tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538843.post113808560363759718..comments2024-01-02T09:18:23.893-05:00Comments on Written World: John "Hal's Got the Paperwork" StewartRagnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00373059673228550524noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538843.post-1156364500546668672006-08-23T16:21:00.000-04:002006-08-23T16:21:00.000-04:00So, this post was written a while ago and I don't ...So, this post was written a while ago and I don't even know if this comment will be read, but I recently found my way here through that wonderful look at the Black Panther cover you did at Newsarama's blog. I got caught up in your front page and I'm working my way through the archives you have here, which is how I found this post.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, the moment I read the Mosaic arc in the regular Green Lantern series, John became my favorite. I liked that, even though he separated the cultures, he knew he had to stay and try to build something. I liked that he threw away his gloves so he could be closer to the power and feel it better. I've only read a few issues of <I>Green Lantern: Mosaic</I> because I had a very limited allowance at the time and my brother was the real GL fan, but I did read the one where he and Hal fight and all Hal's duplicates are the same and each of John's are different. That was when, for me, John became more than a character in a comic book and became human.<BR/><BR/>While reading this post, I found myself wondering who out there could write John as a person and a superhero and a builder of things (buildings, communities, families, etc). The name that popped into my head was Christopher Priest.<BR/><BR/>I know all about the complaints. I checked out the link to the "very special Green Lantern" and agree that probably wasn't the best thing, but I have one main reason to point to Priest: Steel.<BR/><BR/>Priest's run on Steel was exciting and touching and fun and he wrote John Henry Irons how I thought John Stewart should have been written after nutso Hal took out the Corps. (Although, I'd have wanted his power ring to keep working so he could still kick alien ass and such.)<BR/><BR/>During Priest's run on Steel, Steel moved to Jersey City and... Well, check out <A HREF="http://www.digital-priest.com/comics/steel.htm" REL="nofollow">Priest's explanation</A> he knows better and he's more fun to read than I am. The important thing is that Steel was there trying to make something. He was trying to help the hospital. He was trying to make Jersey City better. He was trying to work with his niece (before the Superman crew got their hooks into her and made her an annoying, whiney stereotype) to make a family. These are the things that John Stewart should be doing, especially since his identity is public on Earth. (Unless they retconned that and I missed it.) I guess that Hal's the official GL of Earth now, though, so that won't be seen anytime soon.<BR/><BR/>Wouldn't it be great if John were working in the aftermath of the Rann-Thanagar war to rebuild the societies that were hurt? I'd love to see him directing a small team of GLs in an effort to stabilize the situation between the two planets and mediate the peace. He should be used to show that the GL Corps isn't just a reactionary police force that comes in with rings blazing, but they want to help create a lasting peace in the universe through trust and understanding (and then bust heads if someone gets out of line).<BR/><BR/>Ever since <I>Green Lantern: Mosaic</I> has ended, the writers and editors seemed to be pushing John away from what he was. I remember being disappointed when he took the ring from Kyle because I thought that, at that point in his life, John should have realized that by being an architect he was doing more good for people on Earth than he had during his last two stints as a cosmic cop.<BR/><BR/>Here's hoping the real John will be back soon and the writers and editor will stop trying to push the JLU personality on him.ticknarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00801355244098858109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538843.post-1152234330680336802006-07-06T21:05:00.000-04:002006-07-06T21:05:00.000-04:00HA! I think I love you. And blaming the "creator"...HA! I think I love you. <BR/><BR/>And blaming the "creator" for the character is the lazy way. Sure, everything is the creator's fault, (which you demonstrated nice in your anti-Judd post, which are what made me love you in the first place). But if it's done over a long time span, saying, "Oh, Jade's had crappy creators" sounds silly.<BR/><BR/>And, goddess, yes, Jade was a waste of panel space. My inner feminist doesn't care at all to admit that I clapped when she died. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538843.post-1149241918046918792006-06-02T05:51:00.000-04:002006-06-02T05:51:00.000-04:00It's kind of impossible to analyze the product wit...It's kind of impossible to analyze the product without analyzing the creator, though. You can't blame characters for their actions, but you can attribute their motivations to one writer's agenda or another.<BR/><BR/>One line from the (very well-written) post that struck me: writers not wanting to let their heroes win anymore. How much of that do you think has to do with this being one of the most cynical times in our country's history? It seems insultingly escapist to create comics in which the heroes win consistently when the "heroes" in reality lose so often, and writers who do so could easily be accused of propaganda meant to numb the irate mind.<BR/><BR/>Wonder Woman: icon of hope, or downtrodden symbol of everything that's wrong with society? I suppose she's big enough to be both, depending on the writer and the circumstances. I'd prefer the hope angle, but I'd feel dirty reading it every month while reality continues to backslide.STBDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14744790245612351262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538843.post-1138360486965659852006-01-27T06:14:00.000-05:002006-01-27T06:14:00.000-05:00The Writers and characterization issue is a really...The Writers and characterization issue is a really long explanation for me to go into right now. I need some time to collect my thoughts on it before I explain why I like to avoid explaning characters that way.