Lanterns & Stuart Fails to Save the Universe at San Diego Comic-Con

 

While I attend panels in the Convention Center, San Diego Comic-Con spreads out across the downtown area. There are so many fun things happening that you cannot see them all. SDCC 2026 may be in the record books now. But here's a look at some of the fun that occurred this last weekend.

Who knows? Perhaps these fan experiences will pop up in a city near you soon! 

HBO Max Brings 

LANTERNS And STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE 

To Life With Immersive Fan Experiences In San Diego

 

OVERVIEW
HBO Max has officially kicked off its presence in San Diego with the debut of two experiential activations for LANTERNS and STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE. Taking over locations throughout the Gaslamp District, the activations invite fans to step directly into the worlds of the series through interactive moments and series-themed storytelling, journey-driven challenges, photo opportunities, exclusive merchandise and takeaways, and one-of-a-kind experiences.

Beginning yesterday on Thursday, July 23 and running through Saturday, July 25, “Lanterns Training Headquarters” recruits attendees into the Green Lantern Corps for an interactive journey inspired by LANTERNS. Set within the world of Rushville, Nebraska, the experience challenges visitors to prove their fearlessness through hands-on training exercises, uncover mysteries tied to the upcoming series, and compete for the opportunity to earn a custom Lantern ring. 

The activation transformed participants into aspiring Lanterns, placing them at the center of a story-driven adventure pulled directly from the universe of the show. Earlier today, cast members Kyle Chandler, Aaron Pierre, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, alongside creators and writers Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, stopped by to take on the challenge themselves and find out if they are worthy of wearing the ring. 

 

Running through Sunday, July 26, “The Comic Center of Pasadena” brings STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE to life through a multiverse-spanning adventure that transports fans inside Stuart Bloom’s iconic comic book store. Visitors journey through a series of alternate realities, discover their hero archetypes, explore immersive environments inspired by the series, and receive personalized collectible keepsakes along the way. The experience also features exclusive merchandise and shareable photo moments designed to celebrate the upcoming comedy event series. On Thursday, creators Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, and Bill Prady, plus stars Kevin Sussman, Lauren Lapkus, John Ross Bowie, and Brian Posehn, stepped into the Stuart multiverse and experienced the adventure firsthand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beyond the activations, HBO Max also hosted must-see panels for both series. On Thursday, STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE treated attendees to an advance screening and conversation featuring creators Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, and Bill Prady alongside series stars. LANTERNS followed on Friday with a Hall H panel featuring cast and creative talent, an exclusive first look at the series, and never-before-seen footage.

HBO Max's Comic-Con celebration continues tomorrow as co-creator and showrunner Ryan Condal will introduce a special advance screening of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season 3, Episode 6, offering an exclusive early look at the next episode of the hit HBO Original series.

LANTERNS, from DC Studios and Warner Bros. Television, premieres August 16 on HBO and HBO Max.

Max Original Comedy Series STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE, from Warner Bros. Television, premiered July 23 on HBO and HBO Max with new episodes debuting weekly Thursday’s at 9:00 p.m. ET.

The first 5 episodes of Season 3 of HBO Original Series HOUSE OF THE DRAGON are now streaming on HBO and HBO Max with new episodes debuting weekly Sunday’s at 9:00 p.m. ET.

 

ABOUT LANTERNS
“Green Lantern,” LANTERNS follows new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery with cosmic ties as they investigate a murder in the American heartland. HBO in association with Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios. The LANTERNS pilot is co-written by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, who are co-creators for the series. Mundy serves as showrunner. The first two episodes are directed by James Hawes, with Stephen Williams, Geeta Vasant Patel and Alik Sakharov also tapped to direct. The series is executive produced by Mundy, Lindelof, James Gunn, Peter Safran, King, Ron Schmidt, and Hawes. Based on the DC comic characters from “Green Lantern.”

