DC Studios used San Diego Comic-Con to unveil its biggest look yet at "Lanterns," the upcoming HBO series built around Green Lantern. The new trailer signals a very different tone from the brighter superhero style many viewers may expect, leaning instead into a darker, more grounded mystery approach.
The project is already drawing attention for being described in terms that evoke a prestige crime drama, with the trailer suggesting a moodier and more investigative take on the DC property. That framing gives "Lanterns" a distinct identity within the studio's expanding screen lineup and sets it apart from more traditional comic-book adaptations.
The reveal also highlights how important 2026 appears to be for DC Studios under James Gunn and Peter Safran. After "Superman" arrived in 2025, alongside HBO Max titles such as "Creature Commandos" and "Peacemaker," the focus is now shifting toward the next wave of projects, with "Lanterns" emerging as one of the most anticipated.
Based on the Comic-Con footage, DC seems to be positioning the series as both a superhero story and a character-driven mystery. That combination could make "Lanterns" one of the studio's most unusual live-action releases yet, especially for audiences interested in a more serious and atmospheric Green Lantern adaptation.
