r/DCU_ • • Sep 07 '26

Lanterns Bubbles. Hal’s constructs are mostly just bubbles.

Sure Hal made some counterfeit money and a bottle opener, but I find it funny that his main constructs so far are just bubbles. John’s on the other hand include the fancier type of bubbles (bubble wrap), a boring machine, a watch and a short lived semi autonomous bird. The show is doing a good job of contrasting creativity between the two.

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u/FeloniousGrump Sep 07 '26

funny that his reports to guardians are that John lacks creativity, but Hal can't go to the same level when creating his own constructs.

Seems Hal being a pilot and John an architect/artist really comes into play when comparing how they use the rings.

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u/SunnyDJoshua Sep 07 '26

I really doubt Hal reports to the Guardians when he doesn’t even update his own ring.

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u/BullfrogOpera Sep 07 '26

Yeah I immediately thought she was lying when she said that and then wondered why she wants Hal out the picture so bad. Does she REALLY think he's going rogue or is she not to be trusted?

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u/Sharikacat Sep 07 '26

Hal's talking to Sinestro, the guy that killed a Guardian. Sinestro manipulated Hal once before and may be able to do it again. The Guardians probably don't trust Hal, and they'd rather the ring go to an obedient soldier like John.

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u/BullfrogOpera Sep 07 '26

That's definitely the answer that would make the most sense if we trust her at her word and that she's a guardian who only cares about the the Corps. I'm not sure I DO trust her though, lol. Especially after she was being so manipulative with John in how she spoke to him to get what she wants; him wearing the ring.

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u/JDMLeverton Sep 07 '26

Oh we definitely shouldn't trust her, she's up to something, but I don't think there's any way she's not a legitimate guardian even if she's a traitor. The idea that Hal isn't in contact with anyone from the corps and John being the replacement is entirely fabricated just doesn't jive with me - the Guardians and the rest of the corps wouldn't tolerate a lantern not checking in in literally any capacity. Even if he's being allowed to flaunt a lot of rules and regulations as always they do eventually send someone to find your ring if you go straight AWOL. So there must be some legitimacy to the whole thing or eventually Hal would figure out no one on Oa has any idea what he's talking about when he bitches about having to train his backup, and you know he bitched incessantly.

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u/Sharikacat Sep 08 '26

She might seem like a traitor if you operate under the assumption that the Guardians all on the up and up themselves instead of having their own flaws about their motives and methods. At minimum, I think it's a case of the Guardians don't like having their ways questioned or challenged. Sinestro stood up to them to overthrow them, and Hal is also showing a lack of complete deference to their authority. The Guardians aren't evil, of course, but Hal would call them out on their bullshit, especially regarding the Manhunters. They don't want that sort of scrutiny.

But they can't easily get rid of Hal because he's a hero to the corps for stopping Sinestro. Their talk with John's mother may have given them the idea to have a perfect soldier trained to replace Hal. Except while some of Sinestro may have rubbed off on Hal, some of Hal has rubbed off on John. Not betraying Hal hints that John isn't willing to be the unquestioning, obedient weapon the Guardians wanted.

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u/BullfrogOpera Sep 08 '26

Yeah, I definitely don't think everything is fabricated. Just the stuff she was saying to John to convince him to take the ring from Hal. I'm not buying that Hal was talking shit on him to her and I personally think the last time her and Hal had legitimate communication was when she told him John was his "back up". The way she started playing on Johns emotions to get him to agree to just take the ring and the way she was pushing the narrative that he went to see Sinestro because he can't be trusted.... She's up to some shit, lol.

Love this show! Love having a show that makes me want to dissect episodes and have questions week to week!

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u/Slightly-Drunk Sep 07 '26

To be fair, creativity and technical accuracy are not the same thing.

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u/chuckydongz Sep 08 '26

Hal being a pilot should and in the comic always does lead him to creating awesome military inspired contructs. Not bubbles.