Spoiler Alert

This article contains major spoilers for Lanterns, including the Season 1 finale. If you haven’t watched the series yet, proceed with caution.

Introduction

Lanterns is an HBO series set in James Gunn’s DC Universe, following Green Lanterns Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and his trainee John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) as they investigate a mysterious case on Earth. Blending superhero storytelling with elements of a crime thriller, the series has often been described as having True Detective vibes.

However, beyond its central mystery, Lanterns has bigger implications for the future of the DC Universe. Its ending may shape how audiences perceive the series and what they can expect from the wider universe moving forward. So, what makes the finale so controversial and where could it lead us next?

Why Has the Lanterns Finale Divided Audiences?

Fan Expectations vs. Reality

With Lanterns bringing Green Lanterns including Guy Gardner to the forefront of the DC Universe, expectations were naturally high.

Fans of the Green Lantern mythos may have hoped for a story exploring the Corps, its cosmic mythology and the powers and abilities of the ring. However, the series takes a grounded detective driven approach, offering something quite different from what some fans might have expected from a Green Lantern story.

Damon Lindelof, the creator of the Lanterns TV series, explained the creative necessity of limiting the rings’ use on the Lanterns podcast. If the Green Lanterns could simply fly around and use their constructs to solve every problem, it would strip away the tension. Instead, the series treats the ring much like real-world law enforcement treats a firearm: just because they have it doesn’t mean they use it to solve every single problem.

The Controversial Ending

The ending of Lanterns has become a major talking point among fans, raising questions about the series’ direction. One of the biggest criticisms concerns Hal Jordan’s death and how it is justified. His death raises an important question: why introduce such a significant character into the DC Universe only to kill him off?

From a storytelling perspective, Hal Jordan’s death serves as a catalyst for John Stewart’s growth. Losing his mentor forces John to step out of Hal’s shadow and take on greater responsibility. However, another major point of criticism is how easily the circumstances surrounding Hal’s death appear to be accepted.

In a Substack post later shared by Forbes , Grant Morrison criticized the finale, saying:

“I didn’t really like the ending, although it was all neatly put together. I found it hard to accept that the Kerry Kane character played by Kelly McDonald shot Hal Jordan in the head, and everyone seemed fine with that psychotic break. There should probably have been some response to that, because otherwise it makes it really hard for the audience to work out what makes the Green Lantern Corps an intergalactic law enforcement agency at all. The Guardians are now fine with their operatives being murdered while other officers simply ignore the fact and let the perps walk free?”

The criticism goes beyond Hal’s death itself. It questions how the Green Lantern Corps can function as an intergalactic law enforcement agency if the apparent murder of one of its own officers is met with little meaningful response. This raises more concerns about the finale’s logic and whether it shows the true consequences of such a significant event.

While John Stewart’s journey marks an important milestone for the DC Universe, audiences may still question whether Hal Jordan’s story received enough development before reaching its end.

Where Is the Ending Leading Us?

Perhaps the most interesting question following Lanterns is how the series will shape the future of the DC Universe.

John Stewart’s Role in Man of Tomorrow

John Stewart is confirmed to appear in Man of Tomorrow. The question is how much responsibility he will carry in the movie. Following the series finale, John seems ready to forge his own path, leaving us wondering what kind of Green Lantern he will become and how significant his role will be in Man of Tomorrow.

Will Sinestro Return?

As one of the Green Lantern’s most iconic characters and figure associated with the Yellow Lanterns, Sinestro has the potential to play a much larger role than simply serving as a supporting character in Hal Jordan’s story.

In the series finale, we saw the Manhunter Noah Macon rescue Sinestro from his cell on Oa, only for Sinestro to end up on a devastated planet where John Stewart later left him chained.

Although many viewers expect to see more of Sinestro in Man of Tomorrow, his appearance in the film or any other upcoming production has not yet been confirmed.

What Will Happen to Guy Gardner and the Justice Gang?

In the finale, John Stewart and Guy Gardner agree that John will take responsibility for protecting Earth while Guy focuses on the wider cosmos.

This raises further questions about the future of the Justice Gang. Both Guy Gardner and members of the Justice Gang are confirmed to appear in Man of Tomorrow and the team remains an important part of the DC Universe.

In Man of Tomorrow, we might see the two Green Lanterns working together on the same mission despite their differences.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, Lanterns leaves us with more questions than answers. While its grounded detective-driven approach offers a different take on the Green Lantern mythos, its controversial finale raises questions about character development, storytelling choices and the rules governing the DC Universe.

Whether these decisions will pay off in future DCU projects remains to be seen. John Stewart’s development, Sinestro’s potential return and Guy Gardner’s role in the wider universe are all storylines worth watching as the franchise moves forward.

For more on the upcoming TV series featuring Jimmy Olsen and the current DCU timeline, read our article here: