Why the Success of HBO's Lanterns Makes This Iconic 20-Year-Old Comic Meme Even Better
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
As HBO's Lanterns brings the Green Lantern Corps to television, fans are celebrating the 20th anniversary of a classic internet archive dedicated to Hal Jordan's most ridiculous knockouts.
The massive reception to HBO's Lanterns has thrust the cosmic side of the DC Universe back into the mainstream spotlight, reminding audiences of the chaotic galactic adventures of the Green Lantern Corps. While the show brings massive cosmic entities and alien conflicts to life, it also honors a hilarious unspoken tradition from the comics. Hal Jordan, despite wielding one of the most powerful weapons in the universe, spends a remarkable amount of time unconscious.
As Polygon points out, the premiere of the live-action series arrived right around the twentieth anniversary of the Hal Jordan Head Injury Project. Created by blogger Sleestak, this legendary digital archive tracks the countless times Hal has taken a direct shot to the head throughout his decades in print. Unlike heroes equipped with heavy-duty healing factors, Hal has historically charged into danger with zero foresight, leading to a long comedic history of getting knocked flat on his back.
From accidentally punching himself in the face thanks to Saturn Girl's telepathic interference to losing a fight against a roadside billboard in Emerald Dawn, Hal's history is packed with slapstick head trauma. Even classic team-ups were derailed by mundane hazards, such as the time he slipped on a bar of soap right as the Justice League alarm sounded. While modern comic runs keep him a bit more secure, this rich history of self-sabotage remains a foundational part of comic book culture.
Tags: DC Comics, Gaming Culture, Comics, Entertainment
Original article: Polygon