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. That first threat? John Stewart, of course.
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 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, but he's able to escape... and decides to commit mass genocide across multiple star systems. Sinestro is ultimately caught by the Guardians and sentenced to execution, but he 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 restores the Central Battery and traps 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. It's also worth noting that Sinestro knew that Hal Jordan found John to be more of a threat than anything else, because much like his former mentor, it seems like Hal will also do anything to keep that ring.
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.
