John Stewart: Green Lantern Appreciation 2021

[Bored at 3:00AM]

I love Katma Tui, but the introduction of the deliberately similar Soranik has largely nixed the chances of her being brought back in the present day. I think Katma should remain as John's late wife, but I'd love to see them play with the idea that John still talks to her with his ring. These characters have been through so much cosmic craziness, the walls between the living and dead aren't quite the same for them. Having John "haunted" by a projection of his dead wife manifested by his ring could be a nice way of keeping the character a part of his current adventures. Keep things deliberately vague as to whether or not John is actually talking to the consciousness of his late wife or simply his own subconscious projection of his own memories of her. The power ring is one of the cooler concepts in superhero fiction. Play with that.

Otherwise, they need to give John a romantic interest that is as interesting as Katma was, which nobody has managed thus far. Fatality was a nice swing, but I think everyone is more than ready to move on from Xanshi already...

[Sodam Yat]

I love Katma Tui, but the introduction of the deliberately similar Soranik has largely nixed the chances of her being brought back in the present day. I think Katma should remain as John's late wife, but I'd love to see them play with the idea that John still talks to her with his ring. These characters have been through so much cosmic craziness, the walls between the living and dead aren't quite the same for them. Having John "haunted" by a projection of his dead wife manifested by his ring could be a nice way of keeping the character a part of his current adventures. Keep things deliberately vague as to whether or not John is actually talking to the consciousness of his late wife or simply his own subconscious projection of his own memories of her. The power ring is one of the cooler concepts in superhero fiction. Play with that.

Otherwise, they need to give John a romantic interest that is as interesting as Katma was, which nobody has managed thus far. Fatality was a nice swing, but I think everyone is more than ready to move on from Xanshi already...

I could not agree with this more.

That's why I prefer John to be with someone that's a non-GL. I think some want John to have a GL love interest, is because of the greater possibilities of another writer acknowledging John being in a relationship with said GL character, which would be harder to avoid. Unfortunately, new writers has a habit of disregarding the previous work in GL. But I think if it makes a huge impact to John Stewart and if it's done right, then It'll be more harder for the next writer to disregard.

[Robanker]

I love Katma Tui, but the introduction of the deliberately similar Soranik has largely nixed the chances of her being brought back in the present day. I think Katma should remain as John's late wife, but I'd love to see them play with the idea that John still talks to her with his ring. These characters have been through so much cosmic craziness, the walls between the living and dead aren't quite the same for them. Having John "haunted" by a projection of his dead wife manifested by his ring could be a nice way of keeping the character a part of his current adventures. Keep things deliberately vague as to whether or not John is actually talking to the consciousness of his late wife or simply his own subconscious projection of his own memories of her. The power ring is one of the cooler concepts in superhero fiction. Play with that.

Otherwise, they need to give John a romantic interest that is as interesting as Katma was, which nobody has managed thus far. Fatality was a nice swing, but I think everyone is more than ready to move on from Xanshi already...

Especially since Soranik Natu has been sliding into a heel of late, it could help to bring her back as a foil to Soranik as well considering Katma lead the rebellion against her father and could remind Soranik of what she used to be before editorialImean her father's influence got the better of her. We don't deal with Korugar enough for how big a role it plays in a lot of GL's histories.

I didn't care for Fatality partially because, my god, enough with Xanshi but it also just came across as a complete asspull (and was retconned as such thanks to the Star Sapphire ring). John absolutely does need someone who can keep up with him and Katma still reminds me of the best, if only because it lets John unclench a little.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

I didn't care for Fatality partially because, my god, enough with Xanshi but it also just came across as a complete asspull (and was retconned as such thanks to the Star Sapphire ring). John absolutely does need someone who can keep up with him and Katma still reminds me of the best, if only because it lets John unclench a little.

Oh dear lord, yes, I am sick to death of dour John Stewart. He used to be fun. For too long, he's been all gritting of teeth and barking of orders because writers think of him only as the gruff military guy. For a character who's first appearance had him teasing a racist politician by forcing him to do black face, his sense of humor has been non-existent in the comics since the one-two punch of Katma's death and Xanshi's destruction. After that, it's been a non-stop parade of misery that felt more like writers working out their white guilt by heaping more and more tragedies upon John for him to endure and stoically rise above.

If it wasn't for GL: Mosaic and McDuffie's work on JLU giving the character that extra dimension, I don't think John Stewart would have a tenth of the fans he enjoys.