<BR/><BR/>But for now, it's like a cheat. It's pulling back the curtain. The suspension of disbelief collapses when you bring the writer into it.Ragnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00373059673228550524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538843.post-1138276391944960122006-01-26T06:53:00.000-05:002006-01-26T06:53:00.000-05:00I persist in believing there are no bad characters...I persist in believing there are no bad characters, just badly-written (or badly-drawn) ones. I'm curious as to why you never mention the people who write and draw the characters you examine. These characters literally do not exist unless they're being written and drawn by a real person, so it stands to reason that any discussion of their "personalities" would need to touch on the actual people writing and drawing them. From <A HREF="http://www.glcorps.org/_genesis.html" REL="nofollow">Emerald Genesis</A>: "Gerard Jones (then writer of GREEN LANTERN, GREEN LANTERN: MOSAIC, and contributer to GLC QUARTERLY) blended ideas from Niven and other creators to further expand the GL universe. Jones' tenure changed the readers' perception of the Guardians from a group of "benevolent little blue men" to a society with motivations *very* different than that of humans. How far this story would have went may never be known. In rapid succession, MOSAIC and the Quarterly were cancelled."Elaynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15009119466346396986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538843.post-1138218893713779692006-01-25T14:54:00.000-05:002006-01-25T14:54:00.000-05:00(Before I get into this -- Thanks for all the kind...(Before I get into this -- Thanks for all the kind words, guys. I really appreciate it.)<BR/><BR/>Poor John. His good, solid, earthy stability is so boring that even in an entire post dedicated solely to him, the conversation turns not even to the scintillating topic of Kyle Rayner's hindquarters, but to Kyle's demanding, demeaning <A HREF="http://ragnell.blogspot.com/2005/12/green-lantern-curse.html" REL="nofollow">ex-lover</A>.<BR/><BR/>Yes, I dislike her. This is <A HREF="http://ragnell.blogspot.com/2005/11/jade-is-wormfood.html" REL="nofollow">well</A> <A HREF="http://ragnell.blogspot.com/2005/11/is-there-room-in-fridge-hon.html" REL="nofollow">documented</A> elsewhere on this site. It's not the gentle, affectionate bashing poor Hal endures. No, I feel a complete and utter hatred for this character, and the more I examine her, the more I dislike her. I urge you not to blame Ron Marz for this, as I actually liked her during his run -- up until she got beat up by Fatality and my sister and I dropped the book in disgust. We'd onyl seen his Donna Tryo by then, so we assumed he couldn't write women. But I later found out that his Sara Pezzini and Alex DeWitt prove that he's capable of writing a likeable female (and I'm now a little regretful I turned down Sojourn so often and can't find it now). I also noticed that pretty much every writer wrote her like he did, with the exception of Raab, who took her past the line of no return (and Merayn too). Marz's story with Kyle walking in on her and Lucas just continued that downward spiral.<BR/><BR/>Basically, I think she doesn't deserve her fanbase. She has one because she's Alan's kid, has green skin, and is female. Take a look at her behavior -- would she go over so well if she weren't <A HREF="http://kalinara.blogspot.com/2005/12/sex-skewed-look-at-gl-relationships.html" REL="nofollow">one of the above</A>? Probably not.<BR/><BR/>If that's not enough for you, and you want to discuss it at length -- first check <A HREF="http://www.comicbloc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15740" REL="nofollow">here</A> where everyone at <A HREF="http://www.comicbloc.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=31" REL="nofollow">Comic-Bloc</A> learned that although I may not be reason<B>able</B> in their eyes about this one, I am still reason<B>ing</B> about it and more than willing to share.<BR/><BR/>But aside from that, I'd rather not get too far into it about Jade anymore.Ragnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00373059673228550524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538843.post-1138208450264475592006-01-25T12:00:00.000-05:002006-01-25T12:00:00.000-05:00I (as usual, it seems) am with Devon. Ragnell, yo...I (as usual, it seems) am with Devon. Ragnell, your blog is a JOY to read, and I'm sorry its traken me 'til now to come on by. Your insights rock my world!<BR/><BR/>Now, as the Johnny-come-lately and a lover of Jade in many of her incarnations, what's with the Jade bashing?R Greenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11109345943099159368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538843.post-1138175073227585232006-01-25T02:44:00.000-05:002006-01-25T02:44:00.000-05:00The link was nice of you.And here I thought my ram...The link was nice of you.<BR/><BR/>And here I thought my ramblings were worth nothing.<BR/><BR/>:PAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538843.post-1138140954688516542006-01-24T17:15:00.000-05:002006-01-24T17:15:00.000-05:00Oh, and the Jade bashing has got to stop. I conten...<I>Oh, and the Jade bashing has got to stop. I contend that she's no worse off than any other character who had to suffer under Marz' pen, and lately she's been fleshed out nicely</I><BR/><BR/>I can't speak for Ragnell, but I know personally, the stories in which I dislike Jade the most are in Winick and Raab's run. Marz's Jade, (in the 90s-100s), I actually found her the most tolerable. Even in her JLA side appearances, she was less than ideal.kalinarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01417686761943716312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538843.post-1138134644208627922006-01-24T15:30:00.000-05:002006-01-24T15:30:00.000-05:00Though I'm not a reader of GL (there, I went and s...Though I'm not a reader of <I>GL</I> (there, I went and said it), you describe JS as someone who gets hit with a double-whammy: <I>"He's black, so if we do a racial tolerance story it'll be seen as stereotyping" combines with "He's black, so let's make it a racial tolerance story."