Lanterns
Series, 2026, Gods and Monsters, Set in 1996 & 2026
Lanterns is #25 of 25 in release order and #21 of 25 in chronological order in the DC.
The story
Two intergalactic cops, new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, are drawn into a dark, Earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.
Lanterns recap
In 2026, the veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan is found dead in Rushville, Nebraska, and a hologram of his mind sends his former trainee John Stewart back there. The story moves between that investigation and 2016, when Hal and a newly recruited John first came to Rushville to look into a mass shooting at a high school football game. In 2016, Hal exposes the suspect, Waylon Sanders, as an alien; aliens led by Antaan kidnap John and demand that a hidden Manhunter, an ancient killing machine, be found within 48 hours; and Hal clashes with local rancher Will Macon. Flashbacks show John's strict childhood training, his discharge from the Marines and his recruitment, and Hal's father's death. The Manhunter is Zoe, who also killed Abin Sur; she levels Rushville, and John shoots her and takes the ring from the dying Hal, then hands it to the Guardians. In 2026, Sheriff Kerry Kane, Hal's partner, and the escaped Sinestro complicate John's search.
Lanterns ending explained
Kerry's son Noah is a Manhunter hybrid who freed Sinestro to forge a lantern charged with fear; he asks John to kill him, and John spares him. Kerry killed Hal to protect Noah, and John lets her go. John charges his ring with his own unsanctioned lantern and becomes an independent Green Lantern for Earth, leaving space to Guy Gardner. John returns in Man of Tomorrow (2027); a second season has not been announced.
Where to watch Lanterns
Lanterns is streaming on HBO Max in the US.
Ratings
IMDb 7.8/10, Rotten Tomatoes 91%
Where it fits
What to watch before Lanterns
In release order, the essentials before Lanterns (2026) are Creature Commandos (2024), Superman (2025), Peacemaker: Season 2 (2025), and Supergirl (2026).
Cast
- Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan / Halogram
- Aaron Pierre as John Stewart
- Kelly Macdonald as Sheriff Kerry Kane
- J. Alphonse Nicholson as John Stewart Sr. (voice)
- Jason Ritter as William 'Billy' Macon
- Jasmine Cephas Jones as Bernadette Stewart (voice)
- Michael Ocampo as Deputy Lopez
- Ulrich Thomsen as Thaal Sinestro
- Garret Dillahunt as William 'Will' Macon
- Poorna Jagannathan as Zoe Macon
- Cary Christopher as Young Noah Macon
- Cairo Cash Lee as Adolescent John
Created by Damon Lindelof, Chris Mundy, Tom King.