Lanterns series review: HBO’s latest take on the Green Lantern mythology attempts to give the DC superhero a grounded, crime-drama makeover, moving away from the colourful excesses traditionally associated with the character.

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Created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof and Tom King, with Mundy serving as showrunner, the eight-episode series blends a rural American crime investigation with elements of Green Lantern mythology. The result is an ambitious combination that does not always come together as smoothly as intended.

The show follows Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, whose performances provide much of its emotional strength. Their chemistry gives the series a convincing human centre and helps bridge the gap between its gritty procedural elements and the more fantastical aspects of the DC universe.

The rural setting and investigative tone recall acclaimed prestige television, particularly shows built around slow-burning mysteries and complicated characters. However, Lanterns sometimes struggles to make its eight-episode structure feel sufficiently tight. The shifts between grounded crime drama, character development and superhero mythology can make the narrative feel uneven.

Despite those limitations, Chandler and Pierre bring weight to the material. Their performances prevent the series from becoming overwhelmed by its tonal contrasts and allow the Green Lantern concept to retain some of its inherent eccentricity.

Rather than completely reinventing the superhero genre, Lanterns works best when it focuses on its characters and their relationship. While it may not reach the impact of Watchmen, the series offers a more mature and grounded interpretation of the Green Lantern mythology.