HBO’s Hit ‘Lanterns’ Pays Homage to OutKast
HBO’s newest hit delves into race in its third episode, while also saluting Andre and Big Boi.
Screenshot from "Lanterns | Official Trailer | HBO Max," HBO Max, HBO and DC.
Lanterns has become the newest hit for HBO, and the DC superhero series has a serious hip-hop jones. The third episode, which premiered Sunday, Aug. 30, is titled “OutKast” and there are thematic and sonic cues to the iconic duo of Big Boi and André 3000 throughout the episode.
The show is based on DC Comics characters from the popular Green Lantern franchise. It’s a superhero detective series set in the DC Universe (DCU) that follows intergalactic cops Hal Jordan and John Stewart as they investigate a dark murder mystery in the American heartland.
In the “OutKast,” episode, music from the legendary Atlanta rappers provides a pair of significant soundtrack moments. Fans immediately recognized “ATLiens” from 1996 and 2000s “Gasoline Dreams.” It’s the backdrop to a story with alien reveals and a look at how race can impact even a super being’s journey.
Lanterns has seen tremendous success. According to Deadline, The premiere brought in 6.6 million U.S. viewers, making it the biggest series launch for any DC show on HBO Max. It outperformed other recent high-profile debuts like The Penguin (5.3 million) and Welcome to Derry (5.7 million).
And it appears the phenomenon is just beginning. Uniquely, viewership for Lanterns grew for the second episode, defying the usual post-premiere drop. The show also holds a strong 90% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes, with fans comparing its tone to a sci-fi version of gritty crime drama True Detective.
Subscribe to Okayplayer newsletters and get more music and culture news delivered directly to your inbox. Join here.
