Green Lantern Vs. Batman: 'Lanterns' References One Of DC's Longest Rivalries
Lanterns (2026) has been a compelling murder mystery and an intriguing expansion of the DCU. The show melds a grounded perspective and a cosmic scope, all while teasing larger characters and concepts in the universe. That includes allusions to previous films like The Suicide Squad (2021), which now nominally takes place in the same continuity as the current DC films. However, the universe has been more deliberate with establishing new takes on iconic characters, including Batman.
The sixth episode of Lanterns, “Bad Optics,” contributes to that development by having Hal Jordan reveal that Guy Gardner has stolen one of the most iconic elements of Batman and repurposed it for his own public image. It’s part of a long-standing feud between Batman and the Green Lanterns in the comics. However, the nod also does a good job of playing into the subtle teases of Batman’s role in the DCU.
How 'Lanterns' Episode 6 References Batman
During Hal and John’s conversation in the Rustville diner, the topic turns to Guy Gardner. The pair complain about the man the Lanterns ended up settling for following John’s dismissal of the role, including his decision to have a Green Lantern signal constructed in the rural town as a means of paying repentance for Hal’s actions in 2016.
Hal expressly compares it to “that Bat guy over in Gotham.” It’s a fun little allusion to the DCU’s version of the Dark Knight, who has yet to appear formally in the franchise. It’s also very funny that Guy thought to rip off Batman, given the history the Green Lanterns have with the Gotham hero in the original comics.
Batman vs. Green Lantern Has Long Roots in DC History
While Batman and Green Lantern weren’t initially positioned against one another in the characters’ early days, a feud between the two became more prominent in the pages of Justice League International. In that comic, Guy’s efforts to intimidate the other heroes on the team led to Batman casually decking him in the face. This moment further pushed the heroes against one another. That enmity soon carried over to other characters like Justice League rookie Kyle Rayner (who Batman didn’t trust) and Hal Jordan (who Batman couldn’t forgive for his more villainous actions).
In the years since, the natural feud between the characters has evolved into a conflict spurred on by their contrasting personalities. The Green Lantern’s natural confidence and hot-headed approach to heroics bristles against Batman’s impulses to be in control at all times. The potentially limitless capabilities of the Green Lantern rings only complicate that issue further by giving Batman something to be worried about when it comes to the cosmic characters, further frustrating both sides.
How the DCU Has Been Steadily Teasing Batman
Hal’s reference to Batman continues the DCU’s approach to slowly introducing the Dark Knight through other characters instead of just stepping into the spotlight. As one of DC’s most iconic figures, Batman’s presence in the universe will overshadow other heroes while also messing with Matt Reeves’ stand-alone take on the character in The Batman (2022) and its upcoming sequel.
Instead, the DCU has been leaning into an interpretation of Batman that positions him almost as an urban legend, unseen by the public. As such, he’s only been referenced in a handful of DCU properties, such as a shadowy appearance in Creature Commandos (2024) and a potential guest appearance in Clayface (2026). The confirmation of the Bat-Signal is an intriguing development, though, as it suggests a Batman who is willing to work a certain amount in view of the public, at least enough to have a Bat-Signal. It’s a clever way to slowly establish Batman without reorienting the universe around him and keeping the focus on other characters like John Stewart and Hal Jordan.
