Green Lantern's Most Ruthless Villain Returns With A Shocking Twist Before Lanterns Season 2

Suddenly, the universe is getting a heavy dose of arguably the most dangerous Green Lantern supervillain of all-time. It’s not as if he’s gone anywhere in the DC Comics realm, always there, stalking, plotting and giving the Green Lantern Corps absolute hell.

But, as Sinestro makes his DCU debut for James Gunn and HBO Max’s smash-hit Lanterns, the character has something up his sleeve in the comic book space, too. That twist involves reminding everyone that he isn’t only the greatest … villain … in Green Lantern history.

In Green Lantern Corps #20, released on Sept. 9, Sinestro is positioned by DC Comics as also the “greatest Lantern that’s ever lived.”

That is a fun argument to make, because while many have their favorites, be it Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner — all three now in the DCU, by the way — or one of several others, Sinestro has the unique designation of being one of the original Green Lanterns and, without a doubt, one of the most powerful.

Writer: Morgan Hampton
Art: Juan José Ryp
Penciller: Fernando Pasarin
Inker: Oclair Albert
Colorist: Arif Prianto, Romulo Fajardo Jr., Matt Herms
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Length: 32 pages
Price: $3.99 US
Release date: Sept. 9, 2026
UPC: 76194138905902011

DC Comics’ Gives Sinestro ‘Greatest’ Honor As Lanterns Ramps Up

Per the official synopsis of Green Lanterns Corps #20: “THE CORPS CAN’T CATCH A BREAK! In the aftermath of multiple conflicts, the Lanterns take advantage of some much-needed downtime. John and Katma go to Earth, Jo Mullein picks a fight with space bandits, and Jessica Cruz micromanages the remaining Lanterns on Oa as a mounting superpower gains a foothold in the galaxy.”

Believe it or not, but [Thaal] Sinestro has rejoined the Green Lantern Corps in the latest edition. Does this mean he can be trusted? Do that at your own peril, but seeing the duplicity of the character be fleshed out in both ways, via DC Comics and DC Studios, and simultaneously, adds to the events of Lanterns to make this easily one of the best times to be alive for Green Lantern fans.

While Sinestro coaches (read: manipulates) Hal Jordan in Lanterns as the single “greatest threat” he and John Stewart are facing, alongside the Manhunter, he’s ditched the Yellow in DC Comics to return to the Green.

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Ulrich Thomsen portrays Sinestro on Lanterns, and masterfully so. Already fully intwined in the plot of Season 1, and preparing for Season 2, Thomsen is having the time of his life bringing the character to HBO Max audiences.

“I’m ready to dig in,” Thomsen told TheWrap. “It’s a great world. It’s a great take on the Lanterns, I think. Bring it on. I’m ready. … I read the scripts and I read about him, Sinestro. I didn’t know so much about it, and I look at him, and I go, ‘Wow, Tthat guy would sell himself, the way he looks and all that.’”

He continued: “There’s so much more to explore, who he is. I mean just the name — Sinestro — right? I’m ready to get in there, man, for sure.”

The 8-episode first season of HBO Max will conclude on Oct. 4, 2026.