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Blackest Night: Collected Editions
Blackest Night Saga
The prophecy of the Blackest Night has come to pass--a mysterious force is raising deceased heroes and villains into an army of undead Black Lanterns! The combined might of the Green Lantern Corps and an armada of living superbeings must now band together in a fight quite literally for their lives. The incredible saga from #1 New York Times bestselling writer Geoff Johns is collected here in its entirety for the first time ever in paperback in this new DC Essential Edition!
A war has been brewing between the different colored Lantern Corps--the Green fighting the Yellow, the Red trying to destroy all, the Blue attempting to broker peace between the tribes. However, the real battle is yet to the undead Black Lanterns are coming and seemingly nothing can stop them. Putting aside old vendettas, it's up to Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps to lead DC's greatest champions as well as their deadliest foes in a battle to save the Universe from an army of the dead.
The DC Essential Edition series of graphic novels highlights the best standalone stories the medium has to offer featuring comics' greatest characters. These trade paperback editions focus on the easiest entry points DC has in its vast library, with seminal, groundbreaking tales that transcend the printed page. Start with the Essentials.
This collects GREEN LANTERN #43, BLACKEST NIGHT #0-8, and two stories from UNTOLD TALES OF THE BLACKEST NIGHT #1.
A war has been brewing between the different colored Lantern Corps--the Green fighting the Yellow, the Red trying to destroy all, the Blue attempting to broker peace between the tribes. However, the real battle is yet to the undead Black Lanterns are coming and seemingly nothing can stop them. Putting aside old vendettas, it's up to Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps to lead DC's greatest champions as well as their deadliest foes in a battle to save the Universe from an army of the dead.
The DC Essential Edition series of graphic novels highlights the best standalone stories the medium has to offer featuring comics' greatest characters. These trade paperback editions focus on the easiest entry points DC has in its vast library, with seminal, groundbreaking tales that transcend the printed page. Start with the Essentials.
This collects GREEN LANTERN #43, BLACKEST NIGHT #0-8, and two stories from UNTOLD TALES OF THE BLACKEST NIGHT #1.
344 pages, Paperback
Published February 12, 2019
209 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Geoff Johns
2,707 books2,414 followersGeoff Johns originally hails from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Media Arts and Film. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990s in search of work within the film industry. Through perseverance, Geoff ended up as the assistant to Richard Donner, working on Conspiracy Theory and Lethal Weapon 4. During that time, he also began his comics career writing Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. and JSA (co-written with David S. Goyer) for DC Comics. He worked with Richard Donner for four years, leaving the company to pursue writing full-time.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
May 30, 2024
Really enjoyed this story! It’s essentially a DC zombie story if you want the simplified plot however what I loved about this is how they went about telling this with the black lantern’s power responsible for bringing back the dead and all lanterns of the emotional spectrum need to come together to stop the threat. Also found it interesting how they used this to explain why characters die but can be brought back to life. Overall I had a great time reading this, Geoff johns wrights a good green lantern!
December 23, 2025
I have wanted to read this and all its cross-overs for years and finally decided to do it this October. I read this and most all of the cross-overs so it took some time to complete this task. This book, written by Johns, is fantastic, but a few of the tie-ins were a little tedious.
This story is extremely compelling and packed with emotion. The art and colors are amazing and I love that one of my fave characters, Barry Allen’s Flash is a key player.
This story is extremely compelling and packed with emotion. The art and colors are amazing and I love that one of my fave characters, Barry Allen’s Flash is a key player.
September 3, 2023
Loved the storyline and the artwork!!
Loved the storyline and the artwork. Good to see the flash and Hal Jordan to be the main protagonists for a change, rather than Superman, Batman and Wonder woman trio.
Loved the storyline and the artwork. Good to see the flash and Hal Jordan to be the main protagonists for a change, rather than Superman, Batman and Wonder woman trio.
July 4, 2021
This was definitely an entertaining read. They managed to do the undead/zombie thing without making it too corny. Like, it's obviously ridiculous but they just kinda plow through it and let you hurdle over the insanity. It works, in my opinion.
