Of Rage and Sorrow

Sector 2261, Planet Mogo, The Heart of the Gray

Deep beneath the surface of a living planet, there lies a massive cavern filled with a pervasive gray haze of smoke and energy. But within the somber gloom, three lights were shining brightly, emanating from a trio clad in red… the color of Rage. 

Internal artwork from Green Lanterns #2 (Jul. 2016). © and TM DC. Written by Sam Humphries. Art by Robson Rocha.

Atrocitus, the leader of the Red Lanterns, stood silently next to two of his allies – the skeletal-winged Bleez and Dex-Starr, his loyal, ring-wielding cat.  All three were looking at a human woman wreathed in smoke, sitting in front of a massive structure crafted in the shape of a lantern - a gray lantern.

“Impressive.  The Earther has taken the Power Battery of Nekron and forged it anew, turning the Black… into Gray,” Bleez said, breaking the silence.

Internal artwork from Red Lanterns #5 (Jan. 2012). © and TM DC. Written by Peter Milligan. Art by Ed Benes.

“Yes. She is ssssstrong,” said Dex-Starr. “Also sad.  Very ssssad.”

“The sorrow in her heart fuels that power,” said Atrocitus. “As you can see, our rings are overcharged in the presence of the Gray, just as the blue light of Hope energizes the ring of a Green Lantern. Through that human… our strength grows.”

“How did you come to find this woman, Atrocitus?” asked Bleez.

“After the defeat of Nekron, it was determined by the assembled Lanterns that she should be found and … liberated from the grim power she possesses,” said Atrocitus. “It was I who found her first, and the moment I entered her presence, my ring’s power began to increase. It grew to a level that even my darkest, strongest rage could provide.”

“So it was, as Earthers say, a happy accident,” said Bleez.

“And powerrrrrr,” added Dex-Starr. “Ssssuch great power.”

“A power that grows with every passing moment,” Atrocitus said. “Through the Gray Battery, she can sense all the hearts filled with sorrow throughout the universe. So many voices crying out, wracked with grief. So many more to add to the ranks of the Gray.”

“It is curious that she was drawn to the Gray,” said Bleez. “Do you know the tale of her… becoming?”

“I do,” said Atrocitus.  “She witnessed the murder of her kin, slain by the witch Lyssa Drak before her eyes.”

“And she did not turn to her Rage - to a power that would let her seek bloody vengeance?” Bleez asked.

“She did not. The grief in her heart overwhelmed her rage… and all other emotions. Fear… Will… even Hope,” said Atrocitus.  “All of those died with her sister on that day, leaving her with only sorrow.”

“Lyssa Drak… the witch was brought down by one of Nekron’s creatures,” Bleez said. “And the Earther found no relief from her burden when her sister’s killer was destroyed?”

“None. As you can see, she is… consumed by the Gray,” Atrocitus said. “So overwhelmed that she appears to be in a perpetual, grief-fueled stupor… like a waking coma.”

“Her ssssorrow spreads,” said Dex-Starr.  “But our rrrrage protectsss us from it.”

“How fortuitous… for us,” Bleez said to her feline compatriot. “Soon the Red Lanterns will be unrivalled in power.”

“Even the Greenssss?” asked Dex-Starr.

“The Greens…bah! Puppets of the so-called Guardians. Fear wielders serve at the ever-changing whims of Sinestro,” Atrocitus snarled, his rage-fueled ring crackling with crimson energy.  “Blues cling to their hopes, and the Indigos cower behind their compassion.  Love will not win the day, and Larfleeze the Orange only lives to feed his insatiable greed. Among Lanterns, we are superior. The rest are broken and weak!”

“Then let the call go out, Atrocitus,” Bleez said. “Summon every Red available here to Mogo. Once assembled, no force in the universe will dare to defy us.”

Internal artwork from Red Lanterns #2 (Oct. 2011). © and TM DC. Written by Peter Milligan. Art by Ed Benes.

“Indeed… and once our new ally arrives, our power will grow even stronger,” said Atrocitus.  “Make ready - we have work to do before the others arrive,” said Atrocitus. “Let those who would defy us learn the terrible power of the Red Lanterns… of our rage.”

Internal artwork from Red Lanterns #2 (Oct. 2011). © and TM DC. Written by Peter Milligan. Art by Ed Benes.