'Green Lantern' anniversary to honor Dwayne McDuffie by revisiting John Stewart and Hawkgirl's romance
The 'Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular' issue is a month away, but DC has released its first look into its celebration of the legacy's history. One of the featured stories pays tribute to late Dwayne McDuffie with a story that revisits the relationship between John Stewart and Hawkgirl from the 'Justice League' animated history.
Milestone Comics co-founder McDuffie was a significant part of the 'Justice League' animated series and its sequel series, 'Justice League Unlimited'. He was hired as a staff writer for the show and was soon promoted to story editor and producer. Over the series' 91 episodes, he wrote, produced or story-edited 69 of them. He died on February 21, 2011, and his loss is felt to this day by both the comics and animation industries. His wife, Charlotte Fullerton, will pen the story with art by ChrisCross, who worked with McDuffie on Milestone Comics.
The relationship between John Stewart (Phil LaMarr) and Hawkgirl (Maria Pilar Canals-Barrera) was a central focus of the series. It culminated in heartbreak when Hawkgirl betrays the League in 'Starcrossed'. Though she eventually helps the League, her betrayal causes her to leave the team behind as well as her romantic partner Stewart in what was meant to be the series' final episode. However, the popularity of the series brought it back for 'Justice League Unlimited', which further explored the pair's romance.
Though Stewart was dating Vixen (Gina Torres) at the time, there were still unresolved feelings between him and Hawkgirl, which were further complicated by the reveal that he and Hawkgirl have a son at some point in a possible future timeline. This story is further expanded in 'Justice League Beyond' #7-8, where their son, Rex Stewart, explains how the pair rekindled their romance after Vixen's death.
The story is titled 'Reverse the Polarity' and is written by Charlotte (Fullerton) McDuffie and ChrisCross. The official synopsis for the story reads: "In a story that should pluck the heartstrings of any Justice League Unlimited fan, Charlotte (Fullerton) McDuffie and ChrisCross team up for an adventure featuring John Stewart and Hawkgirl. In this sweet tribute to the late Dwayne McDuffie. John and Kendra are trapped in the Watchtower by Dr Polaris after she takes control of a mysterious element that enhances his powers." You can take a look at the preview for the story below.
'Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1' will be available digitally on June 23, and in comic stores when they reopen.