It's also a total buffet for anyone wanting to feast on a smattering of the DC roster without too much focus on one character (aside Hal Jordan). They throw in little focus shifts to some other characters and jump around just enough to keep your interest before moving on.
Nothing groundbreaking here, but a fun and outlandish DC story.
It's also a total buffet for anyone wanting to feast on a smattering of the DC roster without too much focus on one character (aside Hal Jordan). They throw in little focus shifts to some other characters and jump around just enough to keep your interest before moving on.
Nothing groundbreaking here, but a fun and outlandish DC story.
December 24, 2023
4.5 stars
June 1, 2020
(4.4/5)
March 6, 2021
Definitivamente me gustó mucho, me mantuvo atrapada, me quedo con un poco de duda por la posibilidad de las nuevas "Linternas blancas" que supongo aparecerán en algún momento (ojalá alguien me pueda resolver mi duda); imagino que mis dudas se resolverán al leer "Brightest Day".
Pero sí, sin duda es una historia que nadie se puede perder.
Pero sí, sin duda es una historia que nadie se puede perder.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2021
It was ok
June 1, 2025
A saga gira em torno da profecia da Noite Mais Densa, mencionada desde os primeiros arcos de Johns em Green Lantern. Essa profecia se concretiza quando os Lanternas Negros surgem — uma tropa de mortos-vivos que se alimentam de emoções e usam os anéis negros para ressuscitar heróis e vilões falecidos.
Os Lanternas Verdes, liderados por Hal Jordan, precisam se unir a outras tropas emocionais (como os Lanternas Vermelhos, Azuis, Safiras Estelares, etc.) para enfrentar a crescente ameaça. Personagens como Sinestro, Barry Allen, Mera, e Atrocitus ganham destaque.
Geoff Johns leva sua reconstrução dos Lanternas ao ápice com Blackest Night, entregando uma história sombria, emocional e cheia de momentos inesquecíveis. A ameaça dos Lanternas Negros não é só física, mas emocional — confrontando heróis com perdas profundas e versões corrompidas de pessoas que amaram.
A forma como Johns trabalha o espectro emocional, unindo todas as tropas — e obrigando inimigos a cooperarem — é magistral. E a arte de Ivan Reis não apenas acompanha o peso da história como eleva cada página a um evento visual.
Mesmo sendo uma história sobre morte, Blackest Night é, no fundo, sobre a vida — o que nos move, o que nos conecta, e o que estamos dispostos a sacrificar por isso.
Os Lanternas Verdes, liderados por Hal Jordan, precisam se unir a outras tropas emocionais (como os Lanternas Vermelhos, Azuis, Safiras Estelares, etc.) para enfrentar a crescente ameaça. Personagens como Sinestro, Barry Allen, Mera, e Atrocitus ganham destaque.
Geoff Johns leva sua reconstrução dos Lanternas ao ápice com Blackest Night, entregando uma história sombria, emocional e cheia de momentos inesquecíveis. A ameaça dos Lanternas Negros não é só física, mas emocional — confrontando heróis com perdas profundas e versões corrompidas de pessoas que amaram.
A forma como Johns trabalha o espectro emocional, unindo todas as tropas — e obrigando inimigos a cooperarem — é magistral. E a arte de Ivan Reis não apenas acompanha o peso da história como eleva cada página a um evento visual.
Mesmo sendo uma história sobre morte, Blackest Night é, no fundo, sobre a vida — o que nos move, o que nos conecta, e o que estamos dispostos a sacrificar por isso.
December 18, 2024
4/5!
What happens when you combine superhero’s and the undead? You get this over the top and fun read. The art is fantastic, and the story is simple but very fun.
The story begins with a man who goes as the Black Hand, as he is selected to essentially become the first Black Lantern, with the Black Light pretty much representing the antithesis of the other light spectrums, being of darkness and death itself. Not too much of a spoiler I think, but their main goal is to enshroud the universe in darkness.
