Issue Ion: Guardian of the Universe 1 of 12 Subtitle Torch Bearer part 1 Date June 2006 Writer(s) Ron Marz Artist(s) Greg Tocchini, Jay Leisten storyline Two Green Lanterns (Torquemada and Garmin Vid) found Kyle Rayner in sector 3521 at the scene of an evacuation - an entire population was being moved due to their sun burning out. Kyle claimed he had nothing to do with the destruction of the fleet. He lashed out; the GLs believed he'd gone mad. Kyle woke up - he was at an artist retreat. His headmaster wondered about his "statements." A new girl moved into the cabin next to his, but she refused to speak. The Guardians watched him and disagreed on whether or not they should reach out to him. The two GLs from what Kyle believed was a dream arrived on Oa - one badly injured. While sketching, a woman attacked Kyle. He believed she was Thanagarian (wings, helmet, mace) and transformed into Ion.

Issue Ion: Guardian of the Universe 2 of 12 Subtitle Torch Bearer part 2 Date July 2006 Writer(s) Ron Marz Artist(s) Greg Tocchini, Jay Leisten storyline Kyle was fingered as being the man who'd attacked Garmin Vid. Kilowog readied to go to him, but the Guardians stopped him. The bounty hunter introduced herself to Ion, her name was Tarra Karn, ex-Thanagarian Navy. She said he was the most wanted man in the galaxy for destroying the entire population of a planet (the fleet from his "dream"). He disarmed her and stopped himself before he went too far. He headed to the scene of the crime and suffered another headache. He crashed into the planet Alytt in sector 3583. He attacked a woman who tried to help him then blasted off.

Issue Ion: Guardian of the Universe 3 of 12 Subtitle Torch Bearer part 3 Date August 2006 Writer(s) Ron Marz Artist(s) Greg Tocchini, Jay Leisten storyline Kilowog spoke with someone offworld about Kyle. The other GL said he'd investigate. Kyle awakened on Mogo. He was dressed as a GL (with ring) and saw his old girlfriend Alex. She told him bad things happened to good people and disappeared. Kyle looked down to find himself in his white chest outfit. Donna Troy called out to him. She told him he was changing and that he should not be afraid. Hal Jordan arrived at the planet where Kyle had crashed. The woman he encountered told Hal that Kyle had caused destruction and death, then flew away. Jen appeared to Kyle, who was now in his last GL outfit. She morphed into Major Force. Kyle realized he was no longer afraid - Major Force punched at him and shattered. Kyle dropped the ring that had been placed on him and exploded.

Issue Ion: Guardian of the Universe 4 of 12 Subtitle Torch Bearer part 4 Date September 2006 Writer(s) Ron Marz Artist(s) Greg Tocchini, Jay Leisten storyline Ion attacked the Khunds. Hal finally caught up to him and threatened to stop him if he wouldn't stop himself. Kyle explained that he felt like two people at once. When Hal mentioned Oa, Kyle flipped out and attacked him. The two battled in space. Hal ordered his ring to analyze Kyle Rayner, aka Ion, but it said his whereabouts were unknown - though he was right before Hal. The ring identified its captive as Alex Nero. Kyle emerged from his explosion above Mogo - he wasn't who was fighting Hal.

Issue Ion: Guardian of the Universe 5 of 12 Subtitle Torch Bearer part 5 Date October 2006 Writer(s) Ron Marz Artist(s) Tom Grindberg, Greg Tocchini, Jay Leisten storyline A star ship landed at the retreat where Kyle had been staying. Hal's ring told him Alex Nero had been given a yellow power ring by Qwardians. He was a paranoid schizophrenic. Ion showed up and captured him. He believed Nero had been tapping into his energy and impersonating him all across the galaxy. They used their rings on him, but he had no idea why he'd been chose to impersonate Ion. They shook hands and parted ways - Kyle headed to Oa with Nero; Hal back to Earth.

Issue Ion: Guardian of the Universe 6 of 12 Subtitle Torch Bearer part 6 Date November 2006 Writer(s) Ron Marz Artist(s) Greg Tocchini, Tom Grindberg, Jay Leisten storyline Kyle delivered his captive to Oa and visited the Guardians. He lashed out at them and demanded answers. They told him they'd given him the "spark" of what they are so that if anything happened, he could rebuild them again. Alex Nero was a surprise to them. He broke free and detonated, but Ion contained him. The Guardians kept Nero and let Ion go to continue to adjust to his new powers. As he left, they told him he would be their special agent when things occurred that were above and beyond the corps. Back on Earth, Ion found the starship near his cabin. The Thanagarian bounty hunter was roughing up one of the other students. He intervened and shot her ship into the cosmos. Rayner was greeted by a Monitor in his cabin.