Who Are the Guardians of the Universe in DC Comics and Lanterns?
The Guardians of the Universe are an ancient, powerful race of blue-skinned humanoids originating from the planet Maltus. After a critical experiment triggered the birth of the DC Multiverse and an anti-matter universe, they relocated to the planet Oa and committed themselves to maintaining universal order by combating evil. They initially created robotic enforcers called Manhunters to patrol the cosmos, but when the Manhunters rebelled, the Guardians replaced them with the Green Lantern Corps, an interstellar police force with members guarding various sectors of the universe.
In Lanterns, the Guardians maintain this legacy and task themselves with overseeing the Green Lanterns' role in upholding peace across the universe. They possess immense abilities including flight, time travel, telepathy, invulnerability, and reality manipulation, making them among the most formidable beings in the DC Universe.
Why Are the Guardians Focusing on John Stewart as Earth’s Next Green Lantern?
The Guardians are specifically invested in John Stewart succeeding Hal Jordan as Earth's Green Lantern for strategic reasons. In Lanterns, only 11 Guardians remain alive after Sinestro, a former Green Lantern, killed one of them. The Guardians previously attempted to recruit John Stewart’s father, John Stewart Sr., but he failed their test. Instead, they orchestrated Stewart Jr’s upbringing to prepare him as the ideal candidate.
They want Stewart to replace Jordan primarily because of concerns over Jordan's relationship with Sinestro and his reckless, often insubordinate interventions in earthly affairs. The Guardians believe Stewart's disciplined and less impulsive nature will bring the order they desire. This dynamic sets the stage for a power struggle, as Jordan is reluctant to relinquish his role.
Who Plays Lianna, the Guardian in Lanterns, and What Is Her Role?
In the HBO Max series, the character Lianna, one of the few remaining Guardians, is portrayed by Laura Linney. Lianna is pivotal in the storyline, personally interviewing John Stewart and explaining the Guardians’ intentions and history. She also attempts to mend the strained relationship between the Guardians and Stewart’s family, revealing her true, cosmic form to Stewart’s mother as a gesture of apology for the Guardians' past troubles.
How the Guardians' Influence Shapes John Stewart’s Journey
John Stewart was raised with the belief that becoming a Green Lantern was his destiny, a belief instilled by his parents under the Guardians' influence. His military background and artistic passion add unique layers to his character, with the Guardians' endorsement putting him on a path filled with both duty and personal struggle. The show explores how Stewart wrestles with this legacy amidst political and cosmic conflicts within the DC Universe.