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:.