Green Lantern: The Blackest Night
Encyclopedia
"Blackest Night" is a 2009–2010 American comic book
crossover
storyline published by DC Comics
, consisting of an eponymous, central miniseries written by Geoff Johns
and penciled by Ivan Reis
, as well as a number of tie-in books. "Blackest Night" involves Nekron
, a personified
force of death resurrecting deceased superheroes and seeking to eliminate all life and emotion from the universe. Geoff Johns has identified the series' central theme as "emotion." The crossover was published for eight months via a limited series
, as well as in both the Green Lantern
and Green Lantern Corps
comic titles. Various other limited series and tie-in
s were published, including an audio drama from Darker Projects.
The storyline was first mentioned at the conclusion of the "Sinestro Corps War
" in Green Lantern vol. 4, #25. As the war between the Green Lantern and Sinestro Corps reaches its climax, the four Green Lanterns of Earth (Hal Jordan
, Guy Gardner
, John Stewart
, and Kyle Rayner
) are told by the Guardians Ganthet
and Sayd
of the "Blackest Night" prophecy. According to the prophecy, the two existing Corps would be joined by five new ones, each driven by a specific emotion and empowered by a specific color of the emotional spectrum, leading to a "War of Light" that would subsequently destroy the universe. Johns says the prophecy has its origins in the story "Tygers" by Alan Moore
, which touches on the rising up of the Guardians' enemies, like the Weaponers of Qward, Ranx the Sentient City
, and the Children of the White Lobe, and the destruction of the Green Lanterns, showing Sodam Yat
and Mogo
dying. Atrocitus
, however, denies the accuracy of this prophecy, suggesting that it blended the Blackest Night and the Sinestro Corps War with pure falsehood.
Johns later revealed that Nekron
was the leader of the Black Lantern Corps
in an interview with IGN
, though he originally intended to keep that plot element a secret. Commenting on selecting the character as the "mastermind" behind his event, Johns provided the following explanation:
The teaser for the storyline stated that "...the armies of fear and willpower must come together, because across the Universe, the dead will rise." A hand was shown coming out of the ground with a black ring on its finger. The symbol on the ring is of Green Lantern villain Black Hand
. Both Geoff Johns
and Ethan Van Sciver
have stated that "Blackest Night" is the third part of a Green Lantern event trilogy that began with Rebirth
and continued with "Sinestro Corps War". In an interview with IGN, Johns stated that he has the monthly Green Lantern book plotted up until issue #55. More details for the event were revealed in DC Universe #0, which depicted Green Lantern villain Black Hand
discovering the black power battery on the planet of Ryut.
Blackest Night #0 was released on Free Comic Book Day
2009, and portrayed a series of events directly leading into Blackest Night #1. The standalone self-titled miniseries consists of the Free Comic Book Day issue and eight monthly issues. Tie-ins include issues of both Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps starting with the issues #43 and #38; and a handful of 3 issue limited series such as Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps, Blackest Night: Superman, Blackest Night: Batman, Blackest Night: Titans, Blackest Night: Wonder Woman, Blackest Night: Flash, and Blackest Night: JSA. Ethan Van Sciver had planned to work on the opening book as he did in the Sinestro Corps War, but because of his work on The Flash: Rebirth
miniseries he was not able to complete both effectively. However, he still created many of the designs for this storyline along with Ivan Reis.
s is depicted in an unknown region of space (the colors of the spectrum shown in the background). The asteroids which apparently are from the remains of the planet Xanshi, are shattered and a huge number of black power rings come through them.
, Black Hand
removes a skull from Bruce Wayne's grave and carries it around with him as a Black Lantern power battery begins to charge.
The Guardians of Oa
observe the War of Light and realize that Ganthet
and Sayd
have been right but are kept from intervening by Scar, who swiftly kills one and imprisons the rest. Thousands of black rings assault the Corps' crypt, creating a Black Lantern Corps
as Hal Jordan
and the newly revived Flash investigate Bruce Wayne's grave and are attacked by Black Lantern Martian Manhunter
. On Oa, the Green Lanterns are met by all of the formerly deceased Lanterns now reborn as Black Lanterns
. Hawkgirl and Hawkman are killed by Black Lanterns Elongated Man
and Sue Dibny
and also join the growing Black Corps.
The Atom is tricked by Black Lantern Hawkman into visiting him and Deadman
is one of the first to realize the dead are not their true selves when his physical body revives as a Black Lantern while he is still free. Aquaman
and his Black Lantern family attack Mera
, who flees. A black ring strikes the Spectre
, binding the spirit while reviving Crispus Allen
as a Black Lantern. The rings are revealed to be unable to revive dead who are at peace, such as Don Hall
, even as Hank
rises. In Gotham, Flash and Hal Jordan are confronted by several Black Lanterns including Ronald Raymond.
Hal and Flash battle the Black Lanterns with Atom when the Indigo Tribe
appears, and use their Indigo power with other rings to obliterate the Black Lantern Dibnys. Mera finds the new (still human) Firestorm and Gehenna, who merge to create a new Firestorm. Indigo says that all of the Lantern Corps must unite to truly defeat the Black one. The Indigo Tribe departs with Hal and leaves the other heroes to fight off the invading Black Lanterns, and Black Lantern Firestorm separates the Gehenna and Jason and uses his abilities to kill Gehenna and absorb Jason's conscience into his head. Black rings revive the villains whose remains have been in storage inside the Hall of Justice
.
Mera and Flash flee the Black Lanterns using Atom's powers to escape through a phoneline. Flash leaves to give all the heroes nationwide the key to defeating the evil Lanterns (merging lights with a Green Ring) while the Atom and Mera and the Justice Society of America
battle many Lanterns together. Jean Loring kills and causes Damage
to revive as a Lantern and fully empower the Black Lantern power battery. Barry arrives in Coast City
, where Scar has teleported in with the Black Central Power Battery. Black Hand then summons Nekron
, who revives the residents of Coast City.
The JLA, the Titans, Wally West
, and Bart Allen
fight the Coast City Black Lanterns. Dove is revealed to be able to destroy Black Lanterns with her presence. Hal and various Lantern Corps significant members (Larfleeze
, Atrocitus
, Sinestro
, Carol Ferris
, Saint Walker
, Indigo-1
, Ganthet
, and Sayd
) return to Earth and attack Scar while she is attacking Wally West. Nekron has Batman's corpse (later revealed to not be Bruce at all, but a clone) briefly reanimated to gain a necessary connection and sends rings to many heroes (Superman
, Wonder Woman
, Superboy
, Green Arrow
, Kid Flash
, Donna Troy
, Ice
, and Animal Man
), previously killed and revived thanks solely to Nekron, into yet more Black Lantern members as Hal and Barry try to outrace their rings.
