Green Lantern No 40 (1965)

Green Lantern No 40 (1965) is a classic Silver Age of Comic Books collectible. It shows Green Lantern vs. Green Lantern of Earth on the cover and tells the "Secret Origin of the Guardians" story.

Specifications

 * Cover Art: Gil Kane & Murphy Anderson
 * Story: “Secret Origin of the Guardians” (24 pages)
 * Editor: Julius Schwartz
 * Writer: John Broome
 * Penciller: Gil Kane
 * Inker: Sid Greene
 * Letterer: Gaspar Saladino

Synopsis
An ancient Oan who defied the ban on trying to learn the secret origin of the universe, and who was penalized for it, finds a way of having the Earth-Two Green Lantern set him free of his imprisonment and of carrying on his work, in defiance of the Guardians and of the Green Lantern of Earth-One.

On Earth-Two, Alan Scott is shocked to find that his power ring is not working against a yellow meteor, and yet it is able to save Doiby Dickles' car from a falling tree. Realizing that his power ring seems to have the same properties of the Earth-One Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, Scott travels to Earth-One to tell his alternate reality counterpart of his discovery. However, when Alan tries to show Hal what his power ring can do on Earth-One, he finds that the effect has worn off. Realizing that there might be more going on, Hal suggests they probe Alan's power ring to find out what happened.

The ring begins by explaining that millions of years ago on the planet Oa on Earth-One, a scientist named Krona tried to view the creation of the universe with a device -- something that was forbidden by the Oa society -- however in viewing creation he caused a chain reaction that destroyed his device and created evil in the universe. As punishment, Krona was converted into energy and sent to spend eternity circling the various universes in existence. The Oans then created the Green Lanterns to police the universe and defend it from evil. The ring then explains that the yellow meteor that Alan tried to stop was really Krona, who was able to then transfer his being into Alan's power ring to piggy back into Earth-One.

Contacting the Guardians, they tell the two Green Lanterns that they are aware of the situation and that Krona is somewhere on Earth. As Krona builds a new device to recreate his original experiment, the two Green Lanterns battle environmental forces that are thrown at them as a result of Krona's experiments.

Not wishing to be interrupted by the two heroes, Krona uses his mental powers to manipulate the Guardians to come to Earth, and demands that Hal turn his title of Green Lantern over to Alan Scott. While Hal is shocked by this revelation, Krona takes control of Alan's body and attacks Hal with it. With Hal defeated, Krona has the Guardians brought to his hideout while the spirit of Alan Scott helps Hal track down it's location. Hal battles Krona and destroys his machine and frees the Guardians. The Guardians then banish Krona once more, and once Alan is restored to his body, the two Green Lanterns part company, Alan returning back to Earth-Two.

Collecting
With the new Green Lantern movie set to be released on June 17, 2011, collectibles for all-things Green Lantern should accelerate. Green Lantern No 40 (1965) is currently affordable with Good/Very Good copies averaging $90.00, Very Good/Fine $110.00, and Fine/Very Fine going for around $280.00.

Hard-core collectors should also explore Green Lantern Original Art. Original production drawings or pencil sketches are difficult to find and are always sought-after.