Warning: Spoilers for Batman Smells, Robin Laid an Egg #1!Santa Claus holds an unexpected connection toGreen Lanternin DC Comics lore – tying the mythic Christmas figure into the backstory of John Stewart in a way that is both surprising and emotionally satisfying. As DC’s latest Christmas tie-in issue flies off the shelves, fans' hearts will be warmed by Stewart’s holiday origin story.
Batman Smells, Robin Laid an Egg#1 contains the story “Santa’s Oath?” – written by Dorado Quick, with art by M.L. Sanapo – in whichJohn Stewart’s tenure as Green Lanternis reinterpreted once more, thanks to the DC Universe connecting him to Santa Claus.The one-shot reveals thatJohn Stewart learning how to become a hero and being inspired to do so can now largely be traced back an influence from Santa Claus.
In many ways, this moment entirely recontextualizes John Stewart’s origin story and motivations to become a hero.
Santa Claus Helped Green Lantern Forge A Stronger Connection With His Mother, Influencing His Heroic Journey
Batman Smells, Robin Laid an Egg#1, “Santa’s Oath?” – Written By Dorado Quick; Art By M.L. Sanapo; Color By Arif Prianto; Lettering By Dave Sharpe
“Santa’s Oath?” begins in Metropolis on Christmas Eve, wherethe Green Lantern is doing what he does best: traveling the cosmos. With all the traveling that he does, John Stewart is convinced he would’ve met Santa Claus by now, if he were real, so he can’t believe his eyes when he runs into Mrs. Claus. “Carol” says that her husband is out helping one of John’s “Justice League friends,” and so she’s on delivery duty this year. Naturally, John is skeptical, but curiosity gets the better of him.
Green Lantern’s Mom Joins the Corps with the Powers She Always Deserved
With Green Lantern light-years away and a monster after her, John Stewart’s ,pm finally gets the power her son always believes should have been hers.
Green Lantern asks Carol Claus why Santa never came to his house, especially when his mother worked so hard, struggling to provide for the two of them by herself. To his surprise, she reveals thatthey did come to his house every year – they just put his mom’s name on his presents so that he could “believe in a hero that you could see every day.“Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Claus had the heart to take away the look that young John gave his mother whenever she miraculously came through on Christmas.
Santa Claus Helped Green Lantern Understand That His Mom Was Always A Hero
Paving The Way For John’s Superhero Career
Stories tend to contextualize John’s motheras someone Stewart looked up tolong before hebecame the Green Lantern. One can say that his mother inspired and instilled within him the values needed to become the hero he is today. This new Santa Claus component shows how John saw his mom as a hero because of good ole St. Nick.If not for Santa doing something as small as putting Mama Stewart’s name on John’s presents,he wouldn’t recognize her as a hard worker and, thus, as theGreen Lantern, aspire to work just as hard as she did in his childhood.
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Batman Smells, Robin Laid an Egg#1is available now from DC Comics.
Green Lantern
Green Lantern is the name given to multiple enforcers of intergalactic justice in the DC Universe. Green Lanterns can harness the cosmic energy of willpower, and create unique spectral objects to face off against their enemies. Though some Green Lanterns have assisted with the Justice League, they primarily belong to the Green Lantern Corps.
