A new episode of Lanterns has arrived, and with it comes a mysterious new character with some pretty sinister comic book origins. Besides, what's a good mystery-thriller without a few shady characters to complement our main heroes?
The new DC show may focus on Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre), but it doesn't shy away from mentioning and including other Green Lanterns of the past and present (and this is definitely due in part to the direct involvement of comic book writer Tom King). If you're wondering who that strange man was in episode 2... we've got answers. We've also got a bit of comic book backstory for ya, as well. What more could you need?
Warning: there are major spoilers for Lanterns episode 2 below! For more, check out the current lineup of DCU Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, plus a fuller look at the upcoming DC movies in the works.
Who is Sinestro?
In Lanterns episode 2, Hal flies off to another planet to visit a man in a Guardians prison... and dons his classic suit in order to make an entrance (and a point). The man, who doesn't seem all that happy to see Hal (though that does seem to be a recurring theme throughout the show so far), is none other than Sinestro... a former Green Lantern. Hal demands that he tell him about Manhunters. "If one still existed, it'd be the second greatest threat you're currently facing," Sinestro says.
But who is Sinestro? Why is he in prison? And why would Hal go to visit an incarcerated former Green Lantern?
In the comics, Sinestro, a Korugarian alien, is tasked with being Hal Jordan's mentor (similar to how Hal is supposed to be training John). The two don't really get along, as Sinestro is sort of ruling over his home planet as a totalitarian dictator of sorts. Hal eventually disobeys Sinestro's orders and reaches out to the other Lanterns for help, which exposes Sinestro's tyranny. The Guardians banish him to a universe made up of negative matter, though he's able to escape... and decides to commit genocide across multiple star systems. He's caught by the Guardians and manages to cheat death by sending his essence to the Central Battery, which is the life force for all Lantern rings. It's Hal who manages to restore the Central Battery and trap Sinestro inside for all eternity.
As of the second episode, we don't know how comic book-accurate Sinestro's origins are... but given the information he relays to Hal, we can expect him to continue to play an important part in the ongoing alien mystery down in Rushville, Alabama. I can't imagine that Hal will be truthful with John about his little trip, as visiting a genocidal war criminal seems a little unorthodox. We'll update this space with more information as the season goes on.
Lanterns is airing now on HBO Max. For more, check out our Lanterns review and stay up to date with our Lanterns release schedule.
