{
  "id": 5602191,
  "title": "Lanterns Writer Says The Power Ring's Sexism Stopped It From Choosing John Stewart's Mother",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/lanterns-writer-says-the-power-rings-sexism-stopped-it-from-choosing",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-04T17:13:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TVLine",
    "slug": "tvline",
    "url": "https://www.tvline.com/2251282/lanterns-writer-power-ring-sexist-stopped-john-stewart-mother-chosen/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the DC Lanterns series, the Power Ring overlooked John Stewart's father for the ring due to his fear, but writer Vanessa Baden Kelly suggests Bernadette Stewart, John's mother, should have been a candidate. Speaking to Collider, Kelly stated, \"If the ring wasn't sexist, Bernadette would have been chosen, because she really is just the most fearless of everybody.\" John's upbringing is emphasized in the third episode, as his parents instill a fearless attitude in him, even facing a Guardian of the Universe. During her encounter with the Guardian, Bernadette highlights the lack of social context in the ring's decision-making process, particularly regarding race in America. The series explores themes of race and the varying levels of fear experienced by individuals based on their background, with John Stewart's willpower rooted in overcoming the harsh realities many Americans face.",
  "summary": "Lanterns is using the Green Lantern mythos to explore inequality in America. John's mom would have been Earth's Green Lantern if the ring wasn't biased.",
  "key_points": [
    "Power Ring chose John Stewart over his father due to sexism.",
    "Writer Vanessa Baden Kelly proposes Bernadette Stewart as candidate.",
    "Series explores themes of race and varying levels of fear."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}