DC Introduces Horrific New Red Lantern Power To Green Lantern Lore

Published Nov 4, 2026, 7:01 PM EST

An experienced Editor representing Canada via ScreenRant's Team Anime, J.R. has been reading manga since the first printing of Shonen Jump in North America. This passion drove him to write about anime, manga, and manhwa since 2022, having recently served as Lead Anime Editor for ComicBook.com.

His favorite moments in media coverage include reviewing the series premieres of Zom 100 and Bleach: TYBW Part 2 back-to-back and briefly meeting Junji Ito at a VIZ gallery event in 2023.

Absolute Green Lantern has generally reinvented each of the colors of the emotional spectrum and this continuity's corresponding "Flames". Some have their drawbacks, like John Stewart's Gold Flame offering invulnerability but little in the way of individual offensive output. But the Red Flame, most notably carried by Guy Gardner as well as Tomar Re in this series, is notably powered by restraint, with proven individuals then able to exercise biokinesis upon their own bodies, reshaping themselves at will. This has meant projectiles of stomach acid and, in the latest issue, it appears the Red Lanterns are taking a page straight out of the Existenz book.

The Red Lanterns' Latest New Power Looks Utterly Cronenbergian

Resembling a mix of the Gristle Gun or body horror concepts like Videodrome's Flesh Gun, Guy Gardner debuted another use of his powers in Absolute Green Lantern #20. He is shown being hit by gunfire by the remainders of Hammond Industries' patrolling forces, unable to resist their bullets but rather instantly heal, then turning his arm into a writhing mass of flesh and teeth. A crude gun as if something out of indie horror games like Scorn, Guy fires a lethal salvo of human teeth to tear through his attacker instantly. It certainly puts a new meaning to the phrase "bite the bullet", and adds a certain disturbing factor that Hal Jordan can't help but be shocked to see.

This mastery over one's own body indicates that the only real limit to the Red Lantern's power in Absolute Green Lantern is just how creatively they can manipulate their own bodies. Spewing stomach acid or teeth are surely not the extent of Guy's conceived attacks for the future, and may likely not even be the grossest. Whether he reaches into his bag of tricks like Kimimaro from Naruto and Ransik from Power Rangers: Time Force to make literal weapons out of his bones, or finds an upsettingly violent use for various organs or glands, is mostly up to the creators and what DC will allow at this point.

Absolute Green Lantern's Heroes Are Quickly Realizing Their Potential

The rest of the Absolute Universe has had its heroes adapt to the vast powers at their disposal or, in the case of Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle, punch above their weight class with no powers needed. But for this continuity's spin on Lanterns, it's been a bit of an adjustment. John Stewart was a bit dismayed to learn his Gold Flame powers came with total enlightenment and perfect defense through passivity, but he's managing to turn that into a powerful tactical asset. Hal Jordan was nearly turned into the Absolute Universe's Black Hand, ultimately instead taking on power similar to that of the Star Sapphire Corps.

Jo has, naturally, taken an especially gratifying turn in resolving to no longer run away from her troubles, demonstrating immense resilience while coming into her own as the wielder of the Green Flame. Even in this latest fight, they've shown proficiency in surgically-precise, non-lethal approaches to stopping their enemies, like Jo removing one guard's trigger finger, and ruthlessly efficient lethal means like Tomar Re's ability to use the Red Flame to create a spherical construct inside their heads, exploding them from within.

Absolute Green Lantern has been a lot to process, but as Jo digs her heels into the ground, she issues a challenge to the Blackstars and any other would-be assailts to come to Evergreen, which she has freshly declared Green Lantern Country. She has grown plenty, and is ready to stop running.