Over 25 Major Easter Eggs, References, And DCU Ties in Lanterns Episode 1

Published Aug 18, 2026, 8:22 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 1 DC Studios' brand-new Lanterns is finally streaming on HBO Max, bringing Kyle Chandler's veteran Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre's rookie John Stewart into the new DCU with an exciting new take on the classic Green Lantern mythos from DC Comics. Keeping that in mind, the show's premiere features an exciting collection of Easter eggs and references both to the page and greater DCU. Remarkably, Lanterns opens as a grounded mystery clearly inspired by True Detective, with Hal Jordan and John Stewart investigating murders in rural Nebraska. However, the extraterrestrial significance of this small town is gradually revealed in the new DCU premiere, along with major twists, with the show jumping between the beginning of their investigation in 2016 and its apparent consequences ten years later in 2026. In the premiere alone, audiences are introduced to new characters, the complicated relationship between Hal and John, along with plenty of seeds and references to the wider Green Lantern mythology (not to mention all the cool ways a power ring can be used in the new DCU show). As a result, here are over 25 major Easter eggs, references, DCU ties, and the coolest things we loved seeing in Lanterns Episode 1. The Biggest And Best Lanterns Easter Eggs and References In Episode 1 Hal Jordan’s Pre-Lantern Origins — As featured in a 60 Minutes special interview with Hal Jordan viewed by a young John Stewart back in 1996, we learn that many of Hal's origins from the comics are maintained in the DCU. Not only was he originally an Air Force veteran and test pilot, but he also witnessed his father dying in a plane crash as a child, just like on the page. It's also revealed that Hal became Earth's first officer of the Green Lantern Corps in 1986. William Tell — Upon returning home, John's father (John Stewart Sr.) takes his son outside after asking him Green Lantern's name, placing an apple on his son's head before shooting it, just like the Swiss folk hero William Tell, who was forced to shoot an apple off his son's head with his crossbow.During the test, the younger John Stewart tells his father he's not afraid, seemingly revealing that his father has been training him to one day become a Lantern himself. It's also worth noting that John Stewart Sr. and his service as a Marine are deviations from the comics. John's father's name on the page was Henry, who left his family when John was young. Exterior Paddy’s Pub — When Hal Jordan picks up an older John Stewart in 2016, the building behind them is the Nate Starkman Building, famously used as teh exterior for Paddy's Pub in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Pharon 4 — Hal reveals that he had to temporarily leave John's training to end a civil war on a planet known as Pharon 4, which may be a nod to Dela Pharon, one of DC Comics Star Sapphires, a group who wield the violent energy of love rather than the green energy of willpower. “The Big Blue Bosses”— Hal references the "Big Blue Bosses" who chose John to become a Green Lantern. These are the Guardians of the Universe, founders and leaders of the Green Lantern Corps who operate out of Oa at the center of the DC Universe. “A F***ing Substitute Teacher”— Hal Jordan believes John Stewart to be nothing more than a second-string Lantern rather than a future contemporary or his replacement. While it seems like he's become Hal's full successor in the DCU show, John did debut in the comics as a reserve Lantern when he first appeared in the early 70s, only to gradually become a full-fledged Green Lantern in his own right and eventually leader of the entire Green Lantern Corps. 2006 Halogram— Seemingly a new ability for power rings, it's revealed that Green Lanterns can store memories and copies of themselves as backups, provided they routinely update their artificial consciousness. Discovered by John, Hal hadn't backed up his since 2006. Bubble Wrap (Construct 1) — Hal recklessly tests John by diving out of the car and sending him off a cliff, and it's later revealed that John survived by using Hal's ring to create a green construct of bubble wrap to protect himself. While it happened off-screen, this was technically the first construct created in Lanterns. Sheriff Kerry Kane — Sheriff Kerry Kane is Hal and John's primary law enforcement connection in Rushville, Nebraska, an original DCU character (who still has a classic alliterative comicbook name). Extraterrestrial Jurisdiction— Although Hal Jordan's Green Lantern is a well-known hero in the DCU, it's also well known that his