The Justice League's Cold Shoulder: Hal Jordan's Tragic Fate and the DC Retcon That Made It Worse
Hal Jordan's Fall from Grace: A Villain's Story
Superheroes turning villain? It happens. But Hal Jordan's (Green Lantern) descent into becoming the monstrous Parallax? That's some serious heartbreak, especially given how his former Justice League buddies reacted to the whole situation. It was initially depicted as Hal's tragic fall – he was totally possessed! The details, the entire story arc concerning the aftermath; reveals some major flaws concerning these major players, showing just how ruthless some can get, despite outward appearances.
Blackest Night #0 (written by Geoff Johns, art by Ivan Reis) shows this ruthlessness through the very painful lens of the fallen Hal. His reflections on Batman's death – versus how the League treated Hal's own demise – are especially striking. Even the death of Flash brought the League together in mourning. That's a contrast which highlights how badly Hal's end actually was – nobody really mourned Hal's sacrifice – a horrific, shocking contrast with other characters and their individual treatment at these moments. It is entirely devoid of emotional weight. His own grave might even be desecrated, which demonstrates the callous cruelty in which certain Justice League characters behaved during this terrible moment! That very particular aspect adds further fuel into the flames and generates significant shock; a moment which was only really fully explored within this text which also makes some minor retcons; adding more meaning to those very particular events concerning what had transpired for that key DC character.
The Justice League's Unforgiving Nature
The most messed up thing about Hal's treatment is how he’s completely innocent of this initial shift to villainous activity! While Hal initially adopted Parallax and played the bad guy in the storyline – a DC retcon later confirms Hal was controlled – not really in charge at all – totally possessed. His team? They think he just went bad. Batman was super harsh, calling Hal a traitor, permanently tainting his legacy. Even Green Arrow, a close pal, seemed better off just not thinking about him!
That’s one massive lie that impacts the emotional element concerning his death! Green Lantern #81 shows a decent turn-out for his funeral– a stark contrast to Hal's claims of having had none! So the emotional disconnect was completely intentional!
The Forgotten Aftermath: Villains and the Rebuilding of Their Legacies
Comics rarely showcase that awkward transition of Villains returning as heroes; the initial failure creates that gap within this storytelling element and demonstrates what is largely missing: exploring how these difficult moments and plot twists can only succeed if those elements regarding how society (and those people involved with that fallen hero’s world) treats their reemergence into their roles in this universe; which must consider and encompass what might've initially caused those negative circumstances. That alone is the missing ingredient within this particular genre.
Hal tried to redo time, rebuild the universe— a big move even for Green Lantern considering what it completely implies–this means creating drastic and massive changes, and completely rewriting that entire history which naturally led to many objections and objections to his continued membership. Yet he's unfairly targeted—he's responsible for what his villain persona had done! This leaves that profound realization–this callous disregard; even the possibility of desecration completely emphasizes this particular plot twist.
Conclusion: A Legacy Undone and the Importance of Context
The callous treatment from the Justice League and others to the former Green Lantern after he is found to be not fully responsible for that prior turn creates the key theme that even despite his prior terrible behavior as Parallax; his intentions and personal responsibilities remained complex. Yet those Justice League heroes remain incapable of empathy or acceptance, completely failing to understand what drove the fallen hero, resulting in an entirely dark tale showing an even deeper ruthlessness than it seemed. Even that simple detail completely recontextualizes his demise!
