# HBO's Lanterns Is the Best Superhero Show on TV

> A Green Lantern mystery from the Watchmen team, and three episodes are still to come.
- Title: HBO's Lanterns Is the Best Superhero Show on TV · Men's Health
- Summary: A Green Lantern mystery from the Watchmen team, and three episodes are still to come. Lanterns airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max, wrapping with…
- Keywords: hbo, lanterns, dc universe, streaming, HBO's, Best, Superhero, Show, Men's Health
- Source: Men's Health — https://menshealth.com/entertainment/a73396003/lanterns-release-schedule-hbo
- Author: Evan Romano
- Published: 2026-09-14T15:14:37+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: hbo, lanterns, dc universe, tv, streaming
## Watchmen set the bar
Damon Lindelof's 2019 HBO series was a continuation of Alan Moore's book, not an adaptation. It won 11 Emmys from 26 nominations.
## One season was enough
There was never a second season, and that was the right call. The story finished where it needed to finish.

> the story was complete and didn't need to go on
## Lanterns is the closest thing
Lindelof co-created it with Ozark's Chris Mundy and comic writer Tom King. It puts Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) at the center.
## Third show in Gunn's DC
It follows Creature Commandos and Peacemaker season two in James Gunn's rebuilt DC Universe, but tells a very different kind of superhero story.
## True Detective with rings
The show hands its two leads a dark mystery and uses it to dig into mentorship, male role models, and race in America.
## Two actors, real scenes
Chandler and Pierre each get highlight reel moments, and there is still room for fun action and actual Green Lantern-ing.
## Familiar beats, still fun
The rhythms borrowed from True Detective and The Outsider are well worn. Watching these characters work a case anyway is no small feat.

> it's just fun to watch these characters, in this world, with these powers, get to the bottom of something
## Sundays at 9 p.m. ET
Eight episodes total, five out already. Episode 6 lands September 20, then September 27, and the finale on October 4, on HBO and HBO Max at once.
## Key takeaway

Lanterns airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max, wrapping with episode 8 on October 4.