Are the Manhunters in HBO’s ‘Lanterns’ Connected to Martian Manhunter

Fans tuning into HBO’s new DC mystery series have begun to ponder a specific question following the second episode. Are the shapeshifting Manhunters wreaking havoc in Rushville actually linked to the Justice League hero known as Martian Manhunter?

This confusion is understandable, given the shared name and the shapeshifting abilities both entities exhibit on screen. However, according to reports about the show’s mythology, the answer is more nuanced than a straightforward yes or no.

The Manhunters featured in ‘Lanterns’ are characterized as a genocidal robotic race that once served as the original intergalactic police force for the Guardians of the Universe, predating the Green Lantern Corps. These beings were ultimately eradicated due to their brutality.

In the series, these synthetic entities can disguise themselves as organic lifeforms, enabling them to infiltrate communities before unleashing mass destruction. They are synthetic beings that can shapeshift to blend into their environments, leading to catastrophic consequences.

The show’s lore connects this directly to the death of Abin Sur, the Green Lantern who passed his ring to Hal Jordan. Reports indicate that Abin Sur had captured the last surviving Manhunter years ago and was supposed to execute it, but that execution never took place.

This same Manhunter is now believed to have been responsible for Abin Sur’s death, a twist revealed by the end of the second episode, which confirms that it was indeed a Manhunter who killed Abin Sur, the original bearer of Hal’s ring, linking this ancient robotic threat directly to the foundational mythology of Green Lantern.

Despite the name overlap, Martian Manhunter is not among the Manhunters appearing in ‘Lanterns,’ and there has been no confirmation of casting or appearance for the character in the series. Although both share shapeshifting abilities, the Manhunters in ‘Lanterns’ are a completely different concept from Martian Manhunter, with no casting or appearance confirmed for him.

Coverage of the show has made it clear that these beings should not be confused with the Martian hero or with other costumed characters who have used the Manhunter name over the years. The Manhunters are distinct from Martian Manhunter, the superhero from Mars, and other Earth-based heroes who have taken on the Manhunter title.

One of the most significant distinctions lies in their nature: biology versus machinery. Unlike J’onn J’onzz, who is an organic Martian being, the robotic Manhunters in the series are mechanical constructs created by the Guardians. This fundamental difference sets the two concepts apart even before considering their vastly different origins and roles within DC lore.

For long-time comic readers, the connection between the robotic Manhunters and Martian Manhunter is intriguing. While the two are confirmed to be separate entities, DC Comics history shows that the name is not coincidental. The Guardians of the Universe modeled the name and much of the Manhunters’ behavior on the Manhunters of Ma’aleca’andra, which is the Martian name for Mars.

For centuries, the robotic Manhunters served the Guardians loyally before ultimately rebelling. On Mars, the native population formed their own group of Martian Manhunters, inspired by the same principles of justice taught to them by the robotic originals, even constructing a temple modeled after their predecessors.

This lore connection has made the mix-up almost inevitable for casual viewers encountering the Manhunters for the first time, especially fans who primarily recognize Martian Manhunter through his shapeshifting abilities in animated series like ‘Justice League’ and ‘Justice League Unlimited.’

With ‘Lanterns’ already confirmed to tie into James Gunn’s broader DC Universe, including John Stewart’s upcoming role in ‘Man of Tomorrow,’ speculation among fans has understandably increased. Some viewers have speculated whether the current Manhunter storyline could eventually pave the way for J’onn J’onzz’s live-action debut.

As of now, nothing has been confirmed, and the show seems entirely focused on unraveling its robotic Manhunter mystery rather than hinting at a Martian appearance. ‘Lanterns’ continues to air new episodes weekly on HBO and HBO Max, with the season building towards its finale on October 4.

The series consists of eight episodes, and the central mystery regarding the identity of the surviving Manhunter remains unresolved, with the narrative reportedly leading to Hal Jordan’s eventual death in 2026 as part of the season’s overarching timeline.

With the shapeshifter still lurking somewhere in Rushville and Sinestro’s live-action debut suggesting an even greater threat ahead, do you believe ‘Lanterns’ is setting the stage for its own version of J’onn J’onzz, or should this robotic Manhunter mystery remain entirely separate from the Martian hero fans are familiar with?