There is a Manhunter in the cornfields, and the mere mention of that name has Lanterns fans wondering: Does this mean Martian Manhunter is coming to HBO? If not, then who are these Manhunters?
Time to dig into DC Comics lore for answers.
(Potential spoilers for HBO’s Lanterns ahead.)
Lanterns Manhunter Theories
- Is Martian Manhunter one of the Manhunters in Lanterns: If Lanterns is staying loyal to DC Comics lore, no.
- Who are the Manhunters: They were the Guardians’ first intergalactic police force before the Green Lanterns.
Is Martian Manhunter one of the Manhunters mentioned in Lanterns?
The short answer: No.
Both DC Comics and Marvel Comics have a history of repurposing names and titles through the years. Among the most notable is Marvel’s original Human Torch vs. The Fantastic Four’s Human Torch (a.k.a. Johnny Storm).
If the show is respecting DC Comics lore in full, Martian Manhunter (a.k.a J’onn J’onzz) is different from the Manhunters mentioned in HBO’s Lanterns.
Of course, altering a character’s background from the comics to the screen isn’t unprecedented. But, turning J’onzz into one of the Manhunters referenced in Lanterns might be even more confusing than the term “manhunter” being shared by the Justice League member and these villains.
Who are the Manhunters in Lanterns?
There’s one line from Antaan in Season 1 Episode 2 of Lanterns that aligns the show’s Manhunters with those created in the comics: “You think the Green Lanterns came first?”
The Manhunters were the Guardians’ original intergalactic police force. For a deal of time, they were effective. But, there’s a reason the Guardians now have the Green Lanterns instead.
One of the biggest differences between the Guardians’ current law enforcement outfit and the original: Manhunters were robots (also unlike Martian Manhunter).
LANTERNS FAQ
When do new episodes of Lanterns come out on HBO?
New episodes of HBO’s Lanterns come out on Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET.
How long are episodes of Lanterns?
Each episode is expected to have a run time around 1 hour.
Who is in the cast of HBO’s Lanterns?
| Lanterns Cast | |
| Actor | Role |
| Aaron Pierre | John Stewart |
| Kyle Chandler | Hal Jordan |
| Nathan Fillion | Guy Gardner |
| Ulrich Thomsen | Sinestro |
| Kelly Macdonald | Sheriff Kerry Kane |
| Garret Dillahunt | William Macon |
| Poorna Jagannathan | Zoe Macon |
| Jason Ritter | Billy Macon |
Who is Sinestro in Lanterns?
Sinestro is a former Green Lantern turned-Yellow Lantern. He is Hal Jordan’s archnemesis.
