Lanterns Episode 2 revealed the show’s biggest threat: a secret Manhunter hiding in Rushville, Nebraska. The episode may also have quietly introduced another major Green Lantern supervillain.
Did Lanterns introduce Atrocitus?
Episode 2 marks the first appearance of Antaan (Paul Ben-Victor), the leader of the aliens killed at the Rushville football game. Antaan and his men kidnap Green Lantern trainee John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) and explain how the Manhunter hiding in Rushville wiped out their people.
Ben-Victor’s casting announcement described Antaan as “an extraterrestrial devoted to exposing the truth and exacting vengeance against those who wronged his people. Consumed by a deep and unrelenting hatred for the law, he is determined to deliver justice on his own terms.”
Green Lantern fans on social media quickly noticed that the description sounded like another major Green Lantern villain: Atrocitus.
Like Antaan in Lanterns, Atrocitus, once known as Atros, is an alien whose entire sector was destroyed by the Manhunters. He and the four other survivors of the catastrophe dedicated themselves to taking down the Guardians of the Universe, who created the Manhunters in an attempt to establish a cosmic peacekeeping force.
Atrocitus eventually becomes the first Red Lantern and the leader of the Red Lantern Corps. Unlike the Green Lanterns, whose power rings are fueled by willpower, the Red Lanterns channel anger.
What separates Antaan from Atrocitus?
Antaan’s introductory episode neither confirms nor rules out the possibility that he is Atrocitus. His backstory aligns with Atrocitus’ history, but there are also several discrepancies. His name is the most obvious difference, and he has more than four fellow survivors from his world with him.
Until Antaan abandons his human disguise and transforms into a giant red rage monster, the Atrocitus theory remains unconfirmed.
Lanterns is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes premiering Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.
No Comments