The History of Green Lantern John Stewart, Explained

As a fan who grew up with the Green Lantern Corps, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of gratitude for John Stewart. His journey from being a backup character to becoming one of the most prominent figures in the DC Universe is nothing short of inspiring.

Since 2019, a Green Lantern series has been under development with plans to feature various members of the intergalactic Green Lantern Corps. However, the final version of an HBO Green Lantern series has now emerged as part of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s strategy for the on-screen DC Universe. They revealed a new DC television show titled Lanterns, which will be a live-action Green Lantern entry within the DCU. The cast includes Hal Jordan and John Stewart. According to the DC creators, this series will present a mystery similar to True Detective, where our two Lanterns investigate a terrestrial mystery that unfolds into the larger story. Essentially, it’s an ancient horror found on Earth, with Hal Jordan and John Stewart serving as supercops in what they call “Precinct Earth.” In this series, Aaron Pierre from the Netflix film Rebel Ridge will play the role of John Stewart, with James Gunn expressing his congratulations to the actor via social media.

Hey there, Aaron Pierre! Congratulations on joining us in DC. After rigorous and tough audition rounds, we’re confident that we’ve discovered an exceptional talent who will embody the character of John Stewart wonderfully. #GreenLanterns

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) October 9, 2024

For some, Green Lantern may only be recognized as the character portrayed by Ryan Reynolds or Kyle Chandler from Friday Night Lights, but that’s actually Hal Jordan. Today, we delve into the 50-year history of John Stewart and why he stands among DC Comics’ most significant figures.

Contrary to common perception, John Stewart was not the first Black superhero in DC Comics. That title goes to Mal Duncan, who was among the initial Teen Titans members. Prior to Stewart’s arrival, Vykin the Black from Jack Kirby’s Forever People had already made his appearance on newsstands. However, it cannot be denied that John Stewart’s Green Lantern stands as DC Comics’ most significant African-American superhero in current times. He has undeniably surpassed the characters who debuted earlier in popularity.

John Stewart’s Historic DC Comics Debut

The dynamic duo of Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams introduced the character of John Stewart in Green Lantern/Green Arrow #87, published in 1971. This creative pair revitalized the Green Lantern series starting from 1970, making it more socially pertinent (which helped DC keep up with Marvel). Notably, prior to John Stewart, there was no Black superhero headlining a comic book, even for a single issue. Thus, his debut marked a significant milestone as Green Lantern.

In the narrative titled “Beware My Power,” we meet John Stewart, a bold and authority-averse young man with an architectural background. From their first encounter, Green Lantern Hal Jordan and John clashed significantly due to Hal’s role as a cosmic law enforcer. However, it was John’s fearlessness that caught the attention of the Guardians of Oa, leading them to select him as Hal’s alternate Green Lantern. At that moment, Hal’s current backup, Guy Gardner, suffered severe injuries and was unable to perform his duties.

Initially tasked with safeguarding a politically biased figure by John Stewart during his tenure as Green Lantern, John completed the mission effectively, despite harboring personal reservations towards the individual. Remarkably, he uncovered several illicit activities perpetrated by this same politician in the process. This commendable act caught Hal Jordan’s attention, leading him to acknowledge that the Guardians had indeed chosen wisely when selecting Stewart as Green Lantern. Regrettably, readers would not encounter John Stewart frequently following his initial appearance in regular issues for some time ahead.

John Stewart Becomes Earth’s Primary Green Lantern in the DC Universe

For most of the 1970s, John Stewart made occasional appearances due to an uncertainty about his role at DC Comics. They had introduced a fascinating new character in him, but weren’t sure how best to utilize him. However, things changed in the early 1980s when Hal Jordan resigned from the Green Lantern Corps, leaving John Stewart as the permanent Green Lantern for Sector 2814. He starred in the Green Lantern series and was the main Earth-based Green Lantern during the Crisis on Infinite Earths. It was during this period that he chose to reveal his true identity to the world, giving up his mask and secret persona. He also developed a romantic relationship with another Lantern, Katma Tui, hailing from the planet Korugar.

From then on, John Stewart would never be relegated to a minor role at DC Comics again, as he took center stage in the Green Lantern Corps comic book, joining forces with Hal Jordan and other Lanterns. However, after his wife Katma was killed, John’s life spiraled out of control. In his overconfidence, he unintentionally allowed an entire planet to perish during the DC event series Cosmic Odyssey. This mistake haunted him for years. Eventually, he was given his own series in the early ’90s titled Green Lantern: Mosaic, where he became the protector of the fragmented world of Oa and even attained near-divine powers. Although it ran only for 18 issues, this series received high praise from critics.

From Green Lantern to Darkstar, and back to Green Lantern Again

Back in the ’90s, I found myself without my Green Lantern powers. It all started when Hal Jordan went rogue and transformed into Parallax, wiping out every power ring except one, which landed in the hands of Kyle Rayner. For quite some time, he was the lone Green Lantern in the cosmos. As a Green Lantern, I yearned for guidance, so I kept my spirit alive within the DC Universe.

Justice League and Mainstream Stardom for Green Lantern John Stewart

The peak in fame for John Stewart occurred in 2001, marking a significant milestone. Following a long wait, the makers of “Batman: The Animated Series” and “Superman: The Animated Series,” later merged to create “Justice League,” introduced DC’s iconic heroes together. During the selection process for the Green Lantern character in the series, creator Bruce Timm opted for John Stewart. He reimagined the figure, transforming him into a tough, former marine with a military background, which was later adopted by the comics as part of John Stewart’s history. Consequently, for numerous children, John Stewart became synonymous with the Green Lantern character, ultimately breaking into mainstream awareness after almost three decades since his creation.

An Entire Generation’s Green Lantern

The debut of the Justice League cartoon corresponded with a boom in interest for the Green Lantern franchise at DC Comics. Notably, Stewart was cast as the main character in the new Green Lantern Corps series and played a pivotal role in company-wide storylines like Sinestro Corps War and Blackest Night. Utilizing his architectural expertise, he even planned the new Hall of Justice for the Justice League. Despite being merely referenced at the end of Green Lantern: The Animated Series’ sole season, John Stewart appeared in various other media, including Young Justice, Teen Titans Go!, and numerous animated films. This year alone, he starred in his own film, Green Lantern: Beware My Power. It’s worth noting that Aldis Hodge, who portrayed another DC hero, Hawkman, in Black Adam, supplied his voice for these appearances.

John Stewart as a Live-Action DC Universe Green Lantern

When Green Lantern, portrayed by John Stewart, makes his debut on HBO within the DC Universe, it might mark the most significant media exposure the character has ever experienced. While specific details about John Stewart’s character in “Lanterns” are still scarce, it seems like he’ll be a key player in an exhilarating journey.

John Stewart, initially seen as a secondary hero, has since proven his worth and ascended to become one of the mainstays among the heroes of the DC Universe.

2024-10-09 21:33