Blackest Night HC [2010] by Geoff Johns | Ivan Reis

BLACKEST NIGHT HARDCOVER

The Blackest Night is the third part of the trilogy by Geoff Johns to expand the mythology of Green Lantern. His first step is to put Hal Jordan back as the original Green Lantern of Space Sector 2814 in Green Lantern: Rebirth and establishing Parallax as an entity of fear. The next part expanded the idea of other corps using different powers from the emotional spectrum. This included Sinestro forming his own corps in the Sinestro Corps War as well as the introductions of the Blue and Red Lanterns, Agent Orange, Star Sapphires, and Indigo Tribe. The multiple corps created a conflict between themselves called the War of Light. The War of Light is the prelude to the Blackest Night.

Blackest Night presented a rich history of the DC Universe as previously deceased characters return as Black Lanterns. The returning dead characters are the ones that will elicit the strongest emotional response with the people. The goal of the Black Lanterns is to get the most emotional reaction from the heroes and then at the height of that emotion, kill them to enhance their own powers.

Johns reintroduces the main villain into the DC Universe Nekron Lord of the Undead who debuted in 1981 Tales of the Green Lantern Corps #2. Previously Green Lantern Kyle Rayner encountered Nekron within the pages of Green Lantern Annual Vol.3 #7. Johns describes Nekron as one of the most powerful dark forces in the universe and the true Guardian of the Universe. Nekron is the reason the Guardians swore to protect the universe and the first evil that they ever attempt to imprison.

Johns ability to expand on current mythology has earned him so much appeal as a writer. He has the ability to capture the characters within their natural environment as well as providing closure for the characters within his stories. His previous work include: JSA, Flash, Teen Titans, Green Lantern, 52, Booster Gold, Superman, and Infinite Crisis. Hardcover collects Blackest Night #0-8.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – 5 OUT OF 5