Grant Morrison Blasts Damon Lindelof’s Green Lantern Comments

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Grant Morrison is not mincing words about the debate surrounding HBO’s Lanterns.

I recently read a fascinating piece on Substack from a true DC Comics legend, and it’s sparked a lot of thought. He was responding to Damon Lindelof’s comments about the Green Lantern’s signature color, but it quickly became about something much larger. He’s really calling out a trend in Hollywood where creators take on superhero projects but seem almost ashamed of the original stories they’re adapting. It’s a powerful critique, and honestly, I think he’s onto something.

Grant Morrison says the “green” in Green Lantern is not stupid

Morrison believes the approach of discarding established Green Lantern lore is a mistake.

Despite what TV writer and producer Damon Lindelof said, Grant Morrison argues that the green color of the Green Lanterns isn’t ‘stupid’.

I always found it puzzling when a writer takes on a superhero story, yet openly dismisses one of the things that makes that hero special. It just seems odd to me – if you think a core part of the character is ridiculous, why sign up for the job in the first place?

Morrison questioned why a writer would dedicate themselves to a story they believed was ultimately pointless or foolish.

This goes much further than just sharing an opinion with fans. Morrison is directly challenging the underlying way of thinking.

Morrison says Hollywood keeps hiring people ashamed of comic books

The bigger point in Morrison’s comments is not only about Lindelof.

He believes that studios often hire people who don’t respect the source material they’re adapting, resulting in weaker superhero stories that don’t capture what fans enjoy.

According to Morrison, studios wouldn’t give scripts for crime shows to writers who publicly ridicule forensic scientists and their appearance. He then wondered why, unlike those shows, superhero projects are frequently given to people who seem uncomfortable with or dismissive of the source comic books.

He felt the attitude was condescending, explaining that it seemed like some creators were trying to separate themselves from the genre instead of accepting it.

Morrison warns Lanterns could alienate Green Lantern fans

Morrison also zeroed in on what he sees as the real risk for HBO’s Lanterns.

Grant Morrison questioned why the creators of the Lanterns TV series would risk upsetting Green Lantern fans, as they are the show’s primary audience. He wondered why they would start by potentially alienating the very people most likely to watch.

That statement perfectly captures the main reason why some fans haven’t been thrilled with the trailer. Since it was released, many have commented that it feels too realistic, the colors are dull, and it’s missing the bright, exciting feel traditionally associated with Green Lantern.

Morrison believes the show shouldn’t shy away from what makes Green Lantern special and different.

He also says Green Lanterns is the better title

Morrison did not stop with the “green” debate.

He also felt that ‘Green Lanterns’ was a stronger, more impactful title than just ‘Lanterns,’ and believed anyone who disagreed didn’t understand what makes superhero stories work.

It feels like Morrison thinks this goes deeper than just a marketing mistake or one poorly chosen statement. She seems to believe it’s part of a bigger problem with how things are being approached creatively, a real misunderstanding at its core.

He admitted the show might still be decent, but felt it could be great if studios hired talented people instead of relying on unqualified connections to simplify the story.

As a critic, I was struck by Morrison’s final, damning assessment of Hollywood. She didn’t mince words, predicting the industry’s downfall would come from looking inward too much – a sort of creative stagnation and lack of fresh perspectives. It’s a pretty bleak outlook, but honestly, it felt like a painfully accurate observation.

Morrison still praises James Gunn

Look, while I’ve definitely laid out some concerns, I want to be clear: I still have a lot of respect for James Gunn. This isn’t about tearing down his vision for the DCU; it’s about offering a critical perspective, and I genuinely believe he’s a talented filmmaker.

Morrison recently complimented James Gunn’s Superman movie, stating he thinks it’s the best superhero film released to date.

This isn’t a general critique of DC Studios from Morrison. His issue is specifically with the creative approach to the Lanterns project and a perceived tendency in Hollywood to disregard what comic book fans value.

That part matters, especially since Gunn has long been a fan of Morrison himself.

Lanterns backlash is not going away

With Morrison now joining the conversation, the Lanterns debate looks like it is only getting louder.

After the initial preview, artist Alex Ross shared his take on Green Lantern, and fans are still debating if the upcoming HBO series is too realistic and doesn’t capture the fantastical, cosmic elements of the Green Lantern story.

Morrison’s comments pour gasoline on that fire.

He believes Green Lantern doesn’t need to be revamped by those who misunderstand its fundamental concepts. He argues that approaching it with that mindset is precisely what causes studios to lose their audience right from the beginning.

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2026-03-16 12:02