It is that time of the year once more. San Diego Comic-Con is finally here, and superhero fans worldwide are on the lookout for any breaking news regarding highly anticipated projects. Marvel had its time to shine with dedicated panels for Marvel's Wolverine and MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls. So now, it is finally time for DC to steal the (lantern's) spotlight.
While DC won't have a major presence at SDCC, the superhero giant didn't skip the event altogether either, as it has one big project set in its cinematic universe on the horizon. After the release of Supergirl, all eyes are on Lanterns—an upcoming HBO Max show that will introduce audiences to two well-known members of the Lantern Corps, John Stewart and Hal Jordan. Now, we finally have a better idea of what to expect from this project courtesy of a brand-new trailer.
DC releases a new Lanterns trailer ahead of the show's release
In brightest day, in blackest night, no trailer shall escape fans' sight. There are many things to break down from the latest Lanterns footage, but there are three particularly exciting tidbits. For starters, after a lot of rumors and speculation, we finally have the confirmation that the Manhunters will factor into the story. The race of extraterrestrial, shape-shifting beings is bound to be part of the central mystery at the core of the show:
"The series follows new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) and Lantern legend Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, Earth-based mystery with cosmic ties as they investigate a murder in the American heartland."
It remains unknown why the Manhunters are on Earth or why they are executing seemingly random targets (if they are at fault to begin with). Maybe this will all tie into a bigger overarching storyline that will be followed in the Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow, where Brainiac will act as the main antagonist. Whatever the case, it is clear Lanterns will expand the cosmic side of the DCU, and could even mark the debut of Martian Manhunter.
Another key reveal is that the DCU's version of Sinestro will make his debut in Lanterns. The iconic villain is seen in an intergalactic prison, which means he's been around long enough to wreak some havoc and eventually be captured by Hal Jordan. By this point, Sinestro could've already founded the Sinestro Corps, although that's just speculation on our part.
One more detail worth noting from the latest Lanterns trailer is that Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner makes an appearance. Granted, we already knew he was part of the cast, but this is the first time we actually see him cross paths with other Green Lanterns. While it's unlikely he will play a big role in the story, it is yet another sign that DC is going all-out on the cosmic aspect of the show.
Many questions still remain about Lanterns. Some fans haven't been over the moon about the gritty take on these iconic characters, and it is unclear what the future holds for Hal Jordan specifically. On the bright side, it won't be long before we find out whether DC has a hit on its hands.
Lanterns will be released on August 16, 2026.
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