As a seasoned gamer and comic book enthusiast with a heart full of nostalgia for the DC Universe, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and concern as I delve into the latest casting controversy surrounding John Stewart, Green Lantern. Growing up, I was fortunate enough to witness Neal Adams’ groundbreaking creation, who challenged the stereotypes of black characters in comics with his college-educated professional demeanor and, yes, his darker skin tone.
The ongoing rapid growth of the newly revamped DC Universe, led by James Gunn, has given a boost of excitement to the upcoming HBO series, “Lanterns.” The goal is to revitalize the Green Lantern mythos, following a change in direction from an original television project featuring Guy Gardner and Alan Scott. Instead, they’ve opted to spotlight John Stewart as Green Lantern, with Hal Jordan (played by Kyle Chandler from “Friday Night Lights”) looking on. Interestingly, it appears that the choice for Stewart’s partner was already widely anticipated before the actor received the call.
Twitter swiftly proposed Aaron Pierre as John Stewart following his exceptional portrayal in “Rebel Ridge,” which premiered on Netflix. Within a month, the London-born actor secured the role for real, generating excitement among comic book fans and some apprehension from others. However, one might wonder why such attention surrounds John Stewart’s casting. To understand this, let’s delve into his growing significance within the DC Universe and the impact of his initial appearance, particularly concerning the representation of his character’s skin color in the comics.
Who is DC’s Green Lantern John Stewart?
Who is John Stewart, and why does he hold significance? In the annals of Green Lantern and DC Comics lore, Stewart was the third human to bear an emerald power ring forged by the Guardians of the Universe, earning him hero status that ranks nearly as high as the initial human Green Lantern, Hal Jordan. Over time, his renown flourished, particularly in the early 2000s when he became a significant figure due to the DC Animated Universe, a platform that includes shows like “Justice League” and “Justice League Unlimited,” which cemented the Green Lantern as a key team member.
Stewart, an architect and ex-Marine, sets himself apart from past strategists like Hal Jordan and Guy Gardner due to his unique approach. Unlike them, he constructs his power ring’s creations from the inside out, as described by writer Geoff Johns in “Green Lantern: Rebirth”. This method is evidently solid, with no empty spaces or flaws, just like the nuts and bolts that make up each creation. When “Lanterns” ignites and Stewart faces his experienced mentor, who is renowned as the best Lantern, this meticulous approach will undoubtedly prove valuable in their ensuing conflict.
To put it simply, what truly sets Stewart apart for me is his groundbreaking role in empowering characters of color by stepping into the shoes of established DC heroes over the years since his debut.
John Stewart was not DC’s first black superhero – but his skin color was historic
In 1972, Neal Adams and Dennis O’Neal teamed up to introduce John Stewart, breaking conventional stereotypes of African-American comic book characters. During an interview with Comic Watch in 2019, Adams shared a conversation he had with editor Julie Schwartz about Stewart’s background. When given the green light to add a Black member to the Green Lantern Corps, Adams insisted, “No, no, no, no, I don’t have a black Green Lantern. What I have is a black Green Lantern who holds a college degree and is a professional man, and if you agree to that, I’ll handle the project.
In conversation with Bold Outlaw, Adams reminisced about the continuous talks concerning John Stewart with comic book colorist Sol Harrison. Harrison was tasked to use a deeper shade of brown than what was typically used for Black characters at the time. Adams firmly stated, “Indeed… yes. Most Black individuals I know are quite dark. There are some very light-skinned people, but not John Stewart.” He defended this decision, explaining, “Moreover, when I attend conventions, I encounter adult Black males in front of me who tear up because of John Stewart. They’ve been longing for a non-gang member, non-tribal chief, college-educated Black man in comic books all their lives. They appreciate this; they really do.
Of course, it’s no surprise that the latest casting choice for Stewart has ignited discussions that are justified, as for numerous fans, this decision seems to contradict the impact of a character who revolutionized the comic book universe by steering it in a fresh direction.
Green Lantern John Stewart is causing controversy again
Aaron Pierre, despite not having given a standout performance that might indicate he wouldn’t excel as John Stewart, is facing criticism for being cast in this role. This controversy stems from allegations of colorism, as the character of John Stewart has traditionally been portrayed with darker skin than the actor now playing him, leading some to compare it to the casting of Halle Berry as Storm, which was also criticized for similar reasons. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), @CBpicasso expressed their disappointment, saying “Aaron Pierre being cast as John Stewart is like Halle Berry being cast as Storm all over again. Dark-skinned actors are severely underrepresented in these roles, and it’s unfortunate because John Stewart has always been darker in the comics. Colorism continues to be a problem, and I’m tired of it!
Regrettably, an issue that Hollywood has faced for quite some time is one where actors have had to decline roles due to ensuring the representation of the characters they portray is accurate. In 2018, it emerged that Amandla Stenberg passed up the role of Shuri in “Black Panther” to guarantee the part went to someone with a darker complexion, eventually being played by Letitia Wright. Now, there’s speculation Pierre might do the same, but others feel he should continue in his role.
In response to the casting announcement, @akasan expressed on X, “I’m a bit disheartened by the intense prejudice towards a black actor’s skin tone. His eyes and overall appearance strongly resemble the Justice League Unlimited animated series character.” It remains to be seen if Pierre will follow in Stenberg’s footsteps or continue playing the role when “Lanterns” starts filming in January 2025.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-11-02 17:02