In Brightest Day... (Superman: The Animated Series)
From Pop-Cult Guides
| DC animated Universe: Chronology |
| Batman: The Animated Series | Superman: The Animated Series | Batman Beyond | The Zeta Project | Static Shock | Justice League | Movies |
|
| Characters | Episodes | Movies | Comics | Video games | Cast and crew | Broadcasting | Awards | DVD releases |
| Superman: The Animated Series episode | |
|---|---|
| “In Brightest Day...” | |
| Image:Stas048.jpg Kyle Rayner, the new Green Lantern recharges his ring. | |
| Episode no. | Season 03 Episode 48 |
| Writer(s) | Hilary J. Bader |
| Director | Butch Lukic |
| Production no. | 047 |
| Original airdate | February 6, 1999 |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| "Absolute Power" | "Superman's Pal" |
"In Brightest Day..." is the forty-eighth episode of Superman: The Animated Series. It depicts the origin of Green Lantern. A dying alien Abin Sur tells his ring to find a worthy host. This host turns out to be Kyle Rayner, an artist working at the Daily Planet. However, an evil alien, Sinestro, arrives on earth looking for the ring. Now Superman must help the new Green Lantern defeat his enemy.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
Jimmy Olsen happily admires the work of his friend, Kyle Rayner, who is upset by the fact that the comics companies have rejected him. While the pair talk, a thug runs up and tries to steal Jimmy's camera. Kyle foils the robbery and apprehends the thief, while Jimmy takes his picture. Unfortunately, Perry rejects the picture, along with Jimmy's suggestion that Kyle be named a hero in the paper.
Meanwhile, the Daily Planet staff watches a space shuttle landing on TV. Things are going as normal but a smaller ship careens through space and hits the shuttle. The shuttle starts to fall out of control but Superman manages to save it.
Back on Earth, the smaller ship crash-lands in the middle of a forest. An alien creature dressed in a green-and-black costume points a green ring at a green lantern while gasping, "must... keep... safe." He then tells the ring to find another and choose well. The ring flies off in a green aura.
The ring flies through Metropolis causing a few minor problems until it finally hits Kyle in the head, while he's in the bathroom. Kyle picks up the ring and puts it on. He is suddenly dressed in an outfit similar to the alien's. The suit disappears as Perry storms into the bathroom and orders Kyle to draw the shuttle for a story on Superman's rescue.
Superman finds the alien's ship but is unable to help. The alien dies just after telling him to help "the Green Lantern." As Superman ponders the words, Sinestro arrives and demands that Superman gives him the ring. When Superman expresses ignorance Sinestro attacks him. Unprepared for the attack, Superman is easily defeated but Sinestro discovers he really doesn't have the ring. Nevertheless, Sinestro tries to kill him before leaving. Superman survives the attack and discovers the Lantern. When he touches it, he is transported to Oa, and confronted by the Guardians of the Universe. They tell him about the Green Lantern Corps and Sinestro's origin. They then ask Superman for his help in defeating Sinestro and saving Kyle.
Back at the Daily Planet, Kyle draws the shuttle and his ring generates a miniature ship. Confused, Kyle leaves the building and witnesses an accident involving a gasoline tanker truck and a young girl. Using the power of his ring, he easily saves both the girl and the driver and prevents further damage. However, he is soon confronted by Sinestro who attacks him and demands the ring.
The fight between Kyle and Sinestro continues throughout the city. Sinestro has the greater experience and easily forces Kyle to retreat. When Kyle finally goes on the offensive, his ring runs out of power and he cannot fight back. Fortunately, Superman arrives and takes him away.
Sinestro eventually finds Superman, who has given Kyle the lantern. Superman delays Sinestro while Kyle recharges his ring. Just as Kyle finishes, Sinestro beats Superman and restrains him. Kyle attacks Sinestro and this time he has a greater offensive power. However, Sinestro still has the advantage and hurls Kyle away.
Kyle eventually lands in an airfield and surrenders, offering the ring. Sinestro takes the ring, but it turns out to be a fake made out of energy, which explodes, temporarily stunning him. Kyle then reveals the real ring and pummels Sinestro, sending him flying into a giant Green Lantern that first overdoses Sinestro with power, then explodes. Superman breaks free of his restraints and destroys Sinestro's ring.
The Guardians congratulate Kyle and name him the Green Lantern of Sector 2814. Kyle claims that he's unworthy and that someone like Superman should be the new Green Lantern. However, Superman assures Kyle he'll be perfect for the job.
[edit] Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Tim Daly | Superman/Clark Kent |
| Dana Delany | Lois Lane |
| David Kaufman | Jimmy Olsen |
| John Rubano | Houston Control |
| Tress MacNeille | Pilot |
| George Dzundza | Perry White |
| Mark Davis | Dude |
| Pat Musick | Guardian #2 |
| Peter Mark Richman | Guardian #1 |
| Michael P. Greco | Kyle Rayner/Green Lantern |
| Ted Levine | Sinestro |
| Unknown | Abin Sur |
[edit] Trivia
- This episode is a modification of Hal Jordan's origin story. However, Hal Jordan only appears once in the DC Animated Universe. This was during the Justice League Unlimited episode "The Once and Future Thing, Part 2: Time Warped" and was only the result of a time shift.
- Hal Jordan's jet is seen in this episode.
- Kyle's rejection letter came from DC Comics.
- Green Lantern is the fifth superhero to appear on the show after Lobo, The Flash, Batman, and Doctor Fate.
[edit] Quotes
Lois: "Sure, how many times have you flown to the moon Smallville?"
Perry: Lois, have you seen Kyle Rayner?
Lois: Yeah chief, he was heading to the one place where even my credentials won't get me in.
Kyle: "Wait, don't you want to talk first? You know, banter back and forth to show me your innate superiority?"
Sinestro: "No."
Guardians: "The ring has chosen you, Kyle Rayner."
Kyle: "But I'm just an artist. I doodle in the margins of notepads I daydream about color form and monster trucks. I live half my life in a fantasy world."
Superman: "You sound perfect."
