What are the Alpha Lanterns of Green Lantern Corps?
With the debut of the "Alpha-Lanterns" in the most recent issue of Green Lantern, many readers (myself included) are wondering exactly what the heck these part-organic, part-robotic "police" are and what role they’ll play in the greater Green Lantern universe.
Luckily, Newsarama has an interview with writer Sterling Gates about his upcoming arc in Green Lantern Corps that provides some back story for the mysterious new members of the Green Lantern mythos.
NRAMA: We saw a little bit of what the Alpha-Lanterns do in Green Lantern. But can you elaborate on what role the Alpha-Lanterns play within the Corps?
SG: The Alpha-Lanterns act as "Internal Affairs" for the Green Lantern Corps. If someone isn’t doing their job right, they get flagged, and one of the Alpha-Lanterns is sent in to see why they’re not doing the job.
You know, Grant [Morrison] really hit on a wonderful idea and started the ball rolling with the Alpha-Lanterns, conceptualizing them, then Geoff developed the idea even further in Green Lantern. I’m focusing in on one of them in particular and really delving into her character and what drives her to be an Alpha. So as we follow Boodikka’s investigation, we’ll also be exploring her past and why she left her family behind. This story really serves as an origin story for Boodikka, looking back at her life while moving her forward as a character and an Alpha.
Gates’ Green Lantern Corps storyline begins with this month’s issue #21.