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Tom King is responsible for some of the most memorable DC Comics of the past decade. From the existential Mister Miracle to the cosmos-spanning Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, King has been the mind behind some of the most unique takes on the comic book page in recent memory. And as it turns out, he's also the catalyst for what promises to be one of the more unique takes in comic book media: HBO's Lanterns.

The story comes from a profile on King done by Variety. Touching on everything from the beginnings of his comics career to his time in the CIA, the profile recounts one night in 2022, when what is now DC Studios was just a series of ideas. Invited to studio head Peter Safran's house, King came bearing copies of Woman of Tomorrow for both Safran and co-lead James Gunn, an event that undeniably shaped the course of the cinematic DCU, as the book inspired this year's Supergirl. But King had more than just copies of his comics to hand out.

It was at this meeting that the idea for a "grounded murder mystery" starring Green Lanterns came to Gunn and Safran's attention, and according to Variety, it came out of a pitch by King himself. It would still be a while until the series was announced as part of the DCU's first slate of projects, but the way the above outlet tells it, that idea made such an impression on Gunn and Safran that it was greenlit that very night.

Fast forward to San Diego Comic Con this year, and the story of King's original pitch adds weight to his comments at the Hall H Lanterns panel, where he was an honored guest.

"Guys," he told the packed room, "I'm just a fucking nerd from Southern California. I used to come to this con as a kid, wait in line for this hall. I started my career hand-selling my little mini comic books on the other side of that wall, begging people to please buy two copies. The honor to be up here with these people presenting this fucking amazing, nerdy, superhero blast of a show... I just want to say how grateful I am for you people, for you nerds, for fucking showing up and being here."

Well we're grateful for you too, Tom. Though we can't speak for the SDCC censors this year.

Lanterns debuts on HBO Max August 16. 

Enjoy our guides to how to watch the recent DCEU, the Arrowverse, and James Gunn's upcoming DCU. Oh, and don't forget our guide to what's coming up for DC projects on the big and small screens.