The upcoming DC series Lanterns has been described as similar to crime dramas like True Detective since it was first announced. Now, the latest trailer suggests it might also be the kind of suspenseful spy story that Marvel fans hoped for with the Secret Invasion series.
I just got a look at the new trailer for Lanterns, and it’s definitely piqued my interest. It seems we’ll see Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan taking John Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre, under his wing. They’re investigating some strange killings happening right here in the US, but this isn’t just a simple case – the trailer hints at something much bigger, an alien conspiracy that feels really unsettling and paranoid. It’s setting up to be more than your typical superhero story.
With hints of alien killings, characters who can change their form, and a hidden enemy specifically after Hal Jordan, Lanterns promises to be a huge and thrilling series from DC Studios. The latest trailer strongly resembles Marvel’s Secret Invasion in terms of its basic storyline – a premise that initially seemed very promising for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The DCU’s New Lanterns Trailer Has Major Secret Invasion Vibes
The latest trailer for DC Studios’ Lanterns shows us a lot more of what the series is about. We now understand why Hal and John are investigating in this particular town – they’re looking into a series of unusual murders committed by aliens. As they dig deeper, they’ll discover that dangerous, shape-shifting creatures called Manhunters have secretly taken over the town, disguised as ordinary people. This means anyone Hal and John meet could be a threat in this new DCU series.
The premise of this story is really interesting – it blends a realistic crime investigation with the epic, otherworldly elements of Green Lantern. Because anyone could be hiding a dangerous alien identity, both Hal Jordan and John Stewart struggle to trust those around them, and even themselves. The trailer introduces Guy Gardner (played by Nathan Fillion), who warns Hal that a massive army is coming after him. With glimpses of other planets and familiar villains like Sinestro, it’s clear the story will quickly move beyond its small-town beginnings and venture into outer space.
As a huge movie fan, when I first heard about Lanterns, my mind immediately went to Disney+’s Secret Invasion – but in a good way, I think! Secret Invasion had so much potential, but it fell flat because it was rarely surprising; we always knew who the Skrulls were. Plus, the story felt rushed and some character choices just didn’t land. Honestly, Lanterns seems like it’s really embracing that whole mystery and paranoia angle, which is exactly what Secret Invasion needed. If DC gets it right with pacing and keeps us guessing, Lanterns could be everything Marvel fans were hoping for from Secret Invasion.
Who Are The Manhunters? The DCU’s Newest Threat Explained
The name “Manhunter” probably refers to one of two teams within the DC Universe, and fans of the Green Lantern Corps—or Lanterns—would likely find either group very interesting.
One likely explanation for the mysterious figures is that they are Martian Manhunters from the planet Mars. Stories often depict Mars as inhabited by two groups: the peaceful Green Martians, like J’onn J’onzz (the Martian Manhunter and one of the last of his kind), and the more warlike White Martians. Both groups can change their appearance. Considering a quick scene showing a Manhunter with a woman and child, and the fact that Hal Jordan and John Stewart were investigating a potentially Martian planet, the Martian Manhunters seem like a strong possibility.
Before the Green Lantern Corps, the Guardians of Oa built robotic peacekeepers called the Manhunters. Unfortunately, these robots turned against their creators, deciding that all living beings caused chaos and needed to be destroyed. Interestingly, the story of the Manhunters and the Martians – who also developed a peacekeeping force – is intertwined. Sometimes the Manhunters inspired the Martians, and other times it was the other way around. This connection offers a lot of potential for a compelling live-action story with some unexpected turns.
The recent trailer for Lanterns at San Diego Comic-Con has really upped the anticipation! It might even pave the way for the first live-action appearance of J’onn J’onzz in the DC Universe, especially since the Superman movie coming out in 2025 included a nod to his favorite treat – Chocos (DC’s version of Oreos).
Lanterns premieres August 16th on HBO Max from DC Studios.
2026-07-25 01:39