Jessica Cruz, a human superheroine of Latin American descent, first appeared in a cameo in Green Lantern vol. 5 #20 (2013), with her full debut in Justice League vol. 2 #30 (2014), created by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver. Originally portrayed as a young woman suffering from severe anxiety and agoraphobia after surviving a traumatic incident—witnessing mobsters murder her friends during a hunting trip—she lived as a recluse. Following the events of the Forever Evil storyline, the Ring of Volthoom, a fear-based power ring from the Crime Syndicate's destroyed Power Ring, selected her as its new host due to her overwhelming fear, forcing her into the role of an unwilling Power Ring and subjecting her to parasitic control by the entity Volthoom.

Cruz demonstrated remarkable resilience by resisting Volthoom's influence, ultimately overcoming great fear during the Darkseid War arc in Justice League. This act of willpower earned her a legitimate Green Lantern power ring, making her the first female human Green Lantern from Earth and a member of the Green Lantern Corps assigned to Sector 2814. She joined the Justice League, initially struggling with her new responsibilities while training under Hal Jordan and partnering with fellow Earth Lantern Simon Baz, forming a dynamic duo that highlighted her growth from a fear-paralyzed individual to a capable hero.

In subsequent stories, particularly during DC's Rebirth era in the Green Lanterns series (2016–2018), Cruz confronted ongoing personal challenges, including anxiety and self-doubt, while protecting Earth and exploring cosmic threats. Her tenure expanded to include leadership in Justice League Odyssey, where she ventured into deep space with a diverse team. Cruz's arc emphasizes themes of mental health and perseverance, establishing her as a relatable and inspirational figure who restored honor to the Corps through her triumph over internal and external adversities.