There are a number of MC’s, with Hal Jordan being the main one, but we do spend time with others including the Flash, Queen Mera and more. Even though it is a Green Lantern story, we very much get a number of other DC Universe superheroes there as well.
Aside from the main story, in this edition, we get the Black Hand’s book at the end, as well as additional commentary. I didn’t read all of the commentary parts yet, but definitely intend to, maybe on a re-read.
What happens when you combine superhero’s and the undead? You get this over the top and fun read. The art is fantastic, and the story is simple but very fun.
The story begins with a man who goes as the Black Hand, as he is selected to essentially become the first Black Lantern, with the Black Light pretty much representing the antithesis of the other light spectrums, being of darkness and death itself. Not too much of a spoiler I think, but their main goal is to enshroud the universe in darkness.
There are a number of MC’s, with Hal Jordan being the main one, but we do spend time with others including the Flash, Queen Mera and more. Even though it is a Green Lantern story, we very much get a number of other DC Universe superheroes there as well.
Aside from the main story, in this edition, we get the Black Hand’s book at the end, as well as additional commentary. I didn’t read all of the commentary parts yet, but definitely intend to, maybe on a re-read.
February 25, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this (I mean I know DC is now in Rebirth but I always had been intrigued by these events) I wish though that I had more knowledge of the events leading up to Blackest Night. But I had Google to lend a hand when needed, and just the right amount of flashbacks were given to arouse the curiosity and look further into these events.
This Saga had me glued to the pages I was shocked by many events but overall it was a great read.
I enioyed how all the Lamter Corps work together to defeat the Black Lantern Corp and eventually where is it that the White Lanter Corp originated from was all fascinating.
But come of Batman was just used to create an emotional effect on the JL and then puff, off you go... that was cold. Like yeah I know this was more about the Lanter Corp than any one individual, but still.
This Saga had me glued to the pages I was shocked by many events but overall it was a great read.
I enioyed how all the Lamter Corps work together to defeat the Black Lantern Corp and eventually where is it that the White Lanter Corp originated from was all fascinating.
But come of Batman was just used to create an emotional effect on the JL and then puff, off you go... that was cold. Like yeah I know this was more about the Lanter Corp than any one individual, but still.
September 30, 2025
I've been reading through a lot of DCs big event arcs and can't say I really care for most of them. It might be confusing for me since I don't know all of the characters in the story but I also think this story involves too many characters to begin with. Just some funny/weird things I noticed in this story I wanted to point out:
1. Flash recognizes Bruce's skull being carried around by Black Hand (even within this story, it could've been anyone's skull)
2. Batman is brought back to corrupt other heroes because of their emotional attachment to him and then disconnected as if he wasn't worth anything else/being on the Black Lantern team...weird
3. Black lanterns see in "emotional colors". Would they be blind otherwise? It's not really explained
Not sure about the ending either. Using white light through the spectrum of colors did nothing then somehow Nekron was defeated anyway...ok
1. Flash recognizes Bruce's skull being carried around by Black Hand (even within this story, it could've been anyone's skull)
2. Batman is brought back to corrupt other heroes because of their emotional attachment to him and then disconnected as if he wasn't worth anything else/being on the Black Lantern team...weird
3. Black lanterns see in "emotional colors". Would they be blind otherwise? It's not really explained
Not sure about the ending either. Using white light through the spectrum of colors did nothing then somehow Nekron was defeated anyway...ok
November 22, 2021
Initially, I attempted to read the whole event, going through the prequel issues, side stories, cross-overs with main series, etc. But the experience was bo worth it for me; too much details, repeted events between the different series, some storylines barely relevant / interesting to follow, etc. Then, after the third issue in the main saga, I sticked to the primary work only, and got torn between the then incomplete stpry woth fragments and the previous non-interesting experience. I remeber a similr case when reafing Marvel's Civil War.
Overall, though some moments were kind of lame, the story is good. Connecting some dots would have much improved my evaluation.
