Comic Book Review: Blackest Night #4 (of 8)

Plot: Atom, Mera and the Flash find themselves amongst a barrage of risen Black Lanterns in a fight for their lives. As they escape the immediate threat, they go on a search for someone who can help them in their time of need. With Hal Jordan gone, off somewhere in space with members of the Indigo Tribe, the three are desperate to find someone who can duke it out with the Black Lanterns and who better than someone with the ability to blow stuff up, and burn up corpses? However, fate is not on the three heroes’ side, and they arrive a smidge too late. Now, with the power levels at reaching 100%, the unknown Black Lantern leader rises and makes himself known…and if you haven’t been keeping up with the gossip, who’ll be shocked and alarmed at who it is!


My Thoughts: There is something to be said about writers with the ability to keep you on the edge of your seat with intelligently written horror stories. Geoff Johns shows off his shocking story with a huge surprise…the death of Damage! WHOA!! Talk about your unexpected plot twists!! I see no way of getting around this one. With a Black Lantern punching right through Damages back all the way to front, ripping out his heart, I see no other alternative than he being completely and utterly dead. How will this play out in the Justice Society of America title? Damage is such a great character; it’s hard to see the JSA without him. There has to be something up Johns sleeve with this turn of events.

I find it frustrating that I haven’t learned why Black Hand is carrying Bruce Wayne’s skull around yet. As DC announced not too long ago, Bruce will be coming back, (which is frustrating enough) so of course we know that there is some significance with this, but the question is “what?” Why Black Hand? Why did he choose to dig up Bruce Wayne’s grave just to carry his skull around? For the life of me, I can’t figure it out.

The art is, once again, spectacular. Ivan Reis is perfect for the job of drawing disturbing and gross images of dead corpses bring ripped apart. And the image of Nekron finally rising is gorgeously done. Two enthusiastic thumbs up to Reis and his team of artists.

There are so many mysteries in this story; it leads me wonder if the ending will be sufficient. Having Nekron as the Black Lantern leader makes so much sense that it’s almost disappointing. (But not quite, wink) But with all the other unanswered questions, how in the world is this going to end in only eight issues? What’s the importance of Bruce Wayne in the story? How will the Black Lanterns be stopped? What is Hal Jordan’s role in the bigger picture? What is the purpose driving the Black Lanterns? The list goes on and I have no idea how this is going to pane out.

Overall: A good issue to help continue the Blackest night story. However this installment does not stick out as a one of the better ones for October. I think readers will enjoy every page, but it’s nothing more than fun, disturbing entertainment. The only jaw dropping moment I had was when Damage was brutally murdered. I think issue #5, however is going to blow our minds!

4 out of 5 stars

Next Month: Blackest Night #5 (of 8)

The moment you've hungered for finally arrives! Who controls death in the DC Universe? NEKRON - Lord of the Undead! The dark being behind the undead Black Lanterns makes his presence and purpose known, and our heroes discover they're not only fighting for their lives, but their after-lives as well. Don't miss this game-changing issue from superstar writer Geoff Johns and stellar artist Ivan Reis!