Similarly, Reis' cardiac-attack art is simply mind-boggling, a hyperskilled execution of utter phantasmagoria demanded by an interstellar apocalypse between every living thing in the universe and their bloodthirsty undead nemeses.

Nekron and Black Hand turn fallen heroes like Aquaman and Martian Manhunter into undead Black Lanterns in various Blackest Night hardcover collections. It makes for a long wait, especially if you already know the score. Johns admits in the book's 'Director's Commentary' bonus section that he has a tendency to write too much dialogue, and he's right: Many of the early chapters consist of drawn-out exchanges between characters, like Hawkman and Hawkgirl, trying to establish their interpersonal back stories for readers unfamiliar with them. But as a standalone narrative, it falters under the weight of its own extracurricular ambitions. In these respects – and others favored by fans of relentless violence, intrigue and reboots of the DC Universe's voluminous mythologies – Blackest Night is a resounding success and a must-have hardcover. It's also a brilliant product campaign: By scattering so many narrative tie-ins across so many DC publications, the publisher set up a diverse Blackest Night hardcover rollout. It's a smart way to repurpose past comic narratives.

Spearheaded by nefarious Black Lantern leader Nekron (below) and old Green Lantern foe Black Hand (above), the Black Lanterns fire their flesh-hungry black power rings across the universe in search of dead hosts whose fearsome rebirths terrorize their shocked and awed superhero friends and lovers.

It's another cosmic apocalypse along the lines of superhero epics like Crisis on Infinite Earths and Infinite Crisis, except that instead of a time-shifting, parallel-universe Armageddon threatening to obliterate all interstellar life, the ultraviolent undead have come from deep space to snuff out everyone's candles.Īs a vehicle for regenerating DC's beloved and notorious heroes and villains – and their once-settled storylines – it's a brilliant exercise that reboots everything from obscure characters to interpersonal dramas. Black Lanterns, who reside in the obviously named space sector 666 and feed on death and darkness, have attacked the DC Universe, and Earth, to resuscitate fallen superheroes and villains in an attempt to hurl humankind violently into oblivion.

Absolute blackest night