I liked the artwork, but does it not include too much dialogue and conversation boxes??
Overall, though some moments were kind of lame, the story is good. Connecting some dots would have much improved my evaluation.
I liked the artwork, but does it not include too much dialogue and conversation boxes??
January 13, 2025
Color me impressed!
The mid 70’s through mid 90’s was the era I read super hero comics. I pop back in every now and then and have always heard good things about the Blackest Night saga. I have to say, this checks all the boxes. While reflecting the dark trend of comics in general, the more grown up side of me, the parent to an 18 year old son, found the graphic violence, while beautifully drawn, pretty gratuitous. But I have to say...this was creepy as hell and I couldn't put it down! Can't believe it took me this long to get around to reading it. You can tell a lot of creative love went into this book.
The mid 70’s through mid 90’s was the era I read super hero comics. I pop back in every now and then and have always heard good things about the Blackest Night saga. I have to say, this checks all the boxes. While reflecting the dark trend of comics in general, the more grown up side of me, the parent to an 18 year old son, found the graphic violence, while beautifully drawn, pretty gratuitous. But I have to say...this was creepy as hell and I couldn't put it down! Can't believe it took me this long to get around to reading it. You can tell a lot of creative love went into this book.
November 28, 2022
4.5/5
Wow wow. I can 100% see why this is such a classic Green Lantern and JLA story. It's also a smart way to revive tons of characters at the same time and i do love the concept of all corps fighting together against this threat of the Blackest Night. I also love how gruesome of the deaths in this book are. Geoff johns is brutal! I did not see the end coming with everyone getting their own rings and then becoming White Lanterns!! I do think that the end might have been a little convenient but still good. And the art is just great with some great covers too.
Wow wow. I can 100% see why this is such a classic Green Lantern and JLA story. It's also a smart way to revive tons of characters at the same time and i do love the concept of all corps fighting together against this threat of the Blackest Night. I also love how gruesome of the deaths in this book are. Geoff johns is brutal! I did not see the end coming with everyone getting their own rings and then becoming White Lanterns!! I do think that the end might have been a little convenient but still good. And the art is just great with some great covers too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2023
One of my favourite comic arcs for how impossible and human the entire event seems. The very concept of it so human.
I like the attention on 'underrated' characters too such as Atom and Mera, especially the latter. Hal Jordan is also my favourite superhero, and I loved his connection to everything in the fight against death and darkness, how isn't necessarily fearless but overcomes fear (said directly in the author's notes). Barry and Hal made a good team, I'm not a fan of the Flash but I really warmed up to him in this comic.
I like the attention on 'underrated' characters too such as Atom and Mera, especially the latter. Hal Jordan is also my favourite superhero, and I loved his connection to everything in the fight against death and darkness, how isn't necessarily fearless but overcomes fear (said directly in the author's notes). Barry and Hal made a good team, I'm not a fan of the Flash but I really warmed up to him in this comic.
July 3, 2024
I honestly thought that this event felt really slow in the first half when it was just Hal and friends fighting a bunch of Black Lanters, but the story does kick up a notch once Nekron shows up. That’s when you really start feeling the scale of everything that’s happening, and we start getting some epic stuff like the deputy Lanterns and the introduction of White Lanterns. Not exactly the S-tier DC event that I’ve heard it made out to be, but still a lot of fun and a cool sci-fi spin on the zombie genre.
October 4, 2025
A powerful expansion of the Lantern Corps mythos
A powerful expansion of the Lantern Corps mythos. An original, action packed, philosophical superhero epic. It is absurd how they imagine the forces of creation and emotion being empty shells of power. They gave far to much attention the bad guys and the death mythos lessening my enjoyment of the saga. Spending more time learning about the various Lantern Corps and the way they wield their power would have greatly enhanced the story. Overall I enjoyed it.
A powerful expansion of the Lantern Corps mythos. An original, action packed, philosophical superhero epic. It is absurd how they imagine the forces of creation and emotion being empty shells of power. They gave far to much attention the bad guys and the death mythos lessening my enjoyment of the saga. Spending more time learning about the various Lantern Corps and the way they wield their power would have greatly enhanced the story. Overall I enjoyed it.
