HBO Max's new series 'Lanterns' has brought renewed attention to the cosmic side of the DC Universe, particularly the Green Lantern Corps. While the show navigates its expansive lore, it also inadvertently highlights a long-standing, and humorous, aspect of the Green Lantern mythos: Hal Jordan's frequent incapacitation.
Coinciding with the show's release, the 20th anniversary of the "Hal Jordan Head Injury Project" (HJHIP) has drawn attention. This fan-maintained project, still accessible online, humorously tracks the numerous times Hal Jordan has suffered a blow to the head throughout his nearly 70-year comic history. Created by a fan known as 'Sleestak', the HJHIP serves as a tongue-in-cheek archive of the character's remarkable ability to end up unconscious.
While many long-running superheroes have experienced their share of knockouts, Hal Jordan's history is particularly notable. In his earlier comic appearances, especially during the Silver Age, he was often depicted as reckless and impulsive, leading to a disproportionate number of incapacitating injuries. Without the healing abilities of his power ring, his career might have ended prematurely on multiple occasions. Even in the current iteration of 'Lanterns', Hal Jordan's character is portrayed with a similar zealous and sometimes ill-considered approach to his missions.
Notable Incapacitations
Several comic instances exemplify this recurring theme:
"Crisis in Triplicate!"
In Justice League of America vol. 1 #148 (1977), during a crossover event involving the Justice Society, Justice League, and the Legion of Super-Heroes, the Legion's telepath Saturn Girl uses her powers to force Hal Jordan to punch himself, rendering him unconscious. Though a minor moment in the larger narrative, it serves as a symbolic representation of Hal's tendency to be his own worst enemy.
"The Sign"
A key moment from Hal Jordan's post-Crisis origin in Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn #1 (1989) showcases his recklessness. After a drunk driving incident that injures his brother, a disoriented Hal is chosen to become Earth's Green Lantern. In a display of his unsuitability, he attempts to destroy a road sign out of frustration, only to crash and knock himself unconscious. This incident humorously marked his first canonical "fight" as a superhero, a loss to a mundane billboard.
"The Man Who Murdered Santa Claus!"
In Justice League of America v1 #110 (1974), a pivotal issue introducing John Stewart, Hal Jordan suffers an ignominious defeat before even joining the action. While rushing to answer a Justice League emergency signal, he slips on a bar of soap in his shower and knocks himself out. His Green Lantern ring then proceeds to retrieve John Stewart, leaving Hal sidelined for the entire adventure.
While modern DC comics tend to feature fewer instances of Hal Jordan being knocked out by ordinary means, the legacy of the HJHIP endures. The project, and the character's history it represents, remains a humorous and enduring part of the Green Lantern lore, adding a layer of context to the character's portrayal in 'Lanterns'.