Over 20 Major Easter Eggs, Comics References, And DCU Ties in Lanterns Episode 2

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Lanterns episode 2

The mysteries surrounding the DCU's new Lanterns show are only getting deeper and more exciting, especially after the events of the newly released Lanterns episode 2. Additionally, the episode also features a fun collection of Easter eggs, references, and ties to the greater DCU.

Following the series premiere and the truly shocking discovery of Hal Jordan's deceased body in 2026, combined with the strange extraterrestrial activity surrounding Rushville, Nebraska back in 2016, the second episode of Lanterns very much doubles down on all the mystery and suspense as both Hal and John individually discover major clues (and threats).

Looking more and more like a crucial piece of the overall DCU puzzle, Lanterns features several connections to key elements from the comics' existing lore in this latest episode. Keeping that in mind, here are all the major Easter eggs, comic book references, DCU ties, and more cool pieces of trivia we found in Lanterns episode 2.

The Biggest and Best Easter Eggs and DCU Ties In Lanterns Episode 2

What’s Up With The Bird? — The only construct seen in Lanterns episode 2 is a small green bird when John attempts to fly for the first time using Hal's ring. Remarkably, John successfully maintains this living construct for the entirety of the episode, even after he takes the ring off and gives it back to Hal, a very unique feat that proves John's impressive commitment and will. While the comics have featured more unique power rings that bend the rules, like requiring little to no charge, this is definitely a new power reveal for the DCU, especially when it comes to John's inherent willpower.

Coast City — John Stewart visits Coast City in Lanterns episode 2 to retrieve Hal's lantern (and feed his meat-eating plant named Earl). In the comics, Coast City was Hal Jordan's home when he wasn't off in space. As Green Lantern, Hal served as the city's protector, much like Superman with Metropolis or Batman with Gotham.

"I Need That Lantern" — Needing his lantern to recharge his ring, Hal's power ring becomes fully depleted in this episode, dropping to zero percent (a challenge most Green Lanterns often deal with on the page).

Three Physical Green Lantern Suits — While searching through the large house Hal Jordan was given by a rich man whose son he once saved, John finds a collection of Green Lantern uniforms hanging in his closet. Unlike in the comics where a Green Lantern's ring is manifested by their own willpower, it seems as though Hal's suits are far more tangible in the DCU, the complete opposite of Ryan Reynolds' fully digital suit in 2011's Green Lantern.

"Mogo Doesn’t Socialize" — Giving John a voice code to open his safe, "Mogo doesn't socialize" is one of the best comics references yet in Lanterns. As seen in the debut comic book story of the same name, Mogo is a massive sentient planet who's also a member of the Green Lantern Corps. Incredibly powerful, Mogo has also served as a headquarters for the GLC and is also a key part of the process that guides power rings to their new wielders across the galaxy.

Pocket Dimension — The safe in Hal's room in Lanterns episode 2 is revealed to be a pocket dimension holding his lantern. As John reaches for it, viewers can see the expansive space within. Not only have we seen pocket dimensions in the DCU before in Superman and Peacemaker season 2, but Green Lanterns canonically had access to their own pocket dimensions in the comics, where they would indeed store their lanterns.

"Keyser Söze Situation" — Hal questions if William Macon actually has a mysterious employer or if this is a "Keyser Söze situation", a reference to the classic film The Usual Suspects.

Marlboro Man — Hal Jordan also compares Macon to the Marlboro Man, while questioning why he's so beholden to his NDA when even the Marlboro Man said whatever he wanted despite various legal conflicts (it doesn't fully matter which specific Marlboro Man Hal is talking about, as more than one were actual cowboys, and more than a few had legal battles, became anti-smoking activists, etc.)

Manhunters— The alien known as Antaan reveals the existence of the Manhunters to John Stewart after the rookie is abducted from Hal Jordan's home in Coast City. Said to be synthetic beings capable of posing as any living species, the incredibly dangerous Manhunters dispensed what they believed to be justice before they ultimately disappeared.However, the jury is technically still out as to which Manhunters from DC Comics we're talking about: the robotic androids created by the Guardians or those of the Martian variety like J'onn J'onzz. Given their connected and convoluted history on the page, perhaps the DCU is preparing to somehow streamline and/or merge the origins of both.

