From Men's Health · Evan Romano · · 2m
Carol Ferris sneaks into Lanterns as Hal's mysterious past
The HBO series plants a major DC Comics character at Hal Jordan's funeral, hinting at a complex history.
In brief
The HBO series plants a major DC Comics character at Hal Jordan's funeral, hinting at a complex history. Carol Ferris appears in Lanterns as a figure from Hal Jordan's past, setting up a dynamic that mirrors their complicated enemy-lover relationship from DC Comics. Originally reported by Men's Health.
The new DC Universe feels lived in
James Gunn's connected universe skips origin stories. Characters like Clark Kent already have jobs and relationships when we meet them, making the world feel real and established.
Lanterns plants layered questions
The show focuses on John Stewart and Hal Jordan, but Guy Gardner was the first Green Lantern we met in Superman. How did Hal end up with the ring instead?
Hal's timeline spans 30 years
In 1996, Hal is already Earth's first Green Lantern. By 2016, he's training John Stewart. By 2026, he's blamed for a disaster in Rushville and imprisoned for 10 years.
Carol Ferris shows up at Hal's funeral
When Hal's life seemingly ends in 2026, Carol Ferris attends his funeral. Hal has no family, so John reads his self-written eulogy, but Carol's presence hints at a shared past.
Carol Ferris is a major DC character
In DC Comics, Carol was introduced in 1959 and works at Ferris Aircraft, a company owned by her father Carl. She eventually becomes president of the company.
The Zamarons turn Carol into Star Sapphire
In the comics, the Zamarons rival the Guardians of the Universe. They put Carol in a trance and give her Star Sapphire powers to kill Hal, but their dynamic evolves over time.
Hal and Carol have an on-and-off affair
Throughout DC Comics history, Hal and Carol's relationship shifts between romance and conflict. Carol sometimes loses the trance or keeps Star Sapphire powers without wanting to kill him.
Both find love elsewhere too
Hal has taken many love interests, including other Star Sapphire wielders. Carol was also involved with Kyle Rayner, another Green Lantern who may appear in future DC Universe projects.
Carol's appearance makes the world real
Including Carol Ferris in Lanterns, even briefly, adds depth to Hal's world. Their complex history from the comics makes the show feel like characters have actual lives beyond what we see.
The one thing
Carol Ferris appears in Lanterns as a figure from Hal Jordan's past, setting up a dynamic that mirrors their complicated enemy-lover relationship from DC Comics.
