Tom King Reveals How HBO’s ‘Lanterns’ Is Bringing Green Lantern Back in a Big Way

Tom King is bringing a very different version of Green Lantern to the screen, and his own unusual background is a big reason why. The comic book writer is helping shape HBO’s upcoming series “Lanterns,” which will introduce a darker and more grounded take on the famous DC heroes. Instead of focusing only on cosmic battles and superhero action, the show will reportedly feel more like a crime drama, with Green Lanterns investigating a mysterious murder case on Earth.

The series stars Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart. The story follows the two Lanterns as they work together while investigating a dangerous case in rural Nebraska that may connect to forces beyond Earth.

For King, this approach comes from years of experience writing complex characters, but also from a surprising part of his past. Before becoming one of the biggest names in comics, he worked as a CIA counterterrorism officer after the events of September 11.

King’s time with the CIA later influenced many of his stories, including DC’s “The Sheriff of Babylon” and “Grayson.” His real-world experience with intelligence work and investigations helped him bring a different level of realism to superhero stories.

Speaking about his past, King explained that his work was focused on stopping terrorist attacks, not supporting war.

“I’ve seen rumors that I started the Iraq War. I didn’t start the Iraq War. I was 23 years old,” King said. “I was against al-Qaida and the Taliban. We were trying to stop them from doing horrible things.” After several stressful years in the CIA, King decided to return to his first passion: comics. His career quickly took off, and he became known for stories that explored the emotional side of superheroes.

One of his biggest successes was Marvel’s “The Vision,” a comic that reimagined the android hero as someone trying to live a normal suburban life. The story later inspired Marvel’s Disney+ series “WandaVision.”

At DC, King continued creating popular stories, including “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” which became the foundation for the upcoming “Supergirl” movie in James Gunn’s new DC Universe.

When Gunn and Peter Safran began rebuilding DC Studios, they brought King into their creative group to help plan the future of the franchise. During those discussions, King pitched the idea for “Lanterns” as a more realistic detective story.

The series caught the attention of other major creators, including Damon Lindelof and Chris Mundy, who joined as co-creators. Lindelof praised King’s ability to make superhero stories feel personal and human. “It’s easy to forget that superheroes are human beings. What they want are the same things you and I want,” Lindelof said. “That’s Tom’s fundamental approach.”

King believes the strength of superhero stories comes from focusing on the people behind the powers. That idea appears to be at the center of “Lanterns,” which aims to show Hal Jordan and John Stewart as flawed individuals dealing with personal struggles while protecting the universe.

The upcoming HBO series also represents a major comeback moment for Green Lantern after years of mixed reactions, especially following the 2011 Ryan Reynolds movie.

With “Lanterns,” King hopes to give the characters a fresh identity and prove that Green Lantern can stand alongside DC’s biggest heroes. His journey from CIA officer to award-winning comic writer has helped create a version of the character that feels less like a traditional superhero and more like a human being facing impossible challenges.

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