Blackest Night 5

Solicitation : 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!

Written by Geoff Johns Art By Ivan Reis

Synopsis : We kick of the story where Green Lantern 48 left us, on Ryut (Sector 666), Hal narrates saying that Ganthet and Sayd were born on Maltus and appointed themselves as The Guardians Of The Universe to ensure order, that does not mean they handled it well. He states that all the enemies have come together, so have friends and ex-Girl Friends. Hip Hip Hooray ! Sienstro patronizes Ganthet as Larfleeze complains about how nothing is worse than empty. Atrocitus asks where The Black Lantern battery is, they sense that the Guardian who betrayed them is within The Black Grasp and they will take them to her as Hal tells them to all shut ut and Light Up !

Time To Power Up.

They all power up except Larfleeze who complains that he is still hungry, Sayd says that she has given up her freedom for his cause. Larfleeze now wants a feast, his gluttony is crazy. He wants that otherwise he is taking his ring and going home.Atrocitus and Sinestro discuss about killing him and finding who the ring latches onto next. He wants to shove the Lantern down Larfleeze's throat to charge him up. Walker steps in and calms Lar down and tells him that as long as he is in the vicinity of Blue he will feel no hunger. Orange wants some dessert. Hal's construct shoves his head on the battery as Power levels touch 100000% ! Hal and the gang are ready to go aster the Black....

Back at Coast City, Barry Allen runs towards Black Hand, who is bowing before Nekron.. Nekron says that Barry's death was the first and his rebirth will be The Last ! So says he (Little Narcissist huh ?). William butts in spews some Dark Philosophy. Barry wonders what else he has gone through. William is happy because he is dead like Barry was. Barry realizes that Black Hand dug up Bruce's Grave as he touches it. It registers an Emotional Tether. William says Barry isn't his time nor is his skull. Somebody hates to know what his type is as WALLY WEST Runs in ! Wally sums 5 Issues in 4 Lines : One Green Lantern Baddie, One Giant - Skeleton Guy, One Freaky Guardian and a Black lantern in a Pear Tree. Wally mentions Kyle meeting him before. Wally says he is Barry's Nightwing to his Batman. Barry considers them equals and asks him if he is the only one. Wally says there is no Flash Corps but they have friends as The Heroes of Earth break in.

In Manhattan, Grant rises into a Black lantern as Palmer is unsuccessful to stop it. Jean Loring says that Ray understood Grant, no else did until tonight. She liked the Taste of Hope he gave grant. Mera attacks Jean who grabs her and Atom and takes them diving inside Grant's Black lantern Ring.....

At Coast City, All Hell has broken loose with the JLA kicking ass or atleast appearing to, Kid Flash runs in and tells Wally and Barry that Dove has some power and all The BL's coming towards her combust and are defeated. However, Donna Troy was bitten and she is starting to get very sick Donna did not want aid and said she would rather go down fighting. They run towards Nekron but ignore him and try and help the Guardians who are stuck in Black slime. Scar breaks in and says that The Guardians are to be drained. She says that there is no order when there is life. Someone wonders why Scar is getting pale as Hal (obviously) and his gang break in and Blast Scar.Sinestro has been waiting for this for a long time ! Some comedy with Larfleeze and The Guardian and Scar is defeated ..

Hal and Barry have a quick word with Hal confident on taking Nekron down. Indigo and the rest surround The Black Lantern and attempt to recreate The White Light Of Life as Carol and Hal mention seeing this in a cartoon. Ha Ha Nice. Nekron tells Sayd and Ganthet that their lie is to be exposed. Suddenly a ring pops out of his battery goes past the heroes. Donna is seeing Wonder Woman in Black-Lantern vision . Hal comments that this isn't doing anything as Indigo's plan is failing. Black Hand raises the skull as Donna seems to be converting .

  Bruce Wayne Of Earth

RISE !

