Over 15 Major Easter Eggs, Comics References, And DCU Ties in Lanterns Episode 3

Published Aug 31, 2026, 7:30 AM 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 3 The third episode of HBO's new Lanterns series is now streaming, featuring an exciting collection of Easter eggs, comic book references, and ties to the greater DCU. Rather than continuing the murder mystery in Rushville, Nebraska, this new episode dives into the origins of Aaron Pierre's John Stewart and how they intersected with Hal Jordan's history far earlier than anyone could have predicted before the new DCU show's release. Set in the past from John Stewart's childhood up to the days just before his and Hal Jordan's investigation in 2016, Lanterns episode 3 explores John's upbringing and why he was specifically tasked by the Guardians of the Universe to not merely serve as Hal Jordan's backup, but become his eventual replacement in the DCU. Featuring major insights about John Stewart alongside more subtle comic-book references, we also get intriguing reveals about the Guardians themselves, teases for the greater DCU, and even some Batman references. Keeping that in mind, here are over 15 major Easter eggs, references, and connections we found throughout Lanterns episode 3. OutKast Lanterns episode 3 is titled "OutKast", presumably named after the hip-hop duo of the same name. Not only is young John shown singing the lyrics to "ATliens" with his brothers, but the episode ends with "Gasoline Dreams" as well. It's also a fitting title considering the episode shows just how much of an outcast John was forced to become within his own family, due to his destiny and training since he was 5 to be without fear and eventually become Hal Jordan's replacement. Janus Cosmetics In 2016, John Stewart is shown interviewing for the role of a Green Lantern with a Guardian of the Universe, played by Laura Linney. The interview itself is conducted in what looks to be an abandoned mall, where a storefront and posters for Janus Cosmetics are shown. In the original comics, Janus was the company owned by Roman Sionis' father. Roman eventually killed his father and took over the company, only to run it into the ground, where it was eventually absorbed by Wayne Enterprises. This resulted in Sionis' evolution into the major Batman villain Black Mask, and his ongoing hatred of the Wayne Family. As such, perhaps Black Mask is already active in the DCU's Gotham City. A Masked Hal Jordan Shown on the news years prior when John Stewart was still a baby, John Stewart Sr. watches a report of one of Hal Jordan's first public appearances as Green Lantern, shown wearing a fresh, bright green uniform as well as a classic green domino mask, just like he wears in the original comics. New Guardians Debut & Reveals Lanterns episode 3 features several key reveals about the Guardians of the Universe, while also showing us the first true look at one of Hal and John's "big blue bosses" from behind when Laura Linney's Guardian reveals her true form to John's mother years prior. As such, it seems the DCU's Guardians are much taller than they are typically depicted on the page, though the blue skin, white hair, and red clothing all track. During John's interview, it was also confirmed that there were originally 12 ruling Guardians and founders of the Green Lantern Corps before one of them was killed by Sinestro in the DCU. No More Power Rings Choosing During John's interview, it was also confirmed that the power rings used to pick new Green Lantern recruits on their own, just as they typically do in the comics. However, Laura Linney's Guardian confirms that interviews by the Guardians themselves are being conducted instead, following the death of one of their own. As such, the implication is that interviews are the primary selection process for new Green Lanterns in the DCU since 2016, which may be significant considering the unknown origins of Guy Gardner (who has not yet debuted in the new DCU show). The Voice of Abin Sur In the flashbacks to John's childhood, we can hear what is presumably the voice of Green Lantern Abin Sur asking John Stewart Sr. if he's afraid, only for John's father to answer "yes" in fear of losing his family, resulting in the ring's decision to give the ring to Hal Jordan instead. Almost An Absent Father Before Bernadette Stewart encounters Laura Linney's Guardian and the promise that John would one day be given the chance to become Hal Jordan's replacement, she thought her husband was crazy and wanted him to leave. As such, it seems the DCU's John Stewart was very close to having an absent father, as he does in the original comics. On the page, John's father was named Henry, an abusive alcoholic who left when John was young. Interestingly, the original name of John's father in the comics was potentially referenced in Lanterns episode 3, when one of John's brothers says that he talks like a "white boy named Henry." Gray Wolf Accepting a mission as a Marine sniper, John Stewart was tasked with taking out a wanted international criminal in Russia known as the Gray Wolf. On the page, there is a Chechen warrior known as the Gray Wolf who joined Batman Inc. not too long ago (though this is likely just a coincidence). Sinestro & Hal Jordan’s Relationship Laura Linney's Guardian confirms that Sinestro was Hal Jordan's mentor and teacher in the DCU, just as he was in the comics before he went rogue. It's also confirmed that Jordan very much sees Sinestro as a father figure, suggesting that Jordan may be susceptible to his mentor's influence/manipulations (or at least that's what the Guardians are concerned about). Young John’s Comic-Accurate Suit For his fifth birthday, John Stewart is given a homemade Green Lantern suit by his parents, who also decide the time has come to inform him of his destiny as a future Green Lantern and start training him to be fearless. Remarkably, the green on the shoulders and chest that tapers just below the symbol and black on the bottom is remarkably comics-accurate to several of John's Green Lantern uniforms on the page.