The Green Lantern oath is as iconic as the character, and it was once more realistic. The Green Lantern Corps is comprised of species from across the universe, and in 1986’s Green Lantern #198, DC showed that the oath differs from Lantern to Lantern, depending on their species; however, this innovation, which reflected a more realistic approach, was soon forgotten.
An oath has been an integral part of the Green Lantern mythos, stretching back to Alan Scott, the Golden Age Green Lantern. When the character was updated for the Silver Age and retooled as an intergalactic space cop, he received a new oath. In time, this oath would work its way into the hearts and minds of comic fans the world over. The oath, which goes: “In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight, let those who worship evil’s might, beware the power, of Green Lantern’s light,” has received only minor tweaks over the years, but in the mid-1980s, DC decided to take a more realistic approach to the oath.
The thousands of different species that make up the Green Lantern Corps speak a variety of languages, leading to the revelation in Green Lantern #198, that the oath varies, depending on the species. The issue was written by the legendary Steve Englehart, illustrated by Joe Staton, inked by Bruce Patterson, lettered by L. Lois Buhalis and DC Weiss, and colored by Anthony Tollin. The Green Lantern Corps Honor Guard, including John Stewart, Ch’P, and Tomar-Re, is about to head into battle, to stop the Justice League's worst Green Lantern, Guy Gardner, and a team of the galaxy’s vilest villains from destroying the White Spot on Qward, which would give the Anti-Monitor unlimited power. Before entering the portal to the Anti-Matter Universe, they recharge their rings and take the oath. As they are bathed in green light, readers see that the oaths are different, depending on the species of the Lantern.
The of the Green Lantern Corps speak many different languages, each with their own vocabulary and grammar. With this in mind, the oath differing from species to species makes sense, reflecting a more grounded take on the Green Lantern mythos. Despite the differences in oaths, each still had its own rhythm and flow, just like the original. Unfortunately, this development has been overlooked in recent years, with everyone taking the same oath. However, the idea of varying oaths found its way into the variety of Lantern Corps that proliferated in the leadup to the Blackest Night; each color had its own emotional drive, such as yellow for fear and indigo for comion. Each of these Lantern Corps also has their own oath, and while these oaths do not differ from species to species, they are altered to reflect the drives of each Corps.
The Green Lantern Corps is diverse, made up of thousands of species from across all corners of the universe. Each comes to the Corps with their own culture and language, and the iconic oath changed to reflect those; however, this development for the Green Lanterns has been forgotten.
