot when he was a Gl so you have a point Cbikle, they were both full time superheros when they were in the corps. Gardner just capitalized on it for his bar, and steward just had to deal with the fact that his identity was blown. Then geoff came and made everything all better.

[cbikle]

Originally, John wasn't in the Marines; that was a retcon brought into play due to the popularity of the animated JLU John Stewart (who was given a Marine background).

Somehow over time, the architect background morphed into an architect-engineer background.

[turnbolt]

I didn't think of your answer as a joke at all, Cbikle. Typically the rason for a mask is to protect family and friends from repercussions so that is kind of what I was wondering.

PR, you have been full of interesting information. Thanks for your time.

[The P.R. Man]

No prob once I finish this bottl of sailorjerry ill be full of even more cool stuff. Halfway There! 16 oz to Go!!!

Ironically I was just talking about jordan being an alcoholic....

What was the point of parralaxwearing a mask by the Way? Do you think he was concerned about his families safety at that point? Did the Parralax entity evengive a CRAP??

I would also like to say that my crappy spelling is becouse I'm on an ereader, and the rum is not to Blame!

[spidey976]

In Secret Origin GL they mention something called "Secret Identity Protocol" or something like that, where the mask is forced up in an effort to conceal the Lantern's identity. I got the impression that it was a default setting on the ring, but that the lantern could EASILY overide it; for example on a planet where the lanterns are well known and loved being chosen a lantern would be a great honor. In the case of John and Guy ... well John's entire life was off planet for the longest time (and I think he started with a mask) hell he even married an alien ... and Guy is an ego maniac he WANTED everyone to know it was him.

[Selkirk]

the civilian answers for guy and kyle ring true...and its comics could be something as simple as hey everybody's wearing masks-lets see some faces on at least some of them. and as always kilowog ftw :w00t:.

[turnbolt]

...and its comics... could be something as simple as hey everybody's wearing masks-lets see some faces on at least some of them.

I disagree with this opinion for one reason only. While you may be correct that they wanted variety and to have some faces out there, good writers don't just change details willy nilly and if some Lanterns wear masks then there must be a reason they do... by that rationale if some lanterns do not wear masks... well... with today's savvy readers, you better have a reason.

[Selkirk]

well...lets just say im not that quick to give writers/editors the benefit of the doubt(see here wonderwoman's new costume-for no reason...countless other reinventions-x-men change uniforms and styles constantly for instance...for visual reasons only). and i like geoff johns and he is one of the better writers but as to why they dont wear masks...best not to think on this type of thing too long(altho my personal theory is that sinestro birthed gardner and stewart on the planet xymploot-masks were banned for male children born on this planet :D).

[Littleberu]

Actually, every new recruits Green Lantern gets a standard uniform, but they can modify it.

Also, they can also have a secret identity, but they can also choose not to.

As to why Hal still insists on wearing a mask, even though every being in the universe seems to know his name (especially with the whole Parallax fiasco), I don't think there's a good reason ; probably only for style.

Now, close to no Green Lantern of the corps actually has a mask on. Only Earthmen ever wore masks, IIRC (Kyle and Hal).

[cbikle]

Now, close to no Green Lantern of the corps actually has a mask on. Only Earthmen ever wore masks, IIRC (Kyle and Hal).

I think Tomar Re and Sinestro wore masks.

If you to rationalize it now, I guess you could argue that the Guardians left it up to each GL to decide if and how they would keep their ID a secret (part of that decision probably based on being able to keep friends & loved ones safe and being able to maintain a career outside of being a GL - something I'd imagine the Guardians would encourage, just for helping GLs maintain some sense of balance and perspective.

[The P.R. Man]

I think I have a pre crisis Gl quarterly where arisa wore a mask, its the one where aris chummik bites it fighting nekron I believe. Come to think of it, I think he and the chipmunk were both wearing masks too.

Dang infinite crisis is making all my hard learned knowledge useless.

[malachimanson]

I think the bigger question would be. Why doesn't Kyle have a nose? Seriously look at his Crab mask there are plenty of times when artist completely forget to shade his freaking nose. Like they just forget he's got one. Now it wouldn't be a problem if they all stuck to the fact its a flat mask. Yet there are clear moments when they shade his nose. Keep it one way or anther.

Anyway onto why John doesn't wear one. John is a Military man now. So they are using that as a reason. You don't wear a mask in the military. Before they had some reasons for it. Now I think its better this way because not all Lanterns should hide.

Guy is Guy just deal with Guy being Guy because at the end of the day Guy is just Guy and that is why Guy is awesome.

Now more importantly Sinestro will he won't he wear a mask? Thats the big question since he is now the main focus of Green Lantern coming next month.

http://i2.cdnds.net/11/28/550w_comics_green_lantern_sinestro.jpg

[Jazz]

Nice dicussion going on in the thread