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BLACKEST NIGHT #2 (OF 8)


Price: $3.99
iFanboy Community Pick of the Week Percentage: 0.9%
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  1. edward says:
    August 10, 2009 at 7:00 pm

    i look forward to reading the pick of the week review of Cable #17 this thursday

  2. Avatar photo ScorpionMasada says:
    August 10, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    I read Scalped in trade, but I’m sure that there is a good chance that Scalped was better than Blackest Night #1.

    Cable . . . I’m not so sure about.

  3. Avatar photo Ruo21 says:
    August 10, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    If this is worst than the last issue, it will still be potw material.

  4. Avatar photo TheNextChampion says:
    August 10, 2009 at 7:03 pm

    Oh my god it’s here! The 2nd issue of the greatest event is upon us!

    ‘Greatest’ is a bit strong but look at what’s been released so far! Blackest Night #0-1 and Green Lantern #43-44. This is going strong after four incredible issues.

  5. Avatar photo supertrackmonkey says:
    August 10, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    I’m wondering if this event will take a "Lord of the Rings" approach and have one ring to rule them all. 

  6. Avatar photo crazychris says:
    August 10, 2009 at 7:15 pm

    Is that the actual cover? I thought I saw a Black Lantern Aquaman cover on another site. can’t remember which one.

  7. Avatar photo TheNextChampion says:
    August 10, 2009 at 7:24 pm

    @edward: That’s just preposterous. Totally uncalled.

    Only because Ron doesn’t have the pick this week, it’s josh’s!

    So expect Fables for the pick this week! 🙂

  8. Avatar photo PraxJarvin says:
    August 10, 2009 at 7:29 pm

    @TNC, edward Carnac predicts…. Adventure Comics #1. You heard it here first!

    So looking forward to this. If only I could go back in time to 10 year old me and tell him "Guess what, it will be cool to like Hal again! And he won’t have gray hair! And he’ll hold down a job!" So excited. Won’t get this till Thursday, maybe sooner? ::crosses fingers.:: 

  9. Avatar photo TheNextChampion says:
    August 10, 2009 at 7:38 pm

    @PraxJarvin I don’t see this happening.

    I thought Conor was a fan of Connor. Ha! Made a funny 🙂

  10. Avatar photo drakedangerz says:
    August 10, 2009 at 8:07 pm

    @TNC-That was easily one of your worst jokes ever.  Thanks for ruining my Monday

  11. Avatar photo TheNextChampion says:
    August 10, 2009 at 8:10 pm

    I’m sorry….so sorry for that joke. That was low even for me.

  12. Avatar photo RoiVampire says:
    August 10, 2009 at 8:34 pm

    Based on the rest of Josh’s pull list i think it’s gonna be this one for POTW, and it’s gonna be close

  13. Avatar photo Fvckstick says:
    August 10, 2009 at 9:12 pm

    amped.

  14. Avatar photo ShonenRafa77 says:
    August 10, 2009 at 10:21 pm

    I want more creepy Black Lantern Dibny craziness!!! AAAAAH!!!!! l:D

  15. Avatar photo crazychris says:
    August 10, 2009 at 11:00 pm

    OK, i answered my own question. That is the right cover. The Aquaman cover is the variant. and it’s positively badass.

  16. Avatar photo ScorpionMasada says:
    August 10, 2009 at 11:21 pm

    I don’t usually speculate about what the official pick of the week is going to be, but my sixth sense tells me that it will be The Walking Dead.

    A long shot that is bound to happen at some point.

  17. Avatar photo dirtyharry2030 says:
    August 11, 2009 at 5:01 am

    Is it time for number 2 already? Goody! Agree with ShonenRafa77-more of the Dibny’s please!

  18. Avatar photo WadeWilson says:
    August 11, 2009 at 5:42 am

    Rock on.

  19. Avatar photo Zeppo says:
    August 11, 2009 at 8:03 am

    I loved issue one, looking forward to this. Definatly a serious contender for my own POTW.

  20. Avatar photo kwisdumb says:
    August 11, 2009 at 10:31 am

    I didn’t think the first one was POW either, but it was far and away runner up. So excited for this.

