The new, on-screen DC Universe is expanding further this year with two projects on the horizon. On the big screen, Kara Zor-El will take centre stage for Supergirl, but perhaps even more exciting is the upcoming TV show, Lanterns.
With rising star Aaron Pierre playing John Stewart and the brilliant Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan, the show already had our attention. Throw in a recent intriguing teaser trailer and the promise of a gritty buddy-cop vibe, and we couldn’t be more sold.
However, the trailer also raised some questions, in particular, about the look of the new Green Lantern suit. Superhero costumes are always likely to spark debate, and this one is no different. Let’s break down this newly-glimpsed Green Lantern costume, and its possible inspirations from the comics.
Why Green Lantern’s Suit in HBO’s Lanterns Looks So Different
There are two key elements to the Green Lantern suit in the Lanterns that have got people talking. First of all, the colours are quite muted, with darker greens as opposed to the more vibrant, bright green that we normally see in the comics and other iterations.
One answer to this diversion from the norm could be due to Hal’s power levels. The trailer makes it clear that he is “old” and “tired”, and we know from comic book history that his Green Lantern ring (through which he channels his powers) and the suit are very representative of the mood and strength of its user. It figures, then, that the suit in the show is only temporarily darker, and that new recruit John Stewart could renew it with his fresh injection of willpower and energy.
The other, more literal aspect to consider is exactly where this suit has come from. You’d be forgiven for thinking that the Green Lanterns always produce their suit from the superpowered ring they wear. However, in the trailer, we see Hal’s suit hanging in his wardrobe.
While that is unusual, it’s not entirely new territory. In Green Lantern Vol. 2 #6 (1961), titled ‘The Secret of the Flaming Spear’, a member of the Lantern Corps called Tomar-Re is seen with a suit hanging in his wardrobe, too.
We’ve also seen similar situations in alternate reality comics wherein the ring and the suit are not wholly connected. Both Superman: Red Son and Green Lantern: Earth One are examples of this, and the latter has specifically been cited as an inspiration for this new show.
Is Lanterns Overcorrecting After Ryan Reynolds’ Controversial Suit?
While a lot of these discrepancies in the character and the suits can be put down to different eras of comic books – the Silver Age led to all kinds of variances, for better or worse – Ryan Reynolds may also have inadvertently inspired this new Lanterns’ look.
It’s well known that his Green Lantern movie from 2011 was a bit of a disaster. Besides the convoluted plot and cheesy acting, one of the biggest gripes for comic book movie fans was the terrible visual effects. I actually don’t mind this film all that much – I think it’s moderately entertaining and I’d even watch it again – but there’s no denying that his CGI mess of a superhero suit was a real problem.
Could it be that James Gunn and his burgeoning DC Universe are trying to steer as far away as possible from that look? Quite possibly. If so, though, it’s ironic that the Lanterns trailer has fans taking to social media to apologise for ever criticising Reynolds and his suit.
Clearly, they’re not happy with the duller, neutral tones of the new suit, but there may be a very practical explanation for this particular palette.
What the New Costume Means for the Green Lantern Corps in James Gunn’s DC
If we look at Guy Gardner’s outfit in Superman, we can see that his Green Lantern suit is indeed something he puts on in the morning rather than something his ring produces for him.
It’s worth remembering, though, that Gardner is very much a hero for hire. He’s the leader of the Justice Gang, a team funded and assembled by Maxwell Lord. It figures, then, that this particular iteration of Gardner would wear the suit he is given – one that matches his role in the superhero world.
We can probably assume, then, that Hal Jordan’s suit in Lanterns is more of a standard-issue costume he would have to wear while on duty. Remember, Jordan has a background as a test pilot, so wearing a sort of crossover between a bomber jacket and a military outfit makes a lot of sense.
In addition, there’s always a chance that John Stewart, who looks set to take over the reins as Earth’s designated Lantern, could end up with a more traditional suit that is closely connected to his Power Ring. However, with Stewart also having a history with the military, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him stick with a similar vibe to the suit Jordan has in his locker.
Fans may not like the more grounded appearance of the suit, but it not only feels logical to these particular iterations of the characters, it also corresponds with the more realistic, gritty tone of the show.
