Writer Vanessa Baden Kelly is defending the HBO Max series Lanterns against online accusations of "woke" storytelling . She points out that the character John Stewart has been addressing racial and anti-war themes since his debut in 1971.
A legacy of social activism since 1971
The recent backlash against Lanterns appears to stem from a misunderstanding of the character's long-standing history in DC Comics. Vanessa Baden Kelly, the writer behind the series' third episode, noted that many critics are using vintage comic panels to claim the show is introducing modern political sensibilities to the character.
However, as the report says, these panels actually depict a character who has been vocal about social justice for decades. John Stewart was originally introduced in 1971 by writer Dennis ONeil and artist Neal Adams, who modeled the hero after the legendary actor Sidney Poitier. From his earliest appearances, Stewart was portrayed as a hero who was unafraid to engage with racial politics and military opposition, making the current television adaptation a reflection of his established roots rather than a departure from them.
The Tiger Woods and Williams sisters comparison
In developing a new origin story for the HBO Max series, the writing team focused on the unique societal pressures facing a Black superhero. vanessa Baden Kelly explained that the writers explored the heightened expectations placed on Black individuals to achieve excellence and acceptance within a fictional universe that has historically centered on white protagonists.
To illustrate this dynamic, Kelly drew a parallel between John Stewart’s preparation and the intense training of elite Black athletes.. She specifically cited figures such as Tiger Woods and the Williams sisters as examples of individuals who had to meet extraordinarily high standards from the very beginning of their careers to be recognized . This perspective helped the writers room frame Stewart's journey as one of both immense power and immense scrutiny.
Damon Lindelof’s "plutonium" approach to DC canon
Co-creator Damon Lindelof has emphasized the delicate nature of adapting established superhero lore. He described the responsibility of handling DC canon as being similar to managing plutonium, suggesting that creators must treat existing mythology with extreme care and respect to avoid damaging the foundation of the story.
While Lindelof acknowledges the importance of honoring the past, he also argues that adaptation requires a fresh perspective. According to the report , Lindelof believes there is little value in simply recreating familiar stories without providing new contextual frameworks. the creative team's goal was to maintain John Stewart's fearless identity while finding new ways to make his story resonate with a modern audience.
Will the 9.3 million view milestone silence the "woke" label?
Despite the online frictioon, the series appears to be a significant commercial success. Lanterns has reportedly garnered more than 9.3 million views within its first three days of release, maintaining a strong critical reception alongside its viewership numbers.
However, several questions remain regarding the longevity of this controversy. the source does not provide specific arguments from the critics beyond the "woke" label, leaving it unclear whether the backlash is driven by specific narrative grievances or a broader ideological opposition to the character's history.. It remains to be seen if the show's massive viewership will eventually overshadow the social media debate or if the tension between traditionalists and modern adaptations will continue to define the reception of the DC universe.
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