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Van Jensen’s Message to Green Lantern John Stewart Fans

by Desh on February 20, 2015

In further celebration of John Stewart, the February 2015 Comic Vine Character of the Month, Green Lantern Corps writer Van Jensen has written a touching essay for the fans about what they and John Stewart mean to him. It also serves as a farewell message to his GLC readers, as Jensen’s final issue of Green Lantern Corps is scheduled for release next month.

The news of Green Lantern Corps‘ cancellation rocked the entire DC readership. Of all the titles slated for cancellation in March, Corps is the most perplexing. It is a very long running, critically acclaimed title with stable sales well above cancellation level. This is especially impressive because it stars a Black protagonist. What is also shocking is that Van Jensen will not be on an upcoming Green Lantern title where he can continue John Stewart’s adventures.

This is… weird to me, because DC Comics has not had the best track record with minority characters. A writer–Van Jensen–came along in a period when the fanbase was very distrustful of DC editorial, and actually won them over with his brilliant showing of DC’s most celebrated PoC character. I don’t know why DC would want to take Jensen off the character. Naturally, my perspective is very limited, because I don’t know what they have planned for John Stewart, and I have not been in the DC Entertainment meetings where such things are discussed, but from my current vantage point, I can’t understand this decision. DC Comics has recently trumpeted that they’re working hard to be more inclusive to varied sorts of people, and with John frankly being their most popular “diverse” character, I can only hope that DC has something grand in store for the Green Lantern.

Whatever does come, I will always, always cherish Van Jensen, Bernard Chang, and Marcelo Maiolo’s Green Lantern Corps run. As a huge fan of the ’00s Justice League cartoons, and someone who is about one-fourth African American, I finally found a comic series from DC in current publication that appealed to me and gave me what I wanted to see. At last, I did not feel excluded, or as if I was being lectured that everything I came to love about the DC Universe and Green Lantern, in particular, was wrong. Van Jensen’s run of Green Lantern Corps revitalized my interest in DC Comics, and I’ve had a blast since. It is quite literally what inspired me to build this site. People like me want to be fans, but when DC adamantly puts out material that is totally contradictory to what we came to love so much from television, it’s really hard to be a fan.

I know I speak for many when I say thanks to Van Jensen from the bottom of my heart. He gave me something to look forward to in Green Lantern and comics again, and that means so much to us who have wanted to enjoy them, but found it very difficult. I sincerely hope he returns to John Stewart some day. The fanbase will no doubt welcome him with open arms.

Check out Van’s message in the link below:
In Search of John Stewart–Green Lantern

Oa, by the way

The solicits for May 2015 are in, and “Convergence” continues. Check out the cover and sales pitch for Convergence: Green Lantern Corps #2 below:

CONVERGENCE: GREEN LANTERN CORPS #2
Written by DAVID GALLAHER
Art by STEVE ELLIS and ANDE PARKS
Cover by TONY HARRIS
Variant cover designed by CHIP KIDD
On sale MAY 20 • 40 pg, FC, 2 of 2, $3.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
STARRING HEROES FROM CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS! The Green Lantern Corps is revived when Hal Jordan, John Stewart and Guy Gardner power up and race to take on Hercules Unbound and Anti God from the Great Disaster!
This extra-sized issue includes a sneak peek at what’s coming up in the DC Universe!

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Categories: News

  • Clyde

    It was a pleasant surprise indeed to see Van Jensen as the special guest writer of an article for John Stewart’s COTM. It kind of takes away from the disappointment of John taking his first loss this week in which the haters that didn’t want to see him as COTM or even to succeed, is taking such pleasure from this moment. But as i’ve stated before, heroes will have wins and losses along the way, but its winning the war that holds more weight.

    I to am puzzled to what DC could be up to with eliminating the GL corps. series run as well as removing Van Jensen from his writing duties with John Stewart. It has me worried, but at the same time i still have my eyes on the prize. And that’s getting John on the big screen. The bad blood is starting to boil over like a pot on the stove when you have boiling water. We’ve heard of “War of the Green Lanterns”, well now we’re on the verge of a war between Team Jordan (vs) Team Stewart. Things will only get a lot uglier and its up to us not to stoop to their level as hard as it might be not to curse them out. Even in Van Jensen’s article post comments their were a couple who posted unnecessary comments. Not once have i seen anyone from Team Stewart post disrespectful comments towards Hal in articles about him, and yet at every turn Team Jordan like a pack of rapid dogs or hell hounds attack John and his fans. Honestly, one side of me just wants to keep fighting that good fight, while turning the other cheek and being the bigger person. But the other side of me…that darker side, wants to rip their throats out and watch them beg for mercy and will not show them any.

