This is a spoiler-free review of HBO’s Lanterns TV Show.
When it comes to the Green Lantern mythology in live-action, long-time fans have been more than patient after the 2011 film with Ryan Reynolds. The DCEU never got around to exploring the Green Lantern Corps, but thankfully, James Gunn and his DC Universe are avoiding that mistake.
After meeting Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner in Superman, 2026 is now finally putting the bigger spotlight on Hal Jordan and John Stewart, as Lanterns truly begins the full era of the Emerald Knights in Gunn’s continuity. Having seen the first seven episodes for season 1, I can say that it has been worth the wait, and then some.
Starring Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, the leading men bring these iconic but very different DC players to life with delight. Chandler as Hal, the cocky, rough, and legendary Green Lantern that he is, is inspired casting, as the Friday Night Lights veteran gets his shot at joining one of Hollywood’s major superhero franchises.
As a millennial who grew up with John as my Green Lantern through Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, seeing Pierre bring my beloved icon to life in live-action is one of the strongest aspects of the HBO drama. Serving as his origin story, the Krypton alum is off to a solid start in becoming the hero we all know and love from the comics.
The banter and dynamic between John and Hal is the essence of Lanterns, not only because of how different they are from one another, but also because of what becomes of their relationship throughout season 1.
One of the biggest questions about Lanterns that many have been asking since 2023 is how do you tackle something as fantastical as Green Lantern on the small screen? As HBO has teased how the two leads tackle “a dark, earth-based mystery with cosmic ties as they investigate a murder in the American heartland,” I can gladly say that the creative team has found a superb balance in how they approach those elements. Without going into spoilers, as each episode builds out the larger storyline,
And yes, because I am exhausted by the constant “But where is the green?!” jokes online; don’t worry, there is plenty of green throughout the whole show. For long-time DC fans, keep your eyes and ears open because there are definitely some fun nods that y’all will get excited about.
The Lanterns cast as a whole is incredibly well-built, with Kelly Macdonald as Kerry, Poorna Jagannathan as Zoe, and Garret Dillahunt as William Macon. Without sharing details, the way that Fillion’s Guy Gardner returns fits naturally into the Lanterns arc, as does the debut of Ulrich Thomsen as DC’s Sinestro
Having the tones of a gritty mystery along with the comic book aspects, Lanterns is the type of series that is perfect for a wider audience on HBO. Those who are looking for a more elevated superhero show will get that, while general viewers will be able to ease into the mythology if this is the first time they are ever following a Green Lantern story.
As a pure drama, there are twists and turns that were unexpected, as well as compelling. After the episodes I was previewed to, there are still things I have questions about and hope to get answers to in the finale.
Even though I have yet to see the eighth episode from the first season, I’m hopeful that it leaves enough doors open where this could go on for multiple seasons. With John Stewart and Guy Gardner coming back in 2027’s Man of Tomorrow, it would genuinely be great to see HBO continue Lanterns where it can continue fleshing out the Green Lantern Corps in the DCU, as there are a lot of wonderful characters from the comics who could benefit from being explored on a weekly basis.
Catch Lanterns on Sunday, August 16 on HBO, as well as on HBO Max.