Allen time-travels himself and Jordan two seconds into the future and disable their rings. Mera and the Atom arrive. John Stewart
warns Hal that every Black Lantern in the universe is heading for Earth. Jordan says they need the entire seven Corps to unite to produce White Light.
While they summon the seven Corps to Earth, Ganthet duplicates the seven colored rings present and deputizes certain non-Corps members: Ganthet as Green, Barry as Blue, Mera as Red, Lex Luthor
as Orange, Scarecrow
as Yellow, Atom as Indigo, and Wonder Woman as Violet (separating her from her Black Ring).
The Corps Leaders and deputies fight Nekron but cannot stop him, partly due to Luthor becoming overwhelmed by the Orange light of avarice. John Stewart is trying to stop the horde of Black Lanterns when the combined Six Corps arrive to join together and battle the Black Lanterns. In Coast City, Dove tries to get at the Black Lantern Battery but is forced back as a being from within the battery tries to get out.
Nekron kills a Guardian and uses his blood to cause a cocoon to emerge. Ganthet reveals that this is the White Light Entity that triggered existence. He then reveals that life in the universe actually began on Earth, a lie the Guardians upheld to protect the Entity and justify their power. Nekron stabs the Entity, causing living beings across the universe to feel pain and leading Sinestro's anger at Abin Sur
losing his life to stab Ganthet.
Hal realizes the Entity is like Parallax
and Ion and in need of a guiding "pilot", and tries to merge with it, but is blocked by Sinestro (angry that Hal recently reused Parallax, who Sinestro feels he deserves) who demands the Entity's power. He emerges as he is told "Thaal Sinestro of Korugar. Destiny awaits".
Sinestro is promptly killed by Nekron
, but the White Ring revives him. Sinestro retaliates and kills Nekron, but his scythe is picked up by a Black Lantern human who becomes Nekron and says "death cannot be stopped"; Ganthet notes that Sinestro cannot properly control the Entity as it is being powered by Sinestro's ego rather than his will to live.
The united Lantern Corps attack Nekron while Deadman possesses Guy Gardner and explains that Black Hand is Nekron's tether and that he must be revived to defeat Nekron. Nekron separates Sinestro from the Entity as Hal says Nekron opened the door to death but it was the decision of the heroes to live. Hal merges with the Entity and transforms himself and the Black Lantern heroes into a White Lantern Corps, who restore Black Hand to life; this causes Hand to regurgitate a White Ring which revives the trapped (in the Black Lantern Battery) Anti-Monitor
. Nekron briefly fights the Anti-Monitor and banishes him to his home in Qward, the Antimatter universe.
Black Hand begins regurgitating a cluster of white rings that destroy Nekron. The rings bring only twelve Black Lanterns back to life: Maxwell Lord
, Professor Zoom
, Jade
, Hawk
, Captain Boomerang
, Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond), the Martian Manhunter
, Aquaman
, Hawkman
, Hawkgirl
, Deadman
, and Osiris
.
Upon seeing Aquaman alive, Mera's love causes her ring to depart, sending her into cardiac arrest
without the ring's support. Star Sapphire and Saint Walker join their powers together to restore her to normal and Aquaman and Mera share a joyful reunion. Hawkgirl recalls her past lives and removes her helmet to reveal that she is once again Shiera Hall and embraces Hawkman. Superman expresses his happiness that J'onn has returned while Firestorm forcibly separates into Ronald Raymond and Jason, the latter upset over Ronnie having killed his girlfriend.
As Mera comforts Jason, Ronnie is confused and asks Atom what is happening and where Professor Stein is. Guy, mind-controlled by Lord, lets him escape. Jade kisses Kyle, unaware he is in love with fellow Green Lantern Soranik Natu
. Osiris, confused, states that he wants to return home, as Superboy and Kid Flash (who only knows him by name) try to figure out who he is.
After Professor Zoom flees, Flash knocks out Captain Boomerang. Barry notes that Ralph and Sue Dibny are not among the revived. Boston Brand
, the only one of the resurrected still wearing a White Ring, is stunned to realize he is alive and something is wrong. Larfleeze returns an unconscious Lex Luthor (stripped of his ring), briefly realizing that he's given something away, and demands Sayd to honor her debt to him.
Ganthet protests but Sayd tells him it's all right and believes she can help Larfleeze somehow. She then says that there is much to discuss about the future of all of the Lantern Corps. Saint Walker then notices that the Indigo Tribe is missing as well as Black Hand. On the Indigo home world, the missing Black Hand is now a member and prisoner of the Indigo Tribe, chained to an indigo power staff.
Hal and Barry realize the Black Lantern Batman
being a fake means that Bruce Wayne is still alive somewhere. Barry wonders what became of the Entity and Hal says it is still out there, urging them all to move on past the events of the Blackest Night to the future.
Elsewhere, on a distant road, a White Power Battery
is found in a crater.
" reality, the Blackest Night came to pass earlier than expected when Atrocitus
succeeded in killing William Hand
, unleashing Nekron
in the Universe. Where Nekron and his Black Lanterns waged war, is left unknown, the Guardians of the Universe
are shown fighting the Black Lanterns
and the Manhunters at the same time.
, a 26-issue bi-weekly comic book written by Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi
.
Also in Action Comics
will see a story arc with Lex Luthor as he starts a universal quest to locate the energy of the Black Lantern Corps
, after being infused with the Orange Light of Avarice
.
:
gave the first and third issues in the series 5 out of 5 stars
, and the second received 4.5 stars. IGN
also reviewed the series favorably, rating the first three individual issues between 8.7 and 9.3 out of a possible 10.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
crossover
Fictional crossover
A fictional crossover is the placement of two or more otherwise discrete fictional characters, settings, or universes into the context of a single story. They can arise from legal agreements between the relevant copyright holders, or because of unauthorized efforts by fans, or even amid common...
storyline published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
, consisting of an eponymous, central miniseries written by Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, where he has been Chief Creative Officer since February 2010, in particular for characters such as Green Lantern, The Flash and Superman...
and penciled by Ivan Reis
Ivan Reis
Ivan Reis , born 1976 in São Paulo, is a Brazilian comic book artist. He is known for his work on books such as Marvel Comics' Captain Marvel, and DC Comics' Green Lantern books...
