The current Green Lantern series has detailed the rise of a new Green Lantern Corps managed by the United Planets. It quickly became clear to the Lanterns of Earth that there was something sinister about the new Corps. Some, like Hal Jordan, resigned in protest. This has left Jessica Cruz to infiltrate the new Corps — a task she is uniquely qualified to undertake.
Jessica’s actions following the New Corps’ formation are detailed in the backup story of Green Lantern #9. Written by Sam Humphries, with art by Yasmín Flores Montañez, the story finds Cruz on trial for treason against the United Planets. Her trial is overseen by Premier Thaaros, the politician now running both the United Planets and the new Green Lantern Corps.
Jessica’s new partner accuses her of sabotaging a mission to destroy the Central Power Battery of the Orange Lanterns. Jessica Cruz defends her alleged treason, saying her partner’s actions would have broken the Battery without destroying it. The discussion is cut short, however, after a renegade Green Lantern attempts to assassinate Premier Thaaros.
Jessica Cruz stops the assassination attempt, but Premier Thaaros still questions her loyalty. This leads her to state that she stands with Premier Thaaros, after disparaging the Green Lanterns’ management under the Guardians of the Universe. This earns her a place of honor on the Lantern Council, as one of Premier Thaaros’s personal guard.
Jessica Cruz’s Anxiety Makes Her an Ideal Spy
The final pages reveal that Jessica’s pledge was all a ruse. Working with fellow Earth Lantern Sojourner “Jo” Mullein, Jessica was infiltrating the New Corps command structure. Jessica was the perfect Lantern for this role because of how her anxiety issues created an aura of nervous energy that masked her deception.
Jessica Cruz was unique in that she was not chosen for the Green Lantern Corps because she was naturally fearless until, following the violent deaths of her friends, she developed an anxiety disorder and became a shut-in. This made her an ideal host for the cursed Ring of Volthoom, which fed on the fear of its wearer. However, Jessica’s actions during the Darkseid War caused the Ring of Volthoom to be destroyed. By “overcoming her great fear,” Jessica attracted a Green Lantern ring and strove to prove worthy of it — despite her anxiety.
Jessica notes that she is not like the other Lanterns in her narration. She also notes that she is continually underestimated because of her anxiety. However, the fact that she can humble herself convincingly and keep her ego in check pleases Premier Thaaros. This makes Jessica the ideal agent to infiltrate the New Corps for Earth’s Lanterns.
Green Lantern #9 is now available in comic shops everywhere.
