The debate around the Green Lantern Corps often circles back to one core issue: are there simply too many human Green Lanterns? While the concept of a vast intergalactic police force is inherently appealing, some argue that the sheer number of Earth-based Lanterns dilutes the uniqueness of each character and the overall Green Lantern mythos. This sentiment isn’t new, and it often resurfaces whenever a new creative team takes the reins of the franchise. Historically, attempts to manage this perceived “overpopulation” of human Lanterns have been met with mixed reactions from fans.
One recurring suggestion is to diversify the roles of human Lanterns, perhaps by assigning them to different Corps within the emotional spectrum or sending them on off-world missions. However, these solutions often spark backlash from fans who feel these characters are being sidelined or diminished. It seems DC Comics faces a constant struggle to balance fan desires with creative direction. This isn’t unique to Green Lantern; we’ve seen similar streamlining efforts in other franchises. Think of events like “Infinite Crisis,” where drastic measures were taken to cull character rosters and reshape storylines across the DC universe. Whether it was sending Amazons away, decimating Atlantis, or targeting past Titans, the message was clear: sometimes, franchises are pruned to allow for new growth. Even the Doom Patrol, a team known for its revolving door roster, has seen iterations begin with the near-wholesale elimination of previous members.
This pattern across DC, and indeed within the broader comic book industry, leads to a somewhat unsettling prediction. It’s reasonable to anticipate that, at some point, those in charge of the Green Lantern franchise will seriously evaluate the roster of human Green Lanterns. Faced with a desire to streamline the narrative and focus on core characters, a difficult decision might be made. This could involve reducing the number of prominent human Green Lanterns to a select few – perhaps two to four at most – deemed essential for storytelling and fan engagement. While such a move would undoubtedly be controversial and trigger fan outcry, it might be seen as a necessary step to revitalize the franchise and give it a clearer direction. The question then becomes, in such a scenario, which human Green Lanterns would make the cut? Would legacy and popularity be the deciding factors, or would storytelling potential take precedence? And crucially for fans of John Stewart, where would he stand in this potential reshuffling of the Green Lantern deck?