</I> Man, that's a tough one. Yet another example of the road to hell being paved with...<BR/><BR/>And yeah, I agree with you on Wonder Woman (and Kyle in the TB story). Reading about how <I>even our superheroes</I> are destined to be ground down by the problems of the world is absolutely no fun.Melchior del Dariénhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11710950972039068797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538843.post-1138121392642669922006-01-24T11:49:00.000-05:002006-01-24T11:49:00.000-05:00It's truly a joy to read this blog.It's truly a joy to read this blog.Devon Sandershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08223057696498728357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538843.post-1138114716462817732006-01-24T09:58:00.000-05:002006-01-24T09:58:00.000-05:00I really enjoyed this insight, especially in regar...I really enjoyed this insight, especially in regards to Wonder Woman and how writers don't like to let their heroes win anymore. One of the things that delighted me about Tom Strong was the idea that after every issue the world was a better place.Shon Richardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17575804400275943927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538843.post-1138106122013689582006-01-24T07:35:00.000-05:002006-01-24T07:35:00.000-05:00You've just illustrated why I like Todd Rice's out...You've just illustrated why I like <A HREF="http://absorbascon.blogspot.com/2006/01/hot-steamy-rice.html" REL="nofollow">Todd Rice's</A> outing, it's not a big political deal, it's just characterization. (the editor has even promised he won't be abused to make a point!)<BR/><BR/>John's ideal as the solid supporting character, though, but I've noticed his tendancy to social activism is what gets spotlighted when he does lead a story. Using his supportive, solid side as the primary aspect is a surefire way to keep him a supporting cahracter.<BR/><BR/>Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it means his agenda and characterization is secondary to that of the lead character.<BR/><BR/>I was just thinking about the situation with Hal right now. John is the perfect confidante. Besides his naturally strong, solid personality, and his closeness with Hal, John also has experienced that Parallax possession. And John was supportive prior to that. I wouldn't be surprised if we found out down the line that the two were partnered specifically because John could offer that support. But, because the central characterization is Hal's, we're not going to see John used in that role. Right now Hal's not allowing himself comfort or understanding for what he's been through. So, we don't see him confiding in John, or any of the rest of his supporting cast. John is there as a work relationship. Hal doesn't spend any other time with him, and in fact, might actively be minimizing his time with John so as to avoid getting the sympathy he doesn't feel he deserves.<BR/><BR/>I have my fingers crossed that in the future we'll see more of John the Rock, but if there's any hope for a solo series starring John Stewart, it's dashed by the stigma of social commentary right now.Ragnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00373059673228550524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538843.post-1138086910040806562006-01-24T02:15:00.000-05:002006-01-24T02:15:00.000-05:00Personally, I wouldn't mind if the comic book worl...Personally, I wouldn't mind if the comic book world didn't mirror ours quite so much.<BR/><BR/>I mean there's already aliens and magic and superheroes accepted as fact. There are made up countries and wars and things like that.<BR/><BR/>I wouldn't mind if Wonder Woman really did manage to lessen hostilities and spread tolerance to a wider audience. I wouldn't mind learning that the presence of heroines such as Diana or Power Girl really did inspire a woman's movement that made some serious changes in terms of women's employment: inspiring better means to protect against sexual harassment and getting the same wages as men.<BR/><BR/>I certainly wouldn't mind if we did have a gay hero who married his or her love interest anywhere in the country. As long as it was treated like any other superhero marriage. Like Wally and Linda's, like Lois and Clark's, like Dick and Kory's...let the excitement be for the wedding itself, not for the gender/race of the participants.<BR/><BR/>The fact is, superheroes are supposed to make the world better, so I want them to be successful at it.<BR/><BR/>I'd like to see John utilized for the traits that I think make him interesting. To me, John is the most stable Lantern, the one who is the most centered. When I read John, even when he is having a crisis of confidence, I get the feeling that he knows exactly who he is and his place in the universe. And he's passionate and unwavering in his beliefs.<BR/><BR/>And considering the themes of Green Lantern, the way the rings work, the emphasis of will...John should be a very formidable presence. Kyle's got the imagination, but lacks confidence and centered-ness. Hal's got focus and confidence but seems often uncertain of his own place. Guy's got the passion but not the stability.<BR/><BR/>I can see why John's not often a starring character in comics: it's hard to write a character so strong and sure as the lead. But there is no excuse for not using him as the awesome support character he is. When things are going crazy, John's a solid rock; when the others are floundering, John knows where he's standing.<BR/><BR/>And they should be using *that* aspect of him a lot more, and save the politics for some other time.kalinarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01417686761943716312noreply@blogger.com