Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Entities of the Emotional Spectrum


Emotional entities are a small pantheon of creatures, within the DC Universe that are pure embodiments of the emotions comprising the Emotional Spectrum. As of Green Lantern (vol. 4) #54 all seven entities have been revealed within Green Lantern titles. Though the Black Lantern Corps (introduced as major antagonists within the Blackest Night plot line) are powered by death rather than one of the lights of the Emotional Spectrum, Green Lantern #43 reveals that their leader (Black Hand) is a similar entity as well. In Blackest Night #7, Nekron unearths another similar being referred to as "The Entity." Like Black Hand, the Entity does not belong to the Emotional Spectrum, but instead is the embodiment of the white light that creates life in Johns' creation story for the DC Universe. In Brightest Day it's revealed that the former guardian Krona was the Caretaker/Handler for the entities and has immunity from the various lights of the emotional spectrum.

The Butcher is the embodiment of rage and is connected to the red light of the Emotional Spectrum and its appearance bears a resemblance to a demonic bull. The Butcher is born to the DC Universe after the first murder. The head and horns of this emotional manifestation resembles the Red Lantern Corps insignia.

Ophidian is the embodiment of greed which is connected to the orange light of the Emotional Spectrum. This entity resembles a large serpent with the Orange Lantern insignia on its head. In its debut appearance, it is depicted being created when the first creature ate what it did not need.

Parallax is the embodiment of fear, born when one of the earliest life forms first felt terror, and is connected to the yellow light of the Emotional Spectrum; it is insect-like in appearance, and the inside of its mouth resembles the Sinestro Corps symbol. Parallax is described as an entity of living fear that is born at the dawn of sentience itself. Parallax creates fear and paranoia in any civilization it comes across, and threatens to trap the entire universe in a vicious cycle of fear and violence.

Ion is the embodiment of willpower, born when life first moved of its own accord, and is connected to the green light of the Emotional Spectrum, resembling a large, primitive whale. Representing the stability of willpower, Ion serves to support its host, providing a vast supply of power in return for the willpower provided by its host.

Adara is the embodiment of hope and is connected to the blue light of the Emotional Spectrum, is bird-like in appearance, and has the Blue Lantern Corps' insignia on its chest. The hope entity is depicted as being created from the first act of prayer from a sentient being.

Proselyte is the embodiment of compassion and is connected to the indigo light of the Emotional Spectrum. In its first depiction, Proselyte is explained simply as: "Rage grows from murder. Hope from Prayer. And at last, compassion is offered to us all." This entity has a form similar to a cephalopod with four visible appendages. Its inner surface is lined with features that resemble the Indigo Tribe's insignia.

The Predator is the embodiment of love and is connected to the violet light of the Emotional Spectrum. In earlier continuity, an energy-projection being named Predator is presented as a component of Carol Ferris' own personality, which acts as a masculine animus to the feminine anima of Star Sapphire. It is indicated that the Star Sapphires have access to this emotional entity. The Predator appears to reside on Zamaron but its relationship with the women there is unclear.