Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for James Gunn’s Superman
Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner just made his DCU debut in James Gunn’s Superman, but what are his vows? A Green Lantern and member of the team of heroes known as the Justice Gang, Guy Gardner is initially unwilling to lend a hand in the new DC movie. Citing his vows as the reason why, those familiar with Green Lantern lore understand just how much of a jerk Guy really is.
In James Gunn’s Superman, it’s established that the Man of Steel and the Justice Gang have joined forces from time to time. However, Superman is not an official member by choice. Nevertheless, the Justice Gang is ultimately called upon to help Superman take on Lex Luthor by the movie’s end, even though Guy initially tried to avoid helping due to his Green Lantern “vows”.
Guy Gardner Is The DCU’s First Green Lantern
The First of Many Intergalactic Heroes
Despite being just as much of an a**hole as he is in the original DC Comics, Guy Gardner still has the “ability to overcome great fear”. This is a core prerequisite for those recruited to the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic peace-keeping force founded by the Guardians of Oa. Wielding the green light of willpower, Guy Gardner’s particular brand often takes the form of extreme stubbornness.
Fillion’s version of Gardner looks to be very much the same in the DCU. However, he somehow still earned himself a place on Maxwell Lord’s Justice Gang. It’s also revealed that the “Justice Gang” team name was Guy’s idea, though his fellow heroes aren’t yet on board. Nevertheless, Guy is just one of a handful of human Green Lanterns, as Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart will soon debut in next year’s Lanterns series.
What Are Guy’s Actual Green Lantern Vows?
The Sacred Oath of the Green Lantern Corps
When Superman turns himself in to find out where Lex Luthor is holding Krypto captive, Lois Lane visits the Hall of Justice to get the Gang’s help. However, Guy declines, citing his vows as a Green Lantern, which allegedly prevent him from getting involved. However, Hawkgirl counters that Guy always invokes his vows whenever there’s something he just doesn’t want to do (and she’s absolutely right).
Used to charge their rings in the comics, the iconic oath of the Green Lantern Corps is pretty straightforward:
“In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil’s might beware my power…Green Lantern’s light!”
Guy does make a half-hearted defense that non-interference is somehow “implied”. Regardless, he does still get involved by the movie’s end, joining Hawkgirl in Boravia to prevent their invasion of Jarhanpur at Superman’s request. Clearly, Guy had just been using his oath as a get-out-of-jail free card, though we’ll hopefully get to hear the actual story sooner rather than later with Lanterns on the way next year.
James Gunn’s Superman is now playing in theaters from DC Studios.
