The biggest question coming out of ‘Lanterns‘ may not actually be whether John Stewart gets another season. It may be what happens to him after his first one. Aaron Pierre’s John has gone from a reluctant rookie to someone being pulled deeper into the Green Lantern mythology, and the DCU has already given him a destination beyond the HBO series.
Pierre is confirmed to appear as John Stewart in ‘Man of Tomorrow’, meaning his story is continuing regardless of what happens with ‘Lanterns’ Season 2.
John Stewart’s Story Is Bigger Than Rushville
That matters because ‘Lanterns’ was never just about introducing another Green Lantern. John has been learning what the Corps actually represents while dealing with Hal Jordan’s secrets, the Manhunters, and the mystery surrounding Hal’s apparent death.
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DC itself describes John’s journey as a test that could finally lead him to claim the ring and embrace his role as a hero. And Pierre has suggested that his work on the eight-hour series gave him a much deeper understanding of John before moving into ‘Man of Tomorrow’.
That is exciting because John doesn’t have to remain the inexperienced Lantern we met at the beginning. By the time Superman needs his help, he could already be a very different hero.
Season 2 Could Take the Story Into Fear
A second season still hasn’t received an official renewal, although reporting indicates that a writers’ room has been developing ideas for one. If it happens, the ending of Season 1 could determine just how cosmic the story becomes.
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Sinestro is already positioned as a major piece of the mythology, and his connection to fear naturally opens the door to the Yellow Lanterns and potentially Parallax. That would give John a completely different kind of challenge after spending Season 1 learning what it means to be a Green Lantern.
But perhaps the most interesting part is that John doesn’t need Season 2 to become important. ‘Man of Tomorrow’ gives him a direct path into the larger DCU, alongside Superman and potentially other major heroes. ‘Lanterns’ may have started as Hal Jordan’s mystery. But now it looks like it was John Stewart’s origin story.
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