Over 20 Major Easter Eggs, Comics References, And DCU Ties in Lanterns Episode 6

Published Sep 21, 2026, 6:32 PM EDT Since 2019, Kevin Erdmann has been one of Screen Rant's Senior Staff Writers, covering all kinds of Superhero and Star Wars media with Easter egg breakdowns, theory pieces, breaking news, and more. A huge Star Wars & MCU fan, Kevin also loves Batman (because he's Batman), but could talk for hours about why Nightwing is DC's greatest hero. With 8 years of total experience covering entertainment and pop culture, Kevin has gotten the chance to interview top creatives and talent, and has also attended major media events like Disney's D23 convention. Majoring in Cinema Studies with a minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies from the UofO, Kevin lives in Oregon with his wonderful wife, adorable dog, and sinister cat who is no doubt currently plotting his demise. Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Lanterns episode 6 Without a doubt, Lanterns continues to be one of the most exciting new projects in the new DC Universe. Featuring murder, mystery, and cosmic stakes, the brand-new Lanterns episode 6 ups the ante with a jump to the present-day DCU, featuring several fun Easter eggs, references, cameos, and ties to the greater interconnected universe. Still dealing with the major fallout from the Manhunter massacre that happened in Rushville, Nebraska back in 2016, Lanterns episode 6 opens on Aaron Pierre's John Stewart and his new status quo in the present after giving up the ring and role of Green Lantern, as well as what Kyle Chandler's Hal Jordan was doing without the ring just before his murder in 2026 (which was shown in Lanterns' premiere episode). With Hal's death bringing John Stewart back to Rushville to solve his murder, Lanterns episode 6 proves there's still a good chunk of story left to tell in this first season. Likewise, the new DCU episode is also filled with some great Easter eggs and references. Here are the biggest and best ones we found. "What Happened In Metropolis" Making a pitch to city investors, John Stewart mentions the damage that was recently done in Metropolis, referencing the events of James Gunn's Superman as well as the Man of Steel himself. Giant Starfish Speaking to various intergalactic threats, John also makes mention of giant starfish attacks, a nod to 2021's canonical DC movie The Suicide Squad. Also from director James Gunn, The Suicide Squad featured the live-action debut of Starro the Conqueror as one of the movie's primary big bads. An Architect After he gave up the ring and refused to become the next Green Lantern after Hal Jordan, Lanterns episode 6 reveals that John Stewart went into business with his brother Marcus, launching the Stewart Brothers architecture firm. As such, this ties very well to John Stewart's established history in the original comics, where he was both a Marine and an architect before wielding the ring. Midway City Midway City was shown in Lanterns episode 3 as the home of the Stewart Family. However, it's also a classic location in the original comics, serving as the home and protected city of Hawkman and Hawkwoman, as well as the Doom Patrol. Additionally, Midway was also the city that was attacked by the Enchantress in 2016's Suicide Squad movie from director David Ayer. Gym Teacher While he seems to prefer the term "athletic director", it's confirmed in Lanterns episode 6 that Guy Gardner was a gym teacher before he was chosen by the Guardians of the Galaxy to serve as the next Green Lantern of Sector 2814. As such, this mirrors his origins in the comics quite well, having been a gym teacher specifically for children in special education. "Ripped Off That Bat Guy In Gotham" While meeting with Hal Jordan in Rushville, the former Green Lantern reveals that Guy built a "Lantern Signal" in Rushvile, so the town's citizens could call him whenever they need him...and completely ripping off that "Bat Guy in Gotham." Naturally, this further confirms there is indeed an active Batman in the DCU's Gotham City who also has a comics-accurate Bat Signal, presumably used by Commisoner Gordon and the GCPD whenever he's needed. Hal’s Bird Keychain & Fortress of Storage Following Hal's autopsy after he was killed by an unknown assailant shortly after his meeting with John, Sherriff Kane and Stewart find a key to "Fortress of Storage" (an obvious riff on Superman's Fortress of Solitude). Additionally, a keychain is attached with an image of a bird on it, suggesting that whatever's in Hal's storage locker is perhaps meant for John considering all the bird connections that have been made throughout the DCU show. “Build Me Up Buttercup” Playing a voicemail from Hal to try and get into the cosmic vault inside the storage locker, the voicemail in question is Hal telling Kerry that he wants to call her Buttercup, inspired by the classic song "Build Me Up Buttercup" by The Foundations. Electro Punch Getting beer, John encounters a cardboard cutout of Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner and what looks to be the new Green Lantern's endorsed energy drinks. This absolutely supports everything we know about Guy in the DCU, while also speaking to the reasons why he more than likely joined Maxwell Lord's "Justice Gang" (fame and fortune). “In Darkest Knight” The plaque below Guy's "Lantern Signal" reads "In Darkest Night, summon Green Lantern to your service." This is funny for two reasons. The first is that the oath is "In Blackest Night", suggesting that Guy didn't actually care enough to get the wording right on the plaque. Secondly, "Darkest Night" definitely makes the plaque feel even more like a Batman rip-off than it already is.