jurisdiction lies solely in extraterrestrial affairs; hence some of the complications Hal and John initially face before Jordan can definitively prove their case in Nebraska involve aliens. $20 Bill (Construct Two)— At the bar, Hal creates a green construct of a $20 bill to put in the jukebox and play the same song on repeat, a ploy to aggravate nearby patrons and get himself arrested. When John calls him out on counterfeiting money, Hal says he simply manifested it with the power of his will. Interestingly, it's been established in certain comics that using power rings for financial gain is strictly prohibited by the Guardians (though this instance is likely a gray area, even if Hal cared). Abin Sur— Hal Jordan confirms he was given his ring and recruited to the Green Lantern Corps by Abin Sur before his death after crash-landing on Earth, which so happened to be in Rushville, Nebraska. Aside from Nebraska, this mirrors Hal Jordan's origins from the comics. Sector 2814— Hal also confirms that Earth and its neighboring planets are all part of Sector 2814, the region of the galaxy he's tasked with protecting. Sector 2814 is also the same region Earth belongs to in the original comics. A Galactic Backwater— Hal reveals that the Guardians considered Earth to be a galactic backwater planet in comparison to other worlds and didn't even want human Lanterns, an interesting reveal regarding the planet's overall status in the DCU. However, this sentiment may be masking a hidden significance of Earth that could be revealed in the DCU's future. Bottle Opener (Construct Three)— Bringing beers to the Macon Ranch, Hal offers one to Sheriff Kane before creating a construct of a bottle opener, revealing some of the hypocrisy behind his claims to John that the power ring was a dangerous weapon and knowing when and when not to use it was crucial. Marine Sniper — It's confirmed that John Stewart was a former sniper, mirroring his origins in the original DC Comics, while also confirming that he followed in his father's footsteps in the DCU by joining the Marines. "Thousands Of Planets With Intelligent Life" — A big confirmation as to just how vast the DC Universe is, a reveal also supported by this year's earlier DCU release of Supergirl and its various alien species. 14 Alien Species Can Pass As Humans — Of the 14 species John mentions can fully pass as humans undetected, some notable alien species from the comics that can shapeshift include Durlans, Proteans, Daemonites, and Martians. Martians are particularly interesting, as they've been heavily theorized for Lanterns ahead of its release. "I'm Sure You Want To Phone Home"— Given the chance to interrogate the man Hal believes is an alien, Jordan literally opens his questioning with a reference to Stephen Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Harry Potter— Hal Jordan using Harry Potter as a means of testing the man's human knowledge is rather humorous, especially considering Warner Bros' ownership of both the DC and Harry Potter franchises. Boston Tea Party—Hal also mentions the Boston Tea Party, one of the inciting incidents from the American Colonies that led to the full American Revolution. Kelly Clarkson— You gotta love the grab bag of things Hal uses to test this alien, including artist and original American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson. Barack Obama— Hilariously, the fact that a white Nebraskan truck driver had such limited opinions on Barack Obama in 2016 was everything Hal needed to confirm the man's status as an alien in disguise. Recharge— The need to recharge a power ring is referenced, connecting to the comics where a Green Lantern's power ring will eventually lose its power when depleted. In older continuities, it was every 24 hours, though later comics have changed the rules so it's just whenever the charge runs out. As such, it will be interesting to see what the exact rules are in the DCU. The Green Lantern Oath— The alien mocks Hal by reciting the classic Green Lantern oath from the comics: "In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power — Green Lantern's light!" Bubble Shield (Construct Four) — The last green energy construct we see created in Lanterns' premiere is the large bubble shield Hal quickly puts around the alien who blows himself up to keep his and his allies' motivations and goals a secret.New episodes of DC Studios' Lanterns release Sunday nights on HBO Max. Release Date August 16, 2026 Network HBO Showrunner Chris Mundy Cast Aaron Pierre John Stewart Directors James Hawes Writers Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof Franchise(s) DC Universe Creator(s) Tom King, Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof