Lanterns episode 1 makes an incredibly bold storytelling choice that I didn't see coming — and now I've got a wild theory about one of the new HBO Max show's dual timelines

Lanterns has finally premiered on HBO Max — and, in a move reminiscent of Invincible 's first-ever episode on Prime Video, the new DC Universe (DCU) TV show wastes no time in delivering an almighty shock in its first chapter.

Indeed, the sci-fi show's premiere, titled 'Pilot', ends with a moment that'll completely stun viewers and likely upset DC comic book fanatics.

I'm about to dig into the biggest talking point from Lanterns ' debut episode, so consider this your one and only warning: full spoilers immediately follow after the poll below.

Turn back now if you haven't seen 'Pilot' yet, or else.

Is Kyle Chandler's Hal Jordan really dead in Lanterns? Green Lantern fans and DC purists are going to have a lot to say about this... (Image credit: John Johnson/HBO Max) It certainly seems that way.

Of course, this could be a massive fake out — after all, there are all manner of shapeshifting alien species that can impersonate humans in DC Comics, so it's possible that this is the case here.

Nonetheless, I believe that Chandler's Jordan has taken his last breath in the DCU.

Okay, but how did we get here? For starters, this season's premiere wasn't shy about teasing Jordan's demise.

Indeed, minutes before his death, which takes place during the show's 2026 storyline, is shown, Jordan, Aaron Pierre's John Stewart, and Kelly Macdonald's Sheriff Kerry Kane survive an attack from a suicidal bomber at Rushville's police station.

This incident, which happens as part of Lanterns' 2016 storyline, is caused by an alien masquerading as a human truck driver called Waylon Sanders.

As the unidentified extraterrestrial reveals, their skeleton is retrofitted with a biometric neutron device that they can activate with a single thought.

Hal Jordan interrogates Waylon Sanders, who the former correctly identifies as an alien (Image credit: John Johnson/HBO Max) Prior to detonating the explosive gadget, Sanders goads Jordan over the latter's fearless nature, which Sanders interprets as Jordan wanting someone or something to kill him.

In that respect, then, the DCU Chapter One series telegraphs his death before it happens.

Rather than bump off Jordan in 2016, though, Lanterns withholds his passing until a decade later.