Lanterns Illuminate the DC Universe After Superman
Guy Gardner: The Not-So-Great Green Lantern
Okay, let’s be real. Guy Gardner isn’t exactly the poster child for heroism, right? He’s not a villain like Lex Luthor or the White Dragon, but he’s not winning any Good Samaritan awards either. If you caught the latest antics in Superman, you already know that this guy is more about lining his pockets than saving kittens from trees. Seriously, it’s all about the brand for him. Who needs to stop a supervillain when you can trend on social media, am I right?
Return of the Gardner
Now, after all the chaos and drama, here comes Guy strutting into Rushville, Nebraska like he owns the place. And let’s not forget, Hal Jordan really dropped the ball before him, as did John Stewart—the other human Green Lantern who had a bit of a rough time in the spotlight. So, with the stage set for Guy to strut his stuff and declare himself the ultimate Green Lantern, what does he do instead? He shows some concern for his buddy! Who knew there was a human heart hiding in that big bowl of ego?
The State of the DCU
When we dive into Lanterns, we really get a glimpse of the DC Universe today. Superman wasn’t just about punching Lex Luthor in the face and saving a fictional city. Nope! He inspired heroes everywhere, especially one bowl-cut-wearing Guy Gardner. At first, Guy is all about himself and the glitz of being in the Justice Gang, but by the movie’s end, he actually cares about saving the folks in Jarhanpur. It’s a small change, but hey, we all have to start somewhere, right?
From Brand to Heart
But don’t think our buddy Guy has turned into a fluffy teddy bear just yet. He still dismisses poor Metamorpho just because he thinks he looks a bit too… well, unique. And when it comes to mixing with the Justice Gang, he’s more about making jokes than actually listening. So it isn’t shocking when he pops up in Lanterns, snickering as he features the trainwreck that is John Stewart. You’d think he’d learn some decorum, but why do that when you can just kick someone while they’re down?
A Funeral with a Twist
When Guy shuffles into Rushville, it’s not just to throw shade—he’s there for Hal Jordan’s funeral. Who would’ve thought, right? And when John asks him to grab Hal’s Green Lantern ring and uniform for the farewell, surprisingly, Guy complies. But you bet he’s not doing it without a snarky comment about how badly they messed things up. It’s ironic, and honestly, a tad ridiculous—but that’s what we love about our flawed heroes!
The Influence of Superman
It’s clear that Superman’s heroic actions are starting to make waves, even in the hearts of those who’ve always been a bit self-centered. A once power-hungry ego-monster like Guy Gardner is slowly starting to get the idea that being a hero means more than just fame and fortune. You know what they say: with great power comes great responsibility—or at least a little guilt!
The Future Awaits
And here’s where it gets spicy for Man of Tomorrow. Our boy James Gunn has spilled the beans that Lex Luthor and Superman will have to team up to tackle the intergalactic menace known as Brainiac. So what’s the takeaway? Even a villain like Lex might have to step up and do something good for humanity—just like Superman would want. Crazy, right?
Hope for Us All
Ultimately, if Superman can manage to inspire a guy like Guy Gardner to at least consider being a decent person, then maybe there’s hope for us all. Who would’ve thought that with a little Superman charm, even the worst of the worst can clean up their act?
Catch it Every Sunday!
Don’t forget, new episodes of Lanterns drop every Sunday at 9pm EST on HBO and HBO Max. If you’re looking for some quirky superhero shenanigans, you certainly won’t want to miss it!