Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part Three
Summary
DC just confirmed the greatest Green Lantern ahead of the DCU’s upcomingLanternsshow. Set to star Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart as veteran and rookie officers investigating a new mystery on Earth,Lanternsis set to become a dynamic part of the upcoming DC Universe from James Gunn and Peter Safran. To that end, DC’s recently releasedJustice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part Threemakes a very bold and exciting claim ahead of the live-actionLanternsshow.
Bringing about the end of DC’s animated Tomorrowverse,Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part Threereveals the end of the multiverseas heroes from various realities fight back against the Anti-Monitor, inspired by the 1985 comics crossover by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez. During this final battle,the powerful journey of Green Lantern John Stewart (Aldis Hodge) continues in some incredible ways, including a brand-new title that could be a sign of what’s to come in the DCU’s upcomingLanternsseries.
DCU Chapter One Gods And Monsters: Every Movie & Show In The New DC Universe
James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe begins with six movies and six shows that open the DCU’s first chapter, “Gods and Monsters”.
Justice League: Crisis On Infinite Earths Part 3 Calls John Stewart The Greatest Green Lantern
Reigniting A Brand-New Lantern Corps Against The Anti-Monitor
InCrisis on Infinite Earths - Part Two, John Stewart sacrifices both his ring and power battery to defeat a wave of shadow demons created by the Anti-Monitor. As such,the bulk ofPart Threesees John without his typical power as a Green Lantern. He also has no backup due to Oa’s recent destruction resulting from Hal Jordan’s corruption by the fear entity Parallax (seen in John’s previous solo featureGreen Lantern: Beware My Power). Naturally, this is a major problem given the Anti-Monitior’s only sign of potential weakness is light-based attacks.
However, the final act ofCrisisPart Threesees a group of brand-new Green Lanterns finding John, and aBlue Lantern powered by the light of hope. Confirming that they were chosen by the power rings John sent out at the end ofBeware My Power,the recruits' Blue Lantern ally offers John a new ring, confirming it would be his honor to share his power battery with the"Greatest of the Green Lanterns".It’s quite the title that’s been bestowed on John, though one that’s not undeserved whether in the animated Tomorrowverse or DC’s more recent comics.
Why John Stewart Is A Great Candidate For The Greatest Green Lantern
Unrelenting Willpower And Determination (With God-Like Potential)
As the first member of the Green Lantern Corps hailing from Earth, it’s no secret thatHal Jordan is one of the greatest Lanterns of all time, having experienced much as a major hero and possessing intense depths of willpower. Charmingly cocky and truly without fear, Hal Jordan is the type of hero who meets a crisis head-on, refusing to quit despite the odds or faced with failure (even if he’s still forming a plan to save the day as he goes).
As a fellow Green Lantern with great willpower, John Stewart shares many of the same qualities as Hal Jordan. This includes their fierce determination and refusal to give up no matter the obstacle. However, John has also learned to be not nearly as stubborn while possessing greater discipline, making him both a capable team player and an effective leader when called upon.
In the more recent comics,John Stewart has even evolved to greater heights by becoming a true Emerald Knight. He no longer needs a physical ring or battery, instead being able to wield the green light of willpower outright with nearly godlike levels of power.While Jordan came first, John has found his own path to become just as great (if not greater) in the DC Universe, both on the page and now in animation thanks toCrisis on Infinite Earths - Part Three.
The Tomorrowverse’s John Stewart Story Makes The DCU Reboot Even More Exciting For The Green Lanterns
Showing The Kind of Green Lantern The DCU Could Have In Live-Action
Honoring the legacy of Hal Jordan who came before as the greatest Green Lantern, the Tomorrowverse’s version of John Stewart got to claim the title for himself, having reignited a brand-new Green Lantern Corps that helped save reality itself. To that end,it’s very exciting to think about what the DCU will do with John Stewart in live-action inLanterns, especially with Jordan confirmed to already be a legendary veteran. It certainly does leave room for John to one day surpass Jordan as a living Lantern legend in his own right, just as he has in this recently concluded animated universe.
Lanterns
Cast
Lanterns: John Stewart and Hal Jordan, intergalactic law enforcers, unite in this series to investigate a murder mystery set in the American heartland, intertwining their efforts in the defense of Earth.
