Blackest Night by Geoff Johns
This is one of the latest crossover epics published by DC Comics. The dead heroes and villains of the DC Universe are brought back to life as Black Lanterns, thanks to the villain, Black Hand. Told in multiple volumes and graphic novel series, this event heralds the return of several superheroes, thought to be forever gone. The typical good vs. evil fight is presented in gory but not over the top detail. The Green Lanterns unite with the Red, Orange, Blue, Indigo, and Star Sapphires to create a White Lantern which attempts to destroy the evil havok created by the millions of Black Lanterns from all over the universe.
Here are the Graphic Novels in this series as of now:
Blackest Night
Blackest Night: Green Lantern
Blackest Night: Green Lantern Corps
Blackest Night: Black Lantern Corps Vol 1 & 2
Blackest Night: Rise of the Black Lanterns
Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps
I would recommend highly to most regular Graphic Novels readers, with the caveat that it does get confusing with some heroes' backstories. As I am not a huge fan of undead/paranormal/zombies, I did not read too close to bedtime, but I did highly enjoy them.
Reviewed by: Angie
Brightest Day Vol. 1 by Geoff Johns
Since I reviewed Blackest Night, I decided that I should be fair and review Brightest Day.
SPOILER
SPACE
This is the story arc that raises a few superheroes from the dead. But all is not well in Denmark, as they say. Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Firestorm, Hawkman and Hawkgirl, Jade, Osiris, and Hawk are resurrected. Unfortunately, so is Captain Boomerang, Zoom, and Maxwell Lord.
Although they have returned, they must complete certain tasks in order to stay alive. Aquaman summons dead sea life, and has to find the new "Aqualad" before the "others" do. Martain Manhunter must kill down the "Martian Forest", et al. This graphic novel does not get into if they actually accomplish this, I am assuming that this will be covered in the next volume.
Deadman has been returned to life as Boston Brand; and is very unhappy about it. His job is to find the next carrier of the White Light. There was a funny exchange in which he can't figure out why he doesn't feel well, and Hawk tells him that he is hungry. The White Light tells him to eat a cheeseburger, because that was supposedly Brand's favorite food before he became Deadman.
This is not the whole story arc; unfortunately, this is only issues 0-7. I know that because of the format they can only include so many issues (although I think of the very thick Crisis on Infinite Earths), and I am now anxiously awaiting Brightest Day Vol. 2. I am hoping that someday soon, the series will become a little less graphic. There was one scene that was very disturbing to me, so those with sensitive stomachs are forewarned.
Otherwise, a very good read, and good continuation of this story arc.
Posted by: Angie
Brightest Day Vol. 2
This volume picks up where volume 1 left off. I really enjoyed it, although was frustrated that the story did not conclude and will continue in Vol. 3. Overall, it was a good read, and not as graphic as the first volume, although I still would not recommend for younger readers.
Spoiler
Space
It did get kind of surreal, when Martian Manhunter was back on Mars. The other martian left played games with his mind; making him think that she was his wife, and the family all came back. That was a plot twist that I thought was confusing, and left me feeling a little disappointed. I thought that the way he acted when he thought he had made Mars come back to life along with his family was a bit out of character for him.
Hawkman and Hawkgirl continued on their quest to kill Hath-Set, and reclaim all the bones from their former lives. This plot was one that was left in limbo, and hopefully will be continued in the next volume. I am enjoying that Shiera Hall is back, as I never really cared for the Kendra Saunders character.
The Aquaman saga continued with Mera helping him find the next Aqualad, who ended up being the son of Black Manta. It is a little angsty, but is a bit expected since he is a teenager.
This volume ended with the plight of Firestorm, in which the two boys cannot fight, or would trigger the end of the universe. Intriguing.
Highly recommended for those who are following this story arc. Not a good jumping on point for those who have not read the first volume, and a read of the Blackest Night epic is recommended before diving into this saga.
Posted by: Angie
Spoiler
Space
It did get kind of surreal, when Martian Manhunter was back on Mars. The other martian left played games with his mind; making him think that she was his wife, and the family all came back. That was a plot twist that I thought was confusing, and left me feeling a little disappointed. I thought that the way he acted when he thought he had made Mars come back to life along with his family was a bit out of character for him.
Hawkman and Hawkgirl continued on their quest to kill Hath-Set, and reclaim all the bones from their former lives. This plot was one that was left in limbo, and hopefully will be continued in the next volume. I am enjoying that Shiera Hall is back, as I never really cared for the Kendra Saunders character.
The Aquaman saga continued with Mera helping him find the next Aqualad, who ended up being the son of Black Manta. It is a little angsty, but is a bit expected since he is a teenager.
This volume ended with the plight of Firestorm, in which the two boys cannot fight, or would trigger the end of the universe. Intriguing.
Highly recommended for those who are following this story arc. Not a good jumping on point for those who have not read the first volume, and a read of the Blackest Night epic is recommended before diving into this saga.
Posted by: Angie