 

 

ABOUT STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE
Comic book store owner Stuart Bloom is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon. Stuart is aided in this quest by his girlfriend Denise, geologist friend Bert, and quantum physicist/all-around pain in the ass Barry Kripke. Along the way, they meet alternate-universe versions of characters we’ve come to know and love from “The Big Bang Theory.” As the title implies, things don’t go well. The series stars Kevin Sussman (Stuart), Lauren Lapkus (Denise), Brian Posehn (Bert), and John Ross Bowie (Kripke). The series, from Chuck Lorre Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, is created, written, and executive produced by Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, and Bill Prady. Kyle Newacheck is executive producer and directs multiple episodes.

ABOUT HOUSE OF THE DRAGON S3
Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the series, set 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” tells the story of House Targaryen. Season three cast includes Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, Matthew Needham, James Norton, Tom Bennett, Kieran Bew, Kurt Egyiawan, Freddie Fox, Clinton Liberty, Gayle Rankin, and Abubakar Salim. Co-Creator/Showrunner/Executive Producer, Ryan Condal; Co-Creator/Executive Producer, George R.R. Martin; Executive Producers Sara Hess, Melissa Bernstein, Kevin de la Noy, Vince Gerardis, David Hancock, Philippa Goslett. 

 

Thanks to HBO Max PR for sharing this news with us. 

DC Studios: New Lanterns Trailer

 

DC Studios held a presentation on their upcoming TV series at San Diego Comic-Con yesterday. Many writers have contributed to its creation, including current Wonder Woman comic writer, Tom King. If you haven't seen it yet, the trailer looks terrific. But how will Lanterns portray these intergalactic protectors of Sector 2814? And how will the TV series help shape the DC Cinematic Universe?

Here's all the info from DC Studios:

 

HBO Max Releases Official Trailer For 

DC Studios Drama Series LANTERNS 

Debuting August 16

HBO Max unveiled the official trailer for the DC Studios drama series LANTERNS, from DC Studios and Warner Bros. Television, during a panel at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) featuring stars Kyle Chandler, Aaron Pierre, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, and co-creators Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King. The eight-episode season debuts SUNDAY, AUGUST 16 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.

Logline: The series follows new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) and Lantern legend Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery with cosmic ties as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.

Cast: Kyle Chandler, Aaron Pierre, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Laura Linney, Jason Ritter, Ulrich Thomsen, Nathan Fillion, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Jasmine Cephas Jones.  

Credits: HBO in association with Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios. The LANTERNS pilot is co-written by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, who are co-creators for the series. Mundy serves as showrunner. The first two episodes are directed by James Hawes, with Stephen Williams, Geeta Vasant Patel, and Alik Sakharov also tapped to direct. The series is executive produced by Mundy, Lindelof, King, James Gunn, Peter Safran, Ron Schmidt, and Hawes. Based on the DC comic characters from “Green Lantern.”

 

On the bus ride back from the convention center yesterday, the gentleman seated next to me showed me one of his purchases: a replica power ring from the Lanterns TV series. They may not be able to summon a hard light construct. Still, they do look powerful.

 

Watch the Lanterns TV series trailer at Youtube.  

Thanks to DC Studios for sharing this announcement with us. 

Green Lantern #37 Preview

 

Kyle Rayner's new job may not give him much time for his art. Still, he's got a job in Hollywood. While he protects the movie industry's rising star, he also protects Earth from escaped Sciencell prisoners. But as Kyle acts as Odyssey's bodyguard, powerful foes aim to dominate his beloved fast food industry. And then, there is the disturbing presence Kyle senses when he unleashes his White Lantern powers. 

Can Kyle protect Odyssey from the people tracking the time bandit? And after his date with Jade from the JSA, can Odyssey protect him from Sandman's righteous vengeance?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

Green Lantern #37 Preview

Writer: Jeremy Adams

Artist: Xermánico

Cover Artist: Eddy Barrows

Variant Cover Artists: Yasmine Putri; Chris Campana & Norm Rapmund

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Price: $4.99 US/Variant $5.99 US (Card stock)

Release Date: July 22, 2026

 

 

Kyle And Odyssey Go…

Terminally Online!

