Damon Lindelof is suddenly singing a very different tune about Lanterns and how it connects to the very Green Lantern lore that he recently insulted.
After casually dismissing one of the most iconic elements of Green Lantern lore as “stupid,” the Lanterns writer is now walking it all the way back following public criticism from legendary DC Comics writer Grant Morrison.
And make no mistake—this isn’t a subtle clarification. This is a full-blown retreat.
The Comment That Sparked the Backlash
This entire controversy started when Lindelof joked about the upcoming HBO series, saying:
“It’s called Lanterns because we all agreed the green was stupid.”
Damon Lindelof –
Lovett or Leave It, YouTube
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That line immediately raised eyebrows—and not just from fans. It reinforced a growing concern that the creative team behind Lanterns might not actually respect the core mythology of Green Lantern.
Enter Grant Morrison.
Grant Morrison Calls It Out
Morrison didn’t dance around the issue. He went straight at the mindset behind Lindelof’s comment:
“TV writer/producer Damon Lindelof’s comments notwithstanding, the ‘Green’ in ‘Green Lantern(s)’ green is not ‘stupid,’” Morrison wrote.
Hal Jordan as Green Lantern – YouTube, Comics Explained
He followed that up with a question that cuts to the heart of the problem: “Why does a writer attach himself to this kind of narrative if he thinks it’s fundamentally ‘stupid’?”
And then came the warning that likely hit hardest: “The only people who give a f-ck about the Lanterns TV series are Green Lantern fans. Why alienate them at the start?”
That wasn’t just criticism—it was a direct challenge to Lindelof and the entire creative philosophy behind the show.
Lindelof Suddenly Changes His Tune
Now, after Morrison’s comments started circulating, Lindelof has taken to Instagram with what can only be described as damage control.
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READ: Grant Morrison Rips Lanterns Writer Damon Lindelof for Calling Green Lantern “Stupid”
He opens by acknowledging exactly what happened: “I have upset Grant Morrison, which means I have now pissed off MOST of the brilliant British/Scottish comics writers that I grew up idolizing.”
Then comes the admission: “I made a dumb joke on a comedy podcast. I’m not going to bob and weave about context, the joke was dumb, the fandom is not.”
That’s a pretty stark shift from the original tone. But it doesn’t stop there.
The Green Lantern Corps working together – YouTube, Comics Explained
Lindelof goes even further, trying to reframe his relationship with the material: “And green is not stupid, it is my lifelong favorite color… Green is f**king awesome.”
Yes—that green.
The same green he previously joked was “stupid” is now suddenly his “lifelong favorite color.”
A Familiar Hollywood Pattern
If this all feels a little convenient, that’s because it is.
Morrison’s broader criticism wasn’t just about one comment—it was about a pattern.
Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner fight side by side as Green Lanterns – YouTube, Comics Explained
He argued that Hollywood repeatedly hands major comic book properties to creators who seem embarrassed by the very concepts that made those stories successful in the first place.
And what does Lindelof’s response actually prove?
That when the backlash hits—especially when it comes from someone like Morrison—the tune changes fast.
Lindelof Tries to Reassure Fans
Lindelof also attempted to position himself as a longtime fan of the character, leaning heavily on personal history and nostalgia.
“For a quiet, uncoordinated kid, there was nothing cooler than a hero whose superpower was his imagination,” he said. “I was sloppy and careless with my words, ironic considering I care so much about Hal, John and the entire Corps.”
Mongul Battles Green Lantern – YouTube, Marvelous Videos
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And finally, he closes with a promise: “I can and will do better to be worthy of the oath…”
Too Late?
Here’s the problem: fans didn’t just react to a “joke.”
They reacted to what that joke revealed.
You don’t accidentally call a foundational piece of a franchise “stupid.” That’s not a slip of the tongue—that’s how you actually think about it.
And Morrison clearly recognized that immediately.
John Stewart as Green Lantern – YouTube, Comics Explained
This isn’t about one bad line on a podcast. It’s about trust.
Because if the people steering Lanterns don’t fully buy into the mythology, why should the audience?
Lindelof can post apologies, talk about childhood fandom, and suddenly declare that “green is awesome,” but the damage is already done.
And Morrison said it best—whether Lindelof wants to admit it or not:
“Why does a writer attach himself to this kind of narrative if he thinks it’s fundamentally ‘stupid’?”
That question isn’t going away.
How do you feel about Damon Lindelof and Lanterns? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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This garbage trash boring show will bomb, of course.
This worm is gay and weak.
Watching the trailer was all the motivation I needed to not watch this show. Lindelof didn’t have to open his mouth and convince me further. But I’m glad he did. Maybe if enough of us bail on these projects, over and over again, the bean counters will finally put their feet down and say, “Enough is enough! We have to actually make money on these projects. So, give the fans what they want, or we won’t give you any money.”