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Lanterns Episode 2 Gives Us A Better Version Of An Infamous Marvel Flop

By Jeremy Mathai

Aug. 23, 2026 10:30 pm EST

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John Johnson/HBO Max

Are you afraid. of spoilers? This article discusses major plot details from "Lanterns" Episode 2._

The "Lanterns" series premiere seems to have gone over well with viewers, even with the ending twist that sends shockwaves throughout the rest of the DC Universe, but it's clear that there's more to this story than what first meets the eye. As Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) investigate the mysterious shooting in Rushville, Nebraska, the final moments make it clear that Hal was right all along. This supposedly "terrestrial" event involves aliens, and now it's up to Earth's first Green Lantern and his trainee to figure out what to do next.

Episode 2 sheds more light on that, as we learn the true scope of the threat facing this unassuming small town. When John is sent away to fetch Hal's lantern so he can recharge his ring, he ends up kidnapped by a group of suspiciously powerful henchmen and hauled in front of their leader, Antaan (Paul Ben-Victor), whom fans know to be another alien in disguise. He's part of a small group of extraterrestrial survivors hunting for a Manhunter, part of a race of synthetic beings who wiped out his people in the past. When they offer John a deal to find the runaway masquerading as a human within 48 hours (at which point, they'll take matters into their own hands and destroy the entire town), the main plot of the season comes into focus: a race against time to battle shapeshifting aliens that are trying to hide in plain sight among us.

Ringing any bells? If this reminds you of Marvel's "Secret Invasion," well, you're not alone. The notorious flop may not be the most flattering comparison, but DC is already succeeding where its rival failed.

Lanterns is putting a DC twist on Marvel's Secret Invasion — and improving on it

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HBO Max

How do you solve a problem like undetectable, shapeshifting alien villains? That's the conundrum that our two main heroes are grappling with early on in "Lanterns," a show that has suddenly taken a turn towards full-blown, paranoia-thriller territory. The comparisons to another similar storyline in Marvel's disastrous Disney+ series "Secret Invasion" are fairly surface-level, to be fair, as this is a classic comic book setup prevalent throughout both superhero franchises. Still, we won't be the only ones drawing these parallels and this almost certainly won't be the last time we do so as the season progresses.

Honestly, it's almost comical how much "Lanterns" improves on what the Marvel Cinematic Universe tried to pull off with "Secret Invasion." The Disney+ show attempted to shake up the status quo of the franchise, throwing twists at us involving name-brand characters while expanding the story to an absurdly large, planet-wide scale. Instead, "Lanterns" thrives by remaining as relatively street-level as it can. Characters like Garret Dillahunt's William Macon might talk a big game about fighting back against the colonization of Earth and preparing against even more aliens setting their sights on our planet, but the action stays focused within the confines of Rushville. The implied threat of a Manhunter roaming around under everyone's nose has massive_ ramifications for the DC Universe at large, for sure. However, our emotional investment comes from the individuals who would be immediately placed in harm's way — like Kelly Macdonald's fiery Sheriff Kerry — should our heroes fail.

But the best part about this undercover plot? "Secret Invasion" struggled to make its premise feel urgent and tense. But "Lanterns" has already done so, by making it all about character.

The biggest threat in Lanterns isn't the Manhunter, but the failing bond between John Stewart and Hal Jordan

HBO Max

The cracks between Hal Jordan and John Stewart's dynamic are beginning to show in "Lanterns," and that may pose a far greater threat than any Manhunter ever could. Throughout Episode 2, John bristles against being sent on such a thankless errand far from all the action in Rushville. Naturally, the jilted trainee interprets this as Hal getting him out of his hair so the real Green Lantern can do his thing. But when John inadvertently finds out the real reason they're in Rushville, courtesy of Antaan giving him firsthand knowledge of what these aliens experienced at the hands of the Manhunter, he faces his first real test of the young season: share this information with Hal, or keep it to himself.

John ultimately decides to place his faith in Hal and clue him in on what's going on, but it seems to go against his every instinct. and for good reason, as it turns out. His talk with Zoe Macon (Poorna Jagannathan) at a local café nearly convinces him otherwise, revealing that the simple matter of doubting whether he's able to trust Hal means that he's already answered his own question. Undeterred, John goes ahead and provides the necessary intel, while promising not to contact the all-powerful Guardians about any of this. And how does Hal reward him for such loyalty? By flying off into space, getting in touch with his ol' frenemy Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen), and listening intently as the villain tells him that John Stewart is his biggest threat of all.

Two weeks in, the HBO Max show is teeing up a hero-vs.-hero fight for the ages. New episodes of "Lanterns" stream on HBO Max every Sunday.