100 Greatest Superhero Stories Ever
By Steve Lam
Image Courtesy of DC Comics
#33. Blackest Night
Medium
Comic Book
Release Dates
July 2009–May 2010
Credits
Writer: Geoff Johns
Penciller: Ivan Reis
Inkers: Oclair Albert, Rob Hunter, Julio Ferreira, Joe Prado
Colorist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: Nick J. Napolitano
Editors: Adam Schlagman, Eddie Berganza
The Reason It’s Great
Masterminded by writer Geoff Johns, the Blackest Night story arc was introduced in Blackest Night #0 during Free Comic Book Day. Blackest Night was first mentioned in The Sinestro Corps War (another one of our greatest superhero stories) as an event that would lead to the destruction of the universe.
A War of Light emerges at the end of The Sinestro Corps War. The Black Lanterns—made of the dead imbued with Black Power Rings—feed on Nekron, the embodiment of death and darkness, and come to power.
The various Lantern Corps unite and fight against the Black Lanterns. In the end, Nekron and the Black Lanterns are defeated by the Justice League and a White Lantern Sinestro. As foretold by the prophecy, Blackest Night ends, leading to Brightest Day.
Blackest Night was released to rave reviews. The overall story arc was one of the best-selling comics from 2009 to 2010.