One of the most interesting things about HBO’s ‘Lanterns’ isn’t simply that it introduces Hal Jordan and John Stewart to the new DC Universe. It’s that the series appears to be designed as something much bigger than a one-and-done superhero story.
While the first season focuses on Hal and John investigating a mysterious case in rural America, comments from co-creator Damon Lindelof suggest that the creative team is already thinking about what comes next.
Hal Jordan and John Stewart Have More Stories Than One Season Can Handle
Lindelof revealed that Chris Mundy has apparently started another writers’ room to explore potential stories for a second season. “If it’s successful and people love it, there’s a lot of runway to launch into future seasons. But I think Chris Mundy has already started a new writers’ room, figuring out what new stories could be for Lanterns,” he told SR.
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That doesn’t mean HBO has officially renewed ‘Lanterns’, but it is certainly an encouraging sign. More importantly, it suggests the creators aren’t treating the first season as the entire story. The biggest advantage ‘Lanterns’ has is its characters.
Hal Jordan and John Stewart have decades of comic-book history between them, and their personalities naturally create an interesting dynamic. Hal is the experienced Green Lantern, while John is the younger hero learning how enormous the Corps’ responsibilities really are.
That relationship alone could sustain multiple stories without constantly needing bigger villains or universe-ending stakes. And that’s where ‘Lanterns’ could distinguish itself from many superhero shows. Instead of racing toward increasingly ridiculous threats, it can remain grounded in character and mystery while gradually expanding the mythology.
The first season reportedly moves between different time periods, including a 2016 investigation involving Hal and John, a 1996 flashback involving a young John, and another storyline set in 2026. That structure gives the series plenty of room to explore the characters beyond a straightforward origin story.
DCU Could Use ‘Lanterns’ To Build Its Cosmic Future Slowly
There’s also a much bigger reason why a second season could matter. James Gunn’s DCU is still establishing its larger superhero landscape. ‘Lanterns’ could become one of its most important bridges between the grounded world and the cosmic side of DC.
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John Stewart is already expected to appear in ‘Man of Tomorrow’, alongside Guy Gardner, meaning the Green Lantern mythology is clearly not being isolated to HBO. If ‘Lanterns’ succeeds, future seasons could therefore become a natural place to expand that corner of the DCU without forcing every story into a massive crossover.
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