I first heard DC was releasing Lanterns, and admittedly, I was indifferent. I’m not the biggest Green Lantern fan. But I knew it was coming to HBO Max, and you just don’t sleep on a Sunday night HBO show.
The premiere delivered exactly what you expect from a signature HBO drama. I’m clearly not the only one who felt that way. It’s already been reported that the first episode of Lanterns pulled in 9.3 million viewers on its debut. That is an incredible feat.
It really begs the question: where is this so-called comic book movie fatigue?
While I already dropped a quick review of the first episode, I simply can’t stop thinking about this show. I have admittedly already watched episode one three times this week alone and we definitely need to dig deeper into why this show works so well.
A Radically Mature Tone
Let’s start with the tone. When parents see a new DC show, they likely assume it’s safe for their kids to watch. I mean, I knew going in that Lanterns was aiming for an older demographic, but the marketing didn’t fully reveal just how mature it would be. It looked like a serious take on the comic-book franchise, maybe PG-13 at a best. Instead, we got a gritty, adult-oriented detective story.
Spoilers are going to follow, so consider yourself warned.
The first episode kicks off with a sex scene. It isn’t too graphic, but it sets the baseline immediately. From there, the episode is packed with violence, action, and a lot of cursing. It isn’t quite a hard R rating, but parental supervision is definitely advised.
As someone who grew up watching DC movies and shows, I’m glad to see the universe actually maturing with its audience. We already have the animated shows for the younger audience, and those are great. But adults deserve our own corner of the franchise.
A Cast of Lovable Assholes
Tone aside, the character work in this episode is truly exceptional. Every single person on screen piqued my interest. Which is great because we need a solid cast to actually hold our intrigue as this mystery unfolds.
I’m fascinated by the central mystery. Who are the actual antagonists? Is it the aliens? Is it the rancher family that bailed Hal Jordan out of jail? I love that I genuinely don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t follow the comics and I don’t even know if this is adapting a comic story line. So, I’m going into this completely blind with the rest of you.
Every character leaves you asking questions. Is the sheriff’s grandson foreshadowing something bigger? Will the sheriff herself have an expanded role in the DCU? While a second season hasn't officially been green-lit (no pun intended) yet, if these viewership numbers hold, we can definitely expect more Lanterns. I really hope it happens because I'd love to see these characters interwoven into the broader DCU.
What really stands out is that everyone in this series is deeply flawed. Frankly, they’re all kind of unlikable. There are no perfect, goody-two-shoes heroes here. They just feel like real, messy people, and that makes the show incredibly engaging, authentic and relatable.
The Setting, The Score, and The Law
The world-building is equally fantastic. If you haven’t looked into the original score by Stephanie Economou, you need to do so immediately. The music is incredible and really does a good job of matching this part of the world in the DCU. I’ve been listening to it nonstop and throwing it into the background of my short-form videos.
The setting itself feels real and grounded. I love how the court case played out. It established exactly why Hal and John can’t just fly (well, why Hal can’t) away to escape their problems. They actually have to follow the law. It sets up a world where superheroes exist everywhere, and even Space Cops aren’t above the law. The comedic timing in the courtroom, where Hal announces himself as the Green Lantern and the judge simply replies, “And?”, was perfect.
Also, those Green Lantern rings look freaking awesome! I definitely need to get my hands on a replica.
The 10-Year Time Jump
Now, we have to talk about that twist.
Massive spoilers to follow, but if you got this far, you should know that.
I was truly shocked to see that Hal Jordan is dead (or is he? He looked pretty dead to me). The marketing team deserves a massive round of applause. The trailers did a brilliant job of only showing us what we now realize are flashbacks. The entire first episode is set in 2016, and then the final moments jumps ten years into the future.
In 2026, John Stewart doesn't seem to have the ring, and it looks like Hal never actually passed it on. This opens up a massive mystery. Who killed Hal Jordan? Is he even really dead? Look, he's probably dead, but I'm allowed to have hope.
We are clearly getting two distinct storylines moving forward: the past and the present. This dual narrative is an awesome way to explore how John and Hal’s relationship progressed, and ultimately, how it devolved. Did they have a massive falling out? How did John become so cozy with the sheriff in the present day? There are so many unanswered questions.
The Golden Age of DC
I will absolutely be reviewing every single episode week to week as they drop on Sundays at 6:00 PM PST on HBO Max.
I genuinely love where the DCU is heading. We are getting a variety of adult-focused shows and broader blockbuster movies like Superman and Supergirl. Despite all the online discourse around James Gunn, I am a massive fan of the strategy.
With projects like Clayface, Man of Tomorrow, and the upcoming animated project Dynamic Duo on the horizon, the future is looking good for DC fans. We haven’t even seen the new Batman yet. And I’ll say it again, Comic Book fatigue is a myth; people just want good stories.
What did you think of the first episode? Where do you see the mystery going? And are you watching Lanterns tonight at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, only on HBO Max? Let me know in the comments below.