The Lanterns season finale aired. The writers’ room’s intentions are now out there for all to see. No more “wait and see” or “please reserve judgment until the finale.” We’re here now and those entrusted with DC characters who fans have loved for multiple decades have done what they’ve done.
What did they accomplish?
They managed to misuse all three Lanterns in one season.
And they only used three. That’s three-for-three fumbles of valuable DC IP.
No matter what TV viewers think they saw, longtime comic fans know the true nature of these characters.
Allow me to correct the Lanterns writers’ room sins:
They had a Manhunter who somehow impregnated a woman to make another Manhunter, potentially sparking a Manhunter infiltration on Earth. Look at what that did to Antaan’s planet. That’s enough story right there to do a True Detective/Lanterns story without abusing canon and beloved characters.
They failed us.
Hal isn’t a jerk from a suicidal family addicted to the ring who is better off dead. He didn’t cost a lot of lives “for selfish reasons” as the writers’ room made him say; he confronted a Manhunter who used a space laser to blow apart Rushvillle, killing many while Hal did his best to protect those people who hated him. Any argument that Rushville was peaceful until Hal showed up is ignorant of the Manhunter legacy. Ignoring their history because you have a different agenda doesn’t change canon. All “Hal’s horrible sins” in this show do not belong to Hal, they were created by the writers’ room and were forced upon Hal in a lazy and unnecessary attempt to make John more heroic.
They failed.
Guy Gardner isn’t a one-note buffoon Guardians ass-kisser who is afraid of John Stewart and his uncharged ring. Reducing Guy to a clown abuses yet another hero, another long-successful DC IP in the name of making John Stewart look better. It didn’t.
They failed.
And John Stewart isn’t a bizarrely abused child who grows up to take the ring and lantern but refuse to join the GL Corps, limiting his immense power to Earth as if that wouldn’t launch a Lanterns War. John Stewart’s is a much better, stronger, fiercer hero than that. Let’s be clear: John Stewart never needed any of the writers’ room over-the-top melodrama and character assassination because he is already an incredible hero.
The writers’ room diminished him. They failed him.
And they failed us.
But wait, there’s more.
Leaving Sinestro chained to a chair on a dead planet while a Manhunter might know about him? Abuse of another valuable DC IP.
They even failed a villain!
Having Police Chief Kerry engage in an affair with Hal, the guy Rushville blames for all their woes? The guy who never quits when his gut tells him something is wrong? While she’s trying to protect her Manhunter son? And once that guy establishes that her son knows he’s a Manhunter and is doing something incredibly dangerous, her response is “shut up” and when he tells her he loves her, she shoots him? Someone who has been incredibly rational throughout despite being under constant tremendous stress because she always knew what he son was? And then she immediately calls his colleague, another person highly likely to uncover not only that she killed Hal but why? Absolutely, unforgivably ridiculous.
They failed her too. And she’s their creation.
Tom “Hal Killer” King, et al., have a lot to answer for. To fans. To DC. And to DC’s owners. The charges? IP abuse.
And these writers and producers are going to get more chances to ruin characters, including Mister Miracle and Big Barda?
By Christopher Ryan, with apologies to William Carlos Williams
so much depends
upon
a red wheel
barrow
glazed with rain
water
beside the white
chickens
unless you are
that poor
red wheel barrow
then
it becomes too
much
pressures of fame
haunt
when all you want
is
to just be left
alone
***
Hi, I’m Christopher Ryan, a hybrid author with forty years of experience in journalism, education, sketch comedy, indie film, unions, community service, parenting, public speaking, acting, podcasting, and, most often, writing fiction, poetry, and pop culture essays. Now I’m working to discover what more I can achieve and share with the world, and whether an older author can find a place in the storytelling business. Together, let’s see what’s possible.
***
NEWSish Stuff
Appearances
No upcoming bookings. There should be. I even know a few upcoming events. This is becoming a problem! I need to get out there and say hello!
***
This Week’s Tell The Damn Story focuses on how to make Earth-shaking stakes personal to help readers connect
The success of any story’s success depends entirely on whether the audience (be they readers or viewers or listeners) connects with that story. And one of the best ways to do that is to give them ways to connect. This week, Alex and I discuss ways to include that in your stories. And yep, we use a ton of examples from lit and pop culture.
