The current volume of the Green Lantern monthly comic has made a number of surprising moves in expanding its cast. It introduced Razer, who had previously only appeared in animated series, into the comics canon. It also brought back relatively obscure Corps members like G’Nort, who had somehow been trapped in Hell. This trend continued in the latest issue, which resurrected another beloved hero and confirmed they existed in the DC All-In timeline.
Written by Jeremy Adams, with art by Xermanico, Green Lantern #24 continued the Fractured Spectrum Saga and the journey of one team of heroes. Led by Kyle Rayner, they were searching the universe for materials to build new Central Power Batteries. This would repower the various Corps who tap the Emotional Spectrum and further stabilize the Spectrum.
Their quest led them to a seemingly abandoned Oan space station. Unfortunately, the strange energy they detected there seemed to awaken a dormant squad of Manhunter robots. Once the Manhunters were defeated, the energy spoke to the team and apologized for accidentally endangering them.
The energy assembled a body, resembling an attractive humanoid female. She then introduced herself as Aya, a character familiar to fans of Green Lantern: The Animated Series.
Green Lantern: The Animated Series’ Aya Explained
Aya was an original character created for Green Lantern: The Animated Series. She was an artificial intelligence, created by the Guardians of the Universe from a sliver of pure Willpower. She was attached to an advanced scout ship, the Interceptor, and programmed to act as the ship’s navigator. However, she was not named until Hal Jordan misinterpreted the written abbreviation “AI” as “Aya.”
When Aya assumed a physical form, she based it on the memories of the Red Lantern Razer. He was cold to Aya, however, because she chose to take the form of his wife, whose violent murder pushed him to tap the Red Power of Rage. In time, however, a friendship grew between them that further developed into love.
Aya ultimately sacrificed herself to save the universe from the Manhunters. Green Lantern: The Animated Series ended with Razer leaving his allies to search for some sign Aya had survived. Abandoning his Rage for Hope apparently caused Razer to be chosen as a recruit for the Blue Lantern Corps, as a blue ring was seen chasing his ship.
When Razer was introduced into the comics in 2023, his status as a Blue Lantern was confirmed. This suggested that most of the events of Green Lantern: The Animated Series, including his romance with Aya, also happened in the new timeline. However, it is unclear when the two star-crossed lovers will be reunited.
Green Lantern #24 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
