Green Lantern: Emerald Knights (2011)

Green Lantern: Emerald Knights (2011) is an American animated superhero film that shares tales of different members of the Green Lantern Corps. These members include Abin Sur, Laira, Kilowog, and Mogo. While not a direct follow-up to First Flight, the movie utilizes the same character designs and features a cameo by Ch’p, who also had a speaking role in its predecessor. This movie is the eleventh installment in the lineup of DC Universe Animated Original Movies and follows a similar anthology format as the earlier created Batman: Gotham Knight. However, unlike its counterpart, it boasts a cohesive animation style and an overarching connecting storyline.

1. Green Lantern (Christopher Berkeley). The Guardians’ humble scribe, Avra, received one of the Corps’ first four power rings despite not being a warrior. Along with G’Hu, Wachet, and Blu, they were assigned to stop the Dominators. Unfortunately, Blu perished in battle. However, Avra utilized his imagination to create the first ring construct and lead his allies in defeating the Dominator fleet. This marked the beginning of using power rings to shape constructs as standard practice. After Avra’s passing, his ring was passed down through the generations until it eventually landed in the hands of Abin Sur and Jordan.

2. Kilowog (Lauren Montgomery). Sergeant Deegan had a unique training method for the rookie Kilowog and several others. This involved removing their power rings and placing them in hazardous situations. However, Kilowog was not pleased with this approach and accused Deegan of disregarding their well-being. Despite this tension, they were all summoned to protect a neighboring planet from the Khunds. While Deegan led the other recruits, he left Kilowog behind to defend refugees. By the time Kilowog caught up, Deegan had sustained fatal injuries. As he lay dying, he explained that everything he did was for the benefit of his trainees. In his last moments, Deegan passed on his leadership role to Kilowog who successfully completed the mission.

3. Laira (Jay Oliva). Her first solo mission took Laira to her homeworld, Jayd, where her people committed war crimes. After learning they were ordered by her father, who was driven into rage and jealousy after her ring chose her instead of him, she defeated him in combat, after which he admitted she had truly become an adult before committing ritual suicide to maintain his honor. In his final moments, he died in the arms of a crying Laira, claiming she was Jayd’s true protector.

4. Mogo Doesn’t Socialize (Jay Oliva). Bolphunga, a notorious warmonger, sought to vanquish the universe’s most formidable fighters. When his latest adversary warned him of the impossibility of defeating Mogo, Bolphunga set out on a quest to find the elusive warrior. Despite weeks spent tracking numerous potent energy signals, his efforts were in vain. In an attempt to lure Mogo out into the open, Bolphunga resorted to planting explosives. However, he soon learned that Mogo was not a being, but the very planet itself. Before he could escape, Mogo extinguished the bombs and apprehended Bolphunga.

5. Abin Sur (Christopher Berkeley). As they apprehended Atrocitus, Abin and Sinestro engaged in a conversation about the latter’s prophecies. Despite Sinestro’s disbelief in destiny, they continued to discuss the matter. Eventually, they brought Atrocitus to the prison planet Ysmault, where he foretold Abin’s impending demise, Sinestro’s betrayal, and the emergence of a fear-driven Lantern Corps. Despite Abin’s doubts about his friend’s alleged actions, he ultimately chose to incarcerate Atrocitus.

6. Emerald Knights (Lauren Montgomery). Krona arises and the Corps battles his shadow demons, resulting in significant losses. During a brief pause, Arisia comes up with a strategy to defeat Krona by using an equivalent or greater amount of matter to counter his anti-matter. The Corps retreats to Oa and uses their combined strength to move it closer to the sun. Despite continued casualties from the Shadow Demons, Mogo arrives to aid his fellow Lanterns and ultimately destroys Krona and Oa. In the aftermath, Mogo agrees to serve as the temporary base for the Corps while they rebuild Oa. As recognition for her clever plan, Arisia’s name is added to the Book of Oa.