ON WRITING: Revisiting the blessing of writers’ groups
I know I’ve discussed this before, but some topics merit revisiting. For me, finding a writers’ group that works has proven to be a godsend.
Why?
They inspire me to keep going. Just wanting to contribute to the group’s discussion material each week helps me write, gets me into that room, opening the lap top, as Richard Price once said, “putting ass in chair.” The power of what a writer’s group can do for you should never be underestimated.
The group’s feedback gives me applicable advice, ideas I haven’t thought of, and sharpens my writing skills as a result. Other members have said the same.
And to be fair, not every editorial comment or moment of feedback is acted upon, but the process has sharpened my judgment in that area as well.
Years ago, I may have taken feedback personally. These days, I handle it professionally, assessing what helps, and keeps me focused on what serves the story best.
Finally, in a profession that can often feel lonely, this is a lifeline, a community, a reminder that all writers feel alone sometimes—and it is not true.
And thank God for all that.
***
ON INDY MARKETING: Alternatives to AI
As the AI waters rise all around us, promising easier marketing, dynamic ads, etc., all stealing jobs from others, independent publishers, and all authors find themselves forced to face tough choices about how to get the word out there.
Here’s a few examples of non-AI marketing:
Keep potential readers informed about how your book project is progressing, including sending out author copies…Be creative with social media posts. It doesn’t have to involve apps and special effects if it is done with passion…Utilize upcoming holidays, and undernourished friends, to spread the word…Celebrate the blessings of participating authors willing to help promote the project…Learn how to promote better from book project participants who have experience, like this national treasure…
The bottom line is you can get the word out on your project without AI, you just might have to apply that ample imagination of yours to go it. Have fun. Be creative. Avoid selling out your reputation.
***
More exciting art from Christy Aldridge for the upcoming Pulp extravaganza The Fight Never Ends!
Work continues on Seamus and Nunzio Productions’ first ever pulp project (though some may say everything I do is pulpy), the novel-in-stories actioner The Fight Never Ends! Our big book of pulp action should be available by late October.
This week, we offer a look at artist Christy Aldridge’s interior illustration for a second Blackjack story called “Deliver Us From Evil” based on thumbnail sketches from Tim Fielder, a story by myself and Blackjack creator Alex Simmons, leading to this story, written by me. It has been a long road for this one, going all the way back to the Charlottesville tragedy, and I am glad it will finally be available.
Here’s another peek at Christy’s exciting art:
***
Speaking out on the Cornell Situation
In what might become a weekly thing, I made a video discussing this terrible topic as reasonably as possible. The response was positive.
Here’s the link:
***
Screenshot
POP CULTURE FUEL
Books: Still reading about The Beatles, and enjoying Wilson’s poetry.
Music: I like the new music U2 is putting out. Looking forward to the album, but nobody, and I mean nobody, is as thrilled as the Glorious One. For my wife, U2 is a spiritual experience.
TV/Film:Avengers: Endgame Encore was fun to see and the extra stuff at the end made me look forward to Avengers: Doomsday even more. Lanterns continues it’s bizarre Hal Jordan HateFest, to the point that I had to call in The Spectre….
***
Listen, you can’t claim victory
just by saying you won,
and you can’t fix a looming problem
just by changing one word to “super”
because the world doesn’t work that way
and the leopards will eat your face.
***
Feel free to share this with anyone you think would enjoy it. Thanks.
Awright, thanks for stopping by. Talk atcha next week.
Hi, I’m Christopher Ryan, a hybrid author with forty years of experience in journalism, education, sketch comedy, indie film, unions, community service, parenting, public speaking, acting, podcasting, and, most often, writing fiction, poetry, and pop culture essays. Now I’m working to discover what more I can achieve and share with the world, and whether an older author can find a place in the storytelling business. Together, let’s see what’s possible.
***
NEWSish Stuff
Appearances
No upcoming bookings. This is becoming a problem! I need to get out there and say hello!
***
This Week’s Tell The Damn Story features honest, hard truths about being a Hollywood creator by Brandon Easton.
The Soul Screaming Pulp anthology production continues
As I continue editing the pulse-pounding adventures in The Fight Never Ends!, the fantastic Christy Aldridge continues contributes compelling interior art.
Here’s intro art for a tale starring Sally the Sleuth:
Soul screaming Pulp’s The Fight Never Ends! will be available for pre-order soon.
***
Bob & Grace
BOB: The president banned CNN, MSNOW, and Politico from the White House because he doesn’t like what they are saying about him.
