For the entire first season of Lanterns, the series has built towards John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) taking on the role of Green Lantern. But as we learned in episode five, after feeling manipulated by the Guardians of the Universe, John rejected the power ring back in 2016. With Hal Jordan then imprisoned on Earth over the catastrophic events in Rushville, obnoxious gym teacher athletic director Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) receives the power ring. So does the series end with John still just an ordinary architect? Or does he become a proper Green Lantern at last? And what does that mean for Guy Gardner? The Lanterns finale has answers.
Does John Stewart Become a Green Lantern?
In the final episode, John Stewart and the Halogram (Kyle Chandler) find a portal to another world that Hal had hidden in his storage space. On that destroyed and desolate planet, they find Sinestro hiding out. Turns out Noah Macon, revealed as a Manhunter, broke him out of prison. On that planet, Sinestro reveals he figured out a way to forge a new power battery on his own. John realizes he can use this new lantern to charge Hal Jordan’s nearly dead ring, essentially becoming an unauthorized Lantern. By the end of the episode, he does just that, becoming a Green Lantern at last.
John Stewart summons Guy Gardner to Rushville, to inform him that he has Hal Jordan’s old ring, and that he has a power battery with which to charge it. An infuriated Guy knows Stewart is stepping in on his official turf, but John informs him that he’s now a free agent. Guy will remain the official Green Lantern of Sector 2814, and the Guardians of the Universe’s operative. However, John Stewart will function as the Green Lantern of Earth alone, and is essentially operating under his own jurisdiction. John tells Guy to inform the Guardians of his decision, and seems extremely certain they won’t do anything to stop him.
Does Lanterns’ Finale Have DC Comics Precedent?
Is there comic book precedent for a “free agent” member of the Green Lantern Corps? Actually, yes. The idea of “Honor Guard” members of the Green Lantern Corps has existed since 1981. These Honor Guard Lanterns operate without a space sector, and more or less function without reporting to the Guardians. They’re not limited to one space sector and have free rein across the cosmos. Also, Alan Scott, Earth’s first Green Lantern, is technically not a member of the Corps. Although the Guardians do acknowledge him as a Lantern, as his ring draws power from an energy source they created, he’s also a free agent, not tied to their rules. So John Stewart being an “independent contractor” Lantern has precedent in the pages of DC Comics.
Nerdist’s Take: We’re Thrilled Both John Stewart and Guy Gardner Will Wield Power Rings in the DCU Going Forward
So what does this all mean for the DCU? We know both John Stewart and Guy Gardner will appear in James Gunn’s upcoming Man of Tomorrow. This makes total sense, because if a world-ending alien threat like Brainiac arrives, both Green Lanterns would join in the fight. Does that mean we get an eventual Justice League with two Green Lanterns on it? It’s quite possible, and it’s certainly happened in the comics before. We’ll find out more when Man of Tomorrow hits theaters next year, and hopefully, in an eventual Lanterns season two.
All of Lanterns season one is currently streaming on HBO Max.