The Greatest Comic Character ever rises ! Hal, Green Arrow, Superman, Bart and everyone express their shock. As Nekron says that He is the one who has allowed them to return from the dead and they are all connected to him as he allowed the numerous resurrections. They will help Nekron expose The Guardians lie (which we still don't know). Black Lantern Bruce Wayne spits out 7 Rings which move like bats towards the targets. Buddy Baker, Tora ,Princess Diana, Kal-El , Conner Kent, Bart Allen, Oliver Queen. Hal tries to subdue The Black Lantern Bruce Wayne. Barry runs from the Black Ring as Nekron commands "Bruce Wayne" back to rest......... Interesting. Connection is severed. Nekron says the Light awaits as The 7 along with Donna are now Black Lanterns as Hal & Barry run away from The Black Rings.


Review : So The Big game changer issue is here ?? Well it was very good. The First 5 Pages were amazing, the opening sequence in Coast City was good and The Black Hand vs Flash part was absolutely cool. Seeing Superman and the rest was a badass moment but they really did not do much nor did they say much. Black Hand just randomly disappeared until the end. I wanted much more from Superman and Wonder Woman too. Barry Allen and The Flashes were great. The Rainbow Rodeo had their little moments here and there. I'm sure I will be seeing much more with them in The Issues to come back.

Very Pissed about the way Scar was treated. Anyone who read my Character Analysis knows that I really liked her character and there was tremendous potential in her and her motivations. I wish Geoff would have given more of a thought to these little gems in this event thats all.

Ivan Reis was out of the world . Amazing work. I have never seen better in 2009, when this hit the streets. Keep up the work. More On The Batman stuff in another blog soon....

Story : 9.4
Art : 9.6

The Nekrotic Eight

Next In Blackest Night : The Nekrotic Eight and what their purpose might be

Blackest Night 4

Solicitation : Summer’s hottest event explodes in this critical issue! Hold on to your power rings, because the secrets behind the Blackest Night finally stand revealed! While Earth is evacuated, Hal Jordan embarks on a brave journey to the darkest depths to uncover the truth behind the Black Lanterns! You won’t believe what he uncovers!

Written by Geoff Johns Art By Ivan Reis

Synopsis : At the headquarters Of The JLA, The Flash fights The Martian Manhunter. Walking along a grave in Coast city passing through Hal Jordan's parents grave, Black Hand talks about how Superman, Flash and Green Arrow cannot escape death. He also says their Blackest Light will end the "Let there be Light." Power Levels 93.55%

Mera fights Hawkgirl and wonders why The Indigos took Hal away though his Green Light is a way to stop The Black Lanterns. Ray Palmer deduces that it was probably to prioritize and find the other Lanterns and pull the plug from The Black Lantern home world. Flash says its their job to hold fort on Earth until The Lite-Brite Brigade return, he asks for Firestorm to which..........

Oops !

The Flash runs to which Ronnie tells him that with Jason on board he can transmute Organics. All of Jason's emotions are being used to build the percentage of The Black Lantern Battery (93.86%). Ronnie goes for Barry's heart but suddenly Jason takes over and tells Barry that a voice in the rings says it wants Barry Allen. He asks them all to evacuate Earth ! Ronnie takes over as Aquaman and the rest break in. Barry wants to leave, Ray asks him for some time as he calls 911 and dives into the lines with Barry and Mera to a Police Hotline place.

In Gotham City, Scarecrow says he wants to to feel fear as he hears those screams of Horror. Black Lantern Azrael assaults some citizens. Scarecrow is immune to fear, Azrael tries to frighten him to no avail, Scarecrow says the only thing that scares him is The Batman as power levels are now 95.45%

Lex Luthor and Calculator discuss about the dead rising. Luthor says its every one for themselves as he prepares himself for battle. Barry asks Ray and Mera to find Alan Scott while he goes and rallies the troops and finds someone who can help Firestorm, as The Black Lanterns search for life in The JLA HQ. Flash says that the JLA are on this, Ray says that that isn't true and they need to find Superman and Wonder Woman. Flash says for now Ray and Atom are Wonder Woman and Superman. Good motivational speech by Barry as he tells them that they were born to kick ass ! He runs off,  Mera asks Atom if they are Superman and Wonder Woman who is Flash (an obvious reference to Batman, Blackest Night is full of them). Ray says "The Flash", Hmmmmmmmm..........

