HBO’s DC superhero series Lanterns has sparked debate among viewers, with fans criticising its lack of cosmic spectacle and its portrayal of iconic Green Lantern Hal Jordan, states Yahoo.
Despite receiving critical acclaim, the series has recorded a 69% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the lowest-rated DC Universe (DCU) project among the titles discussed in the report.
By comparison, Peacemaker Season 2 holds a 79% audience score, while Supergirl has a rating of 72%.
Some viewers have questioned whether the series succeeds as a superhero drama, a Green Lantern adaptation or a detective story.
Others have argued that the show starts strongly but loses momentum by limiting its depiction of aliens and the characters’ extraordinary powers.
Two major criticisms have emerged from the audience response: the limited use of the franchise’s cosmic elements and the decision to present Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan as a weary, cynical veteran rather than the more optimistic hero familiar to many comic book readers.
Chandler’s performance as Hal Jordan has drawn praise, even from viewers who have reservations about the series.
However, the actor’s portrayal has also highlighted a difference between the show’s interpretation of the character and the version many fans expected to see.
First introduced in DC Comics in 1959, Hal Jordan has remained a central figure in numerous Green Lantern stories.
His return to live-action television has therefore raised expectations among fans, particularly after Ryan Reynolds portrayed the character in the 2011 film Green Lantern.
Nathan Fillion later appeared as fellow Green Lantern Guy Gardner in James Gunn’s Superman, renewing interest in the franchise’s wider mythology.
In Lanterns, Chandler plays an experienced Jordan who appears disillusioned with the politics and responsibilities of the Green Lantern Corps.
Rather than presenting him as a fearless, enthusiastic and adventurous superhero, the series depicts him as a reluctant mentor who must guide the younger John Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre.
While some viewers have welcomed this more grounded interpretation, others believe it departs too far from the confident and idealistic version of Hal Jordan associated with the character’s earlier comic book appearances.
The series also establishes a dark tone from the outset, with its premiere featuring Jordan’s apparent murder and setting up a mystery that shapes the story.
Another major point of contention is the series’ decision to focus on an Earth-based mystery rather than the intergalactic adventures typically associated with the Green Lantern franchise.
Instead of showcasing spectacular space battles, alien worlds and the wider universe of the Green Lantern Corps, Lanterns adopts a rural American setting and places greater emphasis on character development, investigation and the relationship between Jordan and Stewart.
The approach allows the series to explore the personalities of its central characters through quieter scenes, including conversations during car journeys and encounters in bars.
Their contrasting temperaments and developing partnership form an important part of the narrative.
However, viewers expecting a space-faring adventure on the scale of Star Wars or the colourful cosmic action of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy may find the series less spectacular than anticipated.
The restrained approach has also prompted comparisons with HBO’s Watchmen, which similarly combines superhero mythology with a grounded, character-driven story.
Even among viewers who appreciate the series’ direction, the limited presence of aliens and the restrained use of superpowers have become talking points.
Some fans have also noted the contrast with Peacemaker, which features a more visible array of extraterrestrial elements.
For viewers seeking a more colourful interpretation of the Green Lantern universe, Green Lantern: The Animated Series offers an alternative, exploring Hal Jordan’s adventures with a greater emphasis on cosmic settings, alien characters and the franchise’s wider mythology.
Ultimately, the debate surrounding Lanterns reflects a divide over what audiences want from a Green Lantern adaptation: a grounded detective drama centred on its characters or a more expansive superhero spectacle that embraces the franchise’s intergalactic world.
