Jessica Cruz is one of the main characters who will be headlining the new Green Lantern TV series on HBO Max, and here’s what you need to know about her!
- She is the first female Green Lantern from Earth, but she has PTSD.
Don’t you think it’s about time a woman became a protector of Sector 2814 as a member of the Green Lantern Corps? As created by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver, Jessica Cruz has appeared in animated films and video games as well, and why wouldn’t she? But while Jessica Cruz kicks bad-guy butt now, her origins were pretty rocky, to say the least.
When she was hiking with her pals one day, they came across some mobsters whom they caught burying a body. It didn’t end too well for Jessica’s friends who were horrifically murdered. While Jessica herself escaped, she brought home with her crippling anxiety and PTSD—it’s a horrible backstory, and she ended up locking herself in her apartment for four years.
2. Her ring wasn’t always benevolent.
When the Crime Syndicate of America from Earth-3 attacked, Power Ring died (he is the equivalent of our own Green Lantern) and his malevolent ring chose Jessica as the next host. His ring called The Ring of Volthoom picks those who are tormented and plagued by guilt and fear, making Jessica a prime candidate. She then becomes the new Power Ring, but thanks to Batman’s help, she manages to overcome her fears and breaks free from the influence of the ring. Hal Jordan ends up mentoring her on wielding the power of her ring for good.
3. Jessica dies and is reborn.
Even as Jessica is still trying to learn the ins and outs of being a superhero with Hal Jordan showing her the ropes, Darkseid’s daughter, Grail, attacks and uses the Ring as a conduit to summon the Anti-Monitor. Things immediately go downhill from there, with the League even turning to the Crime Syndicate in their desperate need of assistance. Jessica eventually saves The Flash from The Black Racer by sacrificing herself and seemingly dying.
Of course, death is a revolving door in comics, so she didn’t stay dead for long. The Black Racer apparently destroyed Volthoom, essentially freeing Jessica and making her worthy of becoming a real, full-fledged Green Lantern. She gets partnered up with Simon Baz because Hal Jordan merges her power battery with his in order for them to work closely together to protect the Earth as Corps members in Sector 2814. There’s something immensely satisfying about a character arc where someone goes from villain to superhero, and Jessica Cruz’s story goes through exactly that. Here’s hoping the live-action version will do her character—and her partner Simon Baz’s—enough justice when it airs on HBO Max soon!
What are YOU most excited about for the new TV series? Which characters and members of the Green Lantern Corps do you hope to see on the small screen? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
