Book of Oa

The Book of Oa is an artifact that features in DC Comics.

History

The Book of Oa was a tome created by the Guardians of the Universe of the planet Oa.

The ancient Maltusians were the first to make an entry onto the sacred parchment where they use time travel techniques to reflect on events from genesis onwards. (Green Lantern Corps Quarterly v1 #8)

Around 954.09 years ago, the Green Lantern Corps was expanded to 3600 strong and under the command of Raker Qarrigat they were sent to bring order to the dark world of Apokolips. However, Darkseid's forces had learnt of the weaknesses of the Power ring and coated themselves in yellow where they decimated the Corps numbers. The conflict ended when the Guardians arrived where they proposed a peace treaty with Darkseid who accepted under the caveat that Lantern Raker Qarrigat was left behind. The Oans agreed and abandoned Qarrigat with the events of the war expunged from the Book of Oa. (Green Lantern 80-Page Giant v1 #3)

New Corps member Hal Jordan alongside Tomar-Re and Salaak consulted the Book of Oa in order to learn about the threat posed by Legion. (Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn v1 #4)

During the Sinestro Corps War, the Guardians rewrote the Book of Oa and created ten new laws with the first allowing for lethal force to be used against the Sinestro Corps. (Green Lantern v4 #26)

On New Oa, the Guardians conducted an exhaustive search of the Book's contents and discovered flaws, revisions and amendments made to it that were made without their knowledge. As a result, they decided that the Book of Oa was no longer trustworthy at this point in time. (The Green Lantern v1 #1)

Overview

Within its pages was the all the knowledge held by the Guardians of Oa. (Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn v1 #4) The legendary tome served as a Book of Record for the history of the universe. (Green Lantern Corps Quarterly v1 #8)

Upon recruitment, a Green Lantern is expected to uphold certain principles of his/her/its duty. These principles include:

1. The protection of life and liberty within the assigned sector.

2. Following the orders of the Guardians without question.

3. Noninterference with a planet's culture, political structure, or its population's collective will.

4. Acting within local laws and obeying the local authority within reason (presumably, the Guardians' orders can overrule this when necessary).

5. Taking no action against anyone or anything until they are proven to be a threat against life and liberty.

6. Avoiding the use of equipment, resources or authority of the Corps for personal gain.

7. Showing respect for and cooperating with other members of the Corps and the Guardians.

8. Showing respect for life which includes restraint of force unless there is no reasonable alternative.

9. Giving top priority to the greatest danger in the assigned sector.

10. Upholding the honor of the Corps.

Section 12 : in ordinance C it stated, "An officer of the Green Lantern Corps may temporarily contravene the orders of a Guardian in the interest of protecting the officers sector." (Green Lanterns v1 #8)

The Book of Oa had been designated off-limits after being rewritten by the Guardians of the Universe to include ten new laws. Only the first four have been revealed:

1. Lethal force is authorized against the Sinestro Corps.

2. Lethal force is authorized against all enemies of the Green Lantern Corps.

3. Physical relationships and love between Green Lanterns is forbidden within the Corps. This law is later repealed and relationships between Green Lanterns were allowed following the Blackest Night event.

4. The Vega System is no longer outside of Green Lantern Corps' jurisdiction.

The Forbidden Chapter of the Book told the prophecy of the Blackest Night, the final destruction of the Green Lantern Corps at the hands of their greatest enemies as it was told to Abin Sur by the demons of Ysmault.

One passage stated, "A face of metal and flesh shall speak of the secrets of the 52. Fear will rise. Willpower will gather. And a War of Light will unleash the truth behind the power of the ring." (Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Special v1 #1)

Notes

• The Book of Oa was created by Alan Moore where it made its first appearance in Green Lantern v2 #188 (May, 1985).

In other media

Films

• In Green Lantern: Emerald Knights, the Book of Oa was mentioned a number of times in the animated film. Hal Jordan quoted numerous stories from the Book to Arisia that contained the exploits of the Green Lantern Corps. Quoting passages from the Book, he informed her of how the Power Rings were created by the Guardians of the Universe and who were the first Green Lanterns.

Video games

• In DC Legends, the Book of Oa appeared in the story setting of the iOS video game where it was said to contain the entire history of time itself. Whilst on Oa, Hal Jordan suggested to his comrades to consult the book on how to fight the Manhunters where they went to the Hall of Great Service. After reading it, it offered no weaknesses to the Manhunters or the Wraiths attacking them but highlighted the symbol worn by their foes which was that of a Black Lantern who were servants of Nekron, Lord of the Unliving.

Appearances

• Green Lantern v2:
• Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Special v1:
• The Green Lantern v1:

External Links

• DC Database Entry

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