Green Lanternfans, hold on to your rings, because DC’s newestRed Lanternhas an unbelievable history, especially with theJustice Society. According to the solicitation for the newJSAseries, Ruby Sokov, the daughter of DC’s original Red Lantern, is officially joining the Injustice Society of America. But it’s not just her history with the JSA that makes her decision interesting, but her connection to Green Lantern Alan Scott.
Ruby’s future in the DC Universe is secure asshe’s pictured in the new roster of the ISA in a variant cover by Cully HamnerforJSA#1, a new title by Jeff Lemire and Diego Olortegui, launching November 2024 as part of DC’s All In initiative. Ruby is the current wielder of the Crimson Flame, an energy source dependent on rage, the opposite to Alan Scott’s Green Lantern energy, which is fueled by willpower.
JSA #1 (2024)
November 6th, 2024
Travis Mercer, Jeff Lemire, Sweeney Boo, John K. Snyder III,
Plot Synopsis released along with issue solicitation
Ruby’s father, Vladmir Sokov, the original Red Lantern,was an adversary of the Justice Society during DC’s new Golden Age— and also the star-crossed love of Alan Scott. Ruby made her DC Universe debut inJustice Society of America#1by Geoff Johns and Mikel Janín as part of an alternate futuristic timeline before officially entering the current timeline inJustice Society of America#8 by Johns and Janín.
DC’s Vicious Red Lantern DEX-STARR Returns for a Story So Heart-Breaking, I Nearly Cried
Dex-Starr, the feline Red Lantern, has had his mean streak in him for a long time, but finally we get to see the sweeter side of this house cat.
How Is He Connected to Green Lantern Alan Scott?
Ruby’s family connection toVladmir Sokov, the original Red Lantern, left her with natural red skin, and so Ruby was taken to be studied at the Red Labs.The New Golden Age#1 by Johns, Steve Lieber, Jerry Ordway, Olortegui, and more revealed that Vladmir tried to take her back but was unsuccessful, his attempt ending in a massacre that killed every scientist — and himself.When readers first meet Ruby, she’s determined to find her father, believing that he’s still alive.
Justice Society of America#8 opens with Ruby’s hunt for her father. Despite his objections, JSA member Huntress convinced Alan Scott to go looking for Ruby to try to sway her onto the right path.Alan comes across Ruby leaving a trail of bodies behind her, using her power to enact her version of justice. While Alan is very obviously wary of her rage, it’s also clear thatGreen Lantern’s complicated history with her fatherconvinces him to offer Ruby another shot.
For more about Alan’s fraught history with the Red Lantern — both romantic and contentious — check outAlan Scott: The Green Lanternby Tim Sheridan and Cian Tormey, available in a new softcover collected edition September 24th, 2024 from DC Comics.
Variant Cover by Sweeney Boo
Ruby’s fate might seem final, butthere is still potential for the Red Lantern to do good, even if she’s now pictured with the ISA. In the far future, Huntress and Power Girl lead a Justice Society whose roster consists of reformed villains; Ruby is one of them, making her a full JSA member. That version of Ruby Sokov no longer exists thanks to a villainous time-traveling scheme, but it proved that the power of the Crimson Flame can be harnessed for good. Redemption might not be a part of Ruby’s imminent future, but it could be a part of her larger journey, as Huntress refuses to give up on her old friends.
The currentJustice Society of Americaseries still has two more issues to go before the arc closes out, but it’s clear that Ruby has a large role to play in theJustice Society’sfuture. Whether or not Ruby chooses to do good after joining the ISA is unclear, but her history with both Huntress and the firstGreen Lanternremains strong. As theRed Lantern, Ruby Sokov could be their most powerful ally — or their most powerful enemy.
JSA#1is available November 6th, 2024 from DC Comics.
Green Lantern
Green Lantern is the name given to multiple enforcers of intergalactic justice in the DC Universe. Green Lanterns can harness the cosmic energy of willpower, and create unique spectral objects to face off against their enemies. Though some Green Lanterns have assisted with the Justice League, they primarily belong to the Green Lantern Corps.
Justice Society of America
The Justice Society of America is a DC Comics superhero team initially conceived during the 1940s and featured a mix of various heroes throughout DC Comics' continuity. Throughout the decades and via modern relaunches of the JSA, new members have been cycled in and out of the team, with heroes such as Stargirl, Cyclone, Wildcat, and Atom Smasher joining the ranks.
