HBO's Lanterns co-creator Chris Mundy has discussed the show's approach to blending the gritty detective style of True Detective with fantastical Green Lantern comic book elements. The series, which follows Hal Jordan as Earth's Green Lantern before John Stewart declines the ring and Guy Gardner assumes the mantle, deliberately balances grounded mystery storytelling with increasingly fantastical superhero elements to maintain audience immersion.

Mundy explained that the creative team intentionally grounds the narrative in Western Nebraska and the central relationship between Hal and John, gradually layering in comic book elements only once the grounded foundation feels secure. The show opens explosively with fantastical moments—including a flying car—but then deliberately slows down to establish the mystery and character dynamics within the fictional town setting. Small creative decisions, such as the use of "Brand New Key" for a bar fight scene, were made collaboratively by Mundy and fellow creators Damon Lindelof and Tom King to enhance the balance between humour and dramatic tension.