When Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams introduced John Stewart in Green Lantern #87 (1971), they did more than create a backup for Hal Jordan—they broke barriers. A Black Marine Corps veteran from Detroit, John arrived during the civil-rights era, confident, brilliant, and unwilling to bow. Adams said later, “We didn’t want a stereotype; we wanted a man who could stand toe to toe with gods.

“The Sunken Place,” Peele explained, “is where marginalized voices are silenced. It’s a state of oppression—a metaphor for systemic racism and how people are trapped, watching themselves lose agency.” Daniel Kaluuya’s tear-streaked face in that moment became iconic, a visual representation of silent suffering. Yet even there, Chris fights. He studies his surroundings, finds focus, and waits for his chance. His strength lies in patience and perception.