While Creature Commandos marked the official beginning of James Gunn’s DCU, the official trailer for David Corenswet’s Superman gave us a glimpse of Gunn’s treatment of the upcoming cinematic universe by introducing us to some B-list characters we’re about to see on the silver screen for the first time. One of those characters is Guy Gardner, a Green Lantern with a bowl cut that everyone loves to hate.
Now, the Green Lantern Corps has a rather rich history of selfless saviors and authoritarian figures, but Guy Gardner is something else entirely. With his over-the-top arrogance and a knack for clashing with teammates, Guy has earned a place in a category of his own making as the Green Lantern Corps most divisive member. Whether it’s his cocky attitude, his infamous bad decisions, or his love for stirring the pot, Guy’s antics are as unforgettable as they are polarizing. These five reasons unpack exactly why he stands out — and why he’s the Green Lantern fans can’t help but love to hate.
Attitude
Guy Gardner is infamous for his over-the-top arrogance and in-your-face attitude. Unlike the more composed Hal Jordan and John Stewart, Gardner thrives on confrontation and often makes different situations more difficult with his reckless bravado. His confidence borders on hubris, which rubs both the readers and Guy’s teammates the wrong way — with many believing Guy is in desperate need of an attitude adjustment.
One such adjustment came from none other than the Caped Crusader himself. Gardner constantly challenged Batman’s leadership of the Justice League and generally hounded him about his every move. Now, it’s important to note that it’s not that easy getting under Batman’s skin, so credit where credit is due. However, Guy soon finds out that irritating Batman isn’t such a great idea. A single knockout punch gave Guy the attitude adjustment he sorely needed.
Toxic Masculinity and Machismo
We’d like to point out that Guy Gardner was horribly mistreated by the writers, and each time his popularity went up with readers, the writers would find a way to make him more despicable. So, in his earlier portrayals, which include a rather poorly received origin story, Guy often embodied a caricature of toxic masculinity, complete with chauvinistic remarks and a dismissive attitude towards others.
In JLA: Classified, Gardner was portrayed as a “hero” whose behavior occasionally bordered on SA. This kind of behavior caused massive criticism of the entire series, and many fans wish that those moments never happened. However, while Gardner’s behavior in the comic book series is inexcusable, so is his treatment by the writers of the series, especially since he had been given an attitude readjustment and as a result had become a more grounded and lovable character.
Anger Issues
It’s obvious that Guy has problems with emotional regulation, which leads to impulsiveness, recklessness, and even anger. While his anger, aggressive behavior, and brash and confrontational personality have made him a standout character in the DC Universe, much of it can be attributed to his tough upbringing and the trauma he experienced as a kid. Still, despite all of his flaws (of which there are many) he’s strong-willed and very determined, which makes him a powerful and effective Green Lantern.
Except for that one time when he actually became a Red Lantern. For context, there are around a dozen different known Lantern Corps in the universe and many “splinter factions.” Red is governed by the emotion of anger, and many members of the Red Lantern Corps are simply mindless killers and not much else. Gardner’s time as a Red Lantern was actually a retcon mission gone wrong because he succumbed to his impulse and embraced anger wholeheartedly. However, he actually retained some of his humanity, overcame his anger, and let go of all the rage that consumed him.
Overshadowed by Other Green Lanterns
Guy Gardner’s abrasive personality makes him less likable compared to the more heroic and charismatic Hal Jordan and John Stewart. The former’s charisma and heroism and the latter’s discipline and no-nonsense approach make them stand out as fan favorites. Even Kyle Rayner, who is perhaps equally poorly written, is more liked than Gardner, and the same could be argued for Jessica Cruz and Simon Baz.
Additionally, while Gardner has received storylines of his own, he was originally introduced as a backup Green Lantern for Hal Jordan. He would have been chosen as the Earth’s Green Lantern if he had been closer to Abin Sur’s crash site, but since Hal was there first, he inherited the ring, and Guy was the designated backup. Admittedly, while his role has evolved and his attitude has improved, first impressions are tough to beat.
That Bowl Cut
Let’s be entirely honest here: that bowl cut is a crime against fashion, especially in a comic book universe filled with aliens, godlike beings, and cutting-edge designs. The haircut has an origin story of its own, as it was worn by General Glory’s sidekick, Ernie — a character from an in-universe comic book Guy read as a kid to escape the unpleasantness of his childhood. Whatever the case may be, his outdated haircut makes him an easy target for jokes, and while his hairstyle has been updated in some storylines, the bowl cut remains an eyesore for many fans.
Final Words
In the end, Guy Gardner’s character has been tweaked over the years, and he’s not as much of a jerk anymore. He still has a divisive personality with plenty of unique character flaws, but his complexity, willfulness, and determination are what make him an enduring and memorable character in the DC Universe — and perhaps one of the best Green Lanterns ever, depending on who you ask.