Lanterns’ series premiere throws some intriguing shade into the DCU
Kyle Chandler’s cranky charm can’t hide the pain involved in superheroing.
Lanterns, the latest introduction of a DC Comics hero to the DCU under James Gunn's direction, kicks off with a deliberate tone. The series opens with a child, John (Cario Cash Lee), watching an interview with Hal Jordan, Earth's first Green Lantern, in awe. However, the show defies expectations by shooting a gunshot after this scene.
John, later introduced as the next Green Lantern, is named John Stewart in DC comics lore. Hal Jordan, portrayed by Kyle Chandler, is introduced as an Air Force test pilot and an orphan whose father died in a fiery crash when Hal was eight. He tells his interviewer that he is a "beat cop for the galaxy," patrolling assigned sectors of the universe.
The series begins in 2016, with grown-up John (Aaron Pierre) training for his role as a Green Lantern. He meets Hal Jordan, played by Chandler, who arrives in a flashy car. Their relationship is rocky, with Hal initially seeming more like a dismissive "fuck you" than a mentor. The series explores the burdens of becoming a hero and the impact of family dynamics on one's journey.
Hal's character is initially portrayed as a fun-loving, charismatic figure, but it becomes clear that he carries significant baggage from his past.
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