Entertainment news and discussion on TalkFuse.
‘Lanterns’ Biggest Connection to Superman Isn’t Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner
“Lanterns” expands its connection to the wider DC Universe beyond Nathan Fillion’s appearance as Guy Gardner. The episode reveals that the Phantom Zone exists in this universe, suggesting a significant link to Superman’s mythology and potentially introducing a prison for powerful future villains.
Gardner reluctantly retrieves Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern ring and warns that the Guardians of the Universe could send him “on the first beam to the Phantom Zone”. In Superman lore, the Zone is a timeless alternate dimension created by Jor-El to imprison Krypton’s most dangerous criminals, including General Zod, Jax-Ur and potentially Doomsday, making it a possible setting for future DCU stories.
In short
- “Lanterns” confirms the Phantom Zone exists in the DCU.
- Guy Gardner’s actions link the series to Superman’s mythology.
- The Zone could introduce major villains in future films.
Explained simply
Green Lanterns are members of an interstellar corps who use powerful rings to protect the universe. Hal Jordan is one of its best-known members, while Guy Gardner is another human Green Lantern. The Guardians of the Universe oversee the corps and can discipline its members.
The Phantom Zone comes from Superman stories, where it is an alternate dimension used to imprison dangerous criminals from Krypton. Its mention connects the Green Lantern world with Superman’s mythology and raises the possibility that the Zone could matter in future stories about powerful prisoners.