, as well as a number of tie-in books. "Blackest Night" involves Nekron
Nekron
Nekron is a comic book supervillain appearing in books published by DC Comics, specifically those related to Green Lantern. Created by Mike W. Barr, Len Wein and Joe Staton, the character, who exists as an embodiment of Death, first appeared in Tales of the Green Lantern Corps #2...
, a personified
Death (personification)
The concept of death as a sentient entity has existed in many societies since the beginning of history. In English, Death is often given the name Grim Reaper and, from the 15th century onwards, came to be shown as a skeletal figure carrying a large scythe and clothed in a black cloak with a hood...
force of death resurrecting deceased superheroes and seeking to eliminate all life and emotion from the universe. Geoff Johns has identified the series' central theme as "emotion." The crossover was published for eight months via a limited series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
, as well as in both the Green Lantern
Green Lantern (comic book)
Green Lantern is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics heroes of the same name. The character's first incarnation, Alan Scott, appeared in All-American Comics #16, and was later spun off into the first volume of Green Lantern in 1941. That series was canceled in 1949 after 39 issues...
and Green Lantern Corps
Green Lantern Corps
The Green Lantern Corps is the name of a fictional intergalactic military/police force appearing in comics published by DC Comics. They patrol the farthest reaches of the DC Universe at the behest of the Guardians, a race of immortals residing on the planet Oa...
comic titles. Various other limited series and tie-in
Tie-in
A tie-in is an authorized product based on a media property a company is releasing, such as a movie or video/DVD, computer game, video game, television program/television series, board game, web site, role-playing game or literary property...
s were published, including an audio drama from Darker Projects.
Background
Sinestro Corps War
"Sinestro Corps War" is an American comic book crossover event published by DC Comics in its Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps titles. Written by Geoff Johns and Dave Gibbons and drawn by Ivan Reis, Patrick Gleason, and Ethan Van Sciver, the 11-part saga was originally published between June...
" in Green Lantern vol. 4, #25. As the war between the Green Lantern and Sinestro Corps reaches its climax, the four Green Lanterns of Earth (Hal Jordan
Hal Jordan
Harold "Hal" Jordan is a DC Comics superhero known as Green Lantern, the first human shown to join the Green Lantern Corps and a founding member of the Justice League of America. Jordan is the second DC Comics character to adopt the Green Lantern moniker...
, Guy Gardner
Guy Gardner (comics)
Guy Gardner is a fictional character, a comic book superhero published by DC Comics. He is a core member of the Green Lantern family of characters, and for a time was also a significant member of the Justice League family of characters.He was created by John Broome and Gil Kane in Green Lantern...
, John Stewart
John Stewart (comics)
John Stewart is a fictional character, a comic book superhero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Green Lantern vol. 2, #87 , and was created by Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams.-Publication history:...
, and Kyle Rayner
Kyle Rayner
Kyle Rayner is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in books published by DC Comics, usually in those starring the Green Lantern Corps, an extraterrestrial police force of which Rayner is a member. Created by writer Ron Marz and artist Darryl Banks, Rayner first appeared in Green Lantern vol...
) are told by the Guardians Ganthet
Ganthet
Ganthet is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in the 1992 graphic novel Green Lantern: Ganthet's Tale , by Larry Niven and John Byrne.- Background :Ganthet is one of the Guardians of the Universe...
and Sayd
Sayd
Sayd is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. She is now an exiled member of the Guardians of the Universe. Where most of the Guardians are void of emotion and rigid in their compliance to standard policy, Sayd's sensibilities are more in line with those of Ganthet, a Guardian known for...
of the "Blackest Night" prophecy. According to the prophecy, the two existing Corps would be joined by five new ones, each driven by a specific emotion and empowered by a specific color of the emotional spectrum, leading to a "War of Light" that would subsequently destroy the universe. Johns says the prophecy has its origins in the story "Tygers" by Alan Moore
Alan Moore
Alan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
, which touches on the rising up of the Guardians' enemies, like the Weaponers of Qward, Ranx the Sentient City
Ranx the Sentient City
Ranx the Sentient City is a fictional character, a supervillain in the DC Comics universe. It first appeared in the short story "Tygers", written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Kevin O'Neill, in Tales of the Green Lantern Corps Annual #2 ....
, and the Children of the White Lobe, and the destruction of the Green Lanterns, showing Sodam Yat
Sodam Yat
Sodam Yat is a fictional character, an extraterrestrial superhero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Tales of the Green Lantern Corps Annual #2 , and was created by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill...
and Mogo
Mogo
Mogo is a fictional character and planet in the DC Universe, a member of the Green Lantern Corps. It first appeared in Green Lantern vol. 2 #188 , in a story titled "Mogo Doesn't Socialize." Mogo was created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons....
dying. Atrocitus
Atrocitus
Atrocitus is a fictional character, an alien supervillain in the DC Comics Universe. Created by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver, Atrocitus is an enemy of the Guardians of the Universe and Sinestro, their former Green Lantern. He first appears in Green Lantern vol...
, however, denies the accuracy of this prophecy, suggesting that it blended the Blackest Night and the Sinestro Corps War with pure falsehood.
Johns later revealed that Nekron
Nekron
Nekron is a comic book supervillain appearing in books published by DC Comics, specifically those related to Green Lantern. Created by Mike W. Barr, Len Wein and Joe Staton, the character, who exists as an embodiment of Death, first appeared in Tales of the Green Lantern Corps #2...
was the leader of the Black Lantern Corps
Black Lantern Corps
The Black Lantern Corps is a fictional organization of revenants appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The group is composed of deceased fictional characters that seek to eliminate all life from the DC Universe.-Publication history:...
in an interview with IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
, though he originally intended to keep that plot element a secret. Commenting on selecting the character as the "mastermind" behind his event, Johns provided the following explanation:
The teaser for the storyline stated that "...the armies of fear and willpower must come together, because across the Universe, the dead will rise." A hand was shown coming out of the ground with a black ring on its finger. The symbol on the ring is of Green Lantern villain Black Hand
Black Hand (comics)
Black Hand is a DC Comics supervillain and a recurring foe to Green Lantern. He first appeared in Green Lantern #29 and was created by John Broome and Gil Kane...
