What is G’Nort Doing in Hell? Hal Jordan Reunites with Former Green Lantern in Green Lantern #22
In a recent Green Lantern #22, Hal Jordan’s cosmic journey took an unexpected turn when he encountered an old friend in one of the most unlikely places: Hell. While on a mission to stop the villain Sorrow from creating his own Central Power Battery, Hal Jordan, with the help of Phantom Stranger and Zauriel, ventured into the underworld to gather rare materials. However, to his shock, Jordan found himself face-to-face with G’Nort, the former Green Lantern, who had somehow ended up in Hell.
Who is G’Nort?
G’Nort first appeared during the 1988 Millennium event in Justice League International #10. The character was introduced as a hapless, clumsy individual who, at first, appeared to be little more than a comic relief figure. In fact, G’Nort’s introduction was far from heroic: he was found wandering the halls of a base on Orinda, the hidden homeworld of the Manhunters, simply because he was lost while trying to find a bathroom. Hardly the typical story for a Green Lantern.
G’Nort’s path to the Green Lantern Corps was anything but conventional. He was only recruited after it was revealed that his uncle, G’newman, was a respected hero in the Corps. However, it was later discovered that both G’newman and G’Nort were wielding counterfeit Green Lantern rings as part of a scheme by the Weaponeers of Qward to discredit the Green Lantern Corps by empowering complete incompetents.
Despite his bumbling nature, G’Nort was eventually recruited into the Green Lantern Corps for real once the ruse was uncovered. Although his clumsiness and incompetence often made him a joke among his fellow Lanterns, G’Nort was undeniably brave, honest, and fearless—traits that were enough to earn him a place in the Corps, much to the frustration of characters like Hal Jordan, who saw him as a liability.
Why Was G’Nort in Hell?
Though G’Nort’s time as a Green Lantern was marked by comic mishaps and buffoonery, he was still part of the Corps, and his good intentions made him a somewhat likable, albeit frustrating, character. Hal Jordan’s encounter with G’Nort in Hell raises a big question: What could G’Nort have done to end up there?
While the specifics of how G’Nort found himself in Hell remain unclear, this encounter serves as a stark contrast to the otherworldly adventures Hal Jordan typically faces. G’Nort, who was often seen as an embarrassment or joke within the Corps, may have unwittingly earned a place in Hell for actions no one would have expected from the naive and well-meaning Lantern.
The Current Adventure and Sorrow’s Plan
As for the larger narrative in Green Lantern #22, the villain Sorrow aims to build his own Central Power Battery, a device that would allow him to channel sadness into energy, much in the same way that the Green Lantern Corps channels willpower. This prompts Hal Jordan to race across reality to gather the rare materials needed for the battery, leading him and his allies, the Phantom Stranger and Zauriel, to descend into Hell.
While their primary objective is to stop Sorrow and thwart his plan, Jordan’s unexpected reunion with G’Nort adds a personal and emotional layer to the story, highlighting the bonds between the characters and the sacrifices they’ve made.
G’Nort’s Legacy and Uncertain Fate
Despite G’Nort’s bumbling and often laughable persona, his role in the Green Lantern Corps cannot be dismissed. He was part of the team and fought bravely, albeit in his own clumsy way. His appearance in Hell, however, is a reminder that even the most unexpected and unlikely heroes have their own complex journeys, and perhaps G’Nort’s fate in the afterlife will eventually be revealed.
Whether G’Nort has truly earned his place in Hell or if there’s more to his story remains to be seen, but this surprise encounter certainly adds a unique twist to Hal Jordan’s cosmic adventure.
