Why Simon Baz, Green Lantern’s Arab-American Hero, Must Join HBO’s Lanterns Season 2

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2011’s Green Lantern film with Ryan Reynolds didn’t fare well, but now, DC Comics’ Green Lantern is set for a second chance at live-action success. One of the upcoming TV shows featuring this property is HBO’s “Lanterns,” which stars Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart. Furthermore, it was recently confirmed that Nathan Fillion will return to his role as Guy Gardner in “Lanterns” after appearing as the character in James Gunn’s Superman series.

As today is the last day of Arab-American Heritage Month, I’d like to discuss the significance of incorporating Simon Baz, the first Arab-American member of the Green Lantern Corps, into the Lanterns series at some point. His representation goes beyond merely increasing diversity in the DC Universe; there are several compelling reasons why he deserves a turn in the green limelight within this franchise.

Simon Baz Needs To Be Highlighted In Other Media

It’s surprising that apart from two video game appearances, Simon Baz, a key character in the Green Lantern Corps comics, hasn’t been adapted into movies or TV shows yet. In contrast, other primary human members of this team have had their moments to excel on screen. Notably, Jessica Cruz made her comic book debut around the same time as Simon, was paired with him for a while, and has since become a significant character in DC Super Hero Girls. She’s even set to lead My Adventures with Green Lantern, a spin-off from My Adventures with Superman.

As a fan, I’m not advocating for Simon to overshadow Jessica or any other Green Lanterns from Sector 2814. However, I do believe he deserves more recognition than just being confined to the pages of comics. He’s ripe for exploration in various media, and “Lanterns” seems like an ideal platform for him to shine. Given that it will initially air on HBO, with episodes later available for streaming through Max, I’m certain there wouldn’t be any difficulty in attracting attention towards him.

He Doesn’t Start Out Being Trusting Of His Ring

Initially, comic book fans encountered Simon Baz through the cover of Green Lantern #0, depicting him with a gun in hand. Perhaps you’re curious as to why a Green Lantern, who possesses a ring capable of creating any material construct from his imagination, would require a firearm. Could this have been an unintended effort to portray Simon as a tough guy?

Instead of carrying a gun as an added safety measure due to his initial concerns about the Green Lantern ring’s power source, Simon chose to be cautious and carry it for a while. However, during a joint mission with Batman, he ultimately decided to let go of this precaution. It would be fascinating to delve deeper into this aspect in the Lanterns, by introducing a new character who is initially hesitant about trusting this powerful artifact but eventually learns to rely on it completely.

He Pulled Off An Amazing Feat No Other Green Lantern Has

There’s no need to fret; it wasn’t only the gun that distinguished Simon Baz during his initial Green Lantern comic appearances. In fact, he had quite an intriguing backstory before becoming a racer on the streets. A race he participated in ended tragically with his brother-in-law Nazir getting severely hurt and falling into a coma. Even when Simon received the Green Lantern ring from B’dg, his mentor at the time, it was made clear that this powerful artifact could perform many miracles, but reviving someone from a coma wasn’t among them.

Despite all odds, the raw determination of newcomer Simon was evident when he managed to harness the emerald energy to revive Nazir. What was initially perceived as unattainable turned into an extraordinary skill for the ring, and it was this Green Lantern, who had worn the ring for mere hours, whom the Corps should thank for this incredible feat. If Simon were to be part of the Lanterns, this event would be crucial to include. The details surrounding Nazir’s accident could be tweaked if necessary, but this instance would undoubtedly showcase the remarkable abilities of those deemed worthy of these rings, even without formal training.

I’d Like To The Concept Of A Green Lantern With A Secret Identity Explored

As a film enthusiast, let me share my fascination with the character of Simon Baz, Green Lantern. Unlike other Green Lanterns who hide their identities, I find Simon’s reasons particularly intriguing. You see, he was once wrongfully accused of terrorism when a car he stole turned out to be a bomb-laden vehicle. To save lives, he drove it into an abandoned factory where he used to work.

During his interrogation, the Green Lantern ring – a combination of Hal Jordan’s and Sinestro’s (a long story in itself) – chose him as its new bearer. To avoid attention while clearing his name, Simon crafted a mask for himself, which eventually became a permanent part of his persona. This, to me, adds an authenticity and depth to his character that I find captivating.

Based on the initial image, it seems that neither Hal Jordan nor John Stewart will hide their identities in the upcoming film, which is typical for John as he often doesn’t wear a mask in the comics. However, maintaining secret identities is a key aspect of the superhero genre, so it would be interesting to explore this dynamic with Green Lantern. While it appears that DCU’s Hal and John have no issues revealing their faces wherever they go on Earth, I’m curious about how Simon Baz manages to separate his civilian and superhero lives, especially when the U.S government isn’t hot on his heels.

As a movie enthusiast eagerly awaiting Season 2 of Lanterns, I must express my hopeful anticipation for the potential introduction of Simon Baz into the series. While it’s premature to speculate about a second season, if we are fortunate enough to see more episodes, showrunner Chris Mundy should definitely consider incorporating Simon Baz into the storyline.

I’ve long admired his comic book appearances and believe that it’s high time for him to make a mark on the big or small screen. Lanterns seems like the perfect platform to bring this character to life in an engaging and compelling way, offering a fresh perspective and adding depth to the series. Here’s to hoping for more exciting developments in the world of Lanterns!

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2025-05-01 05:10