Hal Jordan and John Stewart investigate a murder on Earth. To see how their partnership began in print, start with John’s comics debut in Green Lantern #87.
The HBO series has its own screen continuity. Each pick below is a place to start in the comics, with no background reading needed. The show’s premise is as far as this guide goes. How the screen and comics fit together.
For Hal and John together, read Green Lantern #87
John’s debut in Green Lantern (1960) #87, published in 1971, is their first story together in print. Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams introduce John as a young architect who stands up to police harassment before he has a ring. Hal is meant to assess John as a potential Lantern, and John challenges the way Hal sees the trouble in front of them. The story gives you the veteran and the recruit arguing over what their authority is for, in one issue set on Earth. Read #87 on DC Universe Infinite · DC on John’s first story (comic spoilers).
Read Green Lantern: Secret Origin by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis. Here Hal is the newcomer, learning what the ring can do while working with his superior, Sinestro. It gives a different view of the man who is already the veteran on HBO.
Read Green Lantern: War Journal by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Montos. John is a veteran here, trying to return to civilian life. The series gives his family as much room as the next crisis calling him back to the Corps.
Read Far Sector by N.K. Jemisin and Jamal Campbell. Rookie Lantern Jo Mullein investigates a murder in an alien city that suppresses emotion. The case forces her to learn who holds power there while she’s still figuring out how to use her own.
The DC Compact Comics paperback collects the complete Far Sector #1–12. Publisher contents.
For another investigation starring Hal, try Grant Morrison and Liam Sharp’s The Green Lantern Vol. 1: Intergalactic Lawman. It collects The Green Lantern (2018) #1–6, starting with a case that widens into a conspiracy.
About the HBO series
2026
Live-action series
U.S. premiere: August 16, 2026, on HBO and HBO Max.
Lanterns pairs experienced Lantern Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler, with new recruit John Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre. A murder investigation in the American heartland draws them into a mystery with cosmic connections. The first season runs eight episodes. Chris Mundy is the showrunner and co-created the series with Damon Lindelof and Tom King. HBO’s cast and production announcement · HBO Max’s premiere and season details.
Credits refer to the illustrations shown here. Open a record for sources, adaptations and unresolved details. Some artwork and source pages contain story spoilers.
Hal Jordan — Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #45 (2018), Tyler Kirkham variant cover, cropped detail. Tyler Kirkham (cover pencils and inks); Arif Prianto (cover colors).
John Stewart — Dark Nights: Death Metal #4 (2020), Stanley “Artgerm” Lau John Stewart variant cover, cropped detail. Stanley “Artgerm” Lau (cover art and colors).
Books & collectibles
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