 

 

There’s only one rule you need to abide by when going online, and Kyle just broke it. “Don’t feed the trolls!” takes on new meaning when a series of death threats pointed at Odyssey reveal a malevolent force that doesn’t take kindly to being mocked by Earth’s Green Lantern!

 

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

For what happened last time, see my preview of Green Lantern #36.

For what happened before that, see my preview of Green Lantern #35.

For what happened even before that, see my preview of Green Lantern #34. 

For Kyle Rayner's return to Earth, see my preview of Green Lantern #600. 

 

 

 

 

Green Lantern #36 Preview

 

When Hal Jordan leaves Earth on an interstellar quest, Kyle Rayner agrees to protect Earth in his absence. While picking up the pieces of his former life in Los Angeles, Kyle seeks work as an artist in Hollywood. And if he happens to notice any prisoners who escaped the Sciencells on Oa, Kyle is encouraged to send them back to his superiors. 

Unfortunately, his partner in this new chapter of his life steals Kyle's thunder when she gets picked as the star of a movie. And while Odyssey is a Time Bandit, the director of this meta, retro, futuristic Victorian production isn't Terry Gilliam. What alien threats will Kyle discover while serving as Odyssey's bodyguard on the studio lot? And can Tobi help Jayna find Hal Jordan after they get separated?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

Green Lantern #36 Preview

Writer: Jeremy Adams

Artist: Ig Guara

Cover Artist: Eddy Barrows

Variant Cover Artists: David Nakayama & Yasmine Putri

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Price: $4.99 US/Variant $5.99 US (card stock)

Release Date: June 24, 2026

 

 

Kyle Rayner is on the case!

 

 

What’s it like running into your ex-girlfriend, who is also a superhero and happens to be the daughter of Earth’s Green Lantern, after a few years? Well, why don’t you come along and find out as Jade returns to help, and Kyle investigates a series of murders involving several fast-food joints all around L.A.!

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

For what happened last time, see my preview of Green Lantern #35.

For what happened last time, see my preview of Green Lantern #34. 

For Kyle Rayner's return to Earth, see my preview of Green Lantern #600. 

 

Green Lantern #35 Preview

 

 

While Kyle Rayner finds his job as a Green Lantern rewarding, he'd like to get his life back on track. Now that he's back on Earth, he intends to rededicate himself to his art. But as he explains to Odyssey, you can't just walk into a movie studio and tell them you want work. 

Still, he's in Tinseltown. So, when a desperate producer plucks Odyssey off the street to be his next star, Kyle gets another shot at the movie business. Can Kyle Rayner leverage his duties as Odyssey's bodyguard and personal assistant into a job in a studio art department? And why are the Guardians so opposed to Hal Jordan pursuing his own personal odyssey?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

Green Lantern #35

Writer: Jeremy Adams

Artist: Ig Guara

Cover Artist: Xermánico

Variant Cover Artists: David Nakayama, Yasmine Putri & Mario Foccillo

DC x Sonic variant cover by Crystal Kung

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $4.99/$5.99 Card Stock

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Release Date: May 27, 2026

 

 

Welcome to Hollywood!

 

 

The glitz! The glamor! The giant alien that wants Odyssey dead! Wait…what? In order to ensure that her burgeoning career keeps…you know…burgeoning, Odyssey the Time Bandit is tasked with doing the meeting circuit. Accompanied by Kyle, she must drive around to various coffees, lunches, and dinners to hobnob with the decision-makers. But where there are celebrities, there is paparazzi…and someone else. Someone who wants to stop Odyssey’s star from rising into the sky of celebrity!

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

For what happened last time, see my preview of Green Lantern #34. 

