Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Ivan Reis
Cover: Rodolfo Migliari
“Blackest Night pt 6”: When a book that’s already burning up the racks in comic stores everywhere decides to take it up a notch, you better be prepared to be blown away! That is exactly what happens in this issue of Blackest Night, and after reading I know why DC held this one close to the chest. So if you were one of the unlucky people unable to get a copy today, I’d be wary reading any further because there may be a spoiler or two scattered about.
Nekron triggered an emotional tether to many of the heroes in the form of a temporarily resurrected Batman, which allowed Black Lantern Rings to attach themselves to various heroes such as Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, and Superman to name a few. Hal is able to put it all together pretty quickly and realizes that not just the dead are coming back, but anyone who has been resurrected as well are all potential targets of Nekron’s rings. So with help from Barry Allen, the two are able to escape the two rings chasing them by traveling two seconds into the past. There is a quick peek at what Atom and Mera are up to, which is explained more in Green Lantern #49. Things are getting dire for the leaders of the various colored corps, even with the assistance from various heroes, so Ganthet pulls out an ace as his last act as Guardian. He reveals that all of the rings are based on Oan technology and in times of great need they can replicate themselves. This is something Hal’s ring has done before, and Ganthet makes himself a Green Lantern and commands the other rings to replicate and seek out those that will aid in the fight. Enter Blue Lantern Flash, Red Lantern Mera, Indigo Lantern Atom, Orange Lantern Lex Luthor, Yellow Lantern Scarecrow, and Star Sapphire Wonder Woman!
Johns must have been reading my mind when I was around 10 or 11, because I remember wondering what if another hero became a Green Lantern, and how cool it would be, and now we get rings that represent the emotional and color spectrum and my dream has been amped up! I’m used to major stories like this having some type of build up to it, but Johns has had Blackest Night at a break neck pace since the first issue with no signs of slowing down. With so much going on you don’t get lost in the main plot, and I think that’s what helps propel this story with a fine focus. Now the other half of this creative team, and bringing fantastic visuals, is Ivan Reis, whose art has not faltered once in the past 6 issues. From a determined Barry Allen when outrunning Black Lantern Rings, to the huge 2-page spread of John Stewart being chased by millions of Black Lanterns en route to Earth!
Now the only thing left is for Johns to bring this thing home with the last 2 issues and cement Blackest Night as one of the greatest Green Lantern stories ever told!
Infinite Speech
infinitespeech@comicattack.net
I’m not sure I understand. Why do the rings seek out Luthor and Scarecrow?
Scarecrow has the ability to instill great fear and the yellow rings represent that, and the Orange rings represent Avarice and Lex “wants it all” so he’s stuck with that one…I actually thought he would get a Green Ring because he is pretty strong willed but I guess his greed won out.
Oh, no, I got that. But it said they were supposed to seek out others to aid in the fight. So…the ring thinks Luthor and Scarecrow will help? That’s what I was getting at.
I thought the same thing when it chose those two lol I guess Johns thought it would make for a good dynamic to throw a few more villians with rings out there and force them to work with the good guys if they want to live. On the flipside of all of that you do have Hal’s enemy Sinestro working to stop the Black Lanterns and aside from the wise ass comments he’s doing a good job.
Sounds like Johns is really doing some top notch stuff.
Billy if you don’t get this in trade i’m kickin’ you in the crotch!
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Well said Speech. In short: This issue was bad assery at it’s best!!