. Both Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, where he has been Chief Creative Officer since February 2010, in particular for characters such as Green Lantern, The Flash and Superman...
and Ethan Van Sciver
Ethan Van Sciver
Ethan Daniel Van Sciver is an American comic book artist, best known for illustrating a number of titles including Green Lantern, Superman/Batman, New X-Men, and The Flash: Rebirth...
have stated that "Blackest Night" is the third part of a Green Lantern event trilogy that began with Rebirth
Green Lantern: Rebirth
Green Lantern: Rebirth was a six-issue monthly American comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Ethan Van Sciver...
and continued with "Sinestro Corps War". In an interview with IGN, Johns stated that he has the monthly Green Lantern book plotted up until issue #55. More details for the event were revealed in DC Universe #0, which depicted Green Lantern villain Black Hand
Black Hand (comics)
Black Hand is a DC Comics supervillain and a recurring foe to Green Lantern. He first appeared in Green Lantern #29 and was created by John Broome and Gil Kane...
discovering the black power battery on the planet of Ryut.
Blackest Night #0 was released on Free Comic Book Day
Free Comic Book Day
Free Comic Book Day is an annual promotional effort by the North American comic book industry to help bring new readers into independent comic book stores. Retailer Joe Field of in Concord, CA brainstormed the event in his "Big Picture" column in the August 2001 issue of Comics & Games Retailer...
2009, and portrayed a series of events directly leading into Blackest Night #1. The standalone self-titled miniseries consists of the Free Comic Book Day issue and eight monthly issues. Tie-ins include issues of both Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps starting with the issues #43 and #38; and a handful of 3 issue limited series such as Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps, Blackest Night: Superman, Blackest Night: Batman, Blackest Night: Titans, Blackest Night: Wonder Woman, Blackest Night: Flash, and Blackest Night: JSA. Ethan Van Sciver had planned to work on the opening book as he did in the Sinestro Corps War, but because of his work on The Flash: Rebirth
The Flash: Rebirth
The Flash: Rebirth is a six issue monthly American comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Ethan Van Sciver. Published by DC Comics, the series features characters from throughout the nearly seventy year history of Flash comics. This is the creative team's second...
miniseries he was not able to complete both effectively. However, he still created many of the designs for this storyline along with Ivan Reis.
Prelude
Green Lanterns Ash and Saarek find the Black Central Power Battery at a reportedly classified location within Sector 666. After touching the battery, Saarek reports that their presence has awoken something. The two are killed when two monstrous hands emerge from below them to the sound of the battery calling: "flesh." In Green Lantern Corps, a field of asteroidAsteroid
Asteroids are a class of small Solar System bodies in orbit around the Sun. They have also been called planetoids, especially the larger ones...
s is depicted in an unknown region of space (the colors of the spectrum shown in the background). The asteroids which apparently are from the remains of the planet Xanshi, are shattered and a huge number of black power rings come through them.
Central storyline
In Gotham CityGotham City
Gotham City is a fictional U.S. city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 . Gotham City is strongly inspired by Trenton, Ontario's history, location, atmosphere, and various architectural styles...
, Black Hand
Black Hand (comics)
Black Hand is a DC Comics supervillain and a recurring foe to Green Lantern. He first appeared in Green Lantern #29 and was created by John Broome and Gil Kane...
removes a skull from Bruce Wayne's grave and carries it around with him as a Black Lantern power battery begins to charge.
The Guardians of Oa
Oa
Oa is a fictional planet that lies at the center of the DC Comics universe. Since its inception, Oa has been the planetary citadel of the Guardians of the Universe and the headquarters of the Green Lantern Corps...
observe the War of Light and realize that Ganthet
Ganthet
Ganthet is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in the 1992 graphic novel Green Lantern: Ganthet's Tale , by Larry Niven and John Byrne.- Background :Ganthet is one of the Guardians of the Universe...
and Sayd
Sayd
Sayd is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. She is now an exiled member of the Guardians of the Universe. Where most of the Guardians are void of emotion and rigid in their compliance to standard policy, Sayd's sensibilities are more in line with those of Ganthet, a Guardian known for...
have been right but are kept from intervening by Scar, who swiftly kills one and imprisons the rest. Thousands of black rings assault the Corps' crypt, creating a Black Lantern Corps
Black Lantern Corps
The Black Lantern Corps is a fictional organization of revenants appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The group is composed of deceased fictional characters that seek to eliminate all life from the DC Universe.-Publication history:...
as Hal Jordan
Hal Jordan
Harold "Hal" Jordan is a DC Comics superhero known as Green Lantern, the first human shown to join the Green Lantern Corps and a founding member of the Justice League of America. Jordan is the second DC Comics character to adopt the Green Lantern moniker...
and the newly revived Flash investigate Bruce Wayne's grave and are attacked by Black Lantern Martian Manhunter
Martian Manhunter
The Martian Manhunter is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in publications published by DC Comics. Created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #225...
. On Oa, the Green Lanterns are met by all of the formerly deceased Lanterns now reborn as Black Lanterns
Black Lantern Corps
The Black Lantern Corps is a fictional organization of revenants appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The group is composed of deceased fictional characters that seek to eliminate all life from the DC Universe.-Publication history:...
. Hawkgirl and Hawkman are killed by Black Lanterns Elongated Man
Elongated Man
The Elongated Man is a fictional comic book superhero in the DC universe. He is a reserve member of the Justice League. His first appearance was in The Flash vol. 1, #112...
and Sue Dibny
Sue Dibny
Susan "Sue" Dearbon Dibny is a fictional character from DC Comics associated with the Elongated Man. Created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino, the character first appeared in Flash vol. 1 #119...
and also join the growing Black Corps.
The Atom is tricked by Black Lantern Hawkman into visiting him and Deadman
Deadman
Deadman is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in Strange Adventures #205 , and was created by Arnold Drake and Carmine Infantino.-Publication history:...
is one of the first to realize the dead are not their true selves when his physical body revives as a Black Lantern while he is still free. Aquaman
Aquaman
Aquaman is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, the character debuted in More Fun Comics #73 . Initially a backup feature in DC's anthology titles, Aquaman later starred in several volumes of a solo title...
and his Black Lantern family attack Mera
Mera (comics)
Mera is a fictional undersea queen that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. She first appeared in Aquaman #11 , and was created by Jack Miller and Nick Cardy.-Publication history:...
