Lanterns Showrunner Addresses the Show’s Controversy After Being Slammed by DC Comics Legend

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Okay, so DC’s Lanterns hasn’t even come out yet, but it’s already causing a huge stir. I’m a big DC fan, and honestly, the first trailer was…underwhelming. It was mostly just people talking, and there were basically no Green Lantern effects – no rings, no energy blasts, nothing! The internet exploded with jokes and complaints, even HBO Max got in on the fun. Then, this old interview with the showrunner, Damon Lindelof, popped up where he’d jokingly said they picked the title Lanterns because they thought “Green” was a silly word. That really rubbed a legendary comic book writer, Grant Morrison, the wrong way, and he wrote a whole piece basically accusing Hollywood of letting people who don’t respect the source material handle superhero projects. Now, Lindelof is finally addressing all the drama.

Lindelof shared on Instagram that he’s apparently upset Grant Morrison, and worries that means he’s offended many of the British and Scottish comic book writers he admired growing up. This is a reference to his past issues with Alan Moore, the creator of Watchmen. Lindelof created an HBO sequel series to Moore’s famous graphic novel in 2019, but Moore is known for disliking adaptations of his work and actively avoids being associated with them. Lindelof jokingly took responsibility, saying, as Otis Redding put it, ‘It’s nobody’s fault but mine.’

Lindelof recently apologized for a thoughtless joke he made on a comedy podcast, acknowledging it was insensitive and praising the passion of the show’s fans. He explained that he owes them an explanation and wants to be honest about how he truly feels. He shared a personal story about attending his first Comic-Con panel for Lost in 2004, proudly wearing a Green Lantern shirt – a nod to his childhood love for the character and the power of imagination. He directly addressed calling Green Lantern “stupid,” clarifying that it’s actually his favorite color, a preference he’s had since third grade. He emphasized how much he loves Green Lantern, stating it’s “f-cking awesome.” Lindelof concluded by saying he’ll let the quality of the show speak for itself and is eager for fans to experience it.

Damon Lindelof Didn’t Even Need to Apologize for Lanterns

Grant Morrison’s point that Hollywood often hires talented creators, then forces them to compromise on superhero projects, is a valid criticism of the industry. However, applying that criticism specifically to DC Studios right now doesn’t quite fit. James Gunn’s Superman movie clearly celebrated the character’s classic optimism and lightheartedness – it even included a flying Krypto and a perfectly comic-book Guy Gardner. Similarly, Peacemaker embraced its ridiculousness with a full-blown opening dance number. These choices demonstrate a studio proud of its source material, not ashamed of it. Therefore, it’s unlikely Lanterns will shy away from being a true Green Lantern story, considering the studio has already proven it’s willing to fully embrace the comic-book spirit when appropriate.

The trailer for Lanterns doesn’t show much of the characters’ powers, and that’s typical for how HBO promotes its shows. HBO has become known for keeping key moments secret, and shows like House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, and The White Lotus usually release teasers that create intrigue without revealing too much of the story. This focus on mystery is intentional, and it doesn’t mean the show won’t eventually delve into the full world and history of the Green Lanterns.

The argument for removing “Green” from the show’s title isn’t as strong as it appears when you consider the direction the story is heading. The creators have repeatedly said Lanterns will start on Earth but eventually move into outer space. With Yellow Lantern Sinestro confirmed to appear, and rumors of Red Lantern Atrocitus being involved, it makes sense to broaden the title. The series seems to be building towards John Stewart’s journey into a larger mythology encompassing all the different Lantern Corps. Therefore, a title focusing solely on “Green Lanterns” would be limiting – the show will likely feature multiple types of Lanterns, not just the green ones.

Lanterns will premiere on HBO this August.

What are your thoughts on Grant Morrison’s comments about the upcoming Lanterns TV show? Is it too early to form an opinion? Share your views in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-17 14:10