The latest installment in James Gunn’s DC Universe, “Lanterns,” brings a unique, detective-style story to the greater universe, setting up the Green Lantern Corps in a beautiful way.
The series stars Emmy Award winner Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and British actor Aaron Pierre as John Stewart. The series follows Hal training John to become the next Green Lantern of sector 2814, or as we call it, our solar system. In the midst of their training, the Lanterns encounter an alien invasion in the small town of Rushville, Nebraska, in the year 2016.
This series contains similarities to the hit show “True Detective,” mixed with elements from DC Comics. The show ties together to become one of the best superhero projects in recent memory.
John Stewart was a character that had never been adapted in live action before, and Hal Jordan has had a damaged reputation in live action due to the box-office bomb that was the 2011 “Green Lantern” film starring Ryan Reynolds.
This show gives Green Lantern the love and respect the character has deserved for a long time. Hal Jordan and John Stewart are an amazing on-screen duo largely due to the great on-screen chemistry between Chandler and Pierre.
The show manages to have two separate adventures mixed into one, and leaves fans questioning and guessing at the end of each episode. It also dives into a lot of Green Lantern lore that hardcore fans will really appreciate.
My favorite part of the show is Pierre as John Stewart. He plays this character with a certain swagger and demeanor that only he can pull off.
We don’t have many characters or projects in the greater DCU just yet, but John Stewart is already at the top of my list of favorite characters.
The writers make so many great decisions with John throughout the series that show that, at his core, John is an honest and good person, and the person who is most deserving of donning the Green Lantern ring.
Chandler is the other standout for me. If you wanted to put him in the same category as Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, I would not blame you in the slightest. He was the perfect choice for Hal Jordan, and I really hope that this show is not the last we see of Hal.
The show has fun and thrilling twists and turns that will leave your jaw on the floor, tying up nicely while also laying the seeds for what is to come down the line in the DCU.
If you are someone who loves mystery shows, you will love this show. If you are a superhero fan, you will love this show. I can’t recommend this show enough and think it is a must-watch for any fan of fiction.
A second season has been confirmed by DC, and I am super excited to see how Stewart’s story will play out.