GRACE: If that’s the policy, he’s going to have to ban us all.
***
ON WRITING: Richard Price was right: What writing comes down to
Back when I was a feisty young reporter, I found myself sitting with author Richard Price at the 250th Anniversary of The Bronx, and we talked about what it takes to be an author. The gracious Mr. Price discussed reading widely, being aware of stories all around you, and then he delivered the ultimate truth, that writing comes down to “putting in “ass in chair” time.
He’s right. The only way to be an author is to write, to put in the time to churn out the stories. Everything else builds from there. First drafts. Research. Rewrites. Editing. Proofreading. Polishing. Researching markets. Submitting.
It all starts from committing to “ass in chair” time.
And, because this era is always more aware and complicated about everything. “ass in chair” or, these days, “feet in front of the standing desk.”
Whatever. It is about putting in the time.
And if we’re honest with ourselves and each other, sometimes that’s harder than others. So here’s a few tried and true ways to put in that time:
What works for you? Some can do set times, or embrace daily routines, and that is a strong path to getting writing done.
Some can’t embrace routines. Either small kids make demands on time, or job hours change from week-to-week or month-to-month. Fine. These situations still fall into patterns. Find it and fit that writing into those patterns. When our twins were babies, they woke up at 6 a.m.-ish, so I got up around 3 or 4 a.m. to get the writing in (thankfully, I was used to early hours from my reporter days). If the work schedule changes take note of the pattern as schedules tend to remain constant or alternate between a few variations, then find the writing time for each. Whether it is getting up earlier or writing during the commute to your job, the time is waiting for you to use.
If you are staring at a blank screen or pad, telling yourself you can’t write, that is a lie. You probably need to make some decisions about your story. Grab an index card and write down three questions about your WIP (work in progress), then go vacuum, or clean the bathroom, etc., asking yourself those questions and letting your mind explore the “What if….” of that story. Make no judgments about how your mind answers, just gather ideas, take notes, amass possibilities. Then either get back to your writing space if time allows, of keep those notes with you during work or whatever and think about those ideas. Let them fight it out in your imagination, and watch which ones rose as the best of all the possibilities. You’ll be ready to write at the next writing time.
Every twenty minutes, get up out of that chair or step away from the standing desk, and stretch. Immobility is unhealthy.
***
The locals are getting colorful
This fella got himself a big breakfast….
…and this one just needed some spiritual guidance.
***
And now for a pic of a handsome fella
Our Security Chief Sonny Mehlman couldn’t wait to show off this year’s Halloween costume.
“In brightest day, in darkest night, no doggie treat will escape my sight…”
***
Pop Culture Fuel
Books
This continues to fascinate. Ian Leslie succeeds in weaving the delicate balance between personal history, lyrical process, musical structure, studio experimentation, and spilling the tea.
Recommended for music fans. Most highly recommended for Beatles fans.
The unrelenting social media marketing campaign caught my interest, but the samples of this poet’s work pushed me to make the purchase. I am glad I did. Wilson embodies my kind of poetry: simple, honest, and clean. He’s already become an inspiration.
Highly recommended.
TV/FILM
Lanterns may prove to be the most challenging pop culture event of the year. Either you love it blindly, hate it because you are a Green Lantern purist, or watch it enjoying the clever parts and scratching your head at the weird decisions the writers room made.
But somehow, you’ll find yourself watching the next episode.
Yeah, Glorious and I saw Spider-Man Brand New Day again. You got a problem with that?
We did. It was a quiet afternoon, and we just wanted to walk away from reality for a few hours. So we went. Us and one other guy in the middle of a weekday afternoon enjoying a really good story really well told.
And for that, I am grateful.
MUSIC
Silencio is coming!
Speaking of Glorious, my beloved wife is very excited that a new U2 song is coming out this week. She loves “Street of Dreams” but “Silencio” sounds even better. In an exclusive impromptu interview, she told me, “I don’t know all the words yet, but something about the feel of it…”
Yeah, we’re going to be playing that one a lot.
And for the record, I like all of U2’s music, including everything put out last year and this. But no one can match the deep spiritual connection The Glorious One has to that band.
