Aquaman LIVES!!! So suck it haters! Just teasing. But, really, I’m thrilled. No sooner do I sit down to write another loving post to the man, than he returns- ORANGE SHIRT, and all!
Ok, I kind of knew this would be the case with the Brightest Day #2 cover. But, there is nothing like reading it for yourself.
As for Blackest Night #8 (the issue I’m now holding), I was totally enthralled, though it isn’t perfect. Part of me feels like the kid who gets nearly every present he wants Christmas morning, but is already making his list for next year. Right now I’m a prime candidate for the Orange Lanterns, because I want MORE! Luckily, more is right around the corner in Brightest Day. I am on pins and needles for this follow-up. But, back to the comic at hand…
As a finale, it lacked the bare-knuckle thrill of Sinestro Corps. I cant begin to describe how Hal and the others became White Lanterns, or what the Indigo Tribe are up to. And, where did all the thousands of various Lanterns go? They all went away peacefully? But, I loved the message of the story. After following the twisted (though convincing) logic presented by Nekron throughout the series- that life has no purpose, but to disturb the black- it was uplifting to hear that the real point of Geoff Johns’ tale was that in the living we define our world and give it purpose.
On art, Ivan Reis was an absolute monster. He slayed every page. There are images in here that I’ll never get out of my head. I’ve been a fan of his since he was a fill-in artist on various Marvel titles. I always knew he would be great, but damn!
I was quite surprised to see who was brought back in that monumental gatefold picture. I would never guess that just 12 would make it back (poor, poor Tempest!!!). Here are my thoughts on the lucky few (and I rank them in order of my favorites- cause that’s what I do):
12. Osiris- I could care less that he’s back. He had an awesome death in 52 (truly shocking), but was a bit of a bore in life. To be honest he’s another riff on my Black Adam Jr. concept. That said, he’ll be used to expedite the return of Black Adam (and the other Marvels), so that’s not so bad.
11. Jade- When coming up with this list, I forgot all about her. When she first showed up in Infinity, Inc. I really liked her. But, for years she has been rather annoying. I wasn’t sad to see her go. However, learning that we’ll discover a further connection between her and the Green Lantern power is intriguing. I feel happy for Alan Scott.
10. Deadman- Another character I’m lukewarm on, but how can you resist the hook (hey, it was the Hook that killed him) of him finally being alive?
9. Max Lord- Let’s be clear- I hate Max Lord with a passion! I despised that this little piece of crap thought he could order around the Justice League. And then, he puts a bullet between Ted Kord’s eyes? I wanted to break his neck, but luckily Wonder Woman did it for me. Yes, I hate him, but I dig having a villain I LOVE TO HATE around.
8. Martian Manhunter- His death in Final Crisis was one of the worst in comics’ history (and then we were told that was the point). He is far too noble, and unique to stay gone forever.
7. Captain Boomerang- One of Barry Allen’s greatest foes. Of course he‘s back, and I can’t wait to see him back with the Rogues.
6. Reverse Flash- The least surprising resurrection. Professor Zoom was telling us how he returned for nearly a year now.
5. Hawkgirl- I never really cared for Kendra. So when Hawkgirl took off the helmet, I was psyched to see the original back in action.
4. Hawk- As I write this, I’m looking at my Hawk (and Dove) action figure from the JLU cartoon. My hope is to finish up my collection of Hawk and Dove Silver Age appearances at the next couple of comic cons I go to. Hawk’s return, and inclusion in Birds of Prey, has pushed my anticipation of that book’s relaunch into the stratosphere.
3. Firestorm- Ronnie Raymond is back in the mix! Another lame death was undone here. Ronnie was my generation’s Peter Parker. After The New Teen Titans, his series was the first I collected from issue one. I followed him from the Justice League of America, Power Company, Super Powers cartoon, and all 100 issues of his title.
2. Hawkman- This guy is another big gun that deserves to stay perpetually in the spotlight. I love Hawkman, almost as much as…
1. Aquaman- He’s my number one? What a shock!
BRING ON BRIGHTEST DAY!!!!
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