"You Think The Green Lanterns Came First?" — This line from Antaan is a big clue that the Manhunters were likely created by the Guardians as a prior peacekeeping force that went rogue before the Green Lantern Corps, just like in the comics.

Antaan — While appearing to be human, the newly introduced Antaan in Lanterns episode 2 is a very interesting new character, especially considering that when actor Paul Ben-Victor's casting was first announced, it was widely speculated that he's actually playing Atrocitus, the future founder and leader of the Red Lanterns wielding the red light of rage. Thus far, Antaan and his people's origins match up, particularly the desire for vengeance against the Manhunters.

Holocaust (Ryut?) — Confirming that a Manhunter orchestrated a holocaust of his people with hardly any survivors, this may be revealed as the DCU's version of the Massacre of Ryut in Sector 666, the infamous day in the comics when the Manhunters glitched and went rogue, believing true peace can only come through the eradication of all life. This was also the event that led to Atrocitus' creation of the Red Lanterns, while the dead left on Ryut would eventually become reanimated as the first Black Lanterns, as seen in the comics' Blackest Night event.

Sinestro — Sinestro's origins are confirmed by Sheriff Kane, who looked up the former Green Lantern after Hal spoke his name in his sleep. In the DCU, Sinestro apparently attempted a coup against the Guardians before Hal ultimately took him down. While it remains to be seen if Sinestro staged his coup using the yellow light of fear or if he trained Hal as he did in the comics, both feel incredibly likely.

"Killed One Of The Bosses" — During his coup, Kane claims Sinestro managed to kill one of the Guardians of the Universe, a major feat unique to the DCU that absolutely proves just how powerful Hal Jordan's greatest nemesis will be in the future, assuming he eventually breaks out of prison in Lanterns.

Tom Osborne — Hal keeps making jokes that Sheriff Kane and the people of Rushville must worship Tom Osborne. Tom Osborne was the head coach of the Cornhuskers for 25 seasons through the 70s and 90s. He was then elected to Congress in the early 2000s before ultimately retiring in 2013.

"Thanks For Not Dying In My Jurisdiction" — A dark bit of foreshadowing after Hal took a bullet from Macon's men, Hal Jordan does end up apparently dying in Sheriff Kane's jurisdiction ten years later, as was shown at the end of Lanterns episode 1.

Gotham City — Sheriff Kerry Kane reveals she's originally from Gotham City before she came to Nebraska on a whim. Not only is this another bit of set-up for Batman before we even know who's been cast as the Dark Knight, but the last name Kane is a much bigger deal. After all, the Kanes are one of Gotham's biggest and oldest families alongside the Waynes.Bruce Wayne's mother Martha was originally a Kane before marrying Thomas Wayne, and Bruce's cousin Kate Kane became Batwoman in the comics. As such, it will be fascinating to learn just how connected Kerry is or isn't to one of Gotham's founding families.

A Quick Oath — Although it was heard in the first episode, Lanterns episode 2 sees Hal Jordan himself reciting the classic Green Lantern oath for the first time in the DCU. However, he does it incredibly quickly and without any reverence, irritating John Stewart and highlighting his ongoing cynicism.Oa? — Going off-planet and leaving Earth behind, it's unclear which planet Hal visits while meeting with Sinestro in his cell, wanting to learn more about the Manhunters. It's possible this new planet could be Oa, the homeworld of the Guardians and canonical headquarters for the Green Lantern Corps at the center of the universe. While less likely, this could maybe be Qward, the antimatter universe Sinestro was banished to in the comics the first time Hal Jordan took him down. Then again, perhaps this is just some generic prison world.

Sciencells? — In the comics, criminals and prisoners of the Green Lanterns were held in technologically advanced cells created by the Guardians known as sciencells, capable of holding even the most powerful of foes. Again, it's not yet been confirmed where Sinestro is being held, but the how could very well be a sciencell like on the page.

New episodes of Lanterns release Sunday nights on HBO Max from DC Studios.