One Justice League Hero Is Officially Superman's Equal, Following Permanent Upgrade

Summary Green Lantern John Stewart has been revealed to be capable of harnessing godlike power, proving himself a peer to the Man of Steel.

Green Lantern: War Journal #8 showcases Stewart's unlimited power, along with his connection to the ancient DC Universe god known as Olgrun, which puts him on a level with Superman.

Stewart's willpower, combined with his new power upgrade, places him in a rare group capable of handling immensely powerful threats, which few of his colleagues on the Justice League besides Superman are equipped to deal with.

Warning: Spoilers for Green Lantern: War Journal (2023) #8 ahead!

Superman is one of the most powerful figures in all of DC, but his teammate Green Lantern is also acknowledged to possess the same level of world-altering power. While the rest of the Justice League are certainly no slouches, John Stewart has proven that he can tap into the same power source that once elevated Superman to near godhood.

Following his battles with the Revenant Queen and her Radiant Dead, Green Lantern: War Journal (2023) #8 begins with John Stewart trapped in an unknown pocket of space and staring down an assault from eerie creatures pouring forth from a mysterious dark rift. As Stewart brandishes his new ring to fend off the attack, the leader of the enemy forces acknowledges Stewart's power.

"A vessel of Olgrun thou might have been," the being tells Stewart, before ominously implying that they, like the Revenant Queen, also descend from the ancient mad god.

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Known across the multiverse as the Emerald Knight, the Guardian, or the Builder, John Stewart stands shoulder-to-shoulder with DC's most powerful figures.

Superman And John Stewart Both Wield Godlike Power

Green Lantern: War Journal (2023) #8 – Written By Phillip Kennedy Johnson; Art By Montos, Adriano Lucas, & Dave Sharpe.

Described as "first and greatest" of the gods before turning to violent madness, Olgrun was introduced in Action Comics (1938) #1043 as part of the Superman: Warworld saga. Superman once channeled one of the god's aspects, "the Fire of Olgrun," to heal his adopted son Osul-Ra from the point of certain death; this act alone was enough to alarm the New Gods, sending them into a panic over the potential of the mad god's revival. Now, John Stewart is confirmed by Olgrun's herald to be capable of wielding Olgrun's power, just like Superman.

This is not the first time that Stewart has been shown to possess godlike power. In Green Lantern (2021) #12, Stewart 'ascends' after meeting with the Source itself, embracing the power of a 'Godstorm' and obtaining its limitless power. Furthermore, after his ring is infected by the Radiant Dead, Stewart constructs a new ring fueled by his own will and Genesis energy, making himself even more powerful - and essentially capable of creating life. Known across the multiverse as the Emerald Knight, the Guardian, or the Builder, John Stewart stands shoulder-to-shoulder with DC's most powerful figures.

The defining revelations of the Warworld Saga occured in Action Comics #1043 – written by War Journal author Phillip Kennedy Johnson, with art by Riccardo Federici, Will Conrad, Lee Loughridge, & Dave Sharpe. The full story of John Stewart's ascension can be found in Green Lantern (2021) #12 – written by Geoffery Thorne; with art by Tom Raney, Marco Santucci, Mike Atiyeh, & Rob Leigh.

John Stewart's willpower makes him a peerless Green Lantern, but now that strength makes him equal to Superman, with the two of them as the only members of the Justice League so far to have proven worthy of Olgrun's power.

John Stewart Is One Of DC Comics' Most Powerful Heroes

On Par With The Man Of Steel

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Both Superman and John Stewart have displayed world-changing power before, but Olgrun's might is of an altogether higher tier. Given the seemingly limitless power offered by the Fire of Olgrun and the twisted scourge of the Radiant Dead, Superman and Stewart belong to a very rare echelon of beings who can safely channel such power. John Stewart's willpower makes him a peerless Green Lantern, but now that strength makes him equal to Superman, with the two of them as the only members of the Justice League so far to have proven worthy of Olgrun's power.

Green Lantern: War Journal (2023) #8 is now available from DC Comics.