Atom and Mera jump into the Battle The JSA is having with the Black lanterns in New York, Flash rallies everyone from Wonder Woman,Green Arrow and The Titans..

At Coast City, Black Hand says the Tunnel of Light leads them to the Guardians Ultimate Lie as The Power Levels are 97.79%.. Wally and Bart ask Barry where they should come . Barry says wherever there is trouble.Alan and Mera's powers seem ineffectual against The Black, Damage's father, Al Pratt, The original Atom rises and fights his son. Atom and Damage fight back and subdue him when suddenly Jean Loring arrives and rips Damage's heart out ! Ouch (He was emoting Hope). Power Levels are 100%.

Barry Allen stops to a Halt and wonders what that voice is. Scar says the light awaits as the Black lantern battery transport. Barry sees Black hand and is blown away. The Black lantern Central Battery rises above Black Hand's mortuary home. Black Hand commands Nekron to Rise. ! Barry wonders where the Hell Hal is  as Nekron rises. We end with him commanding Coast City to rise and also saying that "Barry Allen, You owe me your life. You all Do."

Review : Ever heard of The Solicitations Lie ? This is a prime example. No Hal Jordan (he is working hard in The Green Lantern series), Earth is not evacuated. However that does not mean this was not a great issue, It was classic. I absolutely loved Barry's part in the issue. Mera and Atom were powerfully written. We see glimpses of all the mini-series. We did not see Hal nor any Green Lanterns in this but we see some sense of desperation and also some interesting plot points for Scarecrow and Lex Luthor. Lots of Batman references. The story is finally developing after 3 Issues of Zombie only action.

Ivan Reis' art was the best thing I have seen in 2009. Amazing stuff man. I would hate to see the quality decrease. One complain is that I would have Liked to see Superman and Wonder Woman actually doing something. I know that the spotlight is on the smaller heroes but I'm sure that these two are proactive and not reactive. Lets hope for the best i guess.........

Finally Black Hand did something ! yeah ! That makes the issue cool........

We all owe our life to him

Story : 9.2
Art : 9.5

Next In Blackest Night: Indigo-2 and The Green Lantern Corps team up to face The Black on Oa. Will they be enough is strength ? Kyle faces an ultimate choice and Guy Gardner faces his problems as the power levels have already hit 100%

Blackest Night 2

Solicitation :The event of the summer continues! The dead rise across the DC Universe, bringing terror and darkness with them. What are the Black Lanterns? What do they want? Will Earth's greatest heroes survive long enough to find out – or will they join the Black Lantern Corps?

Written by Geoff Johns Art  by Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert

Synopsis : We begin at the slaughter of what happened at Stonchat Museum at the end of Issue one when The Dibny's killed the Hawks. Atom is still trying to contact Carter and pleads and tells him his reasons for still missing Jean despite what she did in the events Of The Identity Crisis. Carter (who is obviously now a Black Lantern) asks him, to come over.

We cut back to Gotham city where Barbara Gordon and her dad discuss the situation. Jim says he has the same feeling of dread that he had when Batgirl disappeared (Is it irony that he does not know that Batgirl was Barbara ? Or is this another Geoff-con I have to deal with ? ). Hal Jordan falls right into The Bat-Signal next to them (They are on the roof of The GCPD it seems). This is a direct continuation of his battle with Martian Manhunter in Green Lantern 44.

Back to where Garth and Mera are. Mera says that she is allowing Arthur's body to be buried in the sea, not because she likes but because it was Temptest's wish. The soldiers of Atlantis go to the grave and find that it is desecrated and empty. Before they can assign blame, they are shocked the resurgence by the Black Ring which we saw in issue One of Arthur !!

Deadman is forced to rise. His spirit is intact but his physical body rises. Don Hall is not resurrected because he is "At Peace". Hank Rises. Aquaman kills off some nobody soldier. Tula and Dolphin fight over Garth and throw him. Aquaman and Mera battle, Arthur taunts her by asking her to remember their son who was killed by the Black manta. She asks the warriors to draw their weapons at which Arthur summons the creatures of the sea which devour them (extremely graphic !)