  21. Avatar photo speaknspell says:
    August 11, 2009 at 10:34 am

    I haven’t looked forward to an issue like this in a while.  WHAT HAPPENS?!?!?!?!  BWAAAAAAAH.  sorry about that.

  22. Avatar photo SteenAR says:
    August 11, 2009 at 10:49 am

    To quote Kelly Clarkson, "Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this."

    That’s right. I just quoted Kelly Clarkson.

  23. Avatar photo magnum240 says:
    August 11, 2009 at 10:55 am

    Zombie Aquaman?  Hopefully in this issue…

  24. Avatar photo TheNextChampion says:
    August 11, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    *scoots away from SteenAR*

  25. Avatar photo ivithebatmanivi says:
    August 11, 2009 at 1:39 pm

    Hopin’ to see art imitate life in this second issue to see Michael Jackson as a Black Lantern.

    Seriously though, from strictly a DCU historical standpoint, it’s just awesome to see how much Johns can peel back, especially w/ the backdrop of a horror book.

    In closing, I’d like to say that the real count isn’t the dead bodies, but the icky, creepy dead love action going on between the Hawks, Sue and Ralph… and even Terra and Gar. *shudders*

  26. Avatar photo SteenAR says:
    August 11, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    @TNC Aw come on. You’re just jealous of my minute knowledge of female pop singers.

  27. Avatar photo JumpingJupiter says:
    August 11, 2009 at 4:44 pm

    So sweet!

  28. Avatar photo ato220 says:
    August 11, 2009 at 4:44 pm

    I think @PraxJarvin’s more than probably right.  It’s a first issue with Johns introducing characters that we haven’t seen in a while.  That’s right in his wheelhouse.

    I think in this issue we can expect some more Hal/Barry interaction, with a dash of Martion Manhunter and a side of Aquaman.  I’m more than willing to bet we get a glimpse of Earth-2 Superman.

  29. Avatar photo stuclach says:
    August 11, 2009 at 7:29 pm

    @SteenAR – We are all jealous of your knowledge of female pop singers.  If you’ve got it, flaunt it.

  30. Avatar photo SteenAR says:
    August 11, 2009 at 8:10 pm

    hahaha thanks stuclach. i’m jealous of you incredible ability to research and summarize entire storylines for people. it’s impressive and much appreciated. 

  31. Avatar photo JesTr says:
    August 12, 2009 at 9:39 am

    @ato220 I hope E2 Supes makes an appearance in this issue.  I can’t wait to get to my LCS.  Is the work day done yet? No, what do you mean no! Damn it!!!!!!!!

  32. Avatar photo stuclach says:
    August 12, 2009 at 11:27 am

    @SteenAR – Thank you for the compliment.  I’m gonna go read some heart-ripping-out-tastic comic books.

  33. Avatar photo insight says:
    August 12, 2009 at 12:18 pm

    FYI

    24 pages of story…  the rest is filler and a preview…

  34. Avatar photo TheNextChampion says:
    August 12, 2009 at 3:02 pm

    This was amazing; yet again.

    The tone of this comic is depressing and the heroes are really taking a beating. Plus you get some mystery going with a certain grave of a hero….not getting touched by a black ring. Interesting….Plus the art was just as incredible as it was last issue.

    Pick of the week for me.

  35. MisterJ says:
    August 12, 2009 at 5:30 pm

    I really liked the art in this.  Really.

    The last page was cool, as is the running tabs on the power level of the black battery.  

    I also want to compliment the writing on one particular aspect.  I know nothing about Aquaman, and what I think I know is probably wrong, and I know even less about his supporting cast.  When those parts got done, I didn’t feel as if I was missing anything as far as knowledge about the story.  That is good work.

  36. Avatar photo RoiVampire says:
    August 12, 2009 at 6:10 pm

    @MisterJ   yeah i agree, the aquaman stuff was handled really well. i’ve only read the character in Morrisons JLA and i got him right off the bat

  37. Avatar photo Alexferrer says:
    August 12, 2009 at 7:38 pm

    "Flash Fact!"

  38. Avatar photo Fvckstick says:
    August 12, 2009 at 7:50 pm

    I’m pretty new to the DCU. I’ve been reading Batman for about a year and a half now, and GL only about 9 months, so my knowledge of the DCU cast is really limited (being that both series are pretty contained).

