HBO’s Lanterns Shouldn’t Be Comic

Instead of focusing on comic book accuracy, let HBO make a great Lanterns television show.

Lanterns has been extremely polarizing despite having a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. The backlash has predominantly come from one group: comic book fans. Ever since the first trailer, fans have been criticizing the show, from the lack of superhero costumes and the detective premise to something as simple as the removal of “green” from the title.

After the first episode, diehard fans hated the fact that the showrunners killed Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler. Green Lantern comic writer Grant Morrison reviewed the first episode, and while he liked Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, he said Chandler was more Doctor McCoy than Hal Jordan.

“Willpower and booze don’t mix for a start,” Morrison wrote on his Substack.

Morrison also criticized the decision to make Lanterns a grounded show, writing, “DC has a ton of ‘ground level’ heroes, or characters with low-level gimmick powers to choose from, so why take this low-fi route with a franchise that should be competing with Star Trek or Star Wars?”

Lanterns won’t be a 100% comic-accurate adaptation. Guess what? It shouldn’t be.

Let HBO make a compelling Lanterns TV show instead of a faithful adaptation

Damon Lindelof, one of Lanterns’ co-creators, understands the balance between adaptingwhich honored theuniverse. It’s one of the best comic book shows ever made

Lindelof explained to The Hollywood Reporter how. He called it his “responsibility” as a creator

“As a consumer and as someone who’s making this stuff, there’s almost a responsibility to take risks,” Lindelof said. “It’s not just for the sake of taking them; you’ve got to earn them. I don’t think anybody wants to see you be completely and totally vigilant to the

Auteurs like Lindelof should be allowed to be inspired by IP and craft a story within that universe without having to be a shot-for-shot remake of the source material. That is not an adaptation. Frankly, it would be boring to watch a show that directly copied the comics. It might satisfy some comic fans, but it won’t have the same mass audience appeal. I’d much rather have a Lanterns’ True Detective-esque detective story with excellent writing and captivating performances than a ripped-from-the-comics Green Lantern story that’s more concerned about accuracy.

If Lanterns fans want a faithful adaptation, then read the comics. If they want to watch a great television show, then watch HBO’s Lanterns because, through two episodes, it’s been a compelling and entertaining product.