As readers hit the halfway mark to what is already proving to be a classic blockbuster series, Blackest Night has grown exponentially, to the point that several other titles outside of the Green Lantern books will be affected and cast under the shadow of death itself. Besides the superb story and writing of course, anyone digging for some payoffs will be wise to take note that DC has come up with a solution to the extra expenses. Those who were there to pick up Black Lantern Rings during the release of Blackest Night #1 will be happy to know that the rest of the rainbow colors are coming next month, scattered amongst the numerous titles and tie-ins that are scheduled for release then. However, that's still for November. Right now, things are really intensifying in the playing field, especially on planet Earth, where the bulk of the problem began and is about to become much worse.
Blackest Night #4
Written By: Geoff Johns
Illustrated By: Ivan Reis
After Hal Jordan is whisked away by the mysterious Indigo Lanterns, Barry Allen, aka The Flash, is left to hold down the growing forces of the Black Lantern Corps, with only Ray Palmer/ The Atom and Mera standing by his side. Things took a turn for the worse when the new Firestorm, Jason Rusch, was absorbed by the Black Lantern Firestorm, forcing the heroes to regroup elsewhere and look for back up. Knowing their enemy's weakness but lacking the presence of a Green Lantern, the trio notify their friends of the situation and search for the next best substitute - Alan Scott/ Sentinel. Scrambling, Mera and Atom eventually find Scott and the JSA, but their troubles follow shortly thereafter. As Black Hand and his forces reach 100% power level capacity, the true force behind the Blackest Night emerges, with Barry Allen witnessing what could be the beginning of the end for every living soul in the universe.
Another solid issue is at hand. Geoff Johns has gotten past the point of no return, and the Blackest Night's raw might has finally emerged, and nobody is safe from its wrath. Even as I wait month after month for the next issue to arrive, I'm in solid comic book heaven reading this book, with so much action and dialogue happening that it harmoniously connects events together in perfect fashion. As I've said before, John's strength is his ability to write stories that not only make sense, but also deliver a punch that readers will go gaga over. His feats in the Green Lantern Mythos are already accounted for, and right now he's beginning to shed light on another Silver Age hero, namely the newly resurrected Silver Age Flash, Barry Allen, who is, not surprisingly, the man taking center stage in Blackest Night #4. I'll admit, I've always been more familiar with his protege, Wally West, but Barry also strikes me as a unique heroic force to be reckoned with. He's got the smarts and the speed to make him a remarkable figure in the DC Universe, and unlike Wally, his optimism and courage to do the right thing has brought him at odds with death several times. He died in Crisis Of Infinite Earths, and he was resurrected in Final Crisis. Now, as a key player in Blackest Night, Barry will come face to face with death incarnate itself, and as we read along, we'll probably find out the reasons why heroes like him come back from the dead, earning a second chance among the living.
While Barry may be the flag holder of this issue, I can't neglect the other key players who are strangely becoming focal points of the Blackest Night saga on their own. Ray Palmer is obviously another man who'll be getting some attention, since death and tragedy have lingered around his life and caused him more agony any mortal man could ever bare. Like Barry, he has the will to continue on with the heroics, but this may be tested later on with the arrival of a person he never thought he'd see again. On the other hand, Mera, the wife of Aquaman, is taking things pretty well, and while she wasn't much of a presence in the hero community, she's coming on to her own now that her husband and Tempest are among the Black Lantern Corps. I like the dialogue Johns inserted between her, Flash, and Atom, showing that while these three are technically second stringers and outsiders, they come into their own and step up when the situation calls for it. As for the villains, let's just say that there are eye popping cameos you'd like to take note of. Several new Black Lanterns make their appearance here too, including the ring leader, who many of you should know already know as Nekron, as revealed cover pic to issue #5 DC released a few months back. He's a menacing figure who clearly means business, and we'll probably see what kind of game he wants to play with the DCU come next issue.
I can't deny the fact that I've enjoyed Ivan Reis' art for the entire run of this series so far. Although Ethan Van Schiver has a style nobody can help but admire, Reis is a class A talent himself, and has drawn some of the most intense scenes that compliment a dramatic comic book tale such as Blackest Night. There are moments in the book that will make you feel every bit of emotion known to the spectrum - will, rage, fear, hope, love, avarice, and compassion, and it's timed well with the scenes that encourage optimism, or wrack a reader with despair as they see an important figure they've come to relate to get consumed by the power of death.Issue #4 is a highlight for Reis when it comes to the middle ground. There's no GL on sight, but that doesn't stop the other heroes (and undead lanterns) from shining forward and looking like gold. Oh, and the supplementary material known as "The Book Of Black" returns, and narrates a well conceived but twisted tale from the mind of Black Hand that deals with the concept of Willpower. What other thoughts burned into his deceased head will be interesting to read about as the series progresses. Here's me holding my breath and hoping for more superb writing and art from Johns and Reis.
So there goes another issue for the books. We're in the middle point of Blackest Night now, and it seems like death is having its way with everyone and transforming the universe, and most especially earth, into its own flying zombie Halloween Party. This issue could not have come at a better time, especially when the frights are in the air and all the ghoulies at home are expecting their trick or treats to get their grubby hand onto. I can't blame them, so if you're in the mood for some excellent comic book reading, I once again proclaim Blackest Night as the one and only choice. It's a must read event, and if you're celebrating All Hallow's Eve, it's the definite way to go.
Score - 10/10
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