Meanwhile at Deadman's Grave we have The Spectre, Blue Devil, Zatanna and The Phantom Stranger. Phantom says he cannot interfere and only guide, Devil asks him to guide to someone who can help and he would, for once, try to understand what is going on. Suddenly, Pariah (from The First Crisis, who watched worlds die) comes in and says that even in death he cannot escape his penance Worlds have died, Worlds will Rise. He bursts and forms A Black Ring, Black Hand notices that Zatanna and Devil have Life, Stranger is something else, something strange. However, The Spectre is dead and The Ring commands Crispus Allen to Rise ! Magic is ineffective against His Lord and William is making sure he removes all those live even after death (Spectre, The Hawks). No Time To Hold hands and sing Kumbaya, Devil. The Spectre Rises !


Hal recovers from the fall and checks his ring (47%). He uploads all his intel to her disks and she will inform everyone about the situation so they can help. Hal needs Gordon's car (for a spin ? j/k). Flash and Martian Manhunter Battle.


Arthur asks Mera if she wants him back. She just wants him off. The Two Women still are after Temptest. He freezes Dolphin and Mera breaks her face apart. Her face regrows with ease and she asks Mera if she is angry with herself. Aquagirl takes Garth' heart filled with Hope (Power Levels 3.43%). Hand's welcoming some people and welcoming them to The Darkness which is peace, The Black Lantern Corps.As Garth rises.
Aquaman and the rest want her so they can complete the family. Mera flees......


Back In Gotham, Flash is evading J'onn from influencing his mind and mixing and matching chemicals which are flammable as Hal educates us, Flash Fact ! J'onn is burnt like never before, Flash keeps the fire in check. Flash and Hal know that Bruce's and J'onns grave robbings are related and asks him if he can get some intel from Oa. Hal can't as we see The Green Lantern Corps battle The Black Lanterns. Hal believes this is not an isolated case. Barry says he wants to take the remains and bury him on Mars, J'onn was the heart of the league. Manhunter says he gave his heart to the league and its time for Hal and Barry to return the favor !
The Black Lantern JLA is here - Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Firestorm, Martian Manhunter, Sue Dibny, Elongated Man ! Hal says that overcoming fear wasn't a problem but the rule-book didn't mention anything about Death.

Review : Honestly this was a very good issue. I Loved How Mera is being shown as a player. I have always loved the character and I'm glad to see her in the spotlight. However, I wonder if anything in this issue will have any relevance at the end of the story ? Hal was in it for about 4 pages and he didn't do much. Barry is looking very good, better than Hal. Arthur was great, finally seeing him after some time and it was a joy. John has written all the characters well, I'll say that but no one seems to be in a hurry and its a slow start which is fine. Maybe he is putting set pieces in play.  I hope this does not disappoint. Black Lantern Spectre ! Nice, finally The Spectre is looking evil and badass. Major Gripe is that Black Hand is just talking a lot. i want to see the powers of The Black Avatar that he is. Will we see any ? I kinda doubt it now.


Ivan Reis was bloody amazing. The Graphic battles were well rendered and its a joy buying the core series just for the Art. The Shark Attack was mind-blowing. Am loving the inking and coloring. Its all fitting well in terms of look. Not so much for the story so far I'll say.

Story : 8.9

Art : 9.5

Next In Blackest Night: The Sinestro Corps face The Star Sapphires on Zamaraon while The Orange and Blue fight on Odym. Atroctious is on Ysmault fighting The Alphas as The Hidden Light stays Hidden. What will happen when The Blackest Night Descends on them. Stay tuned.


Note: 25th Blog Post ! Yeah ! Lots more to go............

Blackest Night 1

Solicitation : Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis raise the dead in the most anticipated comics story of the year! Throughout the decades, death has plagued the DC Universe and taken the lives of heroes and villains alike. But to what end? As the War of Light rages on, the prophecy of the Blackest Night descends upon us, with Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps at the center of it all.
Don’t miss this 8-issue epic taking the DCU beyond the grave!