     

    When i read BN #1 i was unsure because i didn’t know much of the cast, then upon re-read and great attention to detail i was floored at how much i loved the issue. As of right now, being read this ish only once, i feel like i AM missing alot of things here and there because of the cast envolved, but i’m confident that later tonight after i get through my stack and re-read this it will be another great issue.

     

    And i as well agree with MisterJ. Great storytelling. 

  39. Avatar photo SteenAR says:
    August 12, 2009 at 8:17 pm

    I’m re-reading the first one and just realized Scar tore Ganthet’s heart out…. is Ganthet a Black Lantern?

     

  40. Avatar photo theegreatone says:
    August 12, 2009 at 8:38 pm

    @SteenAR That wasn’t Ganthet cause he is part of the Blue Lanterns and is no longer a Guardian.

     

     

     

    It was nuts. So much was happening. 

  41. Avatar photo Fvckstick says:
    August 12, 2009 at 8:49 pm

    @SteenAR – was that Ganthet? I’ts been a while since i’ve read that issue (and my memory is shit) but i thought it was just a random Guardian from OA. Ganthet is on Odym with the Bluesies fighting the orangesies.

  42. Avatar photo drakedangerz says:
    August 12, 2009 at 9:04 pm

    Theegreatone is right, it was not Ganthet.  Ganthet runs the Blue Lanterns, so he would have no reason to be on Oa.

    Finally, Black Lantern Aquaman uses his powers to kick major ass.  Why did he never think of summoning sharks to bite limbs off before?  Amazing issue.  My pick.

  43. Avatar photo TheNextChampion says:
    August 12, 2009 at 9:46 pm

    You know what was awesome about Aquaman using his powers?

    It wasn’t for the sheer gore of the sharks. It wasn’t because it wasn’t useless. It was because the letterer used the same sound effect the ‘Superfriends’ cartoon did. That my friends define badass.

  44. Avatar photo ShonenRafa77 says:
    August 12, 2009 at 10:07 pm

    GODZILLA/ZOMBIE-SPECTER!!!!

  45. Avatar photo Patman2 says:
    August 12, 2009 at 11:05 pm

    go damn this was cool. I think by the end of this series there’s gonna be a bigger bodycount than usual for an Event comic because they are just wasting people left and right.

  46. Avatar photo WadeWilson says:
    August 13, 2009 at 3:20 am

    Dude, ZOMBIE SHARKS! and a ZOMBIE SEAL BITING A GUYS FACE OFF. How can you not like this? I think I pissed my pants about 4 times while reading this.

    As usual though, I have a question …

    Can someone explain the Spectre part? If the Black Lantern rings are only controlling the bodies & not the souls (judging from Deadman, in Blackest Night: Batman), how is Crispus Allen’s zombie-body still using the Spectre’s powers & seems to have the Spectre’s thoughts ("I want Hal Jordan back") ??

  47. boostergold4 says:
    August 13, 2009 at 8:32 am

    Zombie Elongated Man needs his own title!!!

  48. Avatar photo stuclach says:
    August 13, 2009 at 8:39 am

    @WadeWilson – I am wondering the same thing.  It was interesting, but seems a bit contradictory.

  49. Avatar photo Tex says:
    August 13, 2009 at 9:22 am

    Loved the issue but can anyone tell me who the black lantern is that comes to deadman’s grave while zatanna, blue devil etc are there and says "worlds have died. Worlds will rise…"

    I don’t have an extensive knowledge of the characters and this part confused me a bit… any help would be greatly appreciated!

  50. Avatar photo Tex says:
    August 13, 2009 at 9:39 am

    Ah scrap that, i now realise he was Pariah, anyone explaine the significance of him though?

  51. Avatar photo jerichobp says:
    August 13, 2009 at 9:53 am

    @WadeWilson

    I don’t think they ever said the rings control just the body. All of the Black Lanterns have their own (warped) personalities intact, so I don’t see why, since Allen’s soul is merged with the Spectre’s, the ring wouldn’t warp the personality of the Spectre as well. Deadman doesn’t really count because his soul doesn’t belong in the bodies he inhabits, he’s just using them like puppets.

