COWGIRL

Real Name: Jillian Pearlman

Class: Human

Occupation: Air Force captain

Group Affiliation: None

Powers: Cowgirl was a skilled pilot, as well as spunky and fearless.

History: (Green Lantern / Sinestro Corps: Secret Files #1) - lee Pearlman always wanted a daughter, and on his fourth try he got one. Jillian grew up on her family's horse ranch, and ever since she was a child all she ever wanted to do was fly a plane. She enlisted in the Air Force at 19, and her Texas accent and cocky attitude earned her the call sign Cowgirl.

(Green Lantern IV #1, 2) - Cowgirl was piloting the experimental X-2020 when it went out of control and crashed in Coast City. Green Lantern saved her life, and the destruction of the X-2020 revealed that it contained alien technology reverse engineered from Abin Sur's ship. Both Cowgirl and Lantern questioned Commander "Herc" Stone, but he told them it was classified military intelligence.

(Green Lantern IV #3) - Cowgirl reported herself fit for duty, and was pleased that Hal Jordan was back in the test flight program, because she’d heard he was real good, and she missed competition.

(Green Lantern IV #5) - Cowgirl was called in to replace Hal on another test flight after General Stone called him away. She taunted Hal, claiming she was far better than him, not realizing Stone was making use of Hal in his superhero identity of Green Lantern.

(Green Lantern IV #6) - When the Krolotean Gremlins came to Earth Edwards Air Force Base deployed Cowgirl and their other pilots to engage them. Things looked grim, but Green Lantern saved the day.

(Green Lantern IV #14 (fb)) - Cowgirl, Hal and Rocket-Man were sent to Chechnya to target a terrorist cell that blew up a U.S. battleship and killed 72 prisoners. Hal, as ever, chose not to wear his GL ring while flying, and severely regretted this when they were shot down and made P.O.W.s. They suffered extreme torture in an attempt to extract information from them, and all the time Hal blamed himself for their predicament and worked on wearing down a link his chains. Bones, the sadistic leader of the terrorists, was frustrated at now making progress, and after seeing that Hal and Cowgirl had feelings for each other, decided to torture her in front of Hal to break him. Hal snapped his chains, and he and Cowgirl freed Rock-Man and fled. They were taken in by mountain climbers and spent time in a German hospital before returning to Edwards Air Force base.  

(Green Lantern IV #14-17) - Cowgirl, Hal and Rocket-Man continued to evade the psychiatric sessions they were proscribed to help them recover from their experience as P.O.W.s, preferring to drink together and solidify their friendship through common experience. Cowgirl assured them they could soon leave their experience in the past, and a day later Hal learned that the Air Force located the terrorist cell’s new location in Chechnya, and Cowgirl went on a mission to destroy them. Her plane was shot down, and Hal changed to Green Lantern to rescue her. He decimated the terrorist camp, and demanded that Bones tell him where she was, but his interrogation was interrupted by the Global Guardians, who incinerated the terrorists. Two surviving terrorists grabbed Cowgirl and drove her into the woods, promising to perform unspeakable acts on her for bringing destruction upon their friends. She was unphased, and daringly escaped them and fled deeper into the woods. Green Lantern saved her just before the terrorists caught up with her, and she recognized him as Hal. They almost kissed, and when Green Lantern later visited her in the hospital she asked if he had anything on his mind.

(Green Lantern IV #18-20) - Hal and Cowgirl talked over a round of drinks, and he revealed how guilty he felt for not having his power ring when he flew with her to Chechnya, which would have saved them their P.O.W. experience. She understood his love of danger, and told him she wouldn’t wear a ring that made her invincible when she flew either, because that would kill the rush. Hal was amazed at how similar they were, and when Cowgirl asked if the big, tough superhero was scared of her he admitted that he just might be. Star Sapphire found Hal, and made it clear she still wanted him and was not willing to share. Hall explained that Sapphire was his ex Carol Ferris under the possession of a parasitic alien crystal, and Cowgirl hit her with a chair to lay her claim. Sapphire found Hal especially resistant to her, noticeable because Carol was now married to another man, so Sapphire transferred her essence to Cowgirl, sensing Hal’s hunger for her. Star Sapphire found Cowgirl’s form to be delicious and told Hal to give in. Hal fled with Carol, and she told him that the Star Sapphire revealed its history to her. The Zamarons found it on the planet they settled on, and there were numerous sapphire crystals. The Zamarons were determined to use the sapphires to seduce and kill all the Green Lanterns, and then crystallize the planets they protected, keeping them in suspended animation, which the Zamarons viewed as protection through love. Cowgirl caught up with them, and at Carol’s request he made her an energy ring costume so she could fight her rival. The Zamarons arrived, declaring that since other Corps were rising they needed their own, and Carol and Cowgirl would be their first members. When Hal fought them they demanded he choose between his two loves, but he outwitted them by kissing one of the Zamarons, causing the Star Sapphire to bind to her. The power was too much for her, and the Zamarons retreated. Afterwards Hal got drinks with Carol and Cowgirl, and despite their innate cattiness towards each other they attempted to play nice. Carol left early to let them be along, and Hal promised Cowgirl he was over his ex, and asked her out on another date.

Comments: Created by Geoff Johns & Carlos Pacheco.