Written by Geoff Johns Art By Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert

Synopsis : Black hand is at Bruce Wayne's grave. He says that he is worse than death and that he can hear his master in deep space, he is hungry.Black Hand says that no one escapes death, and that includes YOU (Is the "You" referring to Bruce Wayne, Hal Jordan or the reader ?). William goes all necro on Bruce's skull by licking it.

A Day later, Hal is at Coast City and he says that the day Superman died was mourning, but since he returned it became a day to honor the Super-Heroes who gave up their life. He talks about how Coast City rebuilt itself without fear and fought fearlessly. Nice Spread Of Hal and The Corps. Some more talk about No Fear. They also reference how each character has faced death, seeing a lover die or a girlfriend stuffed in a frdge. They talk about how they rebuild the corps and Kyle flies off to Jenny's grave, Guy to Ice and John to Xanshi. He talks about death and misfortune he has seen, His fathers death, Abin's and Coast City's destruction.

Conner,Martha and Clark Kent are at Jonathon Kent's Grave. Jason,Jen and Professor Stein at Ronnie Raymond's. Jen notices that everything is seeming to die (she is referring to the flowers). The Titans are at the Titan Memorial, The Rogues are at their special and private graves paying respect to their friends. Booster, Black Canary along with Guy and Ice are at Ted Kord's grave. The flowers they are placing are dying.

Kyle is at The Valhalla cemetery and he sees how many people show up, Damage is ashamed to face his father because of his mangled profile....
Mera and Garth are contemplating what to do with Arthur's grave. Garth asks her to allow him to be buried in the seas. Mera seems reluctant. Alfred walks into Bruce's grave and is devastated to see what has happened and says he has made a terrible mistake.

Hal and Barry Allen meet up at the underground crypt of the JLA Headquarters. Hal explains that Richard Grayson had found a operation that was using Superhuman parts for use. Yikes ! Barry asks who else is dead, Hal puts up a construct where we see about 50 characters. Lotsa deaths, I say.

At the Stonechat museum, Hawkman is pissed at Atom for asking him to come to Jean's grave. Hawkman and Hawkgirl bicker and Hawkman makes an interesting statement saying Jean did something he had never seen before, Making The Atom feel small...... Ray is trying to dial in but fails to

Barry is extremely shocked at what he sees and demands Hal tell him what he has missed since he was gone.
Hal and Barry discuss how Jean was different and Carol comes up. Hal says its better this way, with them not being together, he does not know she is a Star Sapphire fighting The Sinestro Corps on Zamaron.
Alfred calls in and tells them what happened at Master Bruce's grave.

The Guardians Of Oa say that they have failed to stop the War Of Light. They see a shadow from Sector 666 approaching them. Kilowog says that the rings tore threw their constructs like paper, Guy and Kyle start to listen to some sounds, like flies. The Guardians say that Code Black must be initiated and Ganthet was right about The Blackest Night. Scar says that it wont be made and she attacks and takes the Guardians out.
The Black rings break in, Salaak cant contact the guardians as the rings break into the crypt.

Flash and Barry are at Bruce's grave and they think they should ask who knew he was buried here and who knew he was Batman. All/Most the heroes who were mentioned dead In Green Lantern 43 rise from the dead. The Dead Green Lanterns rise to which Guy says "What The **** !". Martian Manhunter is at Bruce's grave and tells Hal and Barry that they shouldn't be back and should be dead.

Back at Stonechat, Hawkman and Hawkgirl bicker and go from rage to love and they start to settle down. Hawkgirl is about to say that she loves Carter.Suddenly, Black Lantern Ralph and Sue Dibny break in and beat the shit out of them. These pages have to be seen to be believed. They are bloodied and beat as Hawkgirl dies. Carter promises to stop them. Ralph says "You can't" and he rips his heart out. Black Hand walks in and says that the Universe will finally be at peace as 2 Black Lantern rings come out of Bruce's skull and command Carter Hall and Kendra Saunders to rise as we close Issue 1.

