The DC Universe just created a clever justification for a Green Lantern power nerf according to a new theory about the franchise and its latest reveals. The DCU Green Lanterns have already gotten far more live-action limelight in the franchise than they have in the years prior thanks to the DCU debut of the first on-screen member of the group.
Guy Gardner’s debut in the cast of Superman let the franchise release a lot about how Green Lanterns will operate in the DCU timeline, and how their powers might be used. That said, DC’s newest revelations make it seem possible the Lanterns’ full powers may not be shown as often as otherwise could have been the case.
The DCU’s Latest Story Reveal Has Big Implications For The Green Lanterns
Peacemaker has had a lot of big reveals that look set to have a knock-on impact for the DC Universe’s upcoming releases, with Lex Luthor’s appearance and the development of his alliance with ARGUS commander Rick Flag Sr. being the biggest and most overt of these details thus far. However, one more subtle moment also looks decidedly worth paying attention to.
When Christopher Smith is arrested in the ending of Peacemaker season 2, episode 7, it’s noted that he’s been put away in violation of the Treaty of Qatar – specifically due to his “possession of a dangerous scientific device outside of the Treaty of Qatar.”
This is interesting, in that we’ve had little prior establishment of the specific rules of conduct for a world in which characters can develop devices that take them to other worlds, or enable them to do other larger-than-life endeavors.
While the Green Lantern rings aren’t always thought of as such, they are arguably alien artifacts like Peacemaker’s QUC device, being tied to the Guardians of the Universe – something that would be established for anyone aware of Green Lantern Guy Gardner, given his prominent use of the Lantern powerset and open discussion of the oath he took to become one.
Figures like Guy Gardner and Mister Terrific working for Maxwell Lord would perhaps make more sense under the lens that this is something they have to do in order to avoid breaking the terms of the Treaty – which would also provide a particularly interesting setup for the impending 2026 Lanterns show.
How The DCU’s Earth Technology Rules Could be Huge For 2026’s Lanterns Show
If the theory regarding the Treaty of Qatar applying to other powerful devices like the Green Lantern rings holds true – which would make sense, given in the comics they’re established as some of the most powerful devices in the universe, and since James Gunn has previously suggested a Green Lantern could defeat Superman – this would mean big things for Lanterns.
It has been revealed that Lanterns will explore veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan teaming up with new recruit John Stewart, giving us insight into how the Green Lanterns work. Crucially, this also means we’re set to learn the rules around how Lanterns can operate on Earth, as Jordan will need to inform Stewart about this side of things.
Legislation around how the Green Lanterns are legally permitted to act on Earth – and the ways in which they’re allowed to use their power rings – would no doubt complicate the role of the galactic protectors, and would delve back into many topics first put forth for the DCU by Superman, meaning it’d align tonally here story-wise too.
Though Guy Gardner using his powers to do things like creating oven mitts may simply be down to his unique personality, it’s also possible this was early teasing of the reality of being a Green Lantern working on Earth lawfully – and how this involves pulling punches and not using the full capacity of the Power Rings, thanks to the Treaty.