Ron Marz’ Kyle Rayner: The Torch-Bearer

In 1994 writer Ron Marz was given the unenviable job of writing the story that would end Hal Jordon’s tenure as Green Lantern and create a new character to take his place.  Hal Jordon was a test pilot and knew no fear.  He was part of a Universe spanning police force and had decades of history.  Basically there was nothing even remotely approachable about the title.  He had begun to be defined more by his interactions with others than his own character.  With the death and return of Superman it was decided that this would be a good time to revamp Green Lantern.  This is where Kyle Rayner came in. I doubt that Ron Marz knew at the time that this story would end up being one of the most controversial stories of the 90s.  Websites, petitions, and even organizations would grow out of the decisions he would make.  What this meant for comics as a whole is still debated to this day.  For me though what happened was one of my favorite characters – and one I would end up being able to share with my wife -  made his first appearance.  Kyle Rayner is and likely always will be my favorite Green Lantern. Hal Jordon fans were angry about the way he was written out of the title.  Many claimed that death would have been acceptable, but seeing their hero fall from grace and destroy the Corps in the process was more than they could accept.  I personally....