Also…
My buddy Roger sent me this. The Drive-by Truckers are always topical, even if their stuff came out a while ago:
I am grateful for Poetic Outlaws on Substack. They turn me on to poets I don’t know, round out my poetry education, and many of their offerings click with my particular love for plain spoken, bluntly honest, free verse poetry. Their latest gift to me is Julia Vinograd. I throw myself on the mercy of the Poetry Courts for not knowing of her before. But I do now and am pursuing her work. And recommendations, please toss them in the comments.
***
We aren’t dating anymore, love,
we’re in the rapids now,
with life changes swirling all around us,
and our roles evolve from angry rebel
to homemade sage
who knows that being there when needed
is love, is life, is the point.
***
Feel free to share this with anyone you think would enjoy it. Thanks.
Awright, thanks for stopping by. Talk atcha next week.
Hi, I’m Christopher Ryan, a hybrid author with forty years of experience in journalism, education, sketch comedy, indie film, unions, community service, parenting, public speaking, acting, podcasting, and, most often, writing fiction, poetry, and pop culture essays. Now I’m working to discover what more I can achieve and share with the world, and whether an older author can find a place in the storytelling business. Together, let’s see what’s possible.
***
NEWSish Stuff
Appearances
No upcoming bookings. This is becoming a problem! I need to get out there and say hello!
***
This Week’s Tell The Damn Story focuses on, um, the time I became an accidental producer for an award-winning independent film that is still out there a decade later
This week co-host Alex Simmons turned the microphone on me, tossing me in the Alex Simmons Time Machine and taking me back to my Indy film days, when I accidentally became a producer for Feenix Films’ Clandestine, which won awards at WorldFest Houston, a launching pad for numerous legendary filmmakers. He also mutated my head for the promo card. Never knew that much stuff was in the old attic.
Clandestine is currently available on Tubi. Here’s the movie poster (yeah, that’s me in the shadows on the left)
Alex plans to add clips from this episode to augment points he’ll be making during his Masterclass presentation “The Producer’s Playbook” tomorrow (Thursday, 9/17 at 7 pm.
The Soul Screaming Pulp anthology production continues
As I continue editing the pulse-pounding adventures in The Fight Never Ends!, the fantastic Christy Aldridge continues contributes compelling interior art.
Here’s intro art for a tale starring Alex Simmons’ Blackjack and master of disguise Secret Agent-X.
***
ON WRITING: Once again, a great writing group is like winning a Lotto Jackpot
I’ve written about the value of a great writing group before but it merits a brief revisit. Both receiving feedback about areas of your own work that can benefit from another pass and focusing your own evolving expertise to do the same for the others in your group improves everyone’s writing. Week after week.
I am grateful for my group. And I urge you to take the time to find a similarly great group to benefit your own writing. It is worth the effort.
***
Once again, I find myself writing about the oddly compelling love/hate experience of watching Lanterns
The show that keeps drawing in viewers, inspiring YouTubers, and infuriating Hal Jordan fans has me pounding the laptop again. Here’s my latest, which originate on my Substack page.
Bob & Grace getting quicker on the trigger with their light topical humor
Another passion project of mine is the one panel comic featuring a loving senior couple Bob (the innocent one) and Grace (the sassy one) discussing the current events we are all thinking about.
The gorgeous art is done by the great Christy Aldridge.
The strip originates on my WordPress website (chrisryanwrites.blog), and is shared on my Substack (@thischrisryan), Facebook (Chris Ryan), Instagram (@thischrisryan), Bluesky (@chrisryanwrites.bsky.social) and TikTok (@thischrisryan) accounts.
Meanwhile, outside the Seamus and Nunzio Productions’ headquarters…
The invasion begins…
***
And now a picture of a handsome fella, sort of
Seamus and Nunzio Productions Chief of Security does his best to ignore the approach of his archenemy…
***
Pop Culture Fuel
Books
Glorious brought home John & Paul – A Love Story in Songs by Ian Leslie. Published in 2025, it chronicles the evolution of the Beatles’ creativity by focusing on the fascinating creative bond John Lennon and Paul McCartney shared. Give this one a while to warm up and you might find yourself finding excuses to keep reading like I am.
Recommended, highly recommended for Beatles fans.
TV
Lanterns. See above.
Music
Wolf-related songs for a possible future fiction project. We’ll see.
***
Okay, we’ll end with a performance of the poem that started this newsletter. I hope it works for you.
***
Feel free to share this with anyone you think would enjoy it. Thanks.
Awright, thanks for stopping by. Talk atcha next week.