  52. Avatar photo AlexG says:
    August 13, 2009 at 10:03 am

    I liked it although felt a bit lost as to who a lot of the characters were at certain points. that didn’t bother me though. This is the kind of issue that in trade would keep you blazing through to the next issue immediately.

  53. Avatar photo rift1128 says:
    August 13, 2009 at 10:40 am

    As detail oriented and just flat out amazing this issue was in the writing aspect, I have to give props to Reis. The art in this book has been amazing to say the least and he has once again upped his game even though i didnt think it was possible. Fantastic issue.

  54. Avatar photo JesTr says:
    August 13, 2009 at 10:43 am

    @WadeWilson, stuClach, and jerichobp:  I’ve been hung up on the same thing and that is one of the reasons I enjoyed this and BN: Batman so much.  I think that compassion has something to do with it.  Dove (Don Hall) didn’t come back because he was compassionate and at peace.  I think all of the Black Lanterns that were resurrected were bitter and devoid of compassion.  I think this explains the symbolism of the Black Lanterns ripping hearts out and having their hearts ripped out.  Maybe this is why the Indigo Lanterns of compassion have been keep hush hush.  I bet they are the trump card in the war.

  55. Avatar photo JumpingJupiter says:
    August 13, 2009 at 11:43 am

    "Flash Fact" indeed! Sooo sweet!

  56. Avatar photo TheNextChampion says:
    August 13, 2009 at 12:53 pm

    Johns really nailed the Horror film vibe with the Aquaman segments. When he was screaming for Mera and she was running away; totally felt like a film there.

  57. Avatar photo stuclach says:
    August 13, 2009 at 2:03 pm

    @JesTr and anyone else who might know the answer: How did Dove die? I believe he died saving someone. Perhaps his sacrifice is what saved him.

  58. MisterJ says:
    August 13, 2009 at 2:31 pm

    @stuclach-This particular Dove died back in CoIE via one of the Anti-Monitor’s shadow henchmen attacking him.  I do not believe he was saving someone at the time, but it has been a while.

  59. Avatar photo stuclach says:
    August 13, 2009 at 2:43 pm

    @MisterJ – I just checked wikipedia and it said: "Dove died in 1985’s Crisis on Infinite Earths while saving a young boy being attacked by the Anti-Monitor’s shadow demons."  I don’t really remember the specifics, but I do have to wonder if he is a peace because of how he died.

  60. MisterJ says:
    August 13, 2009 at 2:55 pm

    I remembered that he got taken out by one of the demons/faceless ones in CoIE, and it makes sense that he was saving somebody.

    I am thinking that it is his general nature coupled with his death that gives him resistance to the call of the rings.  Or maybe it is just his compassion.

  61. Avatar photo Impulse says:
    August 13, 2009 at 4:06 pm

    Great issue.  This Summer Blockbuster is thus far living up to its 2 year hype.

     

    Favorite part of issue 2 – When BL Aquaman brought his hands to his temples to call on Undead Sea Creatures in which the Letterer used the "VUUVUUVUUVUUVUU".  I could actually hear the sound they used for that in the SuperFriends Cartoon.  Brought back the school kid in me for a split second.  Pure Fun.

  62. Avatar photo JesTr says:
    August 13, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    @Impulse: Meanwhile back at the Hall of Justice, Undead Aquaman summons a school of piranhas to eat the Wonder Twins and Black Lanterns Marvin and Wendy use there powers to stop sucking so much.

  63. Avatar photo RolandofGilead says:
    August 13, 2009 at 5:32 pm

    Mastermind revealed! ign has it.

  64. Avatar photo kwisdumb says:
    August 14, 2009 at 10:32 am

    I felt this was an excellent 4-star issue, but didn’t quite hit the 5-star mark for me. The bookends were great; the relationship between Babs and Comissioner Gordon is fantastic, and Hal’s last little "introduction" at the end of the book was also pretty amazing. Outside of that, though, I felt like it kept a steady 4-star pace. I only see it getting better from here.