Review : So This is The Big Event Of DC huh ? It's a very good issue. For a reader who has read Green Lantern books leading into this its more of a snooze, its more of issue for new-ish readers to the GL Mythos. SO, this issue left me very cold except for the exceptionally well drawn lat scene.
The writing has left me so-so. It was nothing exceptional. The Brave and Bold are written well. Lots Of Batman references (The Cover is his Skull, Black Hand was at his Grave in Issue 0 along with Hal & Barry) which are obviously going to be more marketing and less story at the end of everything but thats OK.
Ivan Reis is awesome and I recommend this book just for the art, very nice to see him back after a little break.

Story : 8.7
Art : 9.5

The Future Of The Universe is Death ?

Next In Blackest Night : Hal and Barry take on The Visitor from Mars as The Universe begins to face The Darkness that is coming.

Blackest Night 0

Solicitation : Across the universe the dead will rise! Prepare for the coming of "The Blackest Night" with this prelude to the biggest comic event of the year! This special edition recaps the key moments from "Sinestro Corps War" and "Rage of the Red Lanterns" that led to "Blackest Night," and will give readers everything they need to know about the Green Lantern universe, their ongoing War of Light, and their dark days ahead.

Written by Geoff Johns Art By Ivan Reis & Doug Manhke

Synopsis : We start this issue at The Grave Of My Favorite Comic Character, Bruce Wayne and his parents. Hal says he knew about the VIBGYOR and was very very interested in them, he was just someone trying to prove he was unafraid of anything. He realizes that no matter how brightly he shines the light, the shadows will not be lifted. We get a memory Of Hal and Bruce fighting in the early JLA days. Barry comes in saying that he cant stay for long a the criminal scum of Gotham are moving free with no Bat-Signal in the sky.

There were no Funeral nor any speeches and his grave is unmarked. They discuss how Robin still thinks Bruce isn't dead. Barry mistakes that thinking Richard is still Robin. He is corrected saying Tim is Robin. Hal tells Barry how Barry's funeral was and how everyone came to attend and how he died a Saint. Hal died a sinner with his grave desecrated by his Old Allies. They discuss how the world got more dangerous after Barry was lost. They reference Aquaman dead and that there were only rumors of his resurfacing during Darkseid's attack. Barry says that death isn't the end of the line for heroes whereas some people like their parents never return. Something bigger has pried The Door and if anyone has a plan, its Batman. Bruce was buried after being hit by Darkseid's Omega beams and Superman held the skeleton is his arms. Martian Manhunter was killed by Libra and was buried on Mars. Hal says that though Bruce and himself had their differences, he was still his friend and Barry says that he will always hope they come back.

As they leave, Black hand comes there choosing Bruce's grave. He pries it open and picks up the skull and recites the Black lantern oath and fills the skull with energy as we end the issue seeing the skull have Bat-Eared Energy form over it.

We have the last few Pages showing All The Corps, I have already posted these in an earlier post.

Review : A Very Good Free Issue, not much to review. Liking the Barry-Hal dynamic. Brave and Bold indeed. Disappointed to see that Editorial has made blunder saying Robin is still Tim, which implies that Richard isn't still Batman. So Blackest Night is pre-Battle For The Cowl ? I Think not. I hope this is corrected in the Hardcover.

Beautiful art by Both Ivan and Doug. Doug is coming off his amazing work on Final Crisis and i'm very happy to see him here.

Story : 9.2
Art : 9.3

The Black Lanterns.

Next In Blackest Night : The Blackest Night is nearly here, what will happen with Black Hand and how will the coming Darkness change the cosmic- War Of Light ?

Green Lantern 43

Solicitation : The official prologue to BLACKEST NIGHT starts here as the first Black Lantern is born! Black Hand has been an enemy of Hal Jordan since Hal’s early days as a Green Lantern. But even Black Hand is unaware of the true power he holds that will connect him to the Blackest Night! Discover this villain’s connection to death and the Black Lantern Corps!

