Few comic events have reshaped the DC Universe as profoundly as Blackest Night. This 2009 crossover, spearheaded by writer Geoff Johns and artist Ivan Reis, built upon years of Green Lantern mythology and expanded the emotional spectrum of power rings into a universe-spanning war. It wasn’t just a battle between good and evil—it was a battle between life and death itself.
The Main Story: When the Dead Just Won’t Stay Dead
The core Blackest Night storyline focuses on the rise of the Black Lantern Corps, led by the cosmic embodiment of death, Nekron. With Black Lantern rings resurrecting fallen heroes and villains as emotionless, undead husks, the event forces the DC Universe’s greatest heroes to confront their past traumas—sometimes in the form of their deceased loved ones.
One of the most horrifying aspects of Blackest Night was how deeply personal the threat became for every hero and villain involved. When the dead return, they don’t just come back as mindless zombies; they are twisted versions of who they once were, capable of exploiting the emotions of the living. The Black Lantern rings seek out strong emotions, whether it be love, rage, or fear, and use them to drain life from their victims, turning them into more Black Lanterns.
Heroes like Hal Jordan and Barry Allen, both recently returned from the dead themselves, find themselves at the center of the chaos. The Justice League, the Titans, and the Green Lantern Corps all struggle to fight back against an enemy that not only outnumbers them but knows their every weakness. The horror escalates as fallen heroes such as Martian Manhunter, Firestorm, and Aquaman rise as Black Lanterns, forcing their friends to fight against those they once called family.
As the event progresses, a crucial discovery is made—only the combined light of the entire emotional spectrum can counteract the Black Lantern rings. This revelation leads to the formation of a temporary alliance of champions, each wielding a ring from a different Lantern Corps. Some of the most surprising ring-wielders emerge, including:
Barry Allen (Blue Lantern) – His unshakable hope makes him a perfect conduit for the Blue Light.
Lex Luthor (Orange Lantern) – His greed is unmatched, making him an ideal (if untrustworthy) wielder of an Orange Ring.
Wonder Woman (Star Sapphire) – Her deep capacity for love grants her a Violet Ring.
The Scarecrow (Yellow Lantern) – His mastery of fear earns him a Yellow Ring.
Mera (Red Lantern) – Consumed by rage over Aquaman’s resurrection as a Black Lantern, she becomes a Red Lantern.
The war reaches its climax when Hal Jordan, alongside the newly resurrected White Lantern entity, brings the fight directly to Nekron. In a stunning twist, it is revealed that Nekron was responsible for allowing past resurrections in the DC Universe, meaning every hero who had ever returned from the dead was tethered to him. By severing his hold on them, Hal Jordan and the White Lantern Corps turn the tide of battle, ultimately eradicating Nekron’s threat—at least for the time being.
Light It Up: The Emotional Spectrum Explained
One of the most enduring contributions of Blackest Night to DC Comics was the full realization of the Emotional Spectrum. While Green Lantern rings (Willpower) had been around since the Golden Age, and the Sinestro Corps (Fear) had been introduced in Sinestro Corps War, this event fleshed out the entire range of emotional-based power sources:
- Green Lanterns (Willpower) – The original Lantern Corps, powered by sheer determination and inner strength.
- Sinestro Corps (Fear) – Rings fueled by the ability to instill great fear.
- Red Lanterns (Rage) – Wielders consumed by anger, their rings replacing their blood with burning plasma.
- Blue Lanterns (Hope) – Their rings supercharge Green Lanterns but require willpower to be effective.
- Star Sapphires (Love) – The most emotionally intense of the Corps, drawing from deep devotion and passion.
- Indigo Tribe (Compassion) – Their rings grant access to all other Corps’ abilities but require deep empathy.
- Agent Orange (Avarice) – A single, greedy wielder, Larfleeze, who hoards all the Orange Lanterns for himself.
- Black Lanterns (Death) – Rings that reanimate the dead, feeding on emotions.
- White Lanterns (Life) – The rarest of all, representing the power of creation and rebirth.
Tie-Ins and Side Stories
Like any major crossover, Blackest Night extended beyond its main series, affecting a wide array of DC titles. Some of the most significant tie-ins included:
- Green Lantern & Green Lantern Corps – Essential to the event, these series fleshed out the battles between the Lantern Corps and expanded the mythology of the emotional spectrum.
- Blackest Night: Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman – These miniseries explored how the Black Lantern invasion affected DC’s Trinity, forcing them to battle zombified versions of their closest allies and enemies.
- Blackest Night: Flash – Examined how Barry Allen and his allies fought against the horror of the Black Lanterns, tying into the greater Flash mythos.
- Blackest Night: Titans – Highlighted how the Titans were uniquely affected, given their history of loss and resurrection.
- The Resurrection of Dead Titles – As a meta twist, DC briefly revived canceled series like The Phantom Stranger, The Question, and Starman with one-off issues featuring Black Lantern threats.
The Aftermath: When the Dust (and Ashes) Settled
The end of Blackest Night brought some major shifts to the DC Universe. The most immediate fallout was Brightest Day, a follow-up series that explored the consequences of Nekron’s defeat and the resurrection of key heroes and villains, including Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, and Firestorm. The White Lantern power introduced in the event remained a major factor in future Green Lantern stories.
Beyond the narrative, Blackest Night cemented the emotional spectrum as a core part of DC’s lore, giving the Lantern Corps an enduring presence. Characters like Atrocitus (Red Lanterns) and Larfleeze (Agent Orange) gained their own series, while the mythology of the different Corps continued to play a role in DC storytelling for years.
On the fandom side, Blackest Night left a lasting impression. The event’s horror elements and emotional stakes resonated with readers, making it one of the most well-regarded Green Lantern sagas. The Black Lantern designs became iconic, frequently referenced in later comics and adapted into merchandise, video games, and animated media.
Why Blackest Night Still Haunts DC Fans
Blackest Night was more than just a crossover—it was a redefining moment for DC Comics. It blended superhero action with horror, brought emotional depth to its characters, and expanded the mythology of the Green Lantern universe in ways still felt today. Whether you’re a die-hard Lantern fan or just looking for an epic DC story with high stakes and chilling twists, Blackest Night remains essential reading.
Reading Order: How to Love Comics Blackest Night Reading Order Checklist
How to Love Comics has a great comprehensive reading list for Blackest Night, including it’s background and tie ins.
What are your favorite moments from Blackest Night? Let us know in the comments below!
