Green Lantern #87
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeGreen Lantern #87 (cover-dated December 1971/January 1972) is one of the most consequential single issues of the Bronze Age because it introduced John Stewart — one of the first African-American superheroes to headline a story in a DC Comics title. Unlike any Black hero before him, Stewart arrived on the cover unmasked and defiant, a deliberate artistic statement at a moment when Black characters were largely absent from superhero covers or had their faces obscured. The debut story placed questions of race, identity, and anti-authority politics at the center of the Green Lantern mythology, permanently expanding what the franchise — and the superhero genre — could say about American society. Decades later, Stewart's selection as the Green Lantern for the early-2000s Justice League animated series introduced him to a generation for whom he became the definitive Lantern, cementing a cultural footprint that traces directly back to this issue.
In "Beware My Power," Hal Jordan is tasked with training a new Green Lantern after Guy Gardner’s injury, but John Stewart’s unorthodox methods and strong moral compass clash with the Guardians’ expectations. When a suspicious assassination attempt on the racist politician Jeremiah Clutcher unfolds, John uncovers a disturbing truth behind the staged attack—revealing a deeper, more manipulative scheme at play. Written by Denny O'Neil and illustrated with powerful precision by Neal Adams, with inks by Dick Giordano and letters by John Costanza, the cover by Neal Adams captures the tension of a moment that could change everything.
In "Beware My Power," John Stewart confronts a political conspiracy after a staged assassination attempt on racist politician Jeremiah Clutcher reveals a manipulative scheme to boost his campaign. As Hal Jordan grapples with Guy Gardner’s injury and the Guardians’ push for a new backup, John’s sharp instincts clash with the Corps’ expectations—forcing him to question how justice is wielded in a world rigged for power.
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We Buy Collections ▸History
The issue emerged near the close of the celebrated Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams run on Green Lantern/Green Arrow (issues #76–89), an era defined by socially conscious storytelling that reinvigorated the title starting in 1970. The concept originated with Neal Adams, who argued to editor Julius Schwartz that the Green Lantern Corps should reflect the actual racial makeup of the world — not as a political gesture, but simply because 'it makes sense.' Adams modeled Stewart's physical appearance on actor Sidney Poitier and, in a deliberate break from industry convention of the time, rendered him with dark skin rather than the lighter coloring commonly applied to Black characters, pushing through initial reluctance from DC production manager Sol Harrison. Writer Denny O'Neil then scripted Stewart's debut as an unemployed Black architect — a profession chosen to present an educated, aspirational Black professional rather than the stereotypical portrayals Adams felt dominated the medium.
Trivia · 8 facts
- First appearance of John Stewart (Green Lantern), created by writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Neal Adams; cover date December 1971/January 1972.
- Second appearance of Guy Gardner, who had debuted in Green Lantern #59 (March 1968); Gardner is injured in this issue — hit by a bus during an earthquake — which narratively necessitates Stewart as a new backup Lantern.
- The lead story is titled 'Beware My Power!' (13 pages, script by Denny O'Neil, pencils by Neal Adams, inks by Dick Giordano); a second story, 'What Can One Man Do?' (script by Elliot Maggin, also drawn by Adams), and a reprint of an origin-recap story from Green Lantern #16 round out the issue.
- Stewart refuses to wear the domino mask Hal Jordan offers him — an explicit narrative choice that foregrounded his Black identity at a time when Black characters rarely appeared unmasked on superhero covers.
- Stewart's debut character concept: an unemployed Black architect, designed to present a college-educated professional Black man, with Adams basing his physical design on actor Sidney Poitier.
- The issue is the penultimate chapter of the O'Neil/Adams Green Lantern run (issues #76–89), one of the defining 'relevant comics' runs of the era.
- The issue has been reprinted multiple times, including in the Green Lantern/Green Arrow: Hard-Traveling Heroes Deluxe Edition (collecting #76–87 and #89), Showcase Presents: Green Lantern Vol. 5, and Green Lantern: John Stewart — A Celebration of 50 Years (DC, June 2021), the latter a 368-page hardcover with new essays by Neal Adams, Geoff Johns, John Ridley, and actor Phil LaMarr.
- John Stewart was adapted as the primary Green Lantern for the Justice League animated series (2001–2004), voiced by Phil LaMarr; the animated portrayal later retconned his architect background into that of a former U.S. Marine, a change eventually incorporated into the comics canon as well.
Full credits
Reprints
↩ Reprints Green Lantern #16 (1962)
Reprinted in Batman #647 (1972), Groene Lantaarn Classics #2729 (1973), Green Lantern Album #2 (1976), Green Lantern #28 (1979), Gigant #5/1980 (1980), Gigant #5/1980 (1980), DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest #23 (1982), Green Lantern / Green Arrow #6 (1984), The Green Lantern / Green Arrow Collection, Volume Two: More Hard-Traveling Heroes #[nn] (1993), The Green Lantern / Green Arrow Collection #[nn] (2001), Green Lantern / Green Arrow #2 (2004), Green Lantern: The Greatest Stories Ever Told #[nn] (2006), Showcase Presents: Green Lantern #5 (2011), Green Lantern / Green Arrow #[nn] (2012), Green Lantern: A Celebration of 75 Years #[nn] (2015), Absolute Green Lantern / Green Arrow #[nn] (2016), Green Lantern/Green Arrow #[nn] (2017), Green Lantern / Green Arrow: Hard-Traveling Heroes Deluxe Edition #[nn] (2018), Green Lantern: 80 Years of the Emerald Knight The Deluxe Edition #[nn] (2020), Green Lantern: John Stewart - A Celebration of 50 Years #[nn] (2021), Green Lantern 87 (Facsimile Edition) #[nn] (2024)
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