Lanterns Writer Declares Green Lantern Ring Sexist for Skipping John Stewart's Mom

The world of DC Comics is no stranger to intense fan discussions, but a recent revelation from the set of the new Max series, Lanterns, has sparked a particularly fiery debate. Writer Vanessa Baden Kelly has claimed that the very Green Lantern power ring, the source of immense cosmic power, is inherently sexist. Her assertion stems from a specific decision within the show's narrative: the ring's choice of a wielder.

According to reports, Baden Kelly stated that in the context of Lanterns episode 3, the ring bypassed John Stewart's mother, Bernadette, as a potential candidate for Earth's Green Lantern. This, she argues, is a demonstration of the ring's inherent bias, implying it favored a male candidate over a potentially equally, if not more, worthy female one. This perspective challenges the traditional understanding of the ring's selection process, which has always been presented as a matter of pure will and worthiness, devoid of personal prejudice.

"The ring is sexist," Vanessa Baden Kelly reportedly stated, according to multiple outlets covering the series. The implication is that the narrative of Lanterns is exploring societal inequalities, and this perceived sexism in the ring's programming is a key element in that exploration, particularly in relation to the character of John Stewart.

A New Angle on an Old Icon

The Green Lantern mythos has long been a cornerstone of DC's cosmic storytelling, with the power ring serving as a symbol of hope, justice, and the boundless potential of willpower. However, the assertion that this iconic artifact possesses inherent biases, specifically sexism, reframes the narrative in a significant way. For decades, the ring's choices were seen as infallible, guided by an incorruptible cosmic force. This new interpretation suggests that even these seemingly perfect tools can be products of their creators' — or perhaps, the universe's — ingrained prejudices. The series appears to be using this controversial take to delve into themes of inequality, making Lanterns more than just a superhero origin story, but a commentary on societal structures.

Fan Reaction and Future Implications

This claim has naturally sent ripples through the dedicated fanbase. For many, the idea of the Green Lantern ring being sexist is a jarring concept that challenges deeply held beliefs about the lore. Discussions are already raging across social media and fan forums, with some fans embracing this bold reinterpretation and others questioning the writer's interpretation of the source material. Does this mean other "worthy" candidates were overlooked throughout history due to similar biases? Will the series explore how these biases impact the Lantern Corps as a whole? The potential for Lanterns to unpack these complex themes and potentially re-contextualize the entire Green Lantern legacy is immense, making this a pivotal moment for the show's reception among die-hard fans.

What's Next

As Lanterns continues to unfold on Max, viewers will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how this controversial claim about the ring's sexism is woven into the ongoing narrative. The series has certainly set the stage for a deeper, more critical examination of the Green Lantern universe.