HBO's new superhero series "Lanterns" has drawn criticism from some viewers who accuse the show of altering the origin story of the Green Lantern John Stewart to incorporate themes of racial privilege and social justice commentary. The criticisms focus on Episode 3, titled "OutKast," which reframes the franchise's core concept of overcoming fear.
In the DC Comics mythology, Green Lanterns are chosen by alien power rings for their innate ability to conquer fear. However, "Lanterns" presents this as a burden for John Stewart, a Black man in America. In one scene, Stewart's mother, Bernadette, questions an alien Guardian of the Universe about the complexities of race and fear. "Do you understand how unfair it is to ask a Black man in America if he’s afraid?" she asks, adding, "We are terrified daily of persecution and still show up, sometimes better than everyone around us."
The show suggests Stewart is conditioned from infancy by his parents to wield the ring through "hyper-precise perfection," a departure from the traditional emphasis on individual willpower. Critics argue this shift sacrifices classic comic book elements for contemporary social commentary.
This approach echoes criticisms leveled against "Watchmen," another HBO superhero series co-created by "Lanterns" co-creator Damon Lindelof, which also faced scrutiny for its focus on racial politics. Entertainment critic Christian Toto noted that "today's Hollywood screenwriters care little about canon or fidelity to the source material" and often "inject modern culture war battles into storylines." Toto described "Lanterns" as "overtly woke" and suggested the dialogue feels inauthentic, though he acknowledged the series is receiving strong ratings.
However, not all reactions have been negative. Filmmaker and comic book writer Steven DeKnight, who worked on "Daredevil," defended the show, stating that those criticizing it for being "obviously never read O’Neil & Adams’ Green Lantern/Green Arrow run." The character of John Stewart first appeared in 1971 as one of DC's early Black superheroes, depicted as a civil rights advocate and a fearless leader.
"Lanterns" writer and co-executive producer Vanessa Baden Kelly addressed the "woke" accusations, referencing panels from the 1970s John Stewart comics that featured the character using terms like "Whitey" and opposing wars. "Him calling people ‘Whitey’ or him opposing wars, and I’m like, ‘Oh my God.’ I read a bunch, but I couldn’t read all of it, and you’re just like, that’s right, just keep it in the front of your mind — that this is who John Stewart’s always been," she said.
J. Alphonse Nicholson, who plays John Stewart Sr. in flashbacks, discussed the show's portrayal of racial dynamics. "How can you expect this African American man in this world … to be fearless? It really raises a lot of questions on who has the privilege to move through life without thinking about those things, even in the fictional world," he told TheWrap.
Nicholson also linked the show's themes to the 2024 presidential election, suggesting that the country is experiencing consequences from "not trusting a Black woman," referencing Kamala Harris's candidacy. He argued that the show demonstrates "how great of a superhero we can create and have if you trust a Black woman."