Are You Afraid?

DC released the first five minutes of the lanterns TV show in the first five minutes. The year is 1996 and we see Hal Jordan in a TV interview. In this interview, we find that he has been active as a Green Lantern for several years and he is now making his identity known. The origin for Hal is widely the same as the comic book origins. Jordan's father was a test pilot and died in a plane crash when his son was 8. Continuing his father‘s legacy, Hal also became a test pilot and is an Air Force veteran.

Roughly 10 years prior to this interview, Hal was approached by the Guardians and asked one question. Are you afraid? Hal answers no, because in his own words, the only real fear a person has is losing a parent. This answer is enough for Hal to become the first Green Lantern of Earth, with other Lanterns patrolling their own sections of the galaxy as "beat cops". Hal becomes public when he stops a meteor from hitting Victorian Falls.

Also, in this for five minutes, we see a young John Stewart watching this interview, along with older brothers or cousins. We see the boys watching as a lookout for John's father, John Stewart Sr., to come home. Playing on the "without fear" theme, John is not concerned with getting caught, while the older children are worried about being caught up late watching the TV.

As the headlights approach the house, they scatter and encourage John to turn off the TV so that they don’t get caught. John doesn’t turn the TV off until the last second and they are found watching the interview. John's father then ask what is the Green Lantern's name? When John gives an unclear answer, "Hal something", his father takes him outside. After placing an apple on young John’s head, he pulls his side arm and ask him a question. The same question the guardians asked Hal. "Are you afraid?"

Time skips to 2016; we see John Stewart training in a gym, waiting for his ride to arrive. His ride, Hal Jordan.

Now, with this context, it seems that young John Stewart has been training to be a Green Lantern all his life. Could it be that John Stewart Sr has some sort of connection with Hal Jordan or perhaps the guardians? Could it be that John Sr is training his son to be the next Green Lantern?

Is it possible that maybe a guardian approached the Stewart’s home, having foreseen the need for Jon Stewart in the future?

In the comics origin, John Stewart is a U.S. Marine Corp Veteran and Architect. Originally appearing in Green Lantern (1960-) #87 Dec 1, 1971, John is selected as a backup to Guy Gardner who himself was a backup to Hal Jordan. if how Jordan was ever incapacitated and needed to be replaced, Guy Garner is supposed to be the next Green Lantern of Earth but because of an accident, Guy Gardner was not able to take up the mantle, so they went to John Stewart. Hal Jordan reluctantly trains John and their personalities and worldviews clash, especially when dealing with a presidential candidate who views blacks as inferior. The Lanterns uncover a plot to frame a black gunman firing blanks at the candidate, with a literal white savior, both lanterns are able to overcome their differences and make peace.

John's next appearance is Green Lantern (1960-) #182 released Nov 7, 1984. In the several issues prior shows Hal's life becoming increasingly more complicated due to his responsibilities as Green Lantern and in issue 181, Hal, unceremoniously, quits. Now, it's John's time to shine.

So, could it be that the show is adding to John’s origin? Is this something where he has inherently always been worthy because he’s always been training since his childhood to not be afraid.?

"Lanterns follows new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, Earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland."

The C.A.G.E. is certainly looking forward to Sunday night to find out more. Check out the first 5 minutes here.