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One of the most intriguing aspects of DCU’s premier small screen venture, “Lanterns”, has been the way its narrative has been spread across a timeline which spans over nearly forty years. Apart from showing the growth of the leads through the years, the timeline serves a crucial narrative purpose i.e. anchoring the central mystery and connecting it with larger world-building from the pilot itself, “Lanterns” timeline provides viewers a rough idea about where the series stands in the existing continuity, the crisis in hand and how will it link up with the upcoming DCU projects.

Spoiler Alert

1986: Hal Joins Lantern Corps

In 1986, Hal Jordan, who has been a fighter jet pilot for merely two years, finds himself taken to the dying Abin Sur, a well-respected member of the Green Lantern Corps entrusted with the responsibility of watching over Sector 2814. It is not yet revealed what caused Abin’s spaceship to crash land in the middle of nowhere in Nebraska, but without a doubt, it is connected to whatever shapeshifting alien imposter crisis propped up later in 2016. Abin’s ring chose Hal as his successor, and Hal believes it was no coincidence that Abin breathed his last on earth – one of the most primitive sections among galactic civilizations, which Guardians of Oa aren’t quite fond of. Even though details about this period are only revealed through Hal’s account, the upcoming episodes might contain a flashback or two to dissect the root of the alien crisis. Hal’s status as veteran cosmic hero of the DCU is thus cemented.

1996: First Public Interview

A decade after joining the Green Lantern Corps, Hal attends his first public interview in 1996, marking the first time in the DCU that a superhero disclosed their identity. While protecting Victoria Falls from an oncoming meteor, Hal had to reveal his true identity – hence he had to agree to a candid interview to make things appear transparent. A young John Stewart idolizes Hal as his hero, and even risks watching his interview on TVdespite knowing it might draw ire from his psychotically strict father, John Stuart Sr. It turns out, Stewart Sr. is aware and intrigued by Green Lanterns as well, as he asks his son about his identity as revealed in the interview before shooting an apple off John’s head as a disciplinary routine. John, who has internalized his old man’s problematic teachings from a young age, has grown up to be ‘fearless’, as if he has been training to become Hal’s ideal successor all his life.

2006: Last Halogram Recorded

Ten years after this, Hal recorded his last Halogram aka backup record of his digitized consciousness as AI which remains stored inside the sentient power ring, acting as a contingency if the things go sideways. This is a necessary protocol which Lanterns should follow in order to keep track of things, to protect vital intel in emergency situations – which means there must be a really significant reason as to why Hal stopped recording his Halograms. Something happened in 2006 which might have changed his perspectives about his role in the Corps, or perhaps he didn’t trust the system enough to have his consciousness updated any longer. Once again, even though this period is only mentioned during the conversation between John Stewart and Halogram Hal, it will prove to be pivotal in the context of the overarching narrative.

2016: Hal Trains John and Rushville Shooting

A decade later in 2016, a gruff, hard-boiled Hal has to train marine sniper, John Stewart, as his successor, as Guardians have assigned veteran Lanterns like him to do so. There is noticeable unease between the mentor/ mentee, as Hal appears to be unwilling to let go of his position and John doesn’t trust Hal, at all. Beyond the surface level tension, there might be other issues which are prompting Hal not to thrust John into the role he has prepared himself throughout his life. This is the period when the majority of the first episode takes place, and the Lanterns duo get involved in the investigation of a mass shooting in Rushville, Nebraska, the same location where Abin Sur died thirty years ago. It should be mentioned that Hal probably has not been assigned to this mission by the Guardians, it is probably his personal investigation given his Halogram alerted of alien presence in the location. With the assistance of local influential militia leader, William Macon and his daughter-in-law Sheriff Kane, Hal manages to nab and interrogate the person of interest, an alien who might have orchestrated the mass shooting. However, as the suspect dies by suicide bombing after confirming his identity as an extra-terrestrial during Hal’s interrogation, a crucial headway of the investigation gets buried. Hal and John continue to investigate in the small town nevertheless, getting involved in all sorts of trouble in the process.

2026: Hal’s Death

Now comes the most significant revelation of the first episode, as in the final couple of minutes, the narrative shifts to the year 2026. John Stewart meets Sheriff Kane, who has discovered the corpse of the late Hal Jordan in the Rushville Football stadium – the same place where the mass shooting investigation began a decade ago. Hal is seen shot to death, and his ring is gone. John, who was supposed to receive Hal’s power ring, doesn’t have it either, which hints at the possibility of the extra-terrestrial conspiracy expanding to dangerous lengths. While it might seem to viewers that this Hal might not be the real person, and instead a shapeshifting alien is impersonating him, writer Tom King has already confirmed that Guy Gardner has Hal’s ring. This again makes the situation confusing, as just a year ago in 2025, the events of “Superman” took place, where Guy fought as a Lantern. Does that mean he was using Hal’s power ring while doing so, or does he have his own ring and is just keeping Hal’s one for safekeeping. But what happened to Hal and John during that period? Why didn’t Hal entrust him with whatever intel that got him killed so miserably?

The upcoming episodes will surely clear things up, and untangle the mystery of Hal Jordan’s death. With equal parts investigation, intrigue and sci-fi elements;“Lanterns” is already up to a great start, and if done right, this will jumpstart DCU’s momentum in the best way.

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