Lanterns Review: HBO’s Gritty Green Lantern Series Is a Powerful DC Success

HBO’s DC Universe series Lanterns promised something different from the usual superhero spectacle: an atmospheric, grounded mystery with the tone of True Detective or Slow Horses. The change was welcome. Despite the review bombing, the season ends with an emotional, elegant finale that fulfills the show’s original promise.

The DC Universe reboot movies released so far have been entertaining, even if some are forgettable. Lanterns, however, is a shining example of what the new DC Universe can accomplish when its creators are given room to be genuinely inventive within the superhero genre.

There are mild spoilers below, but no major twists are revealed.

Lanterns combines a small-town mystery with cosmic science fiction

The series follows two connected storylines. The first begins in 2016, when a mass shooting takes place at a local football game in Rushville, Nebraska. Current Green Lantern Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and his new trainee, John Stewart (Aaron Pierre), join the investigation, confusing Sheriff Kelly Kane (Kelly Macdonald), who initially believes the case has no extraterrestrial connection.

She is quickly proven wrong when the suspect—an alien—blows himself up. Hal’s power ring contains the damage, but the larger mystery remains unsolved.

Hal and John discover that the suspect was one of a group of aliens who survived a genocide on their home planet at the hands of the Manhunters. Created by the Guardians of the Universe as predecessors to the Lantern Corps, the Manhunters eventually rebelled against their creators, and most of them were destroyed.

The only surviving Manhunter is hiding in Rushville while disguised as a human. The alien leader, Antaan (Paul Ben-Victor), gives Hal and John 48 hours to find and surrender the Manhunter—or he will destroy the town.

The second storyline takes place in 2026 and centers on the murder of Hal Jordan. After the events of 2016, Hal has returned to Rushville as a social outcast. The mystery of his death drives the second half of the series, as John works with Sheriff Kane to uncover what happened to his former mentor.

A grounded Green Lantern story with real emotional stakes

Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre are excellent as Hal Jordan and John Stewart

The entire cast delivers strong performances, but the series depends on its two leads, and Chandler and Pierre are ideal choices. Both actors receive rich, fully developed material throughout the season.

Showrunner Chris Mundy has said that one of the show’s central themes is knowing when to step down and allow a successor to take over. That idea is reflected in the uneasy relationship between Hal and John.

The two Green Lanterns could hardly be more different. Hal is brash, arrogant, and guided by instinct. John is controlled, disciplined, logical, and methodical. Hal has no intention of giving up his power ring, while John questions whether Hal still deserves it.

Their inevitable clashes are more than personality conflicts. With the fate of Rushville at stake, every disagreement carries serious consequences for both men and the town they are trying to protect.

Final verdict: Lanterns is a standout for the new DC Universe

Lanterns succeeds because it treats its cosmic mythology seriously without losing sight of its human characters. Its small-town mystery, grounded tone, strong performances, and emotional character work make it far more memorable than a standard superhero adventure.

The season’s finale delivers on the series’ promise and establishes Lanterns as one of the most creatively successful projects in the new DC Universe. Ignore the review bombing: this is the kind of bold, character-driven DC storytelling the franchise needs.