Blackest Night #3 (OF 8)

It feels like this thing has been going on forever, in a good way. I mean think about this: We're only on the third issue of the main event. But yet with so many tie-ins and supplement issues with the Green Lantern books, it feels like it's been more then three months of Blackest Night. Now I'm not saying that is a bad thing, in fact most of the tie-ins have been reportedly good (I haven't read all of them so I can't say for myself) for this which is kinda unheard of. But I worry that if the pace of the main event is this slow, will there be problems trying to wrap anything up?

I was getting this kinda impression because the pacing of this was all over the place. Now because this is a 'universe shattering' event, Geoff Johns has to go back and forth to other locations and characters a lot. But there were points in here where I think he was focusing too much on minor aspects and not on the main story.

For example: The moment where the original Firestorm decided to take out the new Firestorm felt a bit forced. Now don't get me wrong, it was fucked up and awesome to read. I mean it was uneasy to see this Black Lantern seperate these two lovers and just torture this girl to death. However, did we really need this interaction to be that long? Matter of fact pretty much ending the issue? (Yes there is another page or two of the BL JLA getting on the heroes but this was the last 'holy shit' moment of the book.

You take that into account that the Indigo Lantern comes in here, and that should be more of the focus here. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like 'Tales of the Corps' seems to be a major thing to read. Because her involvement in this affair seems to come literally out of no where. I mean I go on comic sites, I know she was going to be a factor in this. But her introduction and function in this issue kinda puzzled me. Maybe because Geoff Johns wrote more exposition for her to say then any actual missionstatement. Dont get me wrong, I like it that we have something to fight these Lanterns. But her involvement still puzzles me in all of this.

Other things were bugging me too like the talk between Hal and Barry. We've been told millions of times why Hal is a bit of a jerk and Flash Rebirth took me into hating Barry because he was so 'oh woe as me'. But not to make this a total negative review, because it's not. I still enjoyed this to no end. The original Firestorm was awesome and he really got under my skin at points. Plus Ray 'badass' Palmer coming in to fight for his friends was really great. Even with the pacing problems I see, the taking out of the new Firestorm was great to read. So there are positives to be had with this comic.

One big positive is the art by Ivan Reis, which is consistant through out. I don't care what anyone else says, he does a better Flash then Ethan Van Sciver. Any fight scenes with the Flashes I want Reis to do them because he amazingly draws his fighting style accurately. Other moments like Ray Palmer coming out of the Black Ring or Indigo coming in to save Hal; they are all beautiful to look at. There does seem to be an odd choice for a two page spread; especially considering how awesome the Spectre spread was last issue. As a whole though this is still one of the best looking comics (event or otherwise) coming out right now.

Maybe I am being a bit nitpicky when it comes to this issue. I mean we're only three issues in and I am still enjoying myself. It just seems that the pacing for this comic was a bit puzzling and the stuff I wanted to be explained seem to be forgotten about. I'm still going to rate this comic highly but if I had to say anything about this. This is the worst out of the three issues SO FAR. Let's focus on what I capitalized there. It's no where near a terrible issue, but SO FAR this was my least favorite out of the event so far.