HBO Max’s ‘Lanterns’ Teaser Raises One Shocking Question about the Series

After starting the year with massive hits The Pitt Season 2, Industry Season 4, and the debut season ofA Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, HBO and HBO Max look to the rest of 2026. It shouldn’t be lost on anyone that beyond the news circulating about the future ownership of Warner Bros., the company still has some great content in the pipeline. Case in point, the highly anticipated DC Comics Lanterns series is expected to debut this summer. 

In an attempt to drum up even more buzz for the comic book show, HBO released a teaser. While star Aaron Pierre stated on Instagram earlier in the day on March 4 that a teaser would come on March 5, he later posted a clip of the actual teaser, along with HBO Max, with the caption: “You manifested it early. The official #Lanterns teaser is here. Coming this August.” Check out the full teaser below, and as you do, you may notice something a bit puzzling. 

Aaron Pierre’s Green Lantern Doesn’t Use Any Powers in the ‘Lanterns’ Teaser

If you watch the teaser a few times, you may notice that Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart version of Green Lantern doesn’t actually use any powers. For those who don’t know, Green Lantern is a superhero who uses a ring, matched with his willpower and creativity, to manipulate a green light to construct anything solid. The ring allows him to fly, create force fields, combat evildoers, and beyond. And yet, in the teaser, Pierre’s Stewart is not shown doing any of that. 

Now, in all fairness, the clip is brief, and it appears that John Stewart will be on a quest of sorts to be the next Green Lantern, learning from his predecessor Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler. Additionally, Chandler’s Jordan is at least seen flying in the air. 

With all that being said, it’s understandable if some are scratching their heads asking, “How many superpowers will be on display in a series about a superhero?” Let’s hope a lot, and that the trailer will show more upon its release. 

When Does ‘Lanterns’ premiere? 

As previously stated, Lanterns is set for an August release. At the time of publication, there has not been a specific date announced. Here’s an official logline of the series, provided by HBO: 

“The series follows new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) and Lantern legend Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.”

Related: 30 Years Ago Today, One of the Most Iconic Songs in R&B History Stormed the Charts