Written by Geoff Johns Art By Doug Manhke and Christian Alamy


Synopsis : We kick off being told that the events take place before Blackest Night #0 (Issue 0 shipped 2 Months before Green Lantern 43). Scar (who is the Guardian who was attacked by The Anti-Monitor in The Sinestro Corps War) says that while no one is supposed to live forever, she has as one of The Guardians Of The Universe. She mentions how before starting The Green Lantern Corps, they had The Manhunters who were their police force. They were replaced after a "Programming Error" caused them to destroy an entire Space Sector Of Life (Sector 666). She talks about how emotions together will end up causing The Blackest Night, where a Darkness with no Life will take over. She knows what this darkness is. She Worships it. The Darkness tells her to take part in the birth of the First Black Lantern.

Black Hand is in a grave which has skeletons. Umm, Yeah get used to it. He enjoys death in a necrophiliac way. He hears death calling his name.He has been hearing death speak to him for a long time. We are shown glimpses of his childhood and his affliction  towards the dead. His father ran a mortuary. We are shown a horrific memory where he kills his brothers dog and stuffs him. He is interested in his fathers work and tells him before hand where he wished to be buried.

When his parents thought he needed help, he created a facade to hide all his desires and started saying things psychologists wanted to hear to pass him off as normal. Though he was different his family loved him, as did he. We cut back to a moment from Secret Origins where Atrotcious breaks in and tries to take the darkness that lies within him. Hal & Sinestro take Atro down, whereas the voice asks him to run (He takes Atro's device with him). He blasts a hole inside the graveyard and stays.

We get some old references to Star Sapphire's initial appearances. Black Hand creates his costume and goes after Hal. He is taken down all too easily and considered a joke and overpowered by various Green Lanterns. He remembers how Parallax destroyed the corps. We go back to Rebirth where The Hal-Spectre took Black Hand's hand, which was later put back by Evil Star and her starlings. William starts to see all the dead around him. "Tula, Al Pratt , Digger Harkness , Ted Kord ,Dee Tyler , Roy Lincoln , Ralph Dibny , Jean Loring, Sue Dibny , Ronnie Raymond , Maxwell Lord , Ryan Kendall , Roger Hayden , Vic Sage , Arthur Light , J'onn J'onzz , Boston Brand , Tara Markov , Wesley Woods , Jenny-Lynn Hayden , Arthur Curry , Jonathon Kent , Bruce Wayne".

Black Hand also sees all those that have been resurrected "Clark Kent, Diana Prince, Oliver Queen, Kilowog, Hal Jordan, Tora Clapsdotter, Conner Kent, Bart Allen, Barry Allen", the dark voice says he wants them all. Will is walking in a grave and he destroys an Easter Egg (The Symbol Of Life ? Scary foreshadowing....., he is at The Hand Mortuary and home.

The family discuss about  Billy and say it must be the cops looking for a free dinner this Easter in the excuse of checking whether he was home. His brothers consider him gone.A Brother opens the door and Billy destroys him, he walks in and kills the second. His mother looks at him and he kills her nonchalantly. His father pleads and asks "Why ?". Because This is What I Do. You know what he does.

The Voice tells him that he isn't done and there is one more.He commits suicide.

Not your everyday comic.

He falls down with his brains splattered. Scar comes in and says that "This pleases him." and spits out A Black Lantern ring which goes into William's hand as he is appointed as The embodiment and The Lord's herald (He is an avatar like Ion, Parallax and The Predator). We end with Black Hand promising to extinguish the light.

Review : Wow, this is quite to my surprise a very strong opening. The Art by Doug, who starts his art duties on Green Lantern is top notch and very good. H really does well with all the dark and otherworldy stuff. Scar looks terrific and Black Hand is just wow. Lots Of Spread Layout and One Page splashes which makes it dynamic and beautiful to watch.

Geoff delivers a top-notch issue as he shows us how well he writes the bad guy. He has put in quite a few retcons in too (How could Scar live forever ? Ganthet was the only Guardian after Emerald Twilight.) Also shouldn't Superman have been named Kal-El ? Wonder Woman should be Princess Diana . Well, I guess those are acceptable. This issue also gives us a clue of something I will elaborate on later. Recommended issue. Its a very good Villain One-Piece

Story : 9.3
Art : 9.2

The First Black Lantern

Next In Blackest Night: Hal and Barry meet at a Grave just as Black Hand decides to visit the same......