John Stewart (character)

John Stewart
John Stewart as depicted on the cover of Green Lantern John Stewart, Global Guardians #1 (November 2024). Art by Jamal Campbell.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Green Lantern #87 (December 1971/January 1972)
Created by	Dennis O'Neil Neal Adams
In-story information
Full name	John Marshall Stewart
Species	Human
Team affiliations	Green Lantern Corps Justice League Guardians of the Universe Darkstars U.S. Marine Corps
Partnerships	Green Lantern partners: Katma Tui Hal Jordan Guy Gardner Kilowog Kyle Rayner Other Hero partners: Hawkgirl/Shayera Hol The Flash/Wally West Steel/John Henry Irons Vixen/Mari McCabe
Notable aliases	Green Lantern The Master Builder Darkstar Emerald Knight
Abilities	Master in the use of military weapons Master hand-to-hand combatant and martial artist Master marksman Skilled architect Use of power ring grants: Flight Force field Energy projection Enhanced strength, speed, and durability Generation of hard-light constructs Real-time translation of all languages Space travel Galactic encyclopedia Limited cellular regeneration

John Stewart is one of the principal fictional superheroes known as Green Lantern appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams, and first appeared in Green Lantern (Volume 2) #87 (December 1971/January 1972). Stewart's original design was based on actor Sidney Poitier^[1] and he was one of the first African-American superheroes to appear in DC Comics.^[2]

Today John Stewart is one of the most popular and high-profile black characters in American comic books. Although a starring character in Green Lantern comics since the 1970s, he had a relatively low profile in mainstream popular culture until his adaptation for the 2000s animated series Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, voiced by Phil LaMarr. This led to an increase in the character’s profile in comics, including a starring role in Justice League comics, and a massive expansion in the character’s availability in DC Comics toys and merchandise. Wayne T. Carr was cast as John Stewart in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) director's cut Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021). Aaron Pierre will portray the character in the DC Universe, beginning with the TV series Lanterns.