Creation
Vladimir Sokov was created by Geoff Johns and Brandon Peterson. His first appearance was in The New Golden Age #1, despite being retconned to have existed in Green Lantern #1.
Major Story Arcs
Vladimir Sokov was born in Russia in the early 1900s. His father was a man of great importance in the military who was fiercely loyal to his country. That loyalty was inherited by Vladimir, who joined the Soviet Union‘s Red Army and became one of its most decorated soldiers. When the American hero the Green Lantern went public, the Soviets began their attempt to replicate his source of power. Russia’s infamous Red Labs were able to create a red lantern and ring that tapped into a fiery power they discovered called the Crimson Flame. Little is known of the origin of the Crimson Flame save that it appeared mystical in nature and acted similarly to Alan Scott‘s power.
As Johnny Ladd, he managed to get inside US army, where he as a corporal in the Army Corps of Engineers, he first met Alan Scott in 1936 when they were tasked with building a containment unit for the mysterious Crimson Flame. The young men grew close over the course of the project and soon fell in love.
Their secret relationship developed quickly despite what the risk of exposure would mean, and while aboard the ship sailing in search of the Crimson Flame, Johnny gave Alan a ring and suggested going off the radar together once their mission was complete.
Taking the identity of The Red Lantern, Vladimir became Russia’s first superhero, although he operated only when sanctioned by his superiors in the Red Army. As Red Lantern, Vladimir came into conflict with Alan Scott multiple times throughout the 1940s. The two became arch-enemies. Although Red Lantern assassinated whomever the Red Army directed him to, he was unable to kill the Green Lantern. On one occasion, the two Lanterns teamed up to take on a group of Nazis who threatened both Americans and Russians during World War II. This partnership, however, was short-lived despite Alan’s offer to continue it.
Vladimir’s life changed when his daughter, Ruby, was born in 1951. She had somehow inherited the power of the Crimson Flame, which left her with glowing red skin. Vladimir’s daughter was taken against his will and put under study by Russia’s Red Labs. Trying to retrieve his daughter. Red Lantern was seemingly killed by the Red Army, but not before he turned every scientist in Red Labs studying his daughter into ash. However, his body, red lantern, and ring have never been recovered, and the fate of his daughter is unknown.
Personal Data
- Full Name. Vladimir Sokov
- Identify: Secret
- Occupation: Soviet Agent
- Marital Status: Single
- Known Relatives: Ruby Sokov (Daughter)
- Group Affiliation: Red Army, Soviet Union
- Base of Operations: Moscow, Russia
- Height: 6’3′
- Weight: 250 lbs.
- Eyes: Red
- Hair: Black
Powers & Abilities:
The Red Lantern wields a power ring that is charged with mystical crimson energy he can command through his willpower. The ring enables him to fly, manifest a crimson fire, and create any object out of the energy he can imagine. The ring’s power is limited by the strength of its wielder’s willpower, and it must be recharged periodically using the mystical lantern (from which the ring was made). The Red Lantern is a skilled and brutal hand-to-hand combatant. Even without the red ring. Vladimir is said to be the deadliest man in Russian history.