The Steam Lantern is from the green lantern animated series episode 16. As for the sidekick idea. I like the idea of a kid that had found Lady Catherine's blueprints for the steam lantern suit. And since it's clear the boy will try in make it himself. So Gil Broome decided it would be safer to take the kid under his wing so to speak. And yes the kid has the same speech patterns as everyone else. The little Steam Lantern is just as heroic as his mentor.
Also i like the idea of the steam lantern suits being able to produce enough steam that they can hide in it and using their green flaming blasts to defeat a villain. I could see Lady Catherine finding a way to make more Hardtofindium but the method being pretty hard and slow to do so it is still a rare material. I find it neat that they are from an alternate earth that hal took to his universe so it won't get destroyed. I like the idea of Lady Catherine adding translators and breathing gear so Steam Lanterns can go to space. Maybe even get a couple of more members though it would still be a small group due to the Hardtofindium.
The Mauve Lantern is from Lobo 2026 issues 3 I believe. Anyways I hate that Francis Dalex lost his ring so in this situation I imagine he got to keep his ring and remains a good guy. I adored Francis when he was a Mauve Lantern. Anyways contrary to what Francis says, he definitely has a lot of will. So I like the idea that in order to become a Mauve Lantern you need enough will to get a green lantern then have enough glee that it transforms the ring meaning Mauve Lanterns are rare much like Steam Lanterns. Interestingly kids tend to have a lot of will and be very gleefully. Plus I think it would be adorable is a kid from Francis's home world become another Mauve Lantern.
Despite Mauve Lantern constructs not doing damage and Mauve Lanterns basically being pacifists they do seem to be able to make a whole lot of constructs at once and the constructs seem to be stronger enough to restrain people, when not used by someone like lobo. Plus I like the idea of Mauve Lanterns being pretty affective against Sinestro Lanterns despite not directly fighting them. Sinestro Lanterns draw power from people fearing them. So when a Mauve Lantern an they can use their constructs and their gleeful personalities to cheer up, comfort, and make people happy so they won't be full of fear. Basically talking, hugging, playing with their constructs, and putting on little shows with their constructs all over a planet. Thuse making the Sinestro Corp member weaker which could be an issue if thw Sinestro Corp member is fighting a Steam Lantern or especially a Green Lantern.
I think image 9 is Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps issue 4, but if I'm wrong I will edit this to the correct comic. Anyways I like the idea of that kid becoming a Yellow Lanterns just to spite the Sinestro Corp members that took his parents and stuff. Wouldn't be the first time someone got a yellow ring without Heck the kid might be an orphan now. Poor kid.
Now that I think about it. It could be fun for these three little Lanterns to form a team with Tai Pham. Although having a Yellow Lantern on the same team as a Green Lantern, Steam Lantern, and especially a Mauve Lantern could prove to be an issue. They won't let their Yellow Lantern friend cause a lot of fear just for more power. Then again the yellow element could bypass unfortunately most areas containing the yellow element are under the Sinestro Corp's watcg. And the only to places that have the yellow element outside of Sinestro Corp territory happens to be in Red Lantern territory.
Also with the idea of the little Steam Lantern, little Mauve Lantern, and the little Yellow Lantern being orphans those three and Tai might end up gaining a sibling bond. I guess Tai gets some adopted siblings. Also these kids need names. It will get a bit repetitive to keep referring to them as "little _____ Lantern" all the time. Also I adore the idea of Tai switching between his too green lantern outfits based on who he is fighting or what mission he is doing. If it is against someone that grab his clothes or in a situation where the baggy parts are caught on something. He simply switches to his other outfit.
I would include an Indgo Tribe member but I wasn't sure how the would handle a child serial killer.
Ps I'm not sure where thw Tai Pham images to came from. If anyone knows the exact issue then I will add them to this description.