365 DC Comics Heroes & Villains Paper Cut-Outs
There have been many Red Lanterns, both on Earth and off amongst the cosmos. All draw their powers from the primordial spectrum of energies. Similar to the Green Lanterns, the Red Lantern can draw power from this spectrum when concentrated through a specific emotion. Whereas the Green Lanterns channel the energy through the force of will, Red Lanterns focus the power through concentrated rage.
Among the first to wield this terrible power is Atrocitus of the Five Inversions, the soul survivor of the Massacre of Sector 666. Atrocitus’ world was destroyed by the renegade Manhunter androids, former servants of the Guardians of the Universe. Atrocitus blamed the Guardians for the massacre and swore vengeance.
His anger was so intense that acted as a beacon that summoned the primal crimson force, bestowing him incredible abilities in the form of a power ring. Akin to the Green Lanterns, this red power ring can create constructs of pure energy along with enabling one to traverse the stars at great speeds protected from the vacuum of outer space.
Atrocitus sought out followers, other soul who felt rage as deeply as he. These anger minions were given rings of their own and became the Red Lantern Corps. They set about on a violent campaign to punish the galaxy and spread their unyielding rage. Whist Atrocitus has mastered the ability to control his anger, most of his followers are often overwhelmed by it. The energy flows out of them like a fiery bile, clouding their minds and rendering them into a berserker-like state.
The various members of the Red Lanterns have included the former Green Lantern known as Laira, Princess Bleez of Havania and the galactic gangster known as Skallox. Yet another has been the aggrieved house cat named DexStarr who was sought out by a Red Power Ring that recognized his rage after his owner was murdered.
The human Green Lantern, Guy Gardner, had become a Red lantern for a time after his anger consumed him. Hal Jordan, Mera of Atlantis and Superboy Prime were also Red Lanterns for a time. Even Supergirl, Kara Zor-El, was temporarily infected by the crimson rage and she too briefly became a Red Lantern. Young Razor of Volkreg served as a Red Lantern until his rage abated and he accrued wisdom, becoming a wielder of the Blue Lantern. Other Red Lanterns include The Butcher, Judge Sheko and the spherical Zillo Zox.
There are additionally a pair of terrestrial Red Lanterns who draw power from a slightly different iteration of the red spectrum. This power was originally wielded by the Soviet-era spy named Vladimir Sokov. Posing as a United States serviceman, Sokov managed to seduce Alan Scott and through his subterfuge obtained the ‘Crimson Flame.’ This Crimson Flame is a remnant of the Starheart and bestows similar powers when focused through anger.
With this power, Sokov became the Red Lantern, a Russian counterpart to America’s Green Lantern (Scott). Although their nations posed them against one another, the romance Sokov and Scott had with one another was still there and proved stronger then their political differences.
His ability to wield the powers of the Crimson Flame was passed down to his daughter Ruby. The military attempted to hone Ruby into a weapon to do their bidding. Her father objected and was killed when he attempted to rescue her.
Ruby’s rage over her father’s death imbued her with even greater power; power she used to escape and murder all those responsible for her father’s death.
Alan Scott sought out Ruby and encouraged her to honor her father’s legacy by becoming a hero and joining the Justice Society. Ruby reluctantly agreed but only served as a hero for a short time before her anger got the best of her and she turned to villainy. More recently, Ruby reemerged as a part of Scandal Savage’s new Injustice Society.
Atrocitus and his Red Lanterns have featured in a number of animated projects. Herein, actors Michael Dorn, Jonathan Adams, Bruce Thomas and Jonathan Adams have each voiced Atrocitus. Additional Red Lanterns have been voiced by actors Kevin Michael Richardson, Grey DeLisle, Jason Spisak, Jason Lewis, Rachel Kimsey and Armin Shimerman.
Atrocitus first appeared in the pages of Green Lantern Vol. 4 #25 (2008); DexStarr and Lady Bleez debuted in Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns #1 (2008); Laira first appeared in Green Lantern Corps Quarterly #6 (1993); Razor originally debuted in the Green Lantern animated series and was later incorporated into the main comic book continuity in Green Lantern (Vol. 7) #6 (2023); Meanwhile, Vladimir Sokov and his daughter Ruby both first appeared in the pages of The New Golden Age #1 (2023).
