Hal Jordan’s Father Death Twist in ‘Lanterns’ Alters Green Lantern Origin

For many years, DC Comics established that Hal Jordan’s father, Martin, perished in a plane crash. The premiere of ‘Lanterns’ seemed to adhere to this narrative, depicting a news broadcast where Hal witnessed his father’s tragic demise in the 1970s.

However, the seventh episode introduced a shocking twist regarding the circumstances of Hal Jordan’s father’s death. While the crash still occurred, the motives behind it are now revealed to be significantly darker and more personal.

Martin Jordan was introduced by Christopher Priest and Mark Bright, making his debut in the 1989 ‘Emerald Dawn’ storyline. He served as a military test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base until his fatal crash occurred in front of his son Hal, who was just eight years old at the time.

This tragedy profoundly impacted the family dynamics. Hal eventually secured a position as a test pilot at Ferris Aircraft, largely due to the guilt felt by Martin’s close friend, Carl Ferris, over his death. Hal’s journey into becoming a test pilot was marked by a realization that he had nothing left to fear after losing a parent.

In the ‘Secret Origin’ retelling, Hal’s mother forbids him from approaching airplanes following his father’s death. Hal also harbors resentment towards Carl Ferris for his father’s demise, later discovering that Carl’s guilt has taken a toll on his health. This grief and anger became the emotional core of Hal’s character.

In the HBO series, however, Martin’s fate takes a darker turn; he intentionally crashes his plane, choosing to take his own life. Hal reveals that he always suspected it was deliberate, as his father had instructed him on where to find a lockbox containing a note. This poignant moment unfolds during an emotional boat ride, where Hal confesses that his fearlessness stems from his brokenness.

The episode carefully sets up this revelation. It begins in 1975, showcasing a young Hal who refuses to relinquish a baseball after nearly achieving a perfect game. Following this, Martin gifts Hal a necklace containing the key to a family failsafe passed down from Hal’s grandfather, imparting a lesson about letting go.

Martin’s death occurs shortly thereafter, leaving Hal with both the key and the poignant lesson. This quiet yet devastating moment reframes every previous mention of the crash.

Martin struggled with depression, a condition that also afflicted his father and Hal himself, which the series refers to as the Jordan boys legacy. The note reveals the pain Martin endured throughout his life, and Hal recalls his father’s belief that the family would be better off without him. This narrative shift transforms the family history into a cycle of trauma rather than a mere accident.

The storyline also raises the stakes in the present-day plot. Once Hal is gone, John Stewart must confront the unsettling possibility that Hal met the same fate as his father and grandfather. The show cleverly transforms a piece of backstory into a mystery that looms over the entire season.

This change also distinguishes Hal from other heroes like Bruce Wayne and The Flash, whose parents were killed by external forces. Hal’s origin now stems from inherited pain, devoid of a villain’s influence.

The creators understood the risks involved with this narrative shift. Damon Lindelof co-wrote the episode alongside comic writer and series co-creator Tom King. In an interview with TheWrap, Lindelof likened the concept to questioning whether Batman remains Batman if his parents are not murdered, and whether Hal is still Hal if his father did not die in a test flight.

The writers viewed this change as a means to explore Hal’s fearlessness and carve out a unique narrative for the show. Some critics suggest it aligns with a recurring theme in King’s comics, which often reshape superhero stories around the trauma he experienced as a soldier with PTSD. One critic argued that this reframing ultimately suggests that heroes are merely broken individuals.

Longtime fans may find themselves divided on whether this deepens Hal’s character or undermines a cherished aspect of Green Lantern lore. Regardless, the manner in which Hal Jordan’s father died now carries significantly more weight than a mere malfunctioning jet ever could. Does knowing that Hal has been aware of the truth since childhood make his renowned fearlessness feel more heroic or more tragic to you?