, who flees. A black ring strikes the Spectre
Spectre (comics)
The Spectre is a fictional character and superhero who has appeared in numerous comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in a next issue ad in More Fun Comics #51 and received his first story the following month, #52...
, binding the spirit while reviving Crispus Allen
Crispus Allen
Crispus Allen is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. Greg Rucka and Shawn Martinbrough created the character in Detective Comics #742 . Allen later went on to be one of the main characters in Gotham Central...
as a Black Lantern. The rings are revealed to be unable to revive dead who are at peace, such as Don Hall
Hawk and Dove
Hawk and Dove is the moniker given to two superheroes when they team up to fight crime. Hawk and Dove describes each character's attitude or approach to fighting crime. The hawk represents aggression, and the dove representing pacifism.-Hank and Don Hall:...
, even as Hank
Hank Hall
Hank Hall is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe who first appeared in Showcase #75 as Hawk of Hawk and Dove. He later became the supervillain Monarch in the crossover event limited series Armageddon 2001...
rises. In Gotham, Flash and Hal Jordan are confronted by several Black Lanterns including Ronald Raymond.
Hal and Flash battle the Black Lanterns with Atom when the Indigo Tribe
Indigo Tribe
The Indigo Tribe is a fictional organization appearing in comics published by DC Comics. They debuted in Green Lantern vol. 4 #25 and were created by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver.-Fictional group history:...
appears, and use their Indigo power with other rings to obliterate the Black Lantern Dibnys. Mera finds the new (still human) Firestorm and Gehenna, who merge to create a new Firestorm. Indigo says that all of the Lantern Corps must unite to truly defeat the Black one. The Indigo Tribe departs with Hal and leaves the other heroes to fight off the invading Black Lanterns, and Black Lantern Firestorm separates the Gehenna and Jason and uses his abilities to kill Gehenna and absorb Jason's conscience into his head. Black rings revive the villains whose remains have been in storage inside the Hall of Justice
Hall of Justice
A Hall of Justice is an occasional term for a city's police headquarters, and exists in cities across the United States. In some cases, the facility may also house courts as well as jails...
.
Mera and Flash flee the Black Lanterns using Atom's powers to escape through a phoneline. Flash leaves to give all the heroes nationwide the key to defeating the evil Lanterns (merging lights with a Green Ring) while the Atom and Mera and the Justice Society of America
Justice Society of America
The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. Conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox, the JSA first appeared in All Star Comics #3 ....
battle many Lanterns together. Jean Loring kills and causes Damage
Damage (comics)
Damage is a DC Comics superhero who first appeared in a comic book of the same name during the Zero Hour crisis. He is the son of the original Atom Al Pratt. He has been a member of the Titans, the Freedom Fighters, and Justice Society of America....
to revive as a Lantern and fully empower the Black Lantern power battery. Barry arrives in Coast City
Coast City
Coast City is a fictional city created by John Broome and Gil Kane that appears in stories published by DC Comics. It is depicted most often as the home of the Silver Age version of the superhero Green Lantern, Hal Jordan.-Fictional history:...
, where Scar has teleported in with the Black Central Power Battery. Black Hand then summons Nekron
Nekron
Nekron is a comic book supervillain appearing in books published by DC Comics, specifically those related to Green Lantern. Created by Mike W. Barr, Len Wein and Joe Staton, the character, who exists as an embodiment of Death, first appeared in Tales of the Green Lantern Corps #2...
, who revives the residents of Coast City.
The JLA, the Titans, Wally West
Wally West
The Flash is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. He is the first Kid Flash and the third Flash....
, and Bart Allen
Bart Allen
Bartholomew "Bart" Allen is a superhero in the . Allen first appeared as the superhero Impulse. He would later go on to become the second Kid Flash and the fourth Flash. Allen's first cameo appearance was in The Flash #91, while his first full appearance was in issue #92...
fight the Coast City Black Lanterns. Dove is revealed to be able to destroy Black Lanterns with her presence. Hal and various Lantern Corps significant members (Larfleeze
Larfleeze
Agent Orange is a fictional character owned by DC Comics. He is the primary wielder of the Orange light of avarice...
, Atrocitus
Atrocitus
Atrocitus is a fictional character, an alien supervillain in the DC Comics Universe. Created by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver, Atrocitus is an enemy of the Guardians of the Universe and Sinestro, their former Green Lantern. He first appears in Green Lantern vol...
, Sinestro
Sinestro
Thaal Sinestro is a fictional character, an alien supervillain in the DC Comics Universe. Created by John Broome and Gil Kane, Sinestro is the former mentor of Hal Jordan and the arch-nemesis of the entire Green Lantern Corps. Sinestro first appears in Green Lantern #7 . In 2009, Sinestro was...
, Carol Ferris
Carol Ferris
Caroline "Carol" Ferris is a character in the . She is one of many characters who has used the name Star Sapphire, and is a long-time love interest of Hal Jordan, the Silver Age Green Lantern. Her original design was based on Elizabeth Taylor...
, Saint Walker
Blue Lantern Corps
The Blue Lantern Corps is an organization appearing in comics published by DC Comics. They debuted in Green Lantern vol. 4 #25 and were created by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver.-Fictional group history:...
, Indigo-1
Indigo Tribe
The Indigo Tribe is a fictional organization appearing in comics published by DC Comics. They debuted in Green Lantern vol. 4 #25 and were created by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver.-Fictional group history:...
, Ganthet
Ganthet
Ganthet is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in the 1992 graphic novel Green Lantern: Ganthet's Tale , by Larry Niven and John Byrne.- Background :Ganthet is one of the Guardians of the Universe...
, and Sayd
Sayd
Sayd is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. She is now an exiled member of the Guardians of the Universe. Where most of the Guardians are void of emotion and rigid in their compliance to standard policy, Sayd's sensibilities are more in line with those of Ganthet, a Guardian known for...
) return to Earth and attack Scar while she is attacking Wally West. Nekron has Batman's corpse (later revealed to not be Bruce at all, but a clone) briefly reanimated to gain a necessary connection and sends rings to many heroes (Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
, Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
, Superboy
Superboy (Kon-El)
Superboy is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. A modern update of the original Superboy, who is a younger version of Superman, the character first appeared in Adventures of Superman #500 , and was created by writer Karl Kesel and artist Tom Grummett.Originally...
