Lanterns Writer fires back at ‘Woke’ claims
When a show sparks a firestorm of online commentary, it’s natural for creators to feel the heat. HBO Max’s Lanterns series, centered on the complex origins of John Stewart, quickly became a lightning rod for fan debate, particularly when some viewers labeled the narrative as “woke.” But instead of retreating, the writer, Vanessa Baden Kelly, delivered a response that was both direct and deeply illuminating, turning the controversy into a conversation about history, identity, and the very fabric of superhero mythology.
Baden Kelly tackled the backlash head-on by pointing to the source material itself. She observed that many of the critics engaging in the debate were referencing panels from the 1970s John Stewart comics. These original stories depicted Stewart as a confident, proud hero modeled after Sidney Poitier, establishing a visual foundation that predated modern discussions of racial politics. As Kelly noted, the character has always been engaged with race and social dynamics since his debut in 1971, suggesting that the show was simply honoring established, long-standing themes.
The discussion quickly moved beyond aesthetics into the deeper thematic territory of the series. When asked about the narrative decisions behind John Stewart’s origin, Kelly addressed the core question: “What does it mean to be a Black man and get that ring when other characters canonically had it?” She explained that the creative team actively explored the challenges of acceptance within the superhero world, drawing parallels to the experiences of historical Black athletes and figures, such as Tiger Woods and the Williams sisters, to explore the necessary framework for Black superheroes to be fully accepted.
The philosophy behind the series was further illuminated by co-creator Damon Lindelof. When discussing the delicate dance between honoring established DC canon and injecting new creativity, Lindelof offered a perspective that prioritized originality. He suggested that when exploring such sensitive territory, creators must treat the existing material with care, but also find novel contextual frameworks to explore the character’s innate fearlessness rather than simply adhering to old rules.
This blend of historical respect and bold reinterpretation allowed Lanterns to achieve significant success. The series has amassed over 9.3 million views in its first three days and boasts a remarkable 94 percent critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, proving that diving into complex identity issues, grounded in rich history, can captivate a massive audience.
With Aaron Pierre set to reprise his role as John Stewart in the upcoming Man of Tomorrow film, the story of John Stewart continues to evolve, demonstrating how thoughtfully constructed narratives—those that honor the past while pushing for new understanding—are destined to resonate far beyond the initial noise.
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