Ars Technica's review of HBO's Lanterns is strongly positive, urging readers to ignore review bombing. The series, according to the review, avoids typical superhero action in favor of gritty, character-driven storytelling. The reviewer writes that Lanterns is "a shining beacon of what is possible when someone is allowed to get really creative within the genre." The review offers no viewership or financial data, so its significance is creative rather than commercial.
The show unfolds through two parallel storylines. The first, set in 2016, follows Hal Jordan and his trainee John Stewart as they investigate a mass shooting in Rushville, Nebraska, that turns out to have alien connections. The second, set in 2026, revolves around the murder of Hal Jordan and Stewart's partnership with the local sheriff to solve it. The review praises the pacing and says both mysteries keep viewers guessing to the end.
Central to the drama is the relationship between Hal and John. The review notes showrunner Chris Mundy has said the series is about knowing when to step aside and let a replacement take over. Hal is cocky and instinctive; John is disciplined and methodical. That friction, combined with personal backstories involving their fathers, gives the show emotional depth without turning therapy into cliché.
The review also highlights that Lanterns was designed as a standalone complete story, even though it has implications for future DC Universe projects. That approach, the reviewer argues, frees the writers from forced tie-ins and makes the series accessible to viewers who are not already familiar with Green Lantern lore.