Sorry, Batman, but DC Comics' most tragic story belongs to Green Lantern's ally and here's why

The tragedy that Batman went through is what inspired him to eventually become a superhero, and it has been an important part of his character for most of his history – but it doesn't even compare to the tragedy experienced by one Green Lantern ally. While witnessing his parents' murder is certainly a tragic story for Bruce Wayne, it pales in comparison to Blue Lantern Saint Walker's backstory.

Batman's story is well known; Even people who don't read comic books are familiar with what happened to him. Bruce Wayne grew up very lucky and had incredible luck. Not only did he have the wealth to pursue any interest, but he also had a loving family who truly cared about him. It seemed like he was destined to have an amazing, perfect life.

But as even non-comic book readers know, this perfect life was destroyed due to the Wayne murders that shook Gotham City. One night, after leaving the Monarch Theatre, Bruce Wayne witnesses his parents being shot to death by Joe Chill.

Green Lantern's ally Saint Walker has the saddest story of all time

First appearance: Green Lantern #25 by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, Ethan Van Sciver, Oclair Albert, Júlio Ferreira, Moose Baumann, Rod Reis and Rob Leigh

This tragic moment completely changed Bruce Wayne's life. For a long time, Bruce thought of nothing but revenge. All he wanted was to find Joe Chill and kill him. The situation got so bad that Alfred Pennyworth even sent Bruce to therapy in hopes of getting the help he needed. Bruce eventually changed his mind and focused on making Gotham a better place. He used his trauma to become a superhero who inspires hope in others. As dark as Bruce's story is, There's a surprising DC character who has a much sadder story that not even Batman can compete with: Holy Wanderer of the Blue Lantern Corps.

The many Lantern Corps in the DC Universe are all driven by different emotions on the emotional spectrum. The Green Lanterns are the best known and have an exceptionally strong will. Red Lanterns are overcome by rage and the Blue Lanterns maintain hope above all else. Bro'Dee Walker – who would later become Blue Lantern Saint Walker – is an alien whose planet has been gripped by hopelessness. When it appeared that their planet would be destroyed by their sun, the population of their planet went crazy, revolting and doing everything they could to grab whatever scrap of resources or pleasure that existed before the planet was destroyed.

Bro'Dee Walker was a devoted and loving father to his family. He did everything he could to care for them, and when the riots began, he stayed home and read the scriptures with them. Realizing that simply taking care of one's own family was not enough, Bro'Dee decided to follow his scriptures and climb a great mountain to find the Messiah who would save his people. Hoping to save everyone, Bro'Dee took his family and ventured on a pilgrimage, which became a true test of his faith.

Saint Walker witnessed the death of everyone he loved on his planet

Not even Batman can compete with this scope

As Bro'Dee climbed the mountain, more and more horrible things began to happen to him and his family. One by one, their family did not survive the journey. Bro'Dee believed this was all just a test from Godand he continued to assure the family that everything would be fine, but it became increasingly difficult to continue. His father died in a gorge; his wife and daughter drowned in a river; and his son died after eating poisonous fruit. Despite seeing his entire family die on the journey he took them on, Bro'Dee's faith could not be shaken. He finally reached the top of the mountain, only to find: nothing.

The discovery that there was no great Messiah enraged Bro'Dee, and he demanded that God answer for this and show him the Messiah he sought. The rain began to fall and, in the reflection of the puddles, Bro'Dee saw himself. He realized that He was destined to be the Messiah. He then returned to his home and began preaching his teachings, and although it took a while, eventually people began to listen, believing in the hope that Brother Dee Walker had. Surprisingly, the sun that once threatened to destroy the planet turned blue and the planet was saved.

Blue Lantern Saint Walker's faith was continually tested

Blackest Night: Tales from the Corps #1 by Geoff Johns, Jerry Ordway, Hi-Fi Design and Steve Wands

Afterwards, because of his unwavering faith and hope that things would get better, Bro'Dee Walker was rewarded with a Blue Lantern ring. It's an incredible story and much more tragic than Batman's backstory. Although their stories are undeniably sad, there is one important factor that sets them apart: the death of brother Dee Walker's family was absolutely his fault. Although he had faith that things would get better, that faith led his family into dangerous situations that they didn't survive, which wasn't always the case in Batman's story.

In most interpretations of Batman's backstory the robbery was pure chance. It wasn't anyone's fault in particular. Bruce and his family left the theater and, while walking down an alley, they were attacked. Because of this, Batman grew up with the trauma of not being able to save his parents, but ultimately is unable to. He was a child and there was nothing he could have done. Some interpretations have tried to “fix” this by making it Bruce's guilt, like Christopher Nolan's Batman begins, which changed to Bruce getting scared and insisting that the Waynes leave the theater early.

Like a true lantern, Saint Walker's tragedy allowed him to save his entire planet

Batman still fights to save a single city

While Batman's story is sad, it's ultimately not his fault. There is a tragedy in this, certainly, but there is nothing more he could have done. Because of this, he must be able to overcome and accept that he cannot change things. The same does not happen with Bro'Dee. Was Bro'Dee's choice to take her family on her pilgrimage, which was his idea in the first place. Because of his actions, he lost his entire family, and while it may have been worth it, in saving his planet, it's undeniably sad that it was still a sacrifice he was responsible for making.

Many different heroes have been forged by tragedy. It's hard to name a superhero who doesn't have some kind of tragedy in their past that they use to motivate themselves to help people. Often, this tragedy comes from a state of helplessness. Wanting to save other people, make up for the people the hero couldn't save. But that's not the case with Saint Walker. He lost his family because of his own choices, and it was a sacrifice he had to make to become the hero his planet needed. While from Batman story is certainly tragic, it is nothing compared to the sacrifices of Green Lantern ally, Saint Walker.

Green Lantern #25 is now available from DC Comics!