Green Lantern Secret Files and Origins 2005 is an extra-sized special issue that served as a direct prelude to the 2005 Green Lantern ongoing series. Written primarily by Geoff Johns, it focuses on setting the stage for Hal Jordan's return to active duty following the events of Green Lantern: Rebirth.
Main Stories
- "Flight": The lead story, illustrated by Darwyn Cooke, features Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner flying together to Edwards Air Force Base. During the journey, Hal reminisces about his childhood and his father's career as a pilot. Upon arrival, Hal takes Kyle up in a jet to let him experience the thrill of flight without the aid of a power ring.
- "The Day Before": A backup story (originally published in Wizard Magazine) illustrated by Ethan Van Sciver and Prentis Rollins. It takes place just before Green Lantern: Rebirth, showing Kyle Rayner in space discovering that "Parallax is coming," while on Earth, the Spectre (Hal Jordan) struggles with his identity and his methods of justice.
Profile Pages and Extras
The issue functions as a guidebook for the new era of Green Lantern, featuring comprehensive profile pages for key characters and entities:
- Heroes: Hal Jordan, Kyle Rayner, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, Kilowog, and the Guardians of the Universe.
- Antagonists: Sinestro, Parallax, the Manhunters, and Mongul.
- Creative Team: Includes contributions from notable artists such as Patrick Gleason, Dave Gibbons, Dale Eaglesham, Howard Chaykin, and Simone Bianchi.
Significance
This special was crucial for re-establishing the Green Lantern mythos after Hal Jordan's long absence. It bridged the gap between his redemption in Rebirth and his new status as Earth's primary protector in the subsequent monthly title.