Overview[]
In Brightest Day, Nor Blackest Night, No Evil Shall Escape His Sight! Recruited over a decade ago by the Guardians of the Universe, John Stewart has wielded his immense will power through his emerald constructs to enforce peace and justice throughout the Galaxy as a Green Lantern. He heroically serves as both a member of the intergalactic Green Lantern Corps and as a founding member of the Justice League.
First appearing on November 17, 2001 in the Justice League episode, "Secret Origins, Part 2", John Stewart/Green Lantern was voice acted by Phil LaMarr. LaMarr would go on to reprise his role throughout the rest of the series as well as several crossover episodes in the DC Animated Universe as well.
Background[]
John Stewart is a recurring character in the DC Comics, first appearing in Green Lantern #87 (vol. 2) which was published in December of 1971. Stewart was created by Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams and was one of the earliest African-American superheroes in the DC Comics.
John Stewart Debut Issue; Green Lantern Vol.2 #87 (Dec. 1971/Jan. 1972)
Stewart was chosen to serve as Hal Jordan's second back-up Green Lantern in the event that he was ever incapacitated as Jordan's original back-up, Guy Gardner was seriously injured during an earlier storyline.
John Stewart was considered a revolutionary character for this era and was noted for being an outspoken, anti-establishment, and anti-authoritarian individual who tended to be very belligerent; frequently clashing with Jordan who was ambivalent over his recruitment. Jordan felt that even though Stewart might be qualified in terms of being fearless and possessing moral integrity―he also had a "chip on his shoulder bigger than the rock of Gibraltar."
Unlike Jordan, Stewart refused to hide his identity behind a mask and proudly identified himself as a black man first and also as a Green Lantern. Nevertheless, the pair grew to respect the other and Stewart served irregularly for several years before finally graduating to full time status in 1984 when Hal Jordan retired briefly as a Green Lantern.
John Stewart had a fairly distinguished and tumultuous career as a Green Lantern and would ultimately marry Katma Tui, a fellow Green Lantern of Sector 1417. She was later murdered and John would continue to serve as one of the few remaining Green Lanterns for several years, enduring several crises of faith and personal loss; even an extended bout of being physically disabled due to injuries which resulted in his brief retirement. Upon his recovery, he has resumed his career as a superhero and has remained one of the most respected and steadfast members of the Green Lantern Corps.
John Stewart however has remained a relatively minor member of in the DC Universe for the most part until he was chosen to co-star in the 2001 Justice League cartoon in an attempt to diversify their lineup, replacing the long standing Hal Jordan. His more prominent role has since led to further appearances in other animated cartoons and television series as well as in the comic book series as well.
Major Plots[]
Personality and Traits[]
Trivia[]
- In his comic book incarnation, John Stewart is an architect and has helped design a number of superhero headquarters including for the Justice Society and the Justice League. However, this aspect of his character was downplayed in the DCAU and it was decided to make him a stern, no nonsense, military veteran and former member of the United States Marine Corps before he was inducted into the Green Lantern Corps. It was intended to give him a very different mindset from the various other members of the League. However, it was subsequently decided to retcon these changes into the comic book version afterwards by making it appear that Stewart had been a military vet who had joined to further his higher education and allowing him to become an architect.
- Despite his long history in the DC Comics, John Stewart has remained a relatively semi-obscure character with most animated cartoons and television series have focused on his more famous counterpart, Hal Jordan in the role of Green Lantern. His prominent role in the Justice League TV series however has catapulted his recognizability and profile and led to his resurgence to becoming one of the more prominent members of the Green Lantern Corps in more recent years.
Quotes[]
- "We have to be held accountable. We have too much power not to be." ―John Stewart; Justice League, "In Blackest Night: Part 2"
Other Versions[]
- John Stewart (Young Justice)