Sorry, Batman But DC Comics’ Most Tragic Backstory Belongs to a Green Lantern Ally and Here’s Why

The tragedy that Batman went through is what inspired him to eventually become a superhero, and it’s been a major part of his character for the majority of his history – but it doesn’t even hold a candle to the tragedy experienced by one Green Lantern ally. While witnessing his parents murdered is certainly a tragic backstory for Bruce Wayne, it pales in comparison to the backstory of Blue Lantern Saint Walker.

Batman’s backstory is well-known; even people who don’t read comic books are familiar with what happened to him. Bruce Wayne grew up in great fortune and was incredibly lucky. Not only did he have the wealth to pursue any interest, but he also had a loving family that truly cared about him. It seemed like he was set to have an incredible and perfect life.

But as even non-comic book readers know, this perfect life was shattered due to the Wayne murders that rocked Gotham City. After leaving the Monarch Theater one night, Bruce Wayne witnesses his parents being gunned down by Joe Chill.

Green Lantern’s Ally Saint Walker Has the Saddest History of All Time

First Appearance: Green Lantern #25 by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, Ethan Van Sciver, Oclair Albert, Júlio Ferreira, Moose Baumann, Rod Reis, and Rob Leigh

This one tragic moment completely changed Bruce Wayne’s life. For a long time, Bruce thought of nothing but revenge. All he wanted was to find Joe Chill and murder him. It got so bad that Alfred Pennyworth even sent Bruce off to therapy in hopes of getting him the help he needed. Bruce eventually changed his mind and instead focused on making Gotham a better place. He used his trauma to become a superhero who inspires hope in other people. As dark as Bruce’s backstory is, though, there’s a surprising DC character who’s got a far sadder history that even Batman can’t compete with: Saint Walker of the Blue Lantern Corps.

The many Lantern Corps in the DC Universe are all powered by different emotions on the emotional spectrum. The Green Lanterns are the most well-known and have exceptionally strong will. The Red Lanterns are overcome by rage, and the Blue Lanterns hold hope above all else. Bro’Dee Walker – later to become the Blue Lantern Saint Walker – is an alien whose planet was overcome with hopelessness. When it seemed that their planet would be destroyed by their sun, the population of his planet went insane, rioting and doing anything they could to grab whatever bit of resources or pleasure there was before the planet was destroyed.

Bro’Dee Walker was a devoted and loving father to his family. He did everything he could to care for them, and when the riots started, he stayed at home and read scripture with them. Realizing that simply taking care of his own family wasn’t enough, Bro’Dee decided to follow his scripture and climb a great mountain to find the Messiah who would save his people. With the hope that he could save everyone, Bro’Dee took his family and ventured out on a pilgrimage, and it became a true test of his faith.

Saint Walker Witnessed the Death of Everyone He Loved on His Planet

Not Even Batman Can Compete with This Scope

As Bro’Dee climbed the mountain, more and more horrific things began to befall him and his family. One by one, his family didn’t survive the journey. Bro’Dee believed that all of this was just a test from God, and he continued to assure his family that everything would be okay, but it got harder and harder to keep going. His father fell to his death in a canyon; his wife and daughter drowned in a river; and his son died after eating poisonous fruits. Despite watching his entire family die on the journey that he brought them on, Bro’Dee’s faith couldn’t be shaken. He eventually reached the top of the mountain, only to discover: nothing.

The discovery that there was no great Messiah infuriated Bro’Dee, and he demanded his God answer for this and show him the Messiah whom he had sought. Rain began to pour, and in the reflection of the puddles, Bro’Dee saw himself. He realized that he was meant to be the Messiah. He then returned to his home and began to preach his teachings, and while it took a while, eventually, people began to listen, believing in the hope that Bro’Dee Walker had. Surprisingly, the sun that once threatened to destroy the planet turned blue, and the planet was saved.

Blue Lantern Saint Walker’s Faith Was Tested Over and Over

Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #1 by Geoff Johns, Jerry Ordway, Hi-Fi Design, and Steve Wands

After that, because of his unwavering faith and hope that things would get better, Bro’Dee Walker was rewarded with a Blue Lantern ring. It’s an incredible story, and it’s a lot more tragic than Batman’s backstory. While both of their stories are undeniably sad, there’s one major factor that sets the two apart: the death of Bro’Dee Walker’s family was absolutely his fault. While he had faith that things would get better, that faith led his family into dangerous situations that they did not survive, which hasn’t always been the case with Batman’s backstory.

In the majority of interpretations of Batman’s backstory, the mugging was just pure happenstance. It wasn’t anyone’s fault in particular. Bruce and his family exited the theater, and while walking down an alleyway, they were attacked. Because of this, Batman has grown up with the trauma of not being able to save his parents, but he ultimately can’t. He was a child, and there wasn’t anything he could have done. Some interpretations have tried to “fix” this by making it Bruce’s fault, such as Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, which changed it to Bruce getting scared and insisting that the Waynes leave the theater early.

Like a True Lantern, Saint Walker’s Tragedy Let Him Save His Entire Planet

Batman Still Struggles to Save a Single City

While Batman’s backstory is sad, it ultimately isn’t his fault. There’s a tragedy to it, certainly, but there’s nothing else he could have done. Because of this, he should ultimately be able to move past and accept that he can’t change things. The same isn’t true of Bro’Dee. It was Bro’Dee’s choice to take his family on his pilgrimage, which was his idea in the first place. Because of his actions, he lost his entire family, and while it might ultimately have been worth it, as he saved his planet, it’s undeniably sad that it was still a sacrifice that he was responsible for making.

Related

The Blue Lanterns Are the Most Important Heroes in the DC Universe, And I Can’t Wait for the DCU Movies to Prove It to the Entire World

The Blue Lantern Corps is essential to the DCU because of its constant themes of hope within darkness – and it’s time for the Blue Lanterns to shine.

So many different heroes have been forged by tragedy. It’s difficult to name a superhero who doesn’t have some form of tragedy in their past that they use to motivate themselves to help people. A lot of times, that tragedy comes from a place of helplessness. Wanting to save other people, to make up for the people the hero couldn’t save. But that’s just not the case for Saint Walker. He lost his family because of his own choices, and it was a sacrifice he had to make to become the hero his planet needed. While Batman’s story is certainly tragic, it’s really nothing compared to the sacrifices of Green Lantern’s ally, Saint Walker.

Green Lantern #25 is available now from DC Comics!

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Green Lantern

Green Lantern is the name given to multiple enforcers of intergalactic justice in the DC Universe. Green Lanterns can harness the cosmic energy of willpower, and create unique spectral objects to face off against their enemies. Though some Green Lanterns have assisted with the Justice League, they primarily belong to the Green Lantern Corps.

Created By

Martin Nodell
, Bill Finger
, John Broome
, Gil Kane
, Dennis O’Neil
, Neal Adams

First Appearance

All-American Comics

Alias

Alan Scott, Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner, John Stewart, Kyle Rayner, Simon Baz, Jessica Cruz, Sojourner Mullein

Alliance

Justice League, Justice Society of America, Green Lantern Corps

Comic Books

Green Lantern #1

Summary

Several individuals have taken up the name, powers, and duties of the Green Lantern since the character was created for DC comics in the 1940s. But no matter who takes on the name, members of the Green Lanterns, an intergalactic force for protection and justice, seek to eliminate evil and keep Earth (and other planets) safe.

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Batman

One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.

Created By

Bob Kane
, Bill Finger

Alias

Bruce Wayne

Alliance

Justice League, Outsiders, Batman Family

Race

Human

FIRST APP

Detective Comics #27 (1939)

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