Comic Title: Green Lantern #40
Publisher: DC (National Periodical Publications, Inc.)
Address: 575 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: October 1965
On Sale Date: August 26, 1965 Newsstand Date August 26, 1965
Source: House Ad, Atom #21, Page 31

Copyright Date August 26, 1965
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1965

Frequency: Monthly, with the exception of Feb., May, Aug. and Nov.
Cover Price: $0.12
Page Count: 32
Editor: Julius Schwartz

Title: "Secret Origin of the Guardians"
Pages: 24

Feature(s):
Green Lantern (Hal Jordan of Earth-1)

Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Gil Kane
Inker: Sid Greene

Reprinted In:
DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest #4 (1980)
Crisis on Multiple Earths the Team Ups Vol. 1 TPB (2006)
Green Lantern Archives Vol. 6 HC (2007)
Showcase Presents Green Lantern Vol. 3 TPB (2008)
Green Lantern:In Brightest Day TPB (2008)
Green Lantern Omnibus Vol. 2 HC (2012)
Green Lantern:A Celebration of 75 Years HC (2015)
Green Lantern:The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 2 HC (2018)
Green Lantern:The Silver Age Vol. 4 TPB (2019)

Feature Character(s)

• Green Lantern (of Earth-1; last appearance in Green Lantern #39; next appearance in Justice League of America #40)

Guest Star(s)

• Green Lantern (of Earth-2; last appearance in Justice League of America #38; next appearance in Green Lantern #45)

Supporting Character(s)

• Guardians of the Universe (last appearance in Green Lantern #37; next appearance in Green Lantern #44)

Villain(s)

• Krona (next appearance in Tales of the Green Lantern Corps #1)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Doiby Dickles (first Silver Age appearance; last appearance in Green Lantern #38; next appearance in Green Lantern #45)

Comments:
This story depicts Krona unleashing evil upon the universe by trying to learn the origins of the universe. His actions also transform the universe into a multiverse including the anti-matter universe of Qward.

Synopsis:
Alan Scott, the Green Lantern of Earth-2, sees what he believes is a meteor in the sky above Gotham City. When he uses his power ring, it fails to halt the meteor, but exposure to the energy eliminates the ring's weakness to wood. Excited about the increased power, he visits Earth-1 to tell Hal Jordan. However, when he arrives, his power ring loses its additional power and wood neutralizes it again.

Hal suggest asking the ring to explain what caused its aberrant behavior. The ring explains that the meteor was actually an energy beam which contained the consciousness of Krona. Krona was from an immortal race of Oans and sought to learn the origins of the universe. His experiments caused great upheaval and unleashed evil throughout the universe.

As punishment for his action, Krona was transformed into energy and sent into space by the other Oans. Believing themselves partially responsible for the evil in the universe, the Oans banded together as the Guardians of the Universe and founded the Green Lantern Corps. Krona eventually found the universe of Earth-2 and used Alan to escape his energy prison. Brought to Earth-1 in Alan's ring, Krona now seeks to recreate his experiment to learn the celestial origins of the universe.

Hal contacts the Guardians, who are already aware of the impending danger. They order both Green Lanterns to protect Earth as disasters are unleashed by Krona's experiments. The Guardians then plan to come to Earth to deal directly with the problem.

Krona takes control of Alan Scott and uses him to get close to the unsuspecting Guardians. He then takes control of them and orders Hal to give up his ring. Hal refuses and fights and losing battle to Krona in possession of Alan's body. Alan's mind contacts Hal through his ring and together they find the location of Krona's experiment. They trick Krona by switching rings and finally overcome him. The Guardians, free of Krona's influence, destroy his machines and return him to energy form. They send Krona back into space, this time ensuring that he will not come into contact with other planets.