HBO's new series 'Lanterns' is attempting a serious live-action adaptation of the Green Lantern comics, moving away from lighter interpretations and past cinematic missteps. The show centers on veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler, and his protégé John Stewart, portrayed by Aaron Pierre.
The series opens in 1996, introducing Hal Jordan as the first human Green Lantern and hinting at John Stewart's long-term grooming for the role. The narrative then jumps to 2016, where Hal is seemingly neglecting his duty to train John. A call about an incident in Rushville, Nebraska, prompts Hal to investigate, with John following him despite not yet possessing his own Green Lantern ring.
A Rural Mystery
Upon arriving in Rushville, Hal and John discover a shooting at a high school football game. Local sheriff Kerry Kane, played by Kelly Macdonald, is wary of the Lanterns' involvement, but Hal suspects the incident involves aliens. Their investigation leads them to William Macon, played by Garret Dillahunt, who resides on a property fortified with paramilitary equipment, fueling the alien theory.
The show has been compared thematically and visually to HBO's 'True Detective' due to its focus on two central figures solving a crime in rural America.
A Different Kind of Superhero Story
Reviewers have noted that 'Lanterns' succeeds by subverting superhero genre expectations. The series is described as a drama for adults, requiring no prior comic book knowledge to follow. It emphasizes mature performances and complex character relationships, exploring the emotional weight and purpose behind the Green Lantern ring for both Hal and John.
"Lanterns works best not when it’s hewing close to tried and true tropes, but when it subverts our expectations of what a superhero-led story can be," according to one review. "The performances are gloriously mature and the characters’ relationships are realistically complex."
The series reportedly includes mature themes and depictions, with one review highlighting a scene involving a "fun hookup in a pickup truck." Poorna Jagannathan is also noted for her performance as a citizen of Rushville with an interest in John Stewart.
The first episode concludes with a significant spoiler, encouraging viewers to watch the full installment. Overall, 'Lanterns' is recommended as "destination TV" for HBO's Sunday night lineup, offering a "fun, yet really grownup" approach to the superhero genre.