, Green Arrow
Green Arrow
Green Arrow is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941. His secret identity is Oliver Queen, billionaire and former mayor of fictional Star City...
, Kid Flash
Bart Allen
Bartholomew "Bart" Allen is a superhero in the . Allen first appeared as the superhero Impulse. He would later go on to become the second Kid Flash and the fourth Flash. Allen's first cameo appearance was in The Flash #91, while his first full appearance was in issue #92...
, Donna Troy
Donna Troy
Donna Troy is a comic book superheroine published by DC Comics. She first appeared in The Brave and the Bold vol. 1 #60 , and was created by Bob Haney and Bruno Premiani...
, Ice
Ice (comics)
Ice is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in publications from DC Comics. Created by Keith Giffen, J. M. DeMatteis, and Kevin Maguire, she first appeared in Justice League International #12 ....
, and Animal Man
Animal Man
Animal Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . As a result of being in proximity to an exploding extraterrestrial spaceship, Buddy Baker acquires the ability to temporarily “borrow” the abilities of animals...
), previously killed and revived thanks solely to Nekron, into yet more Black Lantern members as Hal and Barry try to outrace their rings.
Allen time-travels himself and Jordan two seconds into the future and disable their rings. Mera and the Atom arrive. John Stewart
John Stewart (comics)
John Stewart is a fictional character, a comic book superhero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Green Lantern vol. 2, #87 , and was created by Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams.-Publication history:...
warns Hal that every Black Lantern in the universe is heading for Earth. Jordan says they need the entire seven Corps to unite to produce White Light.
While they summon the seven Corps to Earth, Ganthet duplicates the seven colored rings present and deputizes certain non-Corps members: Ganthet as Green, Barry as Blue, Mera as Red, Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and the archenemy of Superman, although given his high status as a supervillain, he has also come into conflict with Batman and other superheroes in the DC Universe. Created by Jerry Siegel and...
as Orange, Scarecrow
Scarecrow (comics)
The Scarecrow is a fictional character, a supervillain, that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in World's Finest Comics #3 and was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane...
as Yellow, Atom as Indigo, and Wonder Woman as Violet (separating her from her Black Ring).
The Corps Leaders and deputies fight Nekron but cannot stop him, partly due to Luthor becoming overwhelmed by the Orange light of avarice. John Stewart is trying to stop the horde of Black Lanterns when the combined Six Corps arrive to join together and battle the Black Lanterns. In Coast City, Dove tries to get at the Black Lantern Battery but is forced back as a being from within the battery tries to get out.
Nekron kills a Guardian and uses his blood to cause a cocoon to emerge. Ganthet reveals that this is the White Light Entity that triggered existence. He then reveals that life in the universe actually began on Earth, a lie the Guardians upheld to protect the Entity and justify their power. Nekron stabs the Entity, causing living beings across the universe to feel pain and leading Sinestro's anger at Abin Sur
Abin Sur
Abin Sur is a fictional character and a superhero from the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in Showcase #22 : "SOS Green Lantern". He was a member of the Green Lantern Corps and is best known as the predecessor of Green Lantern Hal Jordan, whom Abin Sur's power ring chose as his replacement...
losing his life to stab Ganthet.
Hal realizes the Entity is like Parallax
Parallax (comics)
Parallax is a fictional comic book supervillain in the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Ron Marz and artist Darryl Banks for Green Lantern vol...
and Ion and in need of a guiding "pilot", and tries to merge with it, but is blocked by Sinestro (angry that Hal recently reused Parallax, who Sinestro feels he deserves) who demands the Entity's power. He emerges as he is told "Thaal Sinestro of Korugar. Destiny awaits".
Sinestro is promptly killed by Nekron
Nekron
Nekron is a comic book supervillain appearing in books published by DC Comics, specifically those related to Green Lantern. Created by Mike W. Barr, Len Wein and Joe Staton, the character, who exists as an embodiment of Death, first appeared in Tales of the Green Lantern Corps #2...
, but the White Ring revives him. Sinestro retaliates and kills Nekron, but his scythe is picked up by a Black Lantern human who becomes Nekron and says "death cannot be stopped"; Ganthet notes that Sinestro cannot properly control the Entity as it is being powered by Sinestro's ego rather than his will to live.
The united Lantern Corps attack Nekron while Deadman possesses Guy Gardner and explains that Black Hand is Nekron's tether and that he must be revived to defeat Nekron. Nekron separates Sinestro from the Entity as Hal says Nekron opened the door to death but it was the decision of the heroes to live. Hal merges with the Entity and transforms himself and the Black Lantern heroes into a White Lantern Corps, who restore Black Hand to life; this causes Hand to regurgitate a White Ring which revives the trapped (in the Black Lantern Battery) Anti-Monitor
Anti-Monitor
The Anti-Monitor is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain and the antagonist of the 1985 DC Comics miniseries Crisis on Infinite Earths. He first appeared in Crisis on Infinite Earths #2 , and was destroyed in Crisis on Infinite Earths #12, only to return after a long absence in Green...
. Nekron briefly fights the Anti-Monitor and banishes him to his home in Qward, the Antimatter universe.
Black Hand begins regurgitating a cluster of white rings that destroy Nekron. The rings bring only twelve Black Lanterns back to life: Maxwell Lord
Maxwell Lord
Maxwell Lord IV is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. He is a shrewd and powerful businessman who was very influential in the formation of the Justice League International in DC Comics.-Before the League:...
, Professor Zoom
Professor Zoom
Eobard Thawne, who has gone by the codenames "Professor Zoom" and "Reverse-Flash", is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain in the DC Universe. Thawne is the Arch enemy of the superhero Barry Allen, the second hero to be called the Flash...
, Jade
Jade (comics)
Jade is a fictional character, a superheroine in the . Known affectionately as "Jennie" or "Jen", she is the daughter of Alan Scott, the Golden Age Green Lantern. Her mother is Rose Canton, the Golden Age villain known as Thorn...
, Hawk
Hank Hall
Hank Hall is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe who first appeared in Showcase #75 as Hawk of Hawk and Dove. He later became the supervillain Monarch in the crossover event limited series Armageddon 2001...
, Captain Boomerang
Captain Boomerang
Captain Boomerang is a fictional character in the . A supervillain traditionally portrayed as an enemy of the Flash...
, Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond), the Martian Manhunter
Martian Manhunter
The Martian Manhunter is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in publications published by DC Comics. Created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #225...
, Aquaman
Aquaman
Aquaman is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, the character debuted in More Fun Comics #73 . Initially a backup feature in DC's anthology titles, Aquaman later starred in several volumes of a solo title...
, Hawkman
Hawkman
Hawkman is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Dennis Neville, the original Hawkman first appeared in Flash Comics #1, published by All-American Publications in 1940....
, Hawkgirl
Hawkgirl
Hawkgirl is the name of several female fictional superhero characters, all owned by DC Comics and existing in that company's universe. The character is one of the first costumed female superheroes...
, Deadman
Deadman
Deadman is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in Strange Adventures #205 , and was created by Arnold Drake and Carmine Infantino.-Publication history:...
, and Osiris
Osiris (DC Comics)
Osiris is the name of three fictional characters published by DC Comics. The first appeared in 1994 as a foil for the Justice League. The second appeared under the Vertigo Comics imprint in a spin-off of The Sandman in 2002. The third debuted in the pages of Teen Titans and 52 in 2006.-Publication...
.
Upon seeing Aquaman alive, Mera's love causes her ring to depart, sending her into cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest, is the cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively...
without the ring's support. Star Sapphire and Saint Walker join their powers together to restore her to normal and Aquaman and Mera share a joyful reunion. Hawkgirl recalls her past lives and removes her helmet to reveal that she is once again Shiera Hall and embraces Hawkman. Superman expresses his happiness that J'onn has returned while Firestorm forcibly separates into Ronald Raymond and Jason, the latter upset over Ronnie having killed his girlfriend.
As Mera comforts Jason, Ronnie is confused and asks Atom what is happening and where Professor Stein is. Guy, mind-controlled by Lord, lets him escape. Jade kisses Kyle, unaware he is in love with fellow Green Lantern Soranik Natu
Soranik Natu
Soranik Natu is a fictional character, a member of the Green Lantern Corps in the . She first appears in Green Lantern Corps: Recharge #1 , and was created by writers Geoff Johns, Dave Gibbons, and artist Patrick Gleason. Sora is an extraterrestrial from the planet Korugar...
. Osiris, confused, states that he wants to return home, as Superboy and Kid Flash (who only knows him by name) try to figure out who he is.
After Professor Zoom flees, Flash knocks out Captain Boomerang. Barry notes that Ralph and Sue Dibny are not among the revived. Boston Brand
Deadman
Deadman is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in Strange Adventures #205 , and was created by Arnold Drake and Carmine Infantino.-Publication history:...
, the only one of the resurrected still wearing a White Ring, is stunned to realize he is alive and something is wrong. Larfleeze returns an unconscious Lex Luthor (stripped of his ring), briefly realizing that he's given something away, and demands Sayd to honor her debt to him.
Ganthet protests but Sayd tells him it's all right and believes she can help Larfleeze somehow. She then says that there is much to discuss about the future of all of the Lantern Corps. Saint Walker then notices that the Indigo Tribe is missing as well as Black Hand. On the Indigo home world, the missing Black Hand is now a member and prisoner of the Indigo Tribe, chained to an indigo power staff.
Hal and Barry realize the Black Lantern Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
being a fake means that Bruce Wayne is still alive somewhere. Barry wonders what became of the Entity and Hal says it is still out there, urging them all to move on past the events of the Blackest Night to the future.
Elsewhere, on a distant road, a White Power Battery
White Lantern Corps
The White Lantern Corps is a fictional organization appearing in comics published by DC Comics.-History:The first White Lantern Corps member was created when Sinestro of Korugar bonded with The Entity, the embodiment of life itself...
is found in a crater.
Color corps
The colors are depicted in bold. For more details, see the emotional spectrum.- Red Lantern Corps (rage)Red Lantern CorpsThe Red Lantern Corps is a fictional organization appearing in comics published by DC Comics. They debuted in Green Lantern vol. 4 #25 and were created by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver...
- Agent Orange (avarice)LarfleezeAgent Orange is a fictional character owned by DC Comics. He is the primary wielder of the Orange light of avarice...
- Yellow: Sinestro Corps (fear)Sinestro CorpsThe Sinestro Corps is a group of fictional characters, a villainous analogue to the Green Lantern Corps in the DC Universe. It is led by the supervillain Thaal Sinestro.-Before the Corps:...
- Green Lantern Corps (will)Green Lantern CorpsThe Green Lantern Corps is the name of a fictional intergalactic military/police force appearing in comics published by DC Comics. They patrol the farthest reaches of the DC Universe at the behest of the Guardians, a race of immortals residing on the planet Oa...
- Blue Lantern Corps (hope)Blue Lantern CorpsThe Blue Lantern Corps is an organization appearing in comics published by DC Comics. They debuted in Green Lantern vol. 4 #25 and were created by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver.-Fictional group history:...
- Indigo Tribe (compassion)Indigo TribeThe Indigo Tribe is a fictional organization appearing in comics published by DC Comics. They debuted in Green Lantern vol. 4 #25 and were created by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver.-Fictional group history:...
- Violet: Star Sapphire (love)Star Sapphire (comics)Star Sapphire is the name of several supervillains in DC Comics, all connected in origin. Within DC continuity, an immortal race of warrior women were depicted as having the ancient tradition of choosing physically identical mortals from across the cosmos to serve as the host body for their queen....
- Black Lantern Corps (death)Black Lantern CorpsThe Black Lantern Corps is a fictional organization of revenants appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The group is composed of deceased fictional characters that seek to eliminate all life from the DC Universe.-Publication history:...
- White Lantern Corps (life)
Other versions
In the "FlashpointFlashpoint (comics)
Flashpoint is an American comic book crossover story arc published by DC Comics. Consisting of an eponymous core limited series and a number of tie-in titles, the storyline premiered in May 2011...
" reality, the Blackest Night came to pass earlier than expected when Atrocitus
Atrocitus
Atrocitus is a fictional character, an alien supervillain in the DC Comics Universe. Created by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver, Atrocitus is an enemy of the Guardians of the Universe and Sinestro, their former Green Lantern. He first appears in Green Lantern vol...
succeeded in killing William Hand
Black Hand (comics)
Black Hand is a DC Comics supervillain and a recurring foe to Green Lantern. He first appeared in Green Lantern #29 and was created by John Broome and Gil Kane...
