36 Years Later, DC’s Best Green Lantern Just Finally Fixed His Darkest Mistake

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John Stewart is considered one of the greatest Green Lanterns, even among all the humans and Earth-based heroes who wield the green power ring. He’s known for being level-headed and logical, a natural leader who can inspire and unite others with his well-thought-out plans to overcome any challenge. He’s the kind of hero people can always count on, which makes it shocking that he’s now gone.

In the recent issue of *Green Lantern* (#27), the Green Lanterns and other powerless Lanterns across the universe battled the Sun-Eaters, a terrifying force determined to destroy all Lanterns and eliminate emotion itself. Facing impossible odds, John Stewart stepped up as a leader, inspiring everyone around him – ultimately making the ultimate sacrifice. This powerful moment provided a fitting and satisfying conclusion to his character arc, redeeming his past failures.

A World Lost to Arrogance

Looking back at John’s journey, it’s amazing to see how much he’s changed. When he first got his ring, he wasn’t the dependable hero we know today – he was a real hothead. Seriously, he was arrogant and always looking for a fight, eager to prove he was someone you didn’t want to cross. That attitude, as we see play out in the *Cosmic Odyssey* mini-series, had disastrous consequences. A truly terrifying being, the Anti-Life Entity, planted a planet-destroying bomb on Xanshi, and John, along with Martian Manhunter, were the only ones who could defuse it. But, fueled by his ego, John decided Manhunter was hindering him and foolishly trapped the Martian in an energy construct, thinking he could handle everything himself. It was a terrible decision, and one that nearly cost the universe everything.

His pride ultimately led to disaster. When John discovered the bomb, it was painted yellow – a color Green Lantern rings were powerless against at the time. Unable to stop it, the bomb detonated, destroying the planet and leaving only John and Martian Manhunter alive. This tragic event deeply affected John, transforming him from a brash newcomer eager to prove himself into a thoughtful and careful hero. After thirty-six years, he’s finally come to terms with the consequences of that fateful day.

A World Saved by Heroism

When the dangerous Sun-Eaters arrived and the Green Lantern Corps wasn’t strong enough to fight them, John Stewart had to make a difficult decision. He rallied all the universe’s former power ring users – even criminals – and inspired them to join the fight to save everything. However, most of the power sources for the different emotional spectrum rings were down. Luckily, John had anticipated this. Thanks to events in the *John Stewart: The Emerald Knight* comic, he’d absorbed a huge amount of willpower energy and was ready to use it.

John said a final farewell to the construct created from his deceased sister, Ellie, acknowledging it wasn’t truly her, and wishing it a fulfilling existence after he was gone. He then unleashed all of his energy, reactivating the Lanterns of every color. Rings flew out, rebuilding each of the Lantern Corps, and preparing every Lantern in the universe for battle against the Sun-Eaters. Ellie herself received a Blue Lantern ring. This moment powerfully demonstrated both the extent of John’s abilities and how much he had grown as a person.

John Stewart initially made a devastating mistake, leading to the destruction of a planet. However, he later redeemed himself through a selfless act, giving up his life to save another world and its inhabitants. This new world will ultimately play a crucial role in saving the entire universe, completing a full circle of fate for John. He finally ensured a world was saved under his watch, at the cost of his own life. What are your thoughts on this powerful moment? Share them in the ComicBook Forum!

Green Lantern #27 is on sale now!

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2025-09-27 17:17