The Misuse and Potential of John Stewart in the Green Lantern Series

For many fans of the DC Comics universe, the concept of Green Lantern is intricately tied to the character Hal Jordan. However, in recent years, questions have arisen about the underuse or misuse of another Green Lantern, John Stewart. This piece explores why John Stewart feels underutilized and discusses the broader issues of character arcs and storytelling in the DC comics universe.

John Stewart: An Underutilized Hero?

When the 2011 Green Lantern movie was announced, fans and critics alike were eagerly anticipating John Stewart as the main character. After all, Stewart had been a significant figure in the comic book series for decades. However, the film ultimately ended up focusing heavily on Hal Jordan, with John Stewart appearing as a side character at best. This choice has left many fans yearning for a more substantial portrayal of John Stewart.

When evaluating whether a character is underused, it’s important to consider both their frequency of appearance and the depth of their involvement in the plot and story arcs. In many cases, John Stewart’s presence in the Green Lantern series is limited, often relegating him to support roles or major plot devices. While John Stewart possesses unique qualities and a compelling arc that should be leveraged more, his underutilization is a notable issue.

A Missed Opportunity

Returning to the initial 2011 movie, it was a missed opportunity for DC to have centered the film around John Stewart. Creating a story that allowed his character to evolve and take center stage would have not only satisfied fan demand but also showcased the diverse range of personalities and abilities within the Green Lantern Corps. The decision to include multiple other characters in the line-up, including Hal Jordan, was perhaps an attempt to balance the roster, but it ultimately fell short in providing a more focused narrative around John Stewart.

Hal Jordan: Fond but Misused

Hal Jordan, the titular hero of the Green Lantern series, also has a significant following. Fans adore his charisma and combat skills, but Hal has often been overused and sometimes even misused in storytelling. While he is a beloved character, there are concerns that his prominence in the series has overshadowed the potential of other Green Lanterns like John Stewart and Guy Gardner.

In many recent story arcs and crossovers, Hal Jordan plays a pivotal role. However, this often means that other Green Lanterns, such as John Stewart, are sidelined. This imbalance can be detrimental to the overall narrative and can leave felt gaps in the fanbase that crave more substantial representation of these other characters. For instance, the storyline known as Emerald Twilight saw Hal Jordan’s arc extend to include significant transformations into Parallax and the Spectre, while John Stewart remained largely underutilized.

Introducing Kyle Rayner and Geoff Johns

Kyle Rayner’s introduction to the Green Lantern universe in the early 1990s marked a new era for the series. Under the pen of writer Geoff Johns, a huge fan of DC’s Silver Age, the Green Lantern comics experienced a rebirth. Johns was keen to reintroduce Hal Jordan as the primary Green Lantern, a move that seemed to return the character to his former hero status. However, this also resulted in less attention being paid to other characters such as Wally West, who was then sidelined while Barry Allen made a comeback as the Flash.

While this shift in focus regarding Hal Jordan was well-received by many fans, it inadvertently reduced the depth and breadth of character exploration. This dynamic left characters like John Stewart and Guy Gardner feeling less utilized, especially when compared to the charismatic and frequently front-and-center Hal Jordan.

Underuse vs. Misuse: Navigating the Complexities

Understanding the difference between underuse and misuse is crucial. Underuse often refers to a character being present less in the narrative, while misuse means their role and story are not fitting their character’s potential or expectations. In the case of John Stewart, you might argue that his underutilization is also a form of misuse. For a character like John Stewart, who is known for his strength, solidarity, and effectiveness, it seems like a waste of talent to see him limited primarily to support roles.

The larger issue, however, is the broader use of Green Lanterns in general. While John Stewart might be underused, the current story arc might be approaching the use of Green Lanterns in a more balanced way. Regardless, there remains a clear demand among fans for more substantial representation and storylines for John Stewart.

Conclusion

Is John Stewart underused? While it’s arguable whether he is underused or simply placed in the wrong roles, the fact remains that fans are clamoring for more substantial storylines and roles for John Stewart. This desire highlights the need for the DC Comics team to better understand and appreciate the diverse range of talents and story arcs that each Green Lantern character can bring to the narrative.