‘Lanterns’ Stars Discuss the Significance of Raising a Black Superhero

HBO’s ‘Lanterns‘ has quickly become one of the most thoughtfully constructed entries in the DC Universe, featuring a detective-style mystery, well-developed characters, and performances that reveal new emotional depths with each episode. The first two hours immerse viewers in the chaotic bromance between veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan and his rookie partner John Stewart, set against the backdrop of small-town Rushville and the alien threat lurking within.

Episode three, titled “OutKast,” takes a deliberate pause from the overarching mystery to delve into John Stewart’s origins. This timely break allows the show to explore some of its most profound material yet through the lens of John’s parents, John Stewart Sr. and Bernadette.

The backstory focuses on how John Sr. missed his chance to become a Green Lantern, using that failure to address a theme that resonates with many Black Americans. J. Alphonse Nicholson, who portrays John Stewart Sr., and Jasmine Cephas Jones, who plays Bernadette, discussed bringing authenticity and realism to this narrative in a recent interview with The Nerds of Color connected to the episode’s release.

The episode grapples with a challenging question: After experiencing genuine terror, how can someone navigate a world shaped by fear, especially when others have not faced the same threats?

This question serves as the emotional core for what unfolds once John Sr. and Bernadette realize their infant son could be destined to earn the ring himself, following Bernadette’s own encounter with a Guardian. The episode then expands young John’s world, introducing him to tough love, difficult choices, rigorous training, and hard truths he must confront to evolve into the man and superhero-in-training audiences witness in the present timeline.

Nicholson and Jones discussed the complexities involved in raising a son to become a superhero in a society where Black boys and men are often perceived as anything but heroic. This tension is central to what makes “OutKast” resonate beyond a mere origin story, intertwining John’s journey to the ring with the realities his parents faced.

The performances that anchor this material have received significant acclaim since the episode aired. Much of the credit for shaping the emotional core goes to screenwriter Vanessa Baden Kelly, whose script weaves together John’s unconventional childhood, a harrowing Marine Corps deployment, and an unexpected detour into art school into a cohesive narrative that culminates in the moment he finally earns his ring.

‘Lanterns’ continues to set itself apart from other recent DC Universe entries by focusing on grounded, character-driven storytelling rather than treating its superhero elements as the primary focus. Dedicating an entire hour to John Sr. and Bernadette’s story, rather than merely hinting at it through flashbacks, allows Nicholson and Jones the opportunity to create a fully realized couple whose decisions carry genuine emotional weight.

With the first three episodes of ‘Lanterns’ now streaming on HBO Max, the show has established a significantly higher standard for itself as it moves forward in the season. Nicholson and Jones’ insights highlight the intentionality with which the cast and creative team approached the responsibility of telling this important story.

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