HBO Max's "Lanterns" Reimagines John Stewart's Origin to Explore Black Identity

The third episode of HBO Max’s “Lanterns,” titled “OutKast,” presents a fresh origin for Green Lantern John Stewart that ties his early life to contemporary discussions of race. Writer Vanessa Baden Kelly said the team wanted to deepen Stewart’s character because his comic-book backstory had been relatively thin compared to Hal Jordan’s. The episode shows Stewart’s father being tested by the ring, answering “Yes!” when asked if he is afraid, and then conditioning his infant son to become fearless.

“What does it mean to be a Black man and get that ring when other characters canonically had it? We really started discussing how much more a Black superhero has to do to be accepted in that world,” Kelly told TheWrap.

Co-creator Damon Lindelof noted the challenge of expanding canon without violating it, likening the process to handling “plutonium.” The show also references the 1971 “Green Lantern #87” issue that first introduced John Stewart as a confident Black hero, acknowledging the political climate of the era.

“I just think it was super brave… to put a dark-skinned Black man in Detroit using language akin to the Black Panthers. That bravery has to be honored,” Kelly said.

The episode explores how Stewart’s parents train him from infancy, comparing the pressure to that faced by Black athletes who are groomed for excellence. The narrative emphasizes Stewart’s precise, methodical use of the ring, contrasting it with the more imaginative approaches of Hal Jordan and Guy Gardner.

“John has to be precise. He can’t miss,” Kelly explained.

The series aims to balance fidelity to comic lore with a modern reinterpretation, positioning Stewart as a fully formed Black superhero for the DC Universe. Aaron Pierre, who portrays Stewart, is slated to reprise the role in the upcoming film “Man of Tomorrow.”

“Lanterns” airs Sundays on HBO and HBO Max.