‘Lanterns’ “OutKast”: Me and You, Your Momma, and Your Trauma Too

Spoilers Ahead Before we get into Lanterns Outkast episode, I think it’s important we touch on something. Stan Lee once pointed out that Spider-Man’s costume, which covered him entirely, allowed kids to imagine themselves as Spider-Man. This unintentional decision led to the belief that Spider-Man could be of any race, which led to the saying, “anyone can wear the mask.” Spider-Man debuted in 1962. When Green Lantern was reintroduced to DC Comics in 1959, it was with that same notion (however, this was more coincidental than accidental). When a Green Lantern dies, their power ring searches for a suitable successor. The ring selection doesn’t consider profession, race, or achievements. When the ring appears, it has already determined that the successor possesses the ability to overcome great fear — even if they don’t know it — thereby showing that anyone could wear the ring. I said all that to say this: the ring selection process on Lanterns needs a rework. Hal Jordan told us how the ring appeared to him while he was sleeping (off 9 beers, mind you), surrounded him in a bubble, then asked if he was afraid. Seeing it happen to John Stewart, Sr. makes me wanna shoot man some bail ’cause, hey, Bernadette (his wife) just got up to check on the kid. He’s in that “half awake/ half sleep” asleep Dad state where you gotta be alert if you gotta go help with the kid, but also tryin’ to go back to sleep. Then outta nowhere a glowing green ring shows up, lifts you out of the bed, and ask…