For Kyle Rayner's return to Earth, see my preview of Green Lantern #600. 

Tales of the Green Lantern Corps: Guy Gardner #1 Review

 

Tales of the Green Lantern Corps: Guy Gardner #1 Review

Writer: Gerry Duggan

Artists: Matteo Lolli, Laura Braga & Vasco Georgiev

Colorist: John Kalisz

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

Cover Artist: Edwin Galmon

Variant Cover Artists: David Aja, Ariel Olivette & Ethan Young

Editors: Jillian Grant & Paul Kaminski

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $5.99/$6.99 Card Stock

Release Date: May 6, 2026

 

People may distrust his judgment. They may dislike his style. But like him or hate him, Guy Gardner gets things done. If he's not saving Lois Lane on a spaceship powered by Kryptonite, he's fighting in the Omega Tournament to preserve reality. But what do his fellow Lanterns think of Guy Gardner? And when Internal Affairs on Oa wants to investigate his activities, who do they call on for help? Let’s slip on our rings, leap into Tales of the Green Lantern Corps: Guy Gardner #1, and see!

 

Story

After Starbreaker led a devastating attack on Oa, Enquar tore through space in his quest for revenge against the Green Lanterns' crimes against his planet. As worlds and suns die, refugees flood Oa. While the Green Lantern Corps tries to find everyone new homes, Guy Gardner learns about a sun that went supernova. When he investigates a planet in the doomed solar system, the population has vanished. Which may be good, except that one of its inhabitants owed Guy money.

 

Zardum, who polices the Green Lantern Corps, narrates this tale of one of his best operatives. But while shining the spotlight on Guy, the Internal Affairs officer also enlists another Green Lantern from Earth. While Zardum delivers his imperative, John Stewart makes one thing clear to the Green Lantern cop. Like his flamboyant friend, John Stewart will conduct the investigation his way in Tales of the Green Lantern Corps: Guy Gardner #1.

 

As Gerry Duggan keeps the story moving with action and humor in equal doses, the Lanterns’ concern for each other shines through. Still, after Starbreaker’s intergalactic reign of terror and Darkseid’s attempted Reality coup, Guy Gardner and John Stewart are both marked by death. So Zardum observes the Lanterns from Earth to determine if their brightest days lie behind them. And as he watches and waits, Zardum tasks a leader who embodies the Corps' future to investigate Guy Gardner's seemingly wild claims in Tales of the Green Lantern Corps: Guy Gardner #1.

 

Art

With his bowl cut and collared gilet, Guy Gardner makes a striking presence as he points to his perp, and then at the faces emerging from the Source Wall. Then Guy reclines on a beanbag, taking notes while surrounding his suspect with a stone block cell. After mounting a platform with his prisoner bound in a yoke, Guy raises a fist in triumph to the Drekonites surrounding them in the desert. As his fans extend their arms out the passenger cars' windows, Guy plays his electric guitar atop the engine of a celestial steam locomotive. When he pulls the train into the impromptu Malaqyte Station, a giant green thumb points back toward him as Guy leaves Jessica Cruz and her people to feed, house, and resettle the latest refugees on Oa.

 

As Matteo Lolli, Laura Braga, and Vasco Georgiev propel Guy Gardner across worlds and moons, John Kalisz lavishes bright colors on the cavalcade of characters and settings. John Stewart forms a demurer appearance. As he saves travelers wearing a black-and-green bodysuit, the yellow and orange surrounding the troubled vessel recalls the world where Guy liberated the Drekonites. Zardum’s clothes, cane, and prosthetic leg link him with Guy and John. Yet the Internal Affairs officer's red Tootsie Roll Pop links him with the object of Guy's concern in Tales of the Green Lantern Corps: Guy Gardner #1.

