HBO's series "Lanterns" presents a different origin for John Stewart, showing him as an infant rather than the adult chosen in the comics. The third episode, "OutKast," follows Stewart's family as they seek to raise him to become a Green Lantern, while a Guardian says that raising him without fear could allow him to replace Hal Jordan. In the original DC Comics, Stewart debuted in 1972 as an adult after being selected by the Guardians of the Universe, a change created by writers Dennis O'Neil and artists Neal Adams. Co-creator Tom King said during a virtual press conference that Adams' focus on social issues inspired the show's approach, and co-creator Damon Lindelof noted that the series draws on classic father-son mythic structures. The storyline also references Sinestro's warning that Stewart poses the greatest threat to Hal Jordan, a point that mirrors the relationship between the characters in the source material. The episode highlights Stewart's parents' sacrifices and a compensation of a diamond given to his mother, illustrating the show's emphasis on personal stakes. The series continues to develop Stewart's role, leaving his ultimate destiny unresolved.