COMIC BOOK OF THE WEEK

COMIC BOOK OF THE WEEK

Hello there, comic fans!  I apologize for the layoff---been very busy with the job thing, and had NOT had time to continue our journey through the Corps of the Emerald Gladiators.  THIS week, we focus on one of the most iconic GL's of all--John Stewart.  Mr. Stewart has been, arguably, the 2nd most popular Green Lantern next to Hal Jordan, and have proven himself time and again that he is every bit as good as Jordan.  So, as we celebrate 80 years of the Ring Slinger, we focus on one of the true greats.

GREEN LANTERN/GREEN ARROW  #87

COVER ART: Neal Adams, Jack Adler

WRITER: Dennis O'Neil, Eliot S. Maggin! (Green Arrow)

ARTIST: Neal Adams

INKS: Dick Giordano

LETTERS: John Costanza, Gasper Saladino (Green Arrow)

COLORS: N/A

EDITOR: Julius Schwartz

COVER DATE: December 1971

PUBLISHER: DC Comics

TAGLINES:  Introducing an unforgettable NEW character who REALLY means it when he warns "BEWARE MY POWER!", A classic extra--"Earth's First Green Lantern!"

STORY TITLE:  "Beware My Power!", "What Can One Man Do?" (Green Arrow story)

Green Lantern #87 introduced us to a brand new character to the Emerald Gladiator's mythos:  John Stewart.  A new GL for the times that had attitude, confidence, and strength to handle the mantle.  Stewart got over so well after his first appearance, that he ended up taking over as Earth's main  GL during the mid 80's, as Hal Jordan had given up the role.  Stewart asserted himself has quite a formidable hero in his own right, and it also allowed DC to have a minority character as a main hero.  Stewart has become the lynchpin of the GL Corps, and has stepped into his own spotlight, not only having taken over for Jordan for a spell, but working WITH Hal to establish the Corps on Earth, as well as becoming a member of the Justice League in his own right.  When Warner Bros. decided to give us a Justice League animated series...it was John Stewart that they used to fill out the roster.  Stewart is a former military man, and an architect who has guts, grit, and the toughness to take on anyone in battle.  And with CW's Arrow show giving us John Diggle---we're hoping that HE becomes the Green Lantern we've been hoping for.  Either way...John Stewart is an amazing character who's well worth ANY read.  

THE STORY:  An earthquake hits Coast City, and as Hal Jordan is saving people, he cannot get ahold of his other GL partner, Guy Gardner, who's injured by a bus.  The Guardians direct Hal to a man in the ghetto named John Stewart.  Stewart is reluctant at first, and reticent at best, but accepts the role, and he and Hal end up dealing with a racist Senator, whom tries to discredit John.  In the end, they save the day, and while Hal isn't happy with John's attitude or approach, he accepts him as a recruit.

In "What Can One Man Do?", Oliver Queen is going through a personal  crisis:  he doesn't feel he's doing enough, and whether or not it's worth continuing being the Green Arrow.  The mayor of Star City is not running for re-election, and Oliver's name comes up.  During a riot, Green Arrow sees a black child shot in the back.  He rushes the boy to an ambulance, and they take him to a hospital, but the boy ends up dying. Talking to Black Canary, Ollie decides that he needs to do more, so he opts to run  for mayor of Star City. 

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This issue gave us an explosive introduction to John Stewart, and though his character HAS changed and matured over time...he was an angry man when we first meet him, and Hal is weary of his attitude.  But he distinguishes himself well enough that Hal recruits him into the Corps...a decision that Hal would reflect on as one of the best decisions he ever made.  

In the second story, we also get some maturity from Oliver Queen, as he realizes that there's MORE to being a hero without wearing a mask...and finding a new purpose.  It was during this time that Both GL and GA were sharing a book, but it wouldn't last forever, as Hal would eventually get the book back to himself.  But this was a great emotional one-two punch issue. 

NEXT WEEK:  We meet the Lantern for the new age....