On September 5th, the release of GREEN LANTERN #0 will introduce a brand new Green Lantern to the DC Universe. Then starting in October, the monumental crossover event, “Rise of The Third Army,” will span the pages of GREEN LANTERN, GREEN LANTERN CORPS, GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS, and RED LANTERNS. To help you prepare for these exciting adventures, we’ll be putting a spotlight on the Green Lantern universe and the upcoming events that will change it forever each day this week on THE SOURCE.

Tomorrow, GREEN LANTERN ANNUAL #1 hits stores. Written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Ethan Van Sciver, this special oversized issue serves as a prelude to “Rise of the Third Army.” To help hold you over for one more day, we asked the Green Lantern group editors to tell us a little bit about the identities of thes first two armies: the Manhunters and the Green Lantern Corps.

“To combat the threat of the Third Army, Atrocitus needs to muster special soldiers of his own: the mechanical monstrosities known as the Manhunters,” explained Pat McCallum. “Originally created by the Guardians of Oa, what would drive Atrocitus to side with the same synthetic creatures that slaughtered his homeworld? And why would he need them if he already has his the ferocious Red Lantern Corps at his disposal? The stage is set in RED LANTERNS #13 when Atrocitus, Bleez and Rankorr go toe-to-toe with the Third Army, and then disturbing secrets will be laid bare in issue #14! And what happens when a Manhunter android is brought back on line not powered by Guardian science, but by the unpredictable raw power of Blood Magic?!? RED LANTERNS, the front line in the war against the Third Army!”

“The Green Lantern Corps has seen better days,” teased Matt Idelson. “John Stewart and Guy Gardner just witnessed the destruction of the Alpha Lanterns. Hal Jordan was kicked out of the Corps and replaced by Sinestro (who has since secretly given Hal a ring without the Guardians' knowledge). Kyle Rayner has his hands full trying to unite a disparate group composed of members of the other Lantern colors. There is no unity, there is no trust. It's almost like it's the last days of the Green Lantern Corps ... but if that's true, then what comes NEXT?”

“The Rise of the Third Army is actually the backdrop to what is ultimately some very personal stories with our Lanterns - Hal Jordan & Sinestro, Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner and the New Guardians, John Stewart, Mogo and ultimately the new Green Lantern that will be introduced in GREEN LANTERN #0,” added GREEN LANTERN writer Geoff Johns. “It's an examination of all of these heroes, a reminder to them and us why they were chosen - they are the light, the hope and the heroism that the universe needs. They think and act with their hearts and they will be the ones who usher in a new era for the Green Lantern Corps.”