[Robanker]

Oh dear lord, yes, I am sick to death of dour John Stewart. He used to be fun. For too long, he's been all gritting of teeth and barking of orders because writers think of him only as the gruff military guy. For a character who's first appearance had him teasing a racist politician by forcing him to do black face, his sense of humor has been non-existent in the comics since the one-two punch of Katma's death and Xanshi's destruction. After that, it's been a non-stop parade of misery that felt more like writers working out their white guilt by heaping more and more tragedies upon John for him to endure and stoically rise above.

If it wasn't for GL: Mosaic and McDuffie's work on JLU giving the character that extra dimension, I don't think John Stewart would have a tenth of the fans he enjoys.

Don't get me wrong, losing your wife and trying to redouble back to your game only to end up destroying a planet would pretty much ruin anyone... But John's not just anyone and it's been far too long to have those particular albatrosses around his neck. I don't care what it takes-- new love interest, new buddy cop dynamic, a kid sidekick-- whatever it takes. John needs some pep back in his step. I've yet to have a chance to read my Future State books but I'm hoping to see some signs of life in John Stewart with the run beginning in April.

Adams/O'Neil and McDuffie are why I like John to begin with. Even when I knew some of his plots were lifted from Hal back in Justice League, I enjoyed the unique spin they'd give him and the small moments and exchanges he'd have during that show which indicated there was a person under all that Semper Fi.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

Don't get me wrong, losing your wife and trying to redouble back to your game only to end up destroying a planet would pretty much ruin anyone... But John's not just anyone and it's been far too long to have those particular albatrosses around his neck. I don't care what it takes-- new love interest, new buddy cop dynamic, a kid sidekick-- whatever it takes. John needs some pep back in his step. I've yet to have a chance to read my Future State books but I'm hoping to see some signs of life in John Stewart with the run beginning in April.

Adams/O'Neil and McDuffie are why I like John to begin with. Even when I knew some of his plots were lifted from Hal back in Justice League, I enjoyed the unique spin they'd give him and the small moments and exchanges he'd have during that show which indicated there was a person under all that Semper Fi.

Redjack has assured us that military guy mode that John is in from GL: Future State #1 is not the complete picture, so I'm confident we'll be getting some of the quirkier elements of John Stewart soon enough. Because if that doesn't happen, I don't think this apparent John Stewart renaissance we're in the midst of will last longer than a year. The world's dour enough and Batman's already got the whole "stick up his ass" archetype covered.

[Robanker]

Redjack has assured us that military guy mode that John is in from GL: Future State #1 is not the complete picture, so I'm confident we'll be getting some of the quirkier elements of John Stewart soon enough. Because if that doesn't happen, I don't think this apparent John Stewart renaissance we're in the midst of will last longer than a year. The world's dour enough and Batman's already got the whole "stick up his ass" archetype covered.

I was listening to a podcast with Josh Williamson recently and he noted that apparently the plan post DM is to bring a little more adventure/fun back to the line, but who knows, that could just be him or PR nonsense, but I want to believe.

I don't think Teen Lantern would be riding along with John for some grotesque horror show, so I expect there will be some fun to balance the more serious elements of the story in the ongoing... But that's conjecture. Still, it's great John's getting to take the center stage. If ever there was a time to reorient his character to a healthier place, this is it.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

I was listening to a podcast with Josh Williamson recently and he noted that apparently the plan post DM is to bring a little more adventure/fun back to the line, but who knows, that could just be him or PR nonsense, but I want to believe.

I don't think Teen Lantern would be riding along with John for some grotesque horror show, so I expect there will be some fun to balance the more serious elements of the story in the ongoing... But that's conjecture. Still, it's great John's getting to take the center stage. If ever there was a time to reorient his character to a healthier place, this is it.

Absolutely. That's why that cover to Green Lantern #1 was such a balm on my suspicions after GL Future State #1 that this would be another trip on the train to Mopesville. Population John.

[Redjack]

Absolutely. That's why that cover to Green Lantern #1 was such a balm on my suspicions after GL Future State #1 that this would be another trip on the train to Mopesville. Population John.

i feel so bad for you guys. it seems you've been mistreated and lied to. or, at least you feel you have.

I'm not promising everyone will love this book (no one can guarantee that) but, so far, literally none of the things anybody fears are going to come true.

that I can promise.

Unless your fear is that I'll be focusing on john for the duration of my run. In THAT case, yeah, that's real.

i may not be able to tell what's coming but, damn, I promise it won't be John standing around feeling awful all the time. These are ADVENTURE stories.

[Robanker]

i feel so bad for you guys. it seems you've been mistreated and lied to. or, at least you feel you have.

I'm not promising everyone will love this book (no one can guarantee that) but, so far, literally none of the things anybody fears are going to come true.

that I can promise.

