The first trailer for the upcoming HBO series Lanterns has finally been released. However, rather than generating excitement, the teaser has led many comic book fans to feel frustrated. Viewers are discussing whether the show will actually stay true to the Green Lantern mythology or deviate too much from what viewers anticipate.
What Lanterns Is About
Lanterns is part of the new DC Universe initiative created and led by famous writer and director James Gunn and producer Peter Safran. Lanterns is expected to premiere in August 2026 on HBO and HBO Max as part of the DCU’s “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.”
The series centers on two well-known Green Lanterns: Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler and John Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre, as they investigate a mysterious murder in rural America.
Unlike previous adaptations, the series reportedly blends superhero storytelling with a crime-drama vibe similar to True Detective and Yellowstone, focusing on investigation and character development.
“Where Is the Green?”
One of the most common complaints about the trailer is the lack of the color green.
The Green Lanterns are supposed to be green. Plain and simple. Yet many viewers pointed out how the suit sneak peek is more of a beige color than the color green, with some criticizing how the trailer in general lacked color.
In response to the criticism, HBO’s social media accounts jokingly responded by highlighting small green objects in the trailer, acknowledging the fan complaints while playfully teasing viewers as well.
Still, the absence of the vibrant green that fans associate with Green Lantern’s powers left many feeling underwhelmed by the teaser.
Criticism of the Suit Design
Another major source of frustration involves the design of the Green Lantern suit.
Instead of the classic glowing green uniform from the comics, the suit appears much more muted. Some fans described the outfit as looking more beige than green. The reaction has been strong enough that some fans online began comparing the costume to the suit from the widely criticized Green Lantern film starring Ryan Reynolds.
Ironically, the backlash has led some fans to re-evaluate the film and see it in a more positive light.
A Grounded Tone That Divides Fans
The show’s grounded tone has been another source of debate. Instead of focusing on aliens, space battles, and the wider Lantern Corps mythology, the show is based on Earth.
Most of what was featured in the trailer showed the characters driving through small towns, investigating clues, and interacting with ordinary people.
While that isn’t an inherently bad idea for a show, Green Lantern is a character that is often in cosmic settings dealing with aliens or large-scale cosmic threats. So it was quite disappointing to see a character with such a rich and unique mythos being changed to align with this trend of showing more “grounded” heroes in media.
Fans Still Holding Out Hope
Despite the backlash, many fans remain cautiously optimistic. Early teasers often hide major visual effects and story elements, and there is always time to make adjustments to the final visual effects, meaning the final show may still deliver the classic Green Lantern spectacle audiences expect.
The series also has a strong creative team behind it, including showrunner Damon Lindelof, known for projects like Watchmen and The Leftovers.
With the series still months away from release, future trailers and promotional material will likely reveal more of what fans are hoping to see.
The Bigger Picture for DC
The reaction to the Lanterns trailer highlights the high expectations surrounding the new DC Universe. After years of inconsistent films and television adaptations from DC, many fans are eager to see good portrayals of these beloved characters on screen, and whether Lanterns can win over their audience still remains to be seen.
