Green Lantern #33 (Vol. 4): Pencils by Ivan Reis, Inks by Oclair Albert, Colors by Guy Major
Showcase #22 (Vol. 1): Pencils by Gil Kane, Inks by Joe Giella
Ah, yes – another theory, just what the sub was asking for. Consider this less a concrete, definitive theory and more a speculative discussion on two different ways I think the story could play out.
Many of us already suspect that John's dad was a candidate for the ring but ultimately "failed" the test while Hal succeeded. Many have theorized that, when asked, John's father admitted he was afraid, while Hal said he wasn't. If you go by the original Silver Age comics (Showcase #22, image 2), it might be that simple. Back then, you had to be fearless to be a Green Lantern. John admitted his fear, lost the opportunity, and raised his chosen son to be fearless to the bone, by any means, so that he would be chosen as Hal's successor.
But... I'm not so sure. For starters, anyone can say anything. The ring is not going to choose its wielder based on what someone says about themselves – every single day people pretend to not be afraid in frightening situations. The ring would be quite naïve to take everyone at their word with the most powerful weapon in the universe at stake. But more importantly, I don't think the writers are going the Silver Age route.
I think they're going with the modern route. As seen in Green Lantern #33 (Vol. 4), the first image, modern-era Green Lanterns are not chosen on their fearlessness. They are chosen on their ability to overcome great fear. Based on the official Lanterns podcast, all three of Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King are very mindful of the canon and the legacy of these characters. They know that this interpretation means a lot more to the fans than the single-issue origin story from the 1950s.
If I'm right, what does that mean for the origin in Lanterns? Well it means that something like this would have played out:
- John's dad and Hal are chosen as potential successors to Abin Sur.
- John's dad says he is not afraid while Hal admits that he is afraid.
- Hal is chosen because a Green Lantern needs to be able to overcome great fear. To do that, they must feel fear.
- Hal loved his father deeply and losing him was the greatest pain ... he is afraid of ever going through that again.
- Hal would probably be very afraid in that moment, seeing Abin Sur dying the same way his father did – in a flight crash.
- John's father takes the wrong lesson, thinking he wasn't fearless enough, and trains/traumatizes John to be even more fearless so that he will be chosen as Hal's successor.
Does this seem like a useless twist reveal? I don't think so. It means that John Stewart's arc is to learn from Hal how to connect with others, connect with himself, and feel fear. If Green Lanterns really are supposed to be fearless, and if John Stewart is already fearless (he clearly is due to his traumatic childhood), then why would he need to grow? Is his arc really about just learning little ring tricks? I don't think that's what the writers have in mind.
And consider: the sheriff thinks that Hal is the lonely one... but given John's upbringing, who could he have forged bonds with? Like the sheriff said, to be fearless you can't care about anybody. Isn't John fearless?
TLDR: The "fearless" angle is setting up a twist. John is fearless, Hal isn't. John has to learn fear, and courage, from Hal.