DC Comics' Future State is coming in the first part of 2021, showing fans what the DC Universe could look like in the near future. The new event will be line-wide, pausing current series' narratives from January through March in order to visit and explore all of the changes and new threats the future may bring. For the Green Lanterns, the future won't be so bright, as the source of their green light and power will die, forcing Lanterns like John Stewart to get creative if he wants to continue protecting and serving the universe. A new variant cover for Future State: Green Lantern #1 shows just how creative and different Stewart will become, showing off his brand new look for the future.
At the moment, John Stewart does not have his own series beyond being featured among the current ranks of the Justice League as their resident Green Lantern (though a new Lantern will fill that role in the future). Future State will see John Stewart heading back among the stars on a special mission to map out new sectors for the Green Lantern Corps to protect, when the Central Power Battery dies. This is the primary source of power for the Green Lantern's rings, so its death means that the rings will be rendered useless. This will prove to be problematic for Stewart and his fellow Lanterns, especially when their rings fail them while behind enemy lines.
Future State: Green Lantern #1 will also look at the aftermath of this event, seeing John Stewart leading the Lanterns that remain and are still committed to serving as the universe's protectors. However, without their rings, the Lanterns are going to have to change and adapt, hence this new variant cover from Jamal Campbell, depicting Stewart in an all new look, seemingly as a cosmic swashbuckler, complete with dreads and an energy sword. Here's the variant cover and synopsis for the upcoming issue from DC's January solicitations:
- FUTURE STATE: GREEN LANTERN #1
- “The Last Lanterns” written by GEOFFREY THORNE
- “The Last Lanterns” art by TOM RANEY
- “The Last Lanterns” art by CLAYTON HENRY
- cover by CLAYTON HENRY
- card stock variant cover by JAMAL CAMPBELL
- Assigned to map and contact new lifeforms past the 3,600 known sectors of space protected by the Green Lantern Corps, John Stewart and an elite team of Lanterns are trapped behind enemy lines and fighting for their lives when the Central Power Battery goes dark and leaves the entire corps defenseless. Meanwhile, across the cosmos, Green Lantern Jessica Cruz finds herself powerless and forced to battle the invading Yellow Lanterns of the Sinestro Corps, and Guy Gardner, trapped on distant world, decides to reopen Warriors Bar.
Stewart and the surviving Lanterns definitely look more like rogues in the future than the officers they once were when their rings were still active. Even so, Stewart and his crew will continue to fight the good fight, even if their methods now have to be altered. John Stewart fans should be pretty excited to see him once again taking a leadership role, despite not having his Green Lantern ring at the ready when Future State comes to the DC Universe this January.