, unleashing Nekron
Nekron
Nekron is a comic book supervillain appearing in books published by DC Comics, specifically those related to Green Lantern. Created by Mike W. Barr, Len Wein and Joe Staton, the character, who exists as an embodiment of Death, first appeared in Tales of the Green Lantern Corps #2...
in the Universe. Where Nekron and his Black Lanterns waged war, is left unknown, the Guardians of the Universe
Guardians of the Universe
The Guardians of the Universe, alternatively known as the Guardians or Oans are a fictional extraterrestrial race in the DC Comics universe. They first appeared in Green Lantern Vol. 2 #1 , and were created by John Broome and Gil Kane. Here they do not reveal their existence to Hal, bringing his...
are shown fighting the Black Lanterns
Black Lantern Corps
The Black Lantern Corps is a fictional organization of revenants appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The group is composed of deceased fictional characters that seek to eliminate all life from the DC Universe.-Publication history:...
and the Manhunters at the same time.
Brightest Day
DC announced in early January that following the end of Blackest Night they would launch Brightest DayBrightest Day
Brightest Day is a year-long comic book maxi-series that began in April 2010. The story follows the ending of the series Blackest Night and how the aftermath of these events affect the entire DC Universe.-Plot:...
, a 26-issue bi-weekly comic book written by Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi
Peter Tomasi
Peter J. Tomasi is an American comic book editor and writer, best known for his work for DC Comics. As an editor, he oversaw numerous books featuring the Justice League, including books starring various members of that team, such as Batman, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern and the Flash...
.
Also in Action Comics
Action Comics
Action Comics is an American comic book series that introduced Superman, the first major superhero character as the term is popularly defined...
will see a story arc with Lex Luthor as he starts a universal quest to locate the energy of the Black Lantern Corps
Black Lantern Corps
The Black Lantern Corps is a fictional organization of revenants appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The group is composed of deceased fictional characters that seek to eliminate all life from the DC Universe.-Publication history:...
, after being infused with the Orange Light of Avarice
Larfleeze
Agent Orange is a fictional character owned by DC Comics. He is the primary wielder of the Orange light of avarice...
.
Collected editions
The series and its tie-in books have been collected into a number of volumesTrade paperback (comics)
In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
:
- Blackest Night (collects Blackest Night #0–8, 304 pages, hardcover, July 2010, ISBN 1401226930; paperback, July 2011, ISBN 1401229530)
- Blackest Night: Green Lantern (collects Green LanternGreen Lantern (comic book)Green Lantern is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics heroes of the same name. The character's first incarnation, Alan Scott, appeared in All-American Comics #16, and was later spun off into the first volume of Green Lantern in 1941. That series was canceled in 1949 after 39 issues...
vol. 4 #43–52, 272 pages, hardcover, July 2010, ISBN 1401227864; paperback, July 2011, ISBN 1401229522) - Blackest Night: Green Lantern Corps (collects Green Lantern Corps vol. 2 #39–46, 264 pages, hardcover, July 2010, ISBN 1401227880; paperback, July 2011, ISBN 1401228054)
- Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps (collects Tales of the Corps #1–3 and stories from Green LanternGreen Lantern (comic book)Green Lantern is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics heroes of the same name. The character's first incarnation, Alan Scott, appeared in All-American Comics #16, and was later spun off into the first volume of Green Lantern in 1941. That series was canceled in 1949 after 39 issues...
vol. 4 #49 and Adventure ComicsAdventure ComicsAdventure Comics was a comic book series published by DC Comics from 1935 to 1983 and then revamped from 2009 to 2011. In its first era, the series ran for 503 issues , making it the fifth-longest-running DC series, behind Detective Comics, Action Comics, Superman, and Batman...
vol. 2 #4–5, 176 pages, hardcover, July 2010, ISBN 1401227902; paperback, August 2011, ISBN 1401228070) - Blackest Night: Black Lantern Corps Volume One (collects Blackest Night: Batman #1–3, Blackest Night: Superman #1–3, and Blackest Night: Titans #1–3; 256 pages, hardcover, July 2010, ISBN 1401227848; paperback, July 2011, ISBN 1401228046)
- Blackest Night: Black Lantern Corps Volume Two (collects Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #1–3, Blackest Night: JSA #1–3 and Blackest Night: The Flash #1–3, 240 pages, hardcover, July 2010, ISBN 1401227856; paperback, July 2011, ISBN 1401228038)
- Blackest Night: Rise of the Black Lanterns (collects The Atom and Hawkman #46, The Question #37, Phantom Stranger vol. 2 #42, Starman vol. 2 #81, The Power of Shazam! #48, Catwoman vol. 3 #83, Weird Western TalesWeird Western TalesWeird Western Tales is a Western genre comic book title published by DC Comics which ran from June-July 1972 to August 1980. It is perhaps best known for featuring the adventures of Jonah Hex until #38 when the character was promoted to his own eponymous series...
#71, Green Arrow vol. 4 #30, and Adventure ComicsAdventure ComicsAdventure Comics was a comic book series published by DC Comics from 1935 to 1983 and then revamped from 2009 to 2011. In its first era, the series ran for 503 issues , making it the fifth-longest-running DC series, behind Detective Comics, Action Comics, Superman, and Batman...
vol. 2 #7; 256 pages, hardcover, July 2010, ISBN 1401227899; paperback, August 2011, ISBN 1401228062)
Reception
The series has received generally positive reviews. Comic Book ResourcesComic Book Resources
Comic Book Resources, also known as CBR is a website dedicated to the coverage of comic book-related news and discussion.-History:Comic Book Resources was founded by Jonah Weiland in 1996 as a development of the Kingdom Come Message Board, a message forum that Weiland had created to discuss DC...
gave the first and third issues in the series 5 out of 5 stars
Star (classification)
Stars are often used as symbols for classification purposes. They are used by reviewers for ranking things such as movies, TV shows, restaurants, and hotels. For example, one to five stars is commonly employed to categorize hotels.-Restaurant ratings:...
, and the second received 4.5 stars. IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
also reviewed the series favorably, rating the first three individual issues between 8.7 and 9.3 out of a possible 10.
External links
- Blackest Night mini-site at DC Comics
- Blackest Night mini-site at IGNIGNIGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
- Blackest Night at the DC Database