November 4, 2023
The death of Hawkman and Hawkgirl was harrowing.
I thought dove would have more of an impact on the story as they kept drawing attention to the fact she had white light coming out of her destroying black lanterns but that didn't really go anyware...
The rise panels at the end were cool and the directors comments were interesting and I enjoyed read "the book of the black hand" and also the two introductionary comics, the Black Hand is proper spooky!
I thought dove would have more of an impact on the story as they kept drawing attention to the fact she had white light coming out of her destroying black lanterns but that didn't really go anyware...
The rise panels at the end were cool and the directors comments were interesting and I enjoyed read "the book of the black hand" and also the two introductionary comics, the Black Hand is proper spooky!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2025
Phenomenal. Absolutely. Phenomenal. One of my favorite comics ever. The writing is top tier. The artwork is unmatched. The entire storyline is peak. This is truly quintessential Green Lantern material. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars; many, many more. Need more Green Lantern comics/storylines like this one, but I cannot emphasize enough how clearly special this comic is. A real game changer for DC, and clearly a timeless and classic installment. Spectacular.
July 14, 2021
Deconstruction of the universe.
Dc comics and Prime freebie. Suitable for teens and adults. Good color artwork. A massive destruction of the dc universe and an end to unkillable heros. Supposedly the ultimate epic in dc comics universe? 15% of the material is an analysis of the main body of work? I have been reading comix since 1966 and I didn't get all of the references?
Dc comics and Prime freebie. Suitable for teens and adults. Good color artwork. A massive destruction of the dc universe and an end to unkillable heros. Supposedly the ultimate epic in dc comics universe? 15% of the material is an analysis of the main body of work? I have been reading comix since 1966 and I didn't get all of the references?
November 11, 2019
Superheroes are just about the last thing I'd ever combine with zombies. Luckily DC got Geoff Johns and he made a great zombie tale which constantly makes fun of the constant deaths and resurrections of superheroes.
Ending is a little out of the left field, though.
Ending is a little out of the left field, though.
July 20, 2021
A gimmick to bring characters back to life. Ok. And to cash in on the zombie craze at the same time. But to tell the audience that no one else will come back from the dead after this? lost a star for that one.
July 22, 2021
Space Zombies vs JLA
It's essential space zombies versus the Justice League, which pretty much means it's a winner. You know those massive zombie scenes from Game of Thrones? Like that but with spandex.
It's essential space zombies versus the Justice League, which pretty much means it's a winner. You know those massive zombie scenes from Game of Thrones? Like that but with spandex.
July 26, 2021
Legendary
This is a legendary comic! The story is amazing and never boring... The graphics? Stunning! I totally loved it, even the last page in the style of black hand's diary. It was all perfect!
This is a legendary comic! The story is amazing and never boring... The graphics? Stunning! I totally loved it, even the last page in the style of black hand's diary. It was all perfect!
January 11, 2025
Anytime that you read an over-arching story like this, it’s hard to truly appreciate each narrative beat unless you are studied on the characters and their relationship. Not nearly enough time is spent with the corps themselves and instead the story focuses heavily on the characters tied to earth.
March 15, 2025
No doubt it is one of the most iconic DC storyline. It has somewhat of a zombie-apolcalypse vibe and expands on the concept around the emotional spectrum and their origin. For me what is missing is that captivating factor to flip the next page.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2019
Decent art, but possible the most annoying series in the history of the Silver Age Green Lantern. Dark and unpleasant.
March 13, 2020
¿Sería equivocado tener la hipótesis de que toda esta saga está inspirada en la interpretación de la ley 0 de la termodinámica?
April 1, 2020
Good
Illustrations were great, and the story line was very gripping. This was my first dc comic and I am now sure I will get more.
Illustrations were great, and the story line was very gripping. This was my first dc comic and I am now sure I will get more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews