DC’sGreen Lantern Corpshas recruited some bizarre members, but 2024 went further than ever as an iconic pop-culture figure got their own Power Ring. Superhero stories often include ambitious crossovers, but even in that context, the new GL was an impressive fusion of pop culture franchises.
King Kong Became a Green Lantern in 2024
The DC/Monsterverse Crossover Unleashed the Ultimate Fusion
2024 sawKing Kongbecome an official Green Lantern, as the iconicMonsterverseTitan got his own superpowers. Coming from Brian Buccellato, Christian Duce, Luis Guerrero, Jimmy Betancourt and Richard Starking,Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kongwas an official crossover between DC Comics and the Monsterverse. WhileGodzillahad an official Marvel Comics seriesback in the ’70s, DC fans have been waiting decades for this kind of crossover, which is unlikely to be the last time the Justice League encounter the King of the Monsters.
The official crossover allowed DC to use the Monsterverse’s iconic movie monsters, with epic moments likeGodzilla’s nuclear breath almost killing Superman.Since no version ofKing Kongis yet in the public domain, this was a rare chance for fans to see the simian superstar in the DC Universe.But the crossover didn’t just throw the characters together - it actually combined comic and kaiju lore.
This unique crossover debuted Batman’s anti-kaiju mech and Lex Luthor’s new take on Mechagodzilla.
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King Kong vs The Skull Devil Gave Monsterverse Fans an Epic Rematch
King Kong’s Power Ring Unleashed His Biggest Advantage Over Other Kaiju
Kong used his new Green Lantern powers to win anepic fight against the Skull Devil- enhanced by exposure to a rejuvenating Lazarus Pit (the same type used by Batman’s recurring foe Ra’s al Ghul.) King Kong almost fell to his old Skull Island enemy, until the ring of fallen hero Guy Gardner chose the kaiju ape as its next wielder.
Green Lantern rings seek out those who possess immense will power, which is necessary to create energy constructs. While imagination is often the secret weapon that makes for a powerful Green Lantern, King Kong kept things simple, covering himself in a force field and wielding a gigantic version of the ax he used in 2021’sGodzilla vs. Kong. With help from Superman and Godzilla, both the Skull Devil and Lex Luthor’s new Mechagodzilla were defeated, and Godzilla and King Kong were returned to their own reality.
The crossover was a unique chance for DC to combine its superhero lore with Monsterverse characters, and it didn’t waste the opportunity. Fans got to see Lex Luthor upgrade Mechagodzilla,Batman pilot an anti-Kaiju mech, and Teen Titans' Beast Boy imprint on King Kong to become a towering green Great Ape.
Think King Kong is the weirdest creature to ever become a Green Lantern? He doesn’t even break the top ten.
Fans ofJustice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kongshould keep an eye out forthe upcomingGodzilla vs. Marvel- a new six-issue crossover coming 2025.
King Kong’s Green Lantern Transformation May Have Been Shocking, But It’s Definitely Lore Accurate
The Green Lantern Corps Has Weirder Members Than Kong
While King Kong getting a Green Lantern ring is a huge moment that would have been impossible before now, it actually stands up to existing DC lore. The Green Lantern Corps draws its members from across space, with the only requirement being the ability to overcome great fear via willpower. There are animal, plant and even mineral Green Lanterns, each chosen to protect a given sector of space. When a Lantern falls, their ring goes out in search of a new wielder to take their place.While King Kong might not be the smartest hero, he has plenty of willpower, making him a surprisingly fitting Green Lantern.
In fact, Kong wouldn’t even be thestrangest hero to join the Green Lantern Corps. While Earth’s Green Lanterns tend to be human, other sectors of space have unique guardians, including:
Hopefully,King Kongactually gets to meet these other wild and wonderful Green Lanterns in a future crossover, since DC fans deserve to see the Monsterverse kaiju get the fullGreen Lanterntreatment, now that he’s earned the codename.
Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kongis available now 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.
Monsterverse
The Monsterverse is a giant kaiju franchise that began in 2014 with Legendary’s Godzilla starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bryan Cranston, and Elizabeth Olsen. The film was followed up by Kong: Skull Island, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Godzilla vs Kong, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
King Kong
King Kong is a colossal ape known for his incredible strength and tragic story. First appearing in the 1933 film, Kong’s narrative has been retold and reimagined numerous times. He is often depicted as a misunderstood creature who forms a bond with a human woman, leading to his eventual downfall when he is brought to civilization. Kong’s character explores themes of beauty and the beast, human exploitation of nature, and the clash between civilization and the wild.