 

Dave Sharpe fills white dialogue balloons with black uppercase letters and white narrative boxes with green letters. John's ring speaks green words into white balloons. Raised voices enlarge letters, change text color, and deform balloons, while lowered voices shrink words. Music notes adorn a splash page that science-fiction writer Michael Coney would love. Sound effects enhance battles, earthshaking developments, and the latest advancements in home security. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

Everyone needs to make a good impression to get ahead. Yet, when a hunch doesn't pay off, Guy Gardner's methodology threatens to cut short his career. As his penchant for theatricality fills the Internal Affairs office with complaints, Zardum wonders if he can still trust his officer’s instincts in Tales of the Green Lantern Corps: Guy Gardner #1.

 

Rating 9.7/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Tales of the Green Lantern Corps: Guy Gardner #1.

Green Lantern #34 Preview

 

He may struggle to get through Los Angeles traffic in his AMC Gremlin. Given the increasing capabilities of A.I., he may never secure a job as an artist at a movie studio. But Kyle Rayner knows all the local hangouts where he can grab the best food L.A. has to offer. Can he get by and find the escaped Sciencell prisoners with a little help from his friends? And while Kyle's getting used to life on Earth, will Hal Jordan discover what the Book of Oa is trying to tell him? 

Here's all the info from DC Connect: 

 

Green Lantern #34 Preview

Writer: Jeremy Adams

Artist: Ig Guara

Cover Artist: Xermánico

Variant Cover Artists: David Aja, Rod Reis & Chris Campana

Things To Come Variant Cover Artists: John Giang

April Drools Variant Cover Artist: Crystal Kung

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $4.99 US/Variant Covers $5.99 US (Card Stock)

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Release Date: April 22, 2026

 

Come to California, they said…Track down Intergalactice Prison Escapees, they said…

 

Kyle Rayner is back in L.A., and he’s not alone—the precog thief known only as Odyssey the Time Bandit is along for the ride! But is Odyssey really bad to the bone…or does she hold a devastating secret that only Kyle Rayner can help her with? Kyle traverses a job, a mentorship, murderous aliens by the dozen, and…a wrestling federation? No…no no no…please don’t tell us Jeremy is bringing Omega Bam Bam back…Guest-starring the Flash, if you’re into that sort of thing!

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us. 

 

 

Green Lantern #600 Preview

 

 

Hal Jordan loves Carol Ferris. He wants to spend the rest of his life with her. But first, both of them have things they must do. While he's away, Hal wants Kyle Rayner to keep watch over Earth for him. Hal believes the Torchbearer is the best of the Green Lanterns. Will Kyle justify Hal's faith in him? And where will Hal travel to find the answers he seeks?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

Green Lantern #600 Preview

Writers: Jeremy Adams, Ron Marz and more!

Artists: Xermánico, Darryl Banks, V Ken Marion, and more!

Cover Artists: Xermánico, David Nakayama & David Aja

Glow In The Dark Variant Cover Artist: Guillem March

Legacy Wraparound Variant Cover Artist: Scott Koblish

Corner Box Variant Cover Artist: Xermánico

Also Available: Symbol Variant Cover

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 56 Pages

Price: $5.99/$6.99 Card Stock

Release Date: March 25, 2026

 

Kyle Rayner leads the next chapter of the Green Lantern mythos starting here!

 

Celebrate 600 issues of Green Lantern with epic stories, legendary creators, and new costumes designed by superstar artist David Nakayama!

 

In this special, oversize 600^th issue, Hal Jordan will be tested as never before…and a new Lantern stands poised to step in should he fail. Hal embarks on a mysterious mission while Kyle Rayner finally moves back to Los Angeles and again takes up the mantle of Green Lantern of Earth. Join Kyle as he finds a job, navigates traffic, and chases down escaped villains from Oa! All this, plus a host of legendary guest artists and writers from Lanterns past, and an answer to the question posed to Star Sapphire in the last issue…

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

For what happened last time, see my preview of Green Lantern #32.