<em>Lanterns</em> has made waves among the comic book community for its grounded re-imagining of the Green Lantern mythos. Fans who have adored HBO’s new direction for the characters — Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) — will likely find a kinship in some other prestige dramas and television gems with similar styles, characters, or stars. If that sounds like you, then this may be the list for you.
From superhero shows and comic book dramas to programs to animated gems and detective stories, these are shows like Lanterns in some form or another that fans of the show may just enjoy. They aren’t all Green Lantern tales (though there are a few of those too), but there’s plenty of excitement and critically acclaimed material here to go around. So, charge those power rings, because these are some shows like Lanterns that may speak to you.
‘Watchmen’ (2019)
Image via HBO
Getting the giant elephant (or radioactive, glowing blue man) out of the way, Watchmen is here because it’s another HBO drama based on DC Comics characters and created by Lost showrunner Damon Lindelof. While it’s technically a sequel to the original Alan Moore comic series, the truth is that Watchmen is more of its own thing, telling a different story with different characters in the aftermath of the climactic end of the Moore story itself. Like Lanterns, it’s a re-imagining of the traditional comic book lore.
Many of the themes expressed emphatically in Watchmen are likewise present in Lanterns, with Lindelof deconstructing the concept of costumed/powered heroes and interpreting that through a distinct 2010s lens. That may or may not be interesting to you, but Watchmen became one of the most acclaimed comic book dramas of the decade. In fact, some consider it a perfect HBO miniseries.
‘True Detective’ (2014–Present)
Image via HBO
Long before we even saw our first glimpse at Lanterns, the show was heavily teased by HBO as being a Green Lantern spin on True Detective. Well, the results were a bit less Green Lantern and a bit more True Detective, which has worked for many. If that’s you, then catching at least the first season of Nic Pizzolatto’s famed HBO detective drama is probably something that you’ll enjoy.
The first season, which starred Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey, was widely acclaimed for its nihilistic atmosphere and powerful performances. Many count it a masterpiece of detective-themed television, and by the time you get to the end of the season-long mystery you may just agree. There’s so much going on in this hard-R HBO series that it’s hard to catch it all at first.
‘Friday Night Lights’ (2006–2011)
Image via NBC
If you love Lanterns because of Kyle Chandler, we can understand that. Even with the new HBO drama in consideration,
easily the most popular and widely beloved Chandler-led series is
Friday Night Lights. If you thought his accent on
Lanterns
was sweet, wait until you’re listening to it non-stop throughout five seasons of this Texas-based high school football drama. With the seasons changing,
this essential fall show
deserves another shot.
“Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose” — that’s the line that Coach Taylor always spouted at his players, and it typically worked. With riveting character dramas, compelling serialized plots, and stars who knew how to catch the eye,
Friday Night Lights
is one of those iconic early 2000s television shows that everyone was watching
.
Chandler was certainly a part of the reason.
‘Krypton’ (2018–2019)
If you’re interested in following Aaron Pierre beyond his role in Lanterns, we have some good news for you. While
Lanterns
is his first breakout role as a leading man,
he first appeared on a DC Comics-related program as Dev Em on the Syfy series
Krypton
. Spanning only two seasons, this sci-fi-flavored Superman prequel
(
one of the best Superman-related shows out there
) explores the titular alien world like none other, and Pierre’s character is there through all of it.
The series follows Superman’s grandfather Seg-El (Cameron Cuffe) who is romantic rivals with Dev Em for Lyta-Zod’s hand (Georgina Campbell). Although it ends on a cliffhanger,
The Syfy extravaganza combines iconic comic book mythos with time travel and plenty of inspired reinvention to make Superman’s homeworld feel vibrant and alive
. It’s sort of opposite to how
Lanterns
approaches its alien characters,
but you’ll love it.
Which
Superhero Team
Should You Join?
Avengers · X-Men · Teen Titans · The Boys
Every team is a personality test with a uniform. One saves the world and argues about it all the way home. One has been fighting for the right to exist since it formed. One is still working out who it is while fighting happens. And one has no powers at all plus no intention of playing fair. Eight questions decide where you belong.
Avengers
Your Team Is…
Four teams four completely different reasons to put yourself in danger for strangers. This roster belongs on what they would want from you what it would cost you to stay.
You belong where stakes are largest personalities are loudest. This team consists of people who are used to being most important person in room which works keeps nearly falling apart.
- The Avengers are not friends who became team. They are team slowly reluctantly became friends would recognize every stage process.
- You can hold your own among big egos without needing win every exchange which real entry requirement here.
- The arguing part method group does best thinking mid-disagreement usually volume usually very expensive building.
- The sky opens they who shows up would want standing line.
You have never had luxury being thanked for this X-Men protect world never once been comfortable them existing something understands exactly why keep doing anyway.
‘Spider-Noir’ (2026)
‘Green Lantern: The Animated Series’ (2011–2013)
‘Justice League’ (2001–2004)
‘Gotham’ (2014–2019)
