A year has passed since we are introduced to the unlikely team-up of Sector 2814’s rookie lanterns, Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz. The two shared their own comic book for DC Rebirth’s launch. Now, after 25 exciting issues, let us take a look on how our Hispanic heroine, who suffers great anxiety disorder, managed to keep the emerald light shine!
Here are 5 of her greatest Green Lantern moments from Sam Humphries’ DC Rebirth: Green Lanterns!
Her First Construct
After being chosen by the Green Power Ring, Jessica never had a decent construct. This was mainly because of her anxiety disorder that cripples her ability to produce the enough amount of willpower. Shackled by her doubts and fear, she found herself in danger fighting the Red Lanterns on DC Rebirth: Green Lanterns’ “Rage Planet” arc (Green Lantern #1-6).
Finally, on Green Lanterns # 6, her willpower overwhelmed her anxiety. She then created an unusual construct that freed her from danger and contributed to the defeat of the Red Lanterns. From then on, she started to develop her relationship with the power ring that calls her J-Bird.
Wielding the Phantom Ring
On the series’ second main arc, The Phantom Lantern (Green Lanterns 9-14), we are introduced to an exiled guardian, Rami. He invented the Phantom Ring – a ring that feeds on the wielder’s most abundant emotion. His mission was to let the greatest Lantern of all time, Hal Jordan, wield the ring. Unfortunately, Volthoom, together with the Green Lantern wannabe, Frank Laminski, got it first. Frank became the bearer of the Phantom Ring, and became the first Phantom Lantern.
After a series of ring-slinging action, Frank proven himself to be unstable which cost him to lose the ring. In order to stop Frank from acquiring the ring again, Jessica put on the Phantom Ring. Despite her doubts that her fear might consume her and turn her into a Yellow Lantern, she proved to become worthy of the Emerald Light. The Phantom Ring acknowledged her willpower and amplified her powers as a Green Lantern.
Becoming an Official member of the Green Lantern Corp.
In DC Rebirth: Green Lanterns #22, our Earth Lanterns found themselves reunited with the Green Lantern Corp! Finally, after 22 issues, we see the rookie lanterns side-by-side the original Lanterns from Sector 2814. This is a pivotal moment for Jessica, as it was her first time to meet Corp leader, Jon Stewart, who instantly stripped her off her badge as a Green Lantern. She must first undergo training just like every rookie Lantern.
Later in the series, Jessica together with Simon, faced training with veteran Lanterns, Kyle Rayner and Guy Gardner. After passing the training, both had a culmination in a breathtaking Green Lantern fashion!
It was just earth-shattering to see her recite the oath with the veteran Lanterns.
Punching Guy Gardner right in the face!
Before proving herself as one of the emerald knights, Jessica faced the most unusual trainer, the toughest ring-slinging Lantern from Sector 2814, Guy Gardner! In issue 23, Jessica experienced Guy’s unorthodox mastery of the Green Power ring first hand. Not to mention how J-Bird endured (well not really) the veteran’s big mouth.
After receiving a mouthful of Guy’s verbal antics, Jessica’s emotions erupted and gave Guy a good punch. A punch so strong, it shook the roughest Green Lantern. This outrageous scene even translated into one of the funniest cover for DC Rebirth Green Lanterns.
After the momentous punch, Jessica continued her training, despite her fear of getting banished from the Corp due to her aggressive behavior towards a senior Lantern. Guy, who was clearly pleased with Jessica’s development, pushed her again into her limits. They exchanged a good amount of ring-slinging, and eventually, Jessica Cruz gained Gardner’s appreciation and respect.
She is finally a member of the Green Lantern Corp!
Her Ring's Time-Traveling Origins
In the recent arc: Lost In Space (Green Lanterns 22-24), we find Volthoom (who is inside Guardian Rami at this point) searching for bits of his original Travel Lantern (We’ll talk more about this some other time). He soon found out that Jessica’s ring was one of the first Green power rings created.
In the first year anniversary issue #25, Volthoom expounded the origin of Jessica’s ring, revealing that her ring has the ability to transport her in different places at will. He then tried to muscle his way to make Jessica surrender her ring to him. Fortunately, Jessica was filled with too much willpower, and managed to command the ring to transport her and Simon out of Volthoom’s reach.
In this issue, we see how Jessica is slowly becoming a very important piece of the Green Lantern Mythos.
It was a great year for DC Rebirth collectors, and as a Green Lantern fan, I really enjoy the development of the first female Hispanic Lantern. I can’t wait for the next years to come! And to Sam Humphries, kudos to your wonderful run, keep it up!
Did I miss any spectacular moment? Let me know in the comments! :D
Stay reading, keep on collecting!