Damon Lindelof's New Sci-Fi Series Blends 'Lost' and 'True Detective'

Image via ABC Published Sep 4, 2026, 8:34 PM EDT Rotten Tomatoes | Letterboxd | Metacritic Carolyn Jenkins is a voracious consumer of film and television. She graduated from Long Island University with an MFA in Screenwriting and Producing where she learned the art of character, plot, and structure. The best teacher is absorbing media and she spends her time reading about different worlds from teen angst to the universe of Stephen King. Sign in to your Collider account Since the conclusion of the iconic sci-fi series, Lost, fans have been waiting for something that could measure up to Damon Lindelof’s magnum opus. The island mystery was one of the most talked-about shows of the golden age of television. With a massive ensemble cast, Lost was incredibly character-driven, focusing on a flashback structure that became a calling card for the series. Two decades later, Lindelof has returned with perhaps an unintentional successor. HBO Max’s Lanterns is James Gunn’s Green Lantern series that fans have been waiting for. Following the trials of John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) as he trains to be Hal Jordan’s (Kyle Chandler) replacement, the official DC translation of these comic book characters goes the extra mile as most Lindelof productions do. Though it is somewhat creative when it comes to the set-up of the series, Lanterns marries the flashback and mythological-heavy structure with the gritty detective story of True Detective. ‘Lanterns’ Is the Character-Driven Mystery That Green Lantern Deserves Typical of any comic book interpretation, the arrival of Lanterns was considered controversial by many. Because Earth can only have one ring-bearer, it was clear that something nefarious was going to happen to one of the titular Lanterns. Hal Jordan’s story comes to a screeching halt at the end of the first episode, but also typical of any Damon Lindelof series, the writer may have some tricks up his sleeve. Lanterns continues to defy all expectations with its twists and turns while also having touchstones familiar to fans of television. These twists are all housed in a compelling mystery that HBO is known for. True Detective made a name for itself as one of the best detective stories on television. Lanterns has followed suit with the intriguing Southern mystery set in Rushville, Nebraska. Like in True Detective, two opposites must team up to look into a local concern full of colorful characters – some who would rather not have this mystery solved at all. Lanterns has all the makings of a classic detective story that also honors the characters at the center of it. John and Hal’s rocky relationship is full of jealousy and confrontation, but the two must come together when a suspected alien attack occurs in Nebraska. The two Lanterns arrive on the scene to discover that several aliens have been killed at a local football game. As it turns out, there is much more to the story, including a local militia intent on getting rid of any alien life and the presence of an infamous Manhunter, which could mean Earth’s greatest threat. Though still early in its tenure, Lanterns may prove to be the best comic book series on television. It perfectly balances honoring the origins of the characters while delivering a unique story that speaks to what culture is talking about right now. The narrative doesn’t go for obvious comic plot points and instead delivers something new. Tailor-made for an HBO audience, the story of Hal and John is moving, gripping, and at times, humorous. This is what happens when fans of comics come to the television side of things. It creates a modern classic. Release Date August 16, 2026 Network HBO Showrunner Chris Mundy Directors Alik Sakharov, James Hawes, Stephen Williams Writers Damon Lindelof, Chris Mundy