  65. Avatar photo EAGLEBAUER says:
    August 14, 2009 at 11:58 am

    I’m glad I recently read Crisis on Infinite Earths, ’cause that definately put some things here in context. You know the DCU is in a bad way when the Phantom Stranger shows up! Between the Aquaman and Spectre scense, there were plenty of "oh shit!" moments, and looks like there will be plenty more to come.

  66. Avatar photo cutty says:
    August 14, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    Who is Pariah?  And what’s his significance?

  67. Avatar photo Bassoonjedi says:
    August 14, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    So what is the connection between Fiorestorm and Flash? All I can think of is a JLA mentor program? That’s twice that Firestom has made a referential desire to get the Flash, and I’m not sure why. What am I missing here?

  68. Avatar photo Bassoonjedi says:
    August 14, 2009 at 4:46 pm

    Cutty – Pariah was in COIE, and was cursed to watch worlds die. He would show up to witness a world being destroyed. Johns took the liberty to twist his famous line a bit.

  69. Avatar photo PraxJarvin says:
    August 14, 2009 at 7:57 pm

    Awesome issue. Surprisingly not my POTW, but damn close. I felt the pace was really good, and the writing solid. And Ivan Reis… oh man, knocking it out of the park. 5/5. Aquaman’s call and the seal stole the issue. Though it had it’s great moments. Now to help out some of you folk: 

    @WadeWilson As someone already mentioned, the force of the Spectre and its human host are inexorably linked. What happens to one effects the other. As well, it has been shown that the Spectre is susceptible to the influence of outside powers before. During "Joke’s Last Laugh" the Spectre (with Hal) briefly was affected by Two Face’s insanity. As well, Rebirth reveals that Hal, The Spectre and Parallax were constantly at war with one another and that the Spectre alone could not rid itself of Parallax’s influence. So it is very possible for the ring to take over both host and spirit. Also, I’d like to note that the scene of the "true" Spectre being imprisoned inside of "Black Lantern Spectre’s" chest is a direct reference to the scene of the Spectre emerging from Crispus Allen’s chest during his autopsy way back in Infinite Crisis.

    @bassoonjedi Well, for a time Firestorm appeared as a back-up in the Flash comic book, so I think this is Johns coy way of making a nod to it. On a continuity level, I want to say Barry was either Firestorm’s sponsor for the JLA or was the deciding vote in letting him in.  

  70. Avatar photo WadeWilson says:
    August 15, 2009 at 2:06 am

    @JesTr- I don’t think Martian Manhunter (& a lot of the others who have come back) was bitter & devoid of compassion!

    @PraxJarvin- here’s the thing I don’t get — Spectre (who is a spirit) is linked with Allen’s soul (not his body), so if Allen’s body is ressurected, zombie style, isn’t his soul (& the Spectre spririt) a totally seperate thing?

  71. Avatar photo WadeWilson says:
    August 15, 2009 at 2:11 am

    If I’m not being clear (I know I have a problem with that lol) — I’m saying that the Black Lantern rings have power of dead bodies — the Spectre is not dead — he is a "cosmic entity" so how can he be controlled by the BL ring?

  72. Avatar photo PraxJarvin says:
    August 15, 2009 at 10:03 am

    @wadewilson I think… and this could be wrong, but that the Spectre can only operate in "our world" by being bound to a physical body. In the case of Jim Corrigan I know he had a real body. It’s a bit complicated by Hal Jordan, but I’ve always assumed this is why the Spectre needs a host. And if this wasn’t true before Crispus Allen, I think that’s the intention since he came about. I mentioned the scene from Infinite Crisis where the Spectre emerges from Allen’s chest, in that sequence he takes Allen’s corpse with him when they go. Because the Spectre needs a physical form to exist in our world, Black Hand uses the ring to reanimate Allen’s body, this coupled with Black Hand’s statement that his master is stronger than the Spectre, explains what’s happening. I hope.

  73. Avatar photo WadeWilson says:
    August 15, 2009 at 10:28 am

    @PraxJarvin- Hmm, OK, if the Spectre is tied to Allen’s physical body, I guess that kinda makes sense then, I thought it wasn’t his body at all. That kind of explains it.

    The Spectre can operate without a human host though, I don’t remember the storyline it happened in, but without a human host to reign him he went psycho & was killing everyone so he was tied to a human again — Allen.

