HBO’s ‘Lanterns’ Is Taking Risks DCU Fans Weren’t Prepared For

by

The first trailer for HBO Max’s new DCU series, Lanterns, surprised many viewers with its unexpected approach. This shouldn’t have been a complete shock, as James Gunn previously described the show as being similar in style to True Detective. However, it’s a significant departure from the typical, large-scale space adventure fans expect from a Green Lantern story. The trailer presented a grounded, realistic series – stripping away much of the cosmic elements – that, aside from a few recognizable names and subtle nods to Green Lantern, could easily be mistaken for a high-quality crime drama or even a spin-off of Yellowstone.

The trailer has received a mixed reaction online, with many criticizing its dull colors and apparent avoidance of the classic, late 90s/early 2000s comic book style that many superhero stories once shied away from. However, these same controversial choices in the Lanterns trailer could be exactly what the Green Lantern franchise needs to feel fresh and attract new fans. Ultimately, what some see as controversial actually demonstrates a respect for DC Comics’ rich history.

‘Lanterns’ Spotlights the Visual Diversity of the DCU

A surprising aspect of Lanterns is its stark visual difference from typical comic book aesthetics, especially when compared to the brighter, more colorful characters in Creature Commandos and Superman. The question arises: how can Lanterns fit into the same universe as those shows? And that’s exactly the intention. By making Lanterns look so different from Supergirl while still keeping it within the DCU, James Gunn demonstrates his willingness to use a wide range of visual styles to build out the universe.

As a huge movie and TV fan, what really excites me about the DCU is how different everything feels. It genuinely feels like a real universe where filmmakers can bring their own vision to these iconic characters and stories without being boxed in. James Gunn clearly isn’t afraid of bold, colorful superheroics, and that’s totally reflected in the Lanterns series. The creators – Damon Lindelof, Chris Mundy, and Tom King – have been given a lot of freedom to reimagine Green Lantern, and I love that! What’s cool is, this unique approach doesn’t rule out a more traditional space adventure later on. If Lanterns does well, it opens the door to exploring even more of the cosmic side of DC, which is awesome. Right now, it just looks different, and that’s incredibly promising.

DC Sheds the Image of Ryan Reynolds’ ‘Green Lantern’ Movie


Warner Bros.

It’s clear how the creative team behind Lanterns approached the story. Given that the Green Lantern Corps functions as a space-based police force, a police procedural format makes sense, especially with the two main characters playing off each other like an experienced and new police partner duo. Instead of the “Lethal Weapon in space” vibe some fans might expect, Lanterns is going for a more *True Detectivestyle Neo-Western crime story. The visual style leans toward gritty and worn, using muted, natural colors, rather than the typical sleek look of science fiction.

While it might seem unexpected, it’s important for the new series to move away from the 2011 Green Lantern movie. That film was a box office failure and unfortunately turned Green Lantern into a joke – something even Ryan Reynolds still references. The movie damaged the character’s reputation so badly that Green Lantern wasn’t included in Zack Snyder’s Justice League movie, even though a Green Lantern is usually a central member of the team.

When thinking about how a superhero’s image can change, it’s useful to compare Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman movie and the 1960s Batman TV show. The older series defined how many people saw Batman, with its colorful, on-screen sound effects like “Pow!” and “Wham!” While comics like The Dark Knight Returns, Batman: Year One, and The Killing Joke tried to offer a darker take in the 1980s, it was Burton’s film that really transformed Batman’s public image. Now, the new Lanterns series seems poised to do the same for Green Lantern, hopefully helping audiences forget the less-successful CGI suit from the previous movie.

‘Lanterns’ Might Attract an Audience Not Interested In Superheroes


HBO Max

The series Lanterns feels very similar to True Detective and other recent, high-quality detective shows like Mare of Easttown, The Task, Slow Horses, and Untamed. These shows all share common elements: a gritty investigation, flawed but compelling lead characters, and a complex conspiracy at the heart of the story. Fifteen years ago, stories like these were often made as mid-budget films, but now they’re being expanded into multi-episode series – a trend some have playfully called ‘dad shows’.

The new Green Lantern series makes an intriguing choice by setting its story in the American Midwest, blending elements of a Western and a police procedural. This approach cleverly connects the superhero to the iconic image of the American cowboy. The superhero genre and Westerns have long been compared, with some predicting superheroes would follow the same trajectory as the Western. The relationship between superheroes and law enforcement is also a compelling but complex one, especially given recent discussions about police funding and concerns about biased portrayals in media. It’s still early days, but Lanterns seems to be exploring a fascinating connection between these three archetypes: cowboys, superheroes, and police officers.

The creative choices behind the show Lanterns seem designed to attract viewers who aren’t necessarily fans of typical superhero or sci-fi shows. Instead, it’s geared towards those who enjoy detective stories, particularly one set in the American Midwest and starring familiar faces from Friday Night Lights and Rebel Ridge. This approach could draw a wider audience into the DC Universe, potentially encouraging them to explore other shows after enjoying Lanterns.

‘Lanterns’ Looks Comic Accurate… In Spirit


HBO Max

While the Lanterns series appears different from recent Green Lantern comics – especially the epic, cosmic stories Geoff Johns became known for in the late 2000s and early 2010s – it’s clear the show is deeply rooted in the original source material. It doesn’t simply recreate comic panels or storylines, but instead focuses on the core themes and feelings that define Green Lantern and the different Lantern Corps, which makes sense considering their connection to the emotional spectrum.

Subscribe to the newsletter for Lanterns and DCU analysis

Dig deeper—subscribe to the newsletter for smart, context-rich takes on Lanterns and the wider DCU. Expect thoughtful breakdowns of creative choices, visual shifts, and what they reveal about Green Lantern’s evolving role.

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our
Terms of Use
and
Privacy Policy
. You can unsubscribe anytime.

This story captures the feel of Green Lantern: Earth One and brings Hal Jordan and John Stewart together in a setting reminiscent of the classic Green Lantern/Green Arrow story “Hard Traveling Heroes.” Like Geoff Johns’ Green Lantern: Secret Origins, it features two Green Lanterns solving a mystery on Earth, but this time pairing Hal and John and taking cues from modern crime shows instead of old-fashioned science fiction. It’s a similar concept, built on different influences, but always centered around the Green Lanterns themselves.

While the upcoming series won’t deliver the Green Lantern characters fans might expect, the less intense visuals shouldn’t be surprising. The show is reimagining the Green Lantern story, blending familiar comic book elements with a new genre and exploring fresh themes. It’s a departure from the source material, but that could actually be a good thing – and perhaps exactly what Green Lantern needs to revitalize the franchise.



5 Questions
Test Your Lanterns Knowledge: DC’s Gritty Green Glow-Up
Your Top Score
—
Attempts
—
0
0
Report Error

Found an error? Send it info@movieweb.com so it can be corrected.

Read More

2026-03-06 02:04