BLACKEST NIGHT #2
Written by Geoff Johns; Art and cover by Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert; Variant cover by Mauro Cacioli; Sketch variant cover by Ivan Reis
The horror amps up this issue.
I expected great things from this series, but even though I knew the rules of the game had changed in issue #1, I still wasn’t prepared for this issue.
Ray Palmer, the Atom is still trying to get through to Carter Hall AKA Hawkman (FYI- for those of you not in the know, they shared a book not unlike the current DC series co-feature books), still in need of a friend and a shoulder to support his tiny stature, both in mind and body. Unaware of the recent attack on the Hawks by former Leaguers Ralph and Sue, the now “undead” Hawkman answers his call, Atom’s fate remains to be seen…
On top of the Gotham City Police Department building, the Gordons, Barbra and GCPD Commissioner James share a moment and coffee. The Bat-Signal has been lit, not as a calling to the Batman, but rather due to the “unusual” darkness over the city and the unease in the bones of Jim Gordon. He tells Babs about how his awful gut feeling is not unlike the sensation he had when “Batgirl disappeared”. As Babs relates her story of “hope” in regards to her rehabilitation in physical therapy after her crippling by the Joker (Batman: Killing Joke), the moment is shattered along with the Bat-Signal as Green Lantern Hal Jordan comes crashing through it!
Skipping over to Amnesty Bay, the birth and resting place of Arthur Curry AKA Aquaman, Mera has finally allowed the removal of Curry’s body from his grave on land to a monument crypt under the sea. She’s allowed this not due to the insistence of her people, but rather to the pleas of Garth AKA Tempest, who wants to reunite the people of Atlantis with this gesture. Unfortunately for them, the Blackest Night has other plans. Upon approaching the grave, Mera, Tempest and a small legion of Atlantian Warriors find Arthur’s grave desecrated and the body missing. At first believing this to be the work of one of his enemies, either sea pirate Black Manta or jealous brother Ocean Master, they are suddenly surprised and shocked to see their former King now among the Un-living, spewing hatred and contempt towards his people, lover, and friend. As fear grips the Atlantian Warriors, Aquaman reaches out and rips the beating heart from one of his “former” subjects.
Going back to Gotham, Deadman, formerly circus acrobat Boston Brand shudders and convulses over visions of the dead returning while trying to keep his body in the ground (more on this in Blackest Night: Batman #1).
Over in the nation’s capitol, Washington D.C., the rings seek out the brothers that formerly served Chaos and Order, Hawk AKA Hank Hall, also known as Monarch (Armageddon 2001) and Extant (Zero Hour) and Dove AKA Don Hall. As the Rings continue their resurrections throughout the DCU, the ring attempting to raise Dove finds its self ineffectual, due to Don being at peace. The “peaces” of the mystery of the “Blackest Night” begin fitting together and solving some mysteries behind the Black Lanterns, as previously revealed only the dead with “unfinished” business or “trauma” regarding their deaths are claimed by the black rings.
Back to Mera and Tempest, they attack the creature claiming to be “Aquaman” still shocked by the shambling corpse. He attacks them with words of discouragement (you’ll have to read the book to find out what he says) to make them feel a heightened state of emotion, moving towards those of the Lantern Spectrum. With the sudden appearance of Dolphin and Tula, former lovers of Tempest’s, Garth finds himself torn up between them and the madness, before having his heart torn out. It’s revealed while Garth has hope in his heart, the Black Lanterns feed on the emotional state of the living, the removals of the hearts being “metaphorical” and essentially killing them to make them susceptible to the black rings by “dying” in an emotional state. Also, like a Lovecraftian nightmare, Aquaman summons a host of undead creatures from the deep to attack his own people. After Tempest is turned into one of the undead “Aqua-Family”, Mera escapes with her emotions hidden.
There’s of course a lot more story here, including the continuation of the battle between Black Lantern Martian Manhunter and “living” (despite having died) JLAers Flash and Green Lantern. I feel as though I’ve already said too much and would prefer you experience the full story by rushing out and picking up a copy of Blackest Night #2. And while you’re at it, it’s not 100% necessary to enjoy or get the full story out of the series, but also pick up Blackest Night: Batman #1 and Green Lantern Corps #39 for an extension of the story that won’t disappoint!
As for the big spoiler? I’ve listed it at the bottom of the page so you can skip it if you so choose.
This week I was to include a follow up to the Doom Patrol history in brief, but it’s been pushed up (or back?) to the upcoming review of Doom Patrol (Featuring the Metal Men) #2. I’ve managed to get backed up on articles and work, including my upcoming DCU Status report in regards to Batman Reborn and Superman New Krypton and the status of both characters and their respective “goings on” if you will. Plus, I’ve managed to miss the halfway point of Wednesday Comics, so expect a full Monitor tapes coming up dedicated to just that!
Also, I’ll be listing the DC ship list on Wednesday mornings from here on out so I can link the previews listed on dccomics.com in addition to having any corrections in correlation to Diamond’s ship list. If you’re not sure about a DC book, DC does a great job in providing previews for readers every week on their comic lists and their blog, The Source.
And now, SPOILERS! For BLACKEST NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
keep going….
BLACKEST NIGHT #5
Written by Geoff Johns; Art and cover by Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert; Variant cover by Rodolfo Migliari; Sketch variant cover by Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert
The moment you’ve hungered for finally arrives! Who controls death in the DC Universe? NEKRON – Lord of the Undead! The dark being behind the undead Black Lanterns makes his presence and purpose known, and our heroes discover they’re not only fighting for their lives, but their after-lives as well. Don’t miss this game-changing issue from superstar writer Geoff Johns and stellar artist Ivan Reis!
That’s right! Nekron, first appearing Tales of the Green Lantern Corps #2 is the master behind the Black Lanterns and the Blackest Night! Long time readers have long suspected this, as everything thus far revealed fit the creatures MO. And check out the chain of formerly dead heroes lined in front of him! Clearly he’s gunning for those slipping from the grasp of death, as we’ve seen previous, but do these characters mean something in the larger scheme of things?
For more info on DC Comics, from news, release dates, DC Direct figures and collectibles, previews and more, check out dccomics.com! and while you’re there, check out DC’s blog by Alex Segura, THE SOURCE!
Thanks for reading!
Mandroid!