The cover of Green Lantern #0 from DC Comics
As part of DC Comics’ much-publicized “Zero Month,” the publisher has recently released Green Lantern #0. The comic’s scribe, Geoff Johns, has been interviewed in numerous news outlets because this “zero issue” happens to introduce readers to an all new Green Lantern: an Arab-American from Dearborn, Michigan named Simon Baz. Thus far, Baz looks to be a worthy addition to the DC Universe.
In Green Lantern #0, we learn that Baz and his family dealt with a lot of post-9/11 discrimination for their heritage and Muslim faith. In fact, in this most recent issue, Baz is inducted into the Green Lantern Corps. not long after he is mistakenly accused of terrorism in a car-theft incident. Geoff Johns, who shares Baz’s Arab, Lebanese, and metro Detroit roots, promises to make Baz’s story a realistic and eye-opening one.
Baz is now the fifth Earth-born member of the space-faring police force known as the Green Lantern Corps. He joins his successors Hal Jordan, Guy Gardener, John Stewart, and Kyle Rayner. (Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern that debuted in 1940, although Earth-born, is not a member of the Corps. His ring is powered by magic, not the green light of willpower on which Corps. members’ rings are run. Scott made news headlines this past summer when he was revealed to be openly gay.) This month’s zero issue should be a great jumping-on point for new readers interested in the Green Lantern mythology.
Baz will also be joining Catwoman, Green Arrow, Hawkman, Katana, Martian Manhunter, Stargirl, Steve Trevor, and Vibe in a new book, Justice League of America, in February 2013. Geoff Johns and David Finch will author the comic.
And by the way: the Arabic tattoo on Baz’s arm reads “courage.”
An action figure for the new hero courtesy of DC Comics
Gamenomics & Comicology 
I really don’t like the mask, it covers too much, but I am excited for this new lantern. Green Lantern has been rather cyclical during Johns’ run (which I still enjoy), constantly barraged with new events spotlighting the same lanterns. Baz seems different and relevant enough to give Lantern a shot in the arm.