I can’t believe we’re already at the halfway point of Lanterns. The season kicked off with a bang and has somehow gotten better every week. This series has done an incredible job of introducing us to the Green Lantern mythos. And, it fits perfectly into James Gunn’s new DCU while maintaining its own distinct identity.
One of the things I love most about Gunn’s approach is that every show and movie gets to stand on its own, yet still connect to the broader universe. I watch this and immediately know it belongs in the DCU. As someone who was never a Green Lantern fan, it’s crazy how much this show has completely drawn me in. Every week, I’m hyped with HBO Max launched and ready. The second the episode drops, I hit play.
The Hal and John Dynamic
That’s a great feeling, and it’s exactly what I want from the broader DCU. I want to feel this level of anticipation, not just for myself, but for the entire fanbase. I hope this prestige quality transcends Lanterns and sets the standard moving forward. Honestly, I’d love it if the team behind this series tackled Batman next.
As for this specific episode, the absolute highlight was watching Hal and John interact and build their relationship. Even if their partnership isn’t completely altruistic, they clearly each have their own motives, and it was really cool to see it flourish. We also saw the Guardians come down and deliver an ultimatum, telling John it is time to finally take the ring. John’s immediate reaction was basically “hold my beer.” I honestly thought he might say the phrase right there and force Hal to quickly pull the ring off his finger.
“In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil’s might, beware my power... Green Lantern’s light!”
You get a glimmer of hope for the future. If Hal survives, we’ll actually see them become real friends. I still hope they stay arrogant. I’ve been calling them lovable assholes in all my reviews, and I stand by that. I want them to keep that animosity and sharp banter, just from a place where they aren’t actively trying to kill each other.
The Sinestro Controversy
We have to address the elephant in the room. I took a lot of heat in the comments for being overly nitpicky about Sinestro’s initial design, but the actual execution of the character overrides any visual complaints. My favorite moments are not the heavy superhero elements or alien weaponry. Instead, the pure dialogue between Sinestro and Hal carries the entire narrative.
“The writing proves there is deep, unresolved tension in that relationship. Because of how rich those interactions are, I am completely convinced that Hal Jordan is not dead.“
I fully expect Sinestro to break out of prison, secure a yellow ring, and force a massive clash between himself, Hal, and John.
Pacing, Power, and Detective Work
Overall, it’s just crazy how good this show is. This is the exact level of premium storytelling we expect from HBO Max. Lanterns has four episodes left, airing every Sunday at 6:00 PM PST, and if you haven’t started it yet, you need to catch up. The pacing is tight, the character introductions are flawless, and it operates at a cinematic quality that rivals most theatrical releases right now.
The broader DCU needs to take notes from this creative team. My favorite moments are actually the quiet, dialogue-driven scenes. They aren’t relying heavily on CGI or overusing the rings. In fact, keeping the ring usage reserved makes it feel much more impactful. Instead, John and Hal are playing grounded detectives. Coming into this completely blind to the comic lore, I never realized the Lanterns operated as space cops solving mysteries.
The Zoe Reveal and HBO’s Mature Edge
The character reveals are hitting exactly as hard as the action. I figured out Zoe was a Manhunter from the very first episode just based on her slightly off demeanor. I originally expected Manhunters to be entirely emotionless, but watching her pretend to have human emotions to play the long game adds a fascinating layer to the mystery.
“Make no mistake, this is definitively not a kids’ show. Between John drawing a naked man and John’s “relationship” with Zoe, this series is proudly definitely an HBO Max show.”
We still have to wait to see Guy Gardner and figure out exactly how the 2016 timeline resolves, but the world-building is undeniably brilliant.
The Merch Hunt
The fan response has been incredible to watch. It’s connecting with people, sparking strong emotions, and doing exactly what these projects are designed to do: introduce a brand new audience to DC. That is how this franchise will eventually rise to compete with the MCU.
As much as I love Batman, I’ve never found myself hunting down props or toys. I grew out of collecting a long time ago. But this show literally has me scouring the internet for a Lantern ring. Check my search history and you’ll see countless Etsy shops and the official DC store. I’m genuinely about to drive up to Burbank to check the Warner Bros. Studio store just to see if they have my size in stock. Missing San Diego Comic-Con this year really stings because I could’ve easily snagged one there.
I am loving this show, and the quality is absolutely exceeding all expectations. If you want to dive deeper into the exact scenes that make this detective formula work, watch my full breakdown in the video below. What are your thoughts on the season so far? Let me know in the comments.