After the wars in which the Guardians sought to remove magic from the universe (see Flashback below), all remaining mystical energies were gathered and bound in an orb called the Starheart.
The Starheart eventually gained self-awareness as the Green Flame of Life and willed a part of itself to travel through the universe. Two thousand years ago, this fragment found its way to Earth and crashed as a meteor in China.
Chang, an old master of the occult, took a piece of the meteor and created a lantern. When neighboring villagers killed him, the first prophecy was fulfilled.
Flashback
Following the Massacre of Sector 666, five beings escaped the Manhunters and swore to destroy the Guardians for unleashing the Manhunters. Led by Atros, later known as Atrocious, the “Five Inversions” formed an Empire of Tears spanning three galaxies.
The Guardians ultimately defeated them on their throne world, Ysmault. However, they could not kill the Five Inversions, so they crucified them and imprisoned their servants, declaring the territory forbidden to the Green Lantern Corps.
All-American Comics #16
July 1940 (May 21, 1940)
$0.10
(The Origin of Green Lantern)
8 pages
Writers: Bill Finger
Artist: Mart Nodell
Editor: Maxwell Charles Gaines
Tales of the Green Lantern Corps. Annual #2
1986 (Sept. 4, 1986)
$1.25
“Tygers”
12 pages
Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Kevin O’Neill
Editor: Andrew Helfer
CODEX OMNIVERSA 