DC is Wasting Its Best Green Lantern

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During the “Hard-Traveling Heroes” phase of Green Lantern/Green Arrow, Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams introduced a new Green Lantern named John Stewart. A former marine who worked in architecture, John briefly took Hal Jordan’s place before becoming a part-time Green Lantern with occasional appearances. When adapting Green Lantern for the 2000’s “Justice League” cartoon, the creative team chose John Stewart over Kyle Rayner. Since then, he has been the primary Green Lantern for many years and is widely recognized as the Green Lantern by multiple generations. John Stewart is well-known as the Green Lantern and will likely remain so for some time.

As a passionate supporter, I can’t help but wonder why, despite being the most popular Green Lantern and having such a dedicated fanbase, John seems to be relegated to supporting roles in all the books he appears in. It’s puzzling because one would expect DC Comics to give him the premier treatment, especially considering his status as a key member of the Justice League.

I can’t help but feel that John should have been given a headlining Green Lantern book, or even appointed as the sole Green Lantern for the Justice League. And it’s not just about leading roles; he deserves to be the Absolute Universe Green Lantern. Yet, this has not been the case.

Whether it was the “Emerald Knight” one-shot or the maxi series “Green Lantern: War Journal,” John Stewart has consistently demonstrated his worth and potential. It’s high time that he receives the recognition and opportunities he deserves. After all, isn’t a character as iconic as Green Lantern John Stewart worthy of leading roles and top-tier storylines? I truly hope DC Comics will soon recognize this and give him the best treatment he deserves.

John should be the Lead Lantern of Space

Currently, the Green Lantern comics are quite captivating across DC’s main and Absolute continuities, but John Stewart seems to receive minimal attention in both. I had high hopes that the new Green Lantern Corps series would become his flagship title, but it hasn’t turned out that way. Although Jeremy Adams has made the Hawkgirl romance from the cartoon canonical, it’s just one of several intertwined storylines in the book. This development is a significant victory for John and Shayera (and their fans), but it falls short of what’s needed. Moreover, the “War Journal” series offered a cosmic horror adventure for John, but it was brief and had immense potential – we need more of it!

In the current “Green Lantern Corps” series, both John Stewart and Kyle Rayner have gained significant popularity and it’s time for them to shine individually. The team series has been beneficial for characters like Guy Gardner, Simon Baz, Jessica Cruz, Jo Mullein, and Keli Quintela. It is suggested that Kyle, much like Jo in “Far Sector”, should have his own series focusing on individual adventures. Guy could continue leading the Green Lantern Corps while John Stewart could follow Kyle’s example and embark on a solo journey. This solo storyline could delve deeper into John’s personal life, rather than the usual war-centric narratives he is often associated with. Moreover, DC has an excellent chance to explore the fan-favorite romance between John and Shayera in this solo series.

Fans of the DC Animated Universe have long imagined John and Shayera as a romantic pairing. For two decades, their relationship was exclusive to this specific continuity and served as an enjoyable element. Now, it’s high time for their love story to be the main focus.

Green Lantern and Hawkwoman in a Starcrossed Romance

From their interactions, it’s evident that there’s a special bond between these two characters, and the excitement among DCAU show fans is palpable as this relationship unfolds on paper. It appears they have unresolved matters, which is why it’s crucial for them to embark on missions together. Whether it’s confronting adversaries from other sectors or enjoying some downtime in various cities, there’s a wealth of opportunities here to capitalize on the fans’ existing affections while also giving more depth to the Green Lantern who often gets overshadowed.

Enhancing John Stewart’s storylines could also provide an upgrade for Hawkwoman. The Hawk family in the DC universe is intricate, and by centering on John Stewart while incorporating Shayera into the mix, it would offer a new perspective for Hawkwoman and distinguish her from Kendra Saunders’ role as Hawkgirl. This minor adjustment could appeal to fans of both characters simultaneously. Both John Stewart and Hawkwoman deserve more attention, and DC has the chance to provide that.

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2025-07-06 04:42