HBO's 'Lanterns': A Superhero Story with Western Flair and Romance

HBO's new series "Lanterns" reimagines the DC Comics superhero Green Lantern, offering a narrative that blends intergalactic policing with deeply human drama. The show, which premiered Sunday, centers on Hal Jordan, portrayed by Kyle Chandler, the first human Green Lantern, and his designated successor, John Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre. Their relationship forms the core tension of the eight-episode first season, exploring themes of legacy, mentorship, and the inevitable passing of the torch.

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As long as this work is alive, it is mine and I do not plan to die in the medium term.

The series, created by a team including Chris Mundy (Ozark), Tom King (a veteran comic writer), and Damon Lindelof (Lost, Watchmen), positions itself as more than just a superhero story. Lindelof described the initial pitch as a detective tale with True Detective influences set on Earth, prompting him to question the relevance of superhero narratives today. His answer lies in grounding the cosmic characters in relatable human experiences, emphasizing that "our protagonists are, before all else, human."

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When I heard that Tom King had developed a story around the character of Green Lantern that he described as a detective story with True Detective influences set on Earth, it immediately seemed like an intriguing idea.

"Lanterns" draws inspiration from various genres, creating a unique blend that includes elements of a police procedural, a Western, and a family drama. The dynamic between Jordan and Stewart, described as "opposites who distract themselves with their petty miseries but must collaborate for the common good," is central to the plot. Their inability to see eye-to-eye is a key driver of the series' conflicts and character development.

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The central character is a space cop but the plot is about Hal and John.

The show's premise, where Stewart is the apparent heir to Jordan's power, fuels the tension throughout the season. This intergenerational dynamic, coupled with the exploration of the limits of power in outer space and on Earth, promises a complex narrative. The series aims to explore why these stories matter by focusing on the fundamental humanity of its characters, regardless of their extraordinary abilities.

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The answer, in this case, is that our protagonists are, before all else, human. And that is what we were going to delve into, beyond the use of the galactic ring that gives them power.