New HBO superhero show faces 'woke' criticism for reframing classic hero lore around racial privilege

HBO’s new superhero series, “Lanterns,” has drawn criticism for altering John Stewart’s origin story to explore themes of racial discourse and privilege in America, moving away from the traditional emphasis on fearlessness. Some viewers and critics accuse the show of prioritizing social justice commentary over established comic book lore, while others defend the changes, referencing the character’s historical context and the creative team’s intent. The show’s writers and actors have addressed these accusations, explaining their approach to the character and the relevance of these themes to contemporary issues.

• HBO’s “Lanterns” faces criticism for changing John Stewart’s origin story to focus on racial discourse and privilege.
• Critics argue the show replaces the traditional theme of fearlessness with commentary on racial privilege, referencing a scene where Stewart’s mother questions the fairness of asking a Black man about fear.
• The show reframes Stewart’s selection for the Green Lantern ring, suggesting conditioning from infancy rather than innate willpower, which some viewers see as a departure from the source material.
• Co-creator Damon Lindelof also faced similar criticism for his work on HBO’s “Watchmen” series.
• Some defend the show’s changes, citing the character’s historical portrayal as a civil rights advocate and filmmaker Steven DeKnight stating it aligns with certain “Green Lantern/Green Arrow” comic runs.
• Writer Vanessa Baden Kelly addressed “woke” accusations by pointing to 1970s comic panels where John Stewart used racial slurs and opposed wars, asserting this is part of the character’s history.
• Actor J. Alphonse Nicholson, who plays John Stewart Sr., supports the exploration of racial dynamics, questioning who has the privilege to move through life without considering such issues.
• Nicholson also linked the show’s themes to the 2024 presidential election and the perceived consequences of not trusting a Black woman.
• Entertainment critic Christian Toto contends that modern Hollywood writers inject culture war battles into storylines, potentially alienating audiences despite strong ratings, calling the show “overtly woke.”