HBO’s new superhero series "Lanterns" drew criticism from some viewers who accused the studio of overhauling a beloved character’s origin story to focus on modern racial discourse and privilege.Episode 3, titled "OutKast," reframes the franchise's traditional emphasis on "fearlessness" through the experience of a Black man in America, prompting some critics to accuse the show of sacrificing classic comic book lore for social justice commentary.In DC Comics lore, Green Lanterns are intergalactic peacekeepers chosen by alien power rings that seek out individuals with the innate ability to overcome fear.In "Lanterns," that standard is reframed as an unfair burden when applied to Stewart.BELOVED 'LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE' FACES WAGONLOAD OF 'WOKE' ALLEGATIONS OVER NETFLIX REBOOTAaron Pierre, who plays John Stewart, attends the Los Angeles red carpet premiere of the DC Studios drama series "Lanterns" at the Paramount Theatre on Aug.
13, 2026, in Los Angeles, Calif.(Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for HBO)"Do you know the differences in race on Earth?" Stewart's mother, Bernadette, asks an alien Guardian of the Universe who has taken the form of an older White woman.
"Do you understand how unfair it is to ask a Black man in America if he’s afraid?""We are terrified daily of persecution and still show up, sometimes better than everyone around us," Bernadette says, adding, "Even in space, y’all don’t consider us."Rather than being chosen as an adult for his ability to overcome fear, Stewart is conditioned by his parents from infancy in "Lanterns" to wield the ring through hyper-precise perfection.Some viewers accused the show of replacing the hero’s traditional emphasis on individual willpower with a lesson on racial privilege."Lanterns" co-creator Damon Lindelof also created HBO’s 2019 superhero series "Watchmen," which similarly drew criticism over its focus on American racial politics. But not everyone online objected to the changes.'THE BOYS' CREATOR A...