    We all have a role and a part to play in making sure that John Stewart remains successful and relevant, and unfortunately we have to deal with Team Jordan along the way, but somehow we have to take a page from John Stewart and handle this with class and composure. And when all the smoke is cleared and all the dust is settled, we all will look back on this with joy that through it all John Stewart made us better just like Van Jensen felt that John made him better.

    • Desh Derringer

      The tension is really high right now because of all the articles and events that support John Stewart. From winning Character of the Month at ComicVine, to so many websites reporting that John is the likely cinematic Green Lantern, to large Youtube channels like IGN and Clevver Movies openly endorsing John Stewart, to Tyrese alluding to landing a meeting with WB execs about playing Green Lantern. All of this makes many of the Hal Jordan supporters extremely uneasy, and they lash out without any class and with dishonest arguments. Seeing some of the classless comments on Van Jensen’s article page was very disappointing. That was just completely in poor taste. They could at least have the class to stay out of the comments if they only have venomous sentiments.

      I get you on how difficult it can be not to tell some of these people off, but there are ways we can support John Stewart without engaging in fruitless mudslinging matches with desperate Hal Jordan fans. Remember, for most of them, nothing we say to them will ever change their minds. No matter how irrational or out of touch with reality their thoughts may be, and how much sense we may make, they won’t budge, so it isn’t worth it.

      I’m concerned about John’s future status in the DCU, but I have a feeling the restructuring of the Green Lantern line will really benefit him. If WB does have plans of showcasing him on film, I can’t see them diminishing the character right now, especially with the huge amount of momentum he has.

  • Hudson Faber

    Jensen definitely rules.

  • David Gallaher

    >> I’m concerned about John’s future status in the DCU, but I have a feeling the restructuring of the Green Lantern line will really benefit him. >>

    John does several cool things in Convergence.

    • Clyde

      Welcome to this site David. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Please feel free to join us whenever you’d like. At this site we only produce positive vibes and encourage everyone who posts here with respect and class. So whatever is on your mind, please feel comfortable enough to share.

  • Hudson Faber

    John faces Nova (Rider) in the Battle of the Week: http://www.comicvine.com/articles/battle-of-the-week-green-lantern-john-stewart-vs-n/1100-151435/

    Please continue to show your support by voting and commenting!

    • Corey A Lee

      John is losing so far but one thing I have noticed is that comic book nerds LOVE them some Richard Rider. Not Nova because most of them don’t care for Sam Alexander, but…..(can’t believe I’m saying this) They ride R.R.’s nuts worse than Hal Jordan. Some people say that he is a mix of Peter Parker and Hal Jordan, that makes him half-interesting to me. John’s loss against Beta Ray Bill was fair to me, because I am a huge fan of Bill but also he is very powerful but this match seems more like a popularity contest than contest of skills.

      • PadThai2

        Peter Parker and Hal Jordan? That’s like white fanboy catnip right there. He’s relatable and he’s also a super powerful badass who doesn’t play by the rules and has women swooning around him? That’s weird because I always remembered him as being more like Rayner before Rayner existed.

  • Hudson Faber

    I’m here to share my blog post on John Stewart’s new origin and the Tower of Talo prophesy with all of you guys. You can find it here: http://www.comicvine.com/john-stewar…gin-1648970/#2

    Check it out, and let me know what you think in the comments. 😀

  • Hudson Faber

    Hey, Desh! I just pm-ed you on comicvine.

  • Clyde

    You know something…i was just watching a movie on netflix starring Michael Jai White, and based on his physique, demeanor and his deep voice, i could really see him as John Stewart. The movie is called “Falcon Rising”, if anyone has access to netflix take a look at that film and you could see why i had him as my # 2 behind Idris Elba.

  • Hudson Faber

    John’s results with Nova: http://www.comicvine.com/articles/battle-of-the-week-results-green-lantern-john-stew/1100-151505/

    Please show your support in the comments.

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