DC Studios series Lanterns receives positive reviews

The HBO Max series ‘Lanterns’ has garnered positive reception from viewers and critics, despite initial skepticism regarding its departure from traditional superhero spectacle. The show adopts a gritty, detective-style mystery format set primarily on Earth, focusing on veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan and recruit John Stewart as they investigate a murder mystery in Rushville, Nebraska.

The narrative features two primary timelines. One storyline, set in 2016, follows Jordan and Stewart as they encounter an alien survivor of a genocide committed by the Manhunters—extraterrestrial beings created by the Guardians of the Universe. The second storyline, set in 2026, centers on the investigation into the murder of Hal Jordan, who had become a social pariah following the events in Nebraska.

Critics have noted that while the series takes creative liberties with the source material, it succeeds through strong casting, profound writing, and a unique approach to the genre.