Unless your fear is that I'll be focusing on john for the duration of my run. In THAT case, yeah, that's real.

i may not be able to tell what's coming but, damn, I promise it won't be John standing around feeling awful all the time. These are ADVENTURE stories.

I'm glad to hear it!

[Sodam Yat]

i feel so bad for you guys. it seems you've been mistreated and lied to. or, at least you feel you have.

I'm not promising everyone will love this book (no one can guarantee that) but, so far, literally none of the things anybody fears are going to come true.

that I can promise.

Unless your fear is that I'll be focusing on john for the duration of my run. In THAT case, yeah, that's real.

i may not be able to tell what's coming but, damn, I promise it won't be John standing around feeling awful all the time. These are ADVENTURE stories.

Thanks for taking the time to reassure fans!

From the small Green Lantern #1 previews we've seen so far, it certainly does look adventurous.

[Sodam Yat]

[Sodam Yat]

[Bored at 3:00AM]

i feel so bad for you guys. it seems you've been mistreated and lied to. or, at least you feel you have.

I'm not promising everyone will love this book (no one can guarantee that) but, so far, literally none of the things anybody fears are going to come true.

that I can promise.

Unless your fear is that I'll be focusing on john for the duration of my run. In THAT case, yeah, that's real.

i may not be able to tell what's coming but, damn, I promise it won't be John standing around feeling awful all the time. These are ADVENTURE stories.

Your willingness to engage with your fellow fans has gone a long way towards towards easing a lot of the concerns I have about John Stewart tends to get written. I'm not looking for stories in which everything's going swell and John's a perfectly well adjusted guy with not a care in the world, quipping at anything that comes his way, but I'd like a fuller depiction of the man than stoic sci-fi military guy.

I know your time is limited, but could you point to any three scenes with John Stewart from the comics or cartoon that you think best sum up who the character is for you? If you could do that, then I think it'd go a long way towards letting fans know what kind of John we're starting from.

Thanks, and I totally understand if you don't have the time.

Actually, let's widen this out to everyone in the thread. What are THREE moments, stories or images that you think best sum up who John Stewart is.

For me, it's his introduction scene in the O'Neil/Adams run with the racist cops. One of the best intros in superhero comics ever.

Second, would be the "Mind War" issue of GL: Mosiac in which we get the definitive John vs. Hal story, particularly the scene where John splits himself into a dozen parts, each completely different from one another.

And the last would have to be the JLU episode "Child's Play, in which we get confirmation that John was a big nerd when he was a kid (which was already set-up with the Justice Guild story in season one).

These three moments really show all the potential that John Stewart has as a character.

[Anthony Shaw]

You kind of are admitting John's a bit dull here, or at least a relationship with him is one devoid of any real input on his part. His career offers the danger and he's there for passion, but he has nothing to engage with as a person-- it'd make him a bad partner. I don't think that's a fair assessment. He has a history in academics (dummies typically don't become architects) and at least ONCE was very focused on social reforms. He had his interests. The JLA/U show also gave him some hobbies (he used to read comics, he enjoyed Old Yeller, etc). John definitely needs more fleshing out because it seems some writers just go with the default "military man" gimmick and write him somewhat two-dimensional. That works in a team setup where everyone is just an exaggeration of a personality type, but on his own adventures he needs a little more nuance.



Merry Christmas, buddy.

I admitted nothing of the sort. John is simply a grown ass man, and thankfully avoided a lot of the silver age/ bronze age melodrama. From his first appearance, John did not adhere to comic tropes of the time. His courtship of Kat was painless because that is what happens when a grown man knows what he wants, and makes his intentions plain as day.

I did not go into detail, but women who are used to being manipulated, or engage in manipulation in their relationships may not find John interesting. I actually don't consider those other relationships as healthy due to one, or both parties being deceptive for much of their romantic histories.

Think about it: Peter would often lie to Mary Jane to do Spidey stuff. She would act indifferent, but the whole time, she knew he was Spidey after Ben Parker's murder. That's years of shenanigans.

The history between Hal and Carol is complicated, but weird. The truth is that Carol loves boarding the "high ball" crazy train. Carol could easily be with someone more reliable, but chooses not to.

Reading John's journey during the Englehart run was vastly refreshing.

When John & Kat were no longer part of the GLC, they simply settled down, like normal couples do.

Boring writers saddled John with tragedy porn.

John is the type of man that is not going to bring drama to a relationship. The man is stable, and centered, not neurotic. I think the women who are drawn to him are attracted to that aspect of his nature, whether he is the architect or the marine. Again, his love interest tend to warriors. I find nothing boring about that.