Comic book artist Ethan Van Sciver has become a divisive figure in recent years, largely due to his outspoken commentary on social and political themes in media. However, his work on Green Lantern alongside Geoff Johns remains hugely significant, especially as they worked together to bring Hal Jordan back to the DC Universe in the mid 2000s.
While Grant Morrison was initially hugely critical of Lanterns, later episodes won him over (we've yet to hear what the acclaimed writer thought about the finale).
After remaining fairly silent on the series over the past couple of months, Van Sciver has now decided to share his review of the DC Studios/HBO series. He was not a fan, but admits that, initially, he "loved" watching the show.
Acknowledging the "budgetary constraints and limits," the artist says he continued watching Lanterns weekly but wanted to wait until he'd seen the whole thing before finally sharing his opinion. Now, that boils down to this: "You failed."
Van Sciver added, "It shouldn’t have been hard to drag these characters through the hell you put them through and have them come out better for it by episode eight, but instead you tarnished and destroyed them. All of them. Even the Manhunters are reduced by this show."
"John is a selfish, villainous asshole. Kerry is a monstrously stupid and cowardly murderer, the Guardians are either weird schemers or absent entirely, Guy is a pussy, and Hal... why did you need to murder him in such a hollow and meaningless, deeply depressing and sick way?"
"There is something deeply wrong with your entire writing room," he continued. "I cannot believe James Gunn of [Guardians of the Galaxy] fame could allow this sick nightmare to coexist with his typically fun superhero films. All of you should be ashamed for this profound failure. "
Van Sciver went on to say that he agrees with fans who believe Lanterns' creative team hate Hal Jordan, and said that their "mental illness" caused them to "destroy the terrific John Stewart, too. In trying to demote Hal, you killed John’s decency, loyalty and his soul."
His final rating? "1/10 stars," the artist declared, "Pure evil, but Kyle Chandler was a revelation. Bless him."
Van Sciver certainly isn't holding back, and while some will be quick to dismiss his opinion given past controversies, he does have a long history with the Green Lantern comic book series. That gives him some authority, and this scathing take echoes what many fans have said.
"Lanterns' leads shine bright," we wrote in our Season 1 review, "but even they can't save this abysmal adaptation of the comics that, embarrassed by the source material it's based on, delivers a woefully bland and uninspired take on Green Lantern that's another miss for the DCU."
Lanterns follows new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.
Alongside Kyle Chander and Aaron Pierre, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Nicole Ari Parker, Jason Ritter, J. Alphonse Nicholson, and Jasmine Cephas Jones round out the cast.
Lanterns is now streaming in its entirety on HBO Max.