'Lanterns' Episode 6 Reveals The DCU's Best Green Lantern (And No, It's Not HIM)

Lanterns (2026) has proved to be the win the DC Universe needed in live-action by telling a grounded sci-fi story with gripping characters. Setting the story in two distinct points in time, a decade apart, also showed how these characters changed and why Guy Gardner was the one given the ring over John Stewart after Hal Jordan lost it.

Realistically, it would make sense to see Hal Jordan as the best Green Lantern in this universe, and in many ways, it's true. But there's a strong case for why Guy is actually the best one, and his actions, above all else, prove that.

Guy Gardner's Background Explains Most of His Present Behavior

Hal Jordan and John Stewart share a similar background of being in the military. While one was a pilot and the other a Marine, that doesn't change the fact that they have discipline and a naturally fearless nature. This makes sense for a Green Lantern, but it also challenges Guy Gardner and why he got the ring as well.

Guy Gardner was a gym teacher who preferred to help out and, per Nathan Fillion in a recent interview, also likely has brain damage after saving a kid and being hit by a bus. This accident put him in a coma in the comics and changed his behavior, but at his core, he was always a nice person who wanted to help.

He's also proven to go against the grain, often not listening to the Guardians and working with Maxwell Lord and being a corporate shill. But even so, the reason he was chosen was never called into question. The reason for this is that his core character represents someone who will stop at nothing to do the right thing, even if it puts him at an inconvenience. Compared to Hal and John, Guy has had multiple examples to prove this.

Guy Gardner Isn't Nice, But He Is Selfless

Guy Gardner is most famous for being considered an a-hole above all else. Getting him to do what's right while upholding his oath is often one of the hardest things he has to do, and this involves not getting caught up in politics. Nevertheless, Guy did just that in Superman (2025) and saved hundreds of innocent lives in the process. He has also saved lives with the Justice Gang.

Even though those acts are public-facing, he will still make time to help a colleague. Lanterns showed that when John shone the Green Lantern signal, an obvious dig at Batman, and Guy showed up. Even after John was mean to him, Guy still agreed to help him on his mission, even if it was at great risk to himself.

Guy Gardner going out of his way to help people who don't like him, even if he gives them an attitude, shows that he has the makings of being a selfless hero; the brain damage just might have made him meaner. He's still a trustworthy person and a useful ally to have in a battle because no matter how much he complains, he will do it while saving the day. Guy simply keeps things logical and knows that even if he looks like a sellout, it won't stop him from being selfless.

Guy Gardner's Flaws Are Only Surface Level

Guy Gardner looks like a wildly flawed character on the surface. He's abrasive, not too bright, and not even that creative with his constructs. As a result, many wonder why he's a Lantern in the first place and if he carries any true value. But compared to Hal or John, it makes perfect sense why he was chosen to uphold the Green Lantern oath in the first place.

Guy is a lot of complex things, but his flaws don't run that deep. Everything about him is surface level, and once you dig past that, you see a guy who is simply trying to do the best he can given the circumstances. To do all of that with a brain injury makes it even more impressive, considering what he has to deal with while also saving countless lives with other heroes.

Guy Gardner is the best Green Lantern because he shows how easy it is to be a good person even if your attitude may not reflect that. He will help anyone in need no matter what, and if he chooses to enjoy himself in the process, it doesn't change what he's willing to sacrifice to help. He's a hero in every sense, and that may be a strong reason why other heroes have a hard time accepting him.