(Editor's Note: As promised, kiddies, here is Part II of our Easter special. Okay, Easter was so last week, but really...does dying and resurrecting ever get old? Or fail to produce a sales boost? Enjoy!)
GREEN LANTERN HAL JORDAN
The resurrection of Hal Jordan in 2004 might be said to be the biggest fan fiat since years of letters, conventions and Vulcan ear tips gave the world the chance to see Star Trek again... even if it meant that we had to be subjected to that hairdo-with-a-hard-on that Deanna Troi had during the first 2 seasons. Ick.
Let's face it though... Hal Jordan as a character was a money loser! His books sales were in the tank, he was relegated to freaking Justice League Europe, and even making his hair grey at the temples (a time-honored tradition amongst us gay guys) didn't work. So... they turned him evil. He killed most of his friends, went mad with power, and changed his name to something with an 'X' in it. Edgy!
In one last heroic act, they let Hal go out with a literal bang, using his then nearly unlimited power to re-ignite Earth's sun... but only after apparently resurrecting someone himself—his old pal Green Arrow. I guess it's easy to play God when you pretty much are one. I mean, the ugly-ass armor thing worked for Kirby's New Gods, right?
Hal's passing left a hole to be filled in of the Green Lantern variety, and Kyle Rayner's turbulent career with the Power Ring began. Suddenly Green Lantern was relevant again—a young handsome upstart artist and comic book fan in the title role, who wielded the most powerful weapon in the universe. Sound like a power fantasy that'd appeal to anyone you know? You don't have to be gay to see the appeal in that!
But soon came the heat... or more specifically the H.E.A.T. "Hal's Emerald Advancement Team" was a vocal group of fans utilizing the newly popular Internet and good old fashioned bitchfests to get rid of Kyle Rayner and bring back Hal.
Now I think Hal's return, courtesy of DC wunderkind (and totally hot babe) Geoff Johns, owed more to the once-again flagging interest in the Green Lantern franchise than to H.E.A.T., but fan interest in Hal specifically had to be why, even after re-casting Hal's spirit as the new host for The Spectre, the "discovery" that Hal had been possessed by an evil fear entity, who had replaced him bodily was so widely accepted by fans of Jordan and Rayner alike. It just seemed... natural to have Hal back in the green and black.
Jesus Would Rate This Resurrection? ++++ Hal has a very plausible return story—like it was always supposed to have happened the way it did: the Gospel according to Johns!
JEAN GREY, PHOENIX
In the good old days when men were men and muties were hated and feared and led by a bald guy in a wheelchair with some HIGHly inappropriate eyebrows (It's called manscaping, Charles. You should read up), Jean "Marvel Girl" Grey was the sweetheart of the X-Men. With her dainty powers of picking up objects with her mind and mentally summoning help, she was prone to passing out and generally acting as a really good damsel in distress for the X-Boys to rescue, which worked out well since they were all pretty much in love with her.
When Plain Jean heroically gave her life to save her teammates from a fiery re-entry from a mission in Earth orbit we thought that might be the end of her, but she burst from the water in a spectacular new color-scheme and a brand new name...Phoenix! Jean Grey is like every drag queen's fantasy in a way... a lovely redhead surrounded by boys to fill every romantic desire (the tortured Emo kid, the Adonis, the brainy one, the happy-go-lucky kid... even a daddy!), who eventually transforms into a being of phenomenal cosmic power with a teased up hairdo, shiny gold heels and a gold lamé sash that made her a cosmic fashion icon. Take that, Tyra Banks!
But this was where aaaaalll the trouble started. After a pretty dramatic run of things in her new look, including a significant period spent having turned evil (Starting to sound familiar? I wonder if they ever checked to see if she was wearing a yellow ring?), she did come to her senses and essentially killed herself so she wouldn't threaten anyone again. And unbelievably, she really did stay dead for a good long while. Not Bucky- or Barry-long, mind you, but she was pretty much out of it for a good six years, which, as we I mentioned re: Colossus, is really a long while in CBT. I suppose we should have seen it coming, though... it's right there in her name after all, rising from the ashes and all.
Given her new nomenclature it was inevitable she'd be returning from the grave, despite the possibly apocryphal story of Jim Shooter declaring "Jean Grey Is Dead." Maybe they just mixed him up with Nietzsche. It could happen. Anyway, since then, Jean has died and come back at least, oh, twice I guess. It's hard to tell. This fact alone makes her the undisputed queen of resurrection. Even Jesus only came back once, and despite what Latino Catholics might want you to think, he was not wearing a stitch of gold lamé. Take that, lamb of God!
Jesus Would Rate This Resurrection? +++++ Not only has she had repeat performances, she out-classes J.C. in the hair-care category. Hallelujah!
Obviously this list could go on and on, and that's the point isn't it? It's OK to cozy up to comics characters—get close, personal and attached! Because even if they die (or turn evil and then die) they'll most likely return... most likely in a new, more reflective costume. Get comfortable, though. You might have to wait a loooong time. It could be Bucky-long.
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