A number of years ago, there was a movie called Green Lantern starring Ryan Reynolds that was set to start a new shared DC universe. It was bright and green and it flopped, and that shared universe was scrapped.
We now have new shared universe under the guidance of James Gunn. One of the first projects that was announced was a new series called Lanterns that would feature Green Lanterns Hall Jordan and John Stewart.
The first episode of Lanterns has appeared. It is not very bright and not very green but it was incredible.
I was skeptical when I heard this would be a television series as it would lack the huge budget that you would expect for a science fiction-type hero like Green Lantern. Seeing it, it makes sense.
We never see anyone in costume in the first episode. It is focused on Hal Jordan and John Stewart. Jordan is training Stewart, even though he is not planning on quitting any time soon.
Jordan, is well worn and experienced Green Lantern. In fact, he has been doing this since before Superman’s Krypton exploded. He is jaded (pun intended) and is very rough around the edges.
Stewart has looked up to Green Lantern since he was a kid and wants nothing more than to be Earth’s next Green Lantern. But Jordan is an odd mentor.
This episode takes place in three eras: 1996, 2016, and 2026. Time jumps can be confusing but it works here.
Most of the story takes place in a small town in Nebraska. Jordan and Stewart are investigating a shooting, one that Jordan suspects includes an alien.
Lanterns takes some bold steps to retell this story for a new generation. It will not be what some people were looking for. Already there have been complaints that it is not “green” enough. Also, there is the very ending of the first episode. I won’t spoil it but it is an important shocking scene.
But Lanterns tells an important story about some interesting characters played by two excellent actors. It has been marketed as being in the True Detective style and that works.
The first episode kept my interest the entire time and it has me excited, not just for the rest of the series but for the future of the DC Universe.
Having recently watched the Supergirl movie, it makes me think that streaming might be a better way to go for superhero stories. Supergirl was great but flopped at the theatre. Lanterns can focus on telling a good story without the pressure of wondering how many tickets will be sold on the first weekend.
I like that the new DC Universe will be a mix of movies, live action and animated series. It is a fun time to be a superhero fan.