    Still kinda weird to me that in the Batman BN book, the BL rings didn’t control Deadman’s spirit, but they can control "God’s Spirit of Vengeance"? Ah well, maybe it’s one of those things where "it’s just comics" & trying to make sense of a world where people fly & shoot lazers out of thier eyes is silly.

    *shrug*

  74. Avatar photo PraxJarvin says:
    August 15, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    @Wadewilson Yeah, I think the Spectre needing to be in Allen’s body was supposed to harken back to the days of the original Spectre from the 40s. As for Deadman… part of his shtick is that he can leap into any body but his own, so I think that’s Johns/Tomasi’s out.

  75. Avatar photo redlibertyx says:
    August 15, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    "Flash Fact" <– Awesomest line ever.

     Adding to the Spectre/Deadman discussion: Deadman is effectively different from the Spectre in lots of ways. Like Prax says Spectre is bound to a body — CURRENTLY at least. As for Deadman, he wasn’t thrown out, he voluntarily left. The pain was too much. The reason he can’t leap into his body is because he can’t leap into a dead body. He can only leap into a live one. He could leap into his body this time because it was affected by the BL ring. Or at least that’s my understanding. 

  76. Avatar photo TheNextChampion says:
    August 16, 2009 at 12:51 am

    If anyone noticed; the body of Allen seemed to get sucked into the new body for the BN Spectre. Like he was trying to claw his way out of his own chest, but he got sucked into his new form. So technically Spectre does have a body right now so it makes sense he turned into a black lantern.

    Deadman on the other hand is a spirit. So while he might be unrest cause his body is being tampered right now, he can still control himself.

  77. Avatar photo JohnnyPHreak says:
    August 16, 2009 at 12:26 pm

    It was a hard choice between this, Adventure Comics (so happy Superboy is back) & Deadpool (one of the funniest issues of comic I’ve read in a while). But I had to go with the sci-fi horror summer blockbuster. This book is just nutz, gory & awesome. I can’t get enough of it. I usually hate the big "summer events" but this one of the best I’ve read in a while. 

  78. Avatar photo mrlogical says:
    August 16, 2009 at 12:43 pm

    As someone who just got back into comics about a year ago, Blackest Night has been rather difficult to follow.  I’ve read everything suggested on the Green Lantern checklist to catch up on Hal Jordan and crew, but I’m totally mystified by characters like Sue Dibney and Atom Man and Hawkman and the like.  I keep seeing pages that appear to be intended as weighty reveals that just make me confused.  For example, on the page where a plane load of corpses is transformed, and all their names are given, I imagine I was supposed to understand that and have some reaction.  Instead it was just a "oh some more Black Lanterns" moment.  I like the overall idea of this story, but my lack of familiarity with the universe has made it hard for me to connect with.

  79. Avatar photo PraxJarvin says:
    August 16, 2009 at 10:45 pm

    @mrlogical That’s definitely a legitimate claim that some new readers are going to be alienated by the vast amount of characters and continuity. As myself and many others have said in previous posts about Green Lantern and other books, if you’re curious about the continuity please feel free to ask. One of us will get to it. However, I have to say, sometimes it’s great to come into something in the midst of heavy continuity. When I got back into comics in 2001, my first sampling of the DCU proper (I was reading GA) was the Our Worlds At War crossover. It was a big, over the top and chock full of continuity. Amidst this, I glommed onto JSA. I knew nothing about them or most of their members, but they had a huge roster and it was full of odd characters. So, I decided I wanted to find out anything I could about the team (pre-Wikipedia, really) and they ended up being a team I followed until just last month.

  80. Avatar photo ocdavenger says:
    August 17, 2009 at 8:19 pm

    The Black Lantern Oath was so eerie

    "The Blackest Night Falls from the sky

    The Darkness Grows

    As All Light Dies

    We Crave Your Hearts

    And Your Demise

    By My Black Hand

    The Dead shall Rise"

    Kudos to Johns and Reis for another great issue that I can’t wait to reread

  81. Avatar photo bencaddie says:
    September 1, 2009 at 11:38 pm

    1st book was better. I am not too caught up on the master of the sea. But I like where it is going.

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