EXTRA Review: Blackest Night #0 (DC Comics) By Eddie R.

I want to welcome everyone to the first EXTRA edition of my comic book reviews. From time to time, this Extra column will focus on the special Editions, one- shots, give-aways, and other various comic books which I would not normally cover in my weekly reviews. I would also like to take time out to thank all those who have been reading my reviews since I started writing it this April. Without anyone reading this, I would feel like I am just talking to myself. Nothing new there, but it’s nice to know that people do drop in time to time to hear what I have to say. Again thanks.



On that note, please feel free to leave any comments about what I have said and reviewed. As always, my reviews are based on my opinions, but I do enjoy hearing what others have to say. So don’t be shy .

O.K, by now all those who have managed to get hold of a copy of Blackest Night #0, thanks to DC Comics and your local comic book store for the Free Comic Book Day promotion, have had a chance to digest this primer into the upcoming Blackest Night Event. Everything is laid out pretty straight forward, bringing everyone up to speed without a lot of unnecessary filler, allowing people who have not had a chance to follow recent developments within this storyline to get a good foundation, and generate even more interest with those who are anticipating what is looking to be one heck of a good series.

For me, Blackest Night #0 was a real pleasure to read. I really enjoyed the conversation between Hal Jordan and Barry Allen. From the comparisons about good and evil, right and wrong, and how the world got darker after Barry’s sacrifice during the First Crisis, they managed to touch a lot of bases. The flashbacks about Batman, both with Hal and the Justice league are priceless. The update surrounding the current status of Aquaman is short but informative. I felt kind of bad for Barry when discussing the reasons why Batman’s grave is unmarked. It’s hard to see the fastest man alive not up to speed when it comes to the “who’s who” in the DCU these days.

One odd detail did catch my eye though. Hal Jordan mention’s something about people from “parallel worlds” coming to Barry’s funeral? Does this mean that everyone now remembers the Pre- Crisis DCU? I guess only time will tell.

Overall, even if this book wasn’t a free promotion, I would buy it. If you haven’t gotten a copy, try and get your hands on one. If you do have a copy already, hold on to it, or pass it around to those who you think would be interested in getting back into reading comics. Because to me, this book is one of the best examples of someone bringing their A-game to share with the fans, just because they love what they are doing so much.

9/10

Eddie R
Review Editor