We’ll have a full preview of the third issue of BRIGHTEST DAY soon enough, but in the meantime, why not spend a few minutes eyeing these two lovely covers, courtesy of artists David Finch and Ivan Reis on the variant?
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Sound like a good way to start the day? I’d hope so.
In the second issue of the series, we continue to follow the heroes and villains that found themselves returned to the land of the living at the end of BLACKEST NIGHT – and not everyone’s dealing with the change so well. Another jam-packed issue from the A-list creative team of writers Geoff Johns, Peter Tomasi and artists Ivan Reis, Patrick Gleason, Ardian Syaf, Scott Clark and Joe Prado – need I say more? Scroll below for a look at the issue, which hits tomorrow.
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The headline says it all, folks. Here’s a first look at the BRIGHTEST DAY titles hitting in August, covers and all. Click below for more.
BRIGHTEST DAY #7-8
Written by GEOFF JOHNS & PETER J. TOMASI
Art by IVAN REIS, PATRICK GLEASON, ARDIAN SYAF, SCOTT CLARK & JOE PRADO
Cover by DAVID FINCH
1:10 White Lantern Variant covers by RYAN SOOK, FERNANDO PASARIN & JOEL GOMEZ
Don’t miss the hottest event in comics as BRIGHTEST DAY continues!
There can be only one who wields the White Lantern...but is it truly Deadman? And what will happen when he attempts to charge the white ring? Meanwhile, Ronnie Raymond risks everything for Firestorm, Martian Manhunter uncovers more clues about the bizarre string of murders stretching across the country, Aquaman searches for the key to the ocean’s survival and the Hawks come face-to-face with the evil that lurks within the strange land known only as Hawkworld!
Retailers please note: These issues will ship with two covers each. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
Issue #7 on sale AUGUST 4 • Issue #8 on sale AUGUST 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
GREEN LANTERN #57
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by DOUG MAHNKE & CHRISTIAN ALAMY
1:10 White Lantern Variant cover by RYAN SOOK, FERNANDO PASARIN & JOEL GOMEZ
BRIGHTEST DAY continues as what readers have been asking for finally arrives: a male Star Sapphire in the form of the Predator. But how is this entity unlike the others? And what does it want with Carol Ferris? Meanwhile, the White Lantern is defended by an unlikely hero…
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale AUGUST 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #51
Written by TONY BEDARD
Art and cover by ARDIAN SYAF & VICENTE CIFUENTES
1:10 White Lantern Variant cover by RYAN SOOK, FERNANDO PASARIN & JOEL GOMEZ
BRIGHTEST DAY continues as Hannu, the Green Lantern who does not want to use his power ring, is the only hope to rescue Kyle Rayner, John Stewart and Ganthet. Does he stand a chance against an entire planet controlled by Cyborg Superman? Plus, what are the Qwardians are up to?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale AUGUST 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD WARRIORS #1
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by FERNANDO PASARIN
Cover by RODOLFO MIGLIARI
1:25 variant cover by LEE BERMEJO
BRIGHTEST DAY! A whole new chapter in the epic GREEN LANTERN saga gets under way as Guy Gardner begins his secret mission for Atrocitus, bringing him into conflict with Hal Jordan with massive repercussions for the Green Lantern Corps!
Guy takes fellow Emerald Warriors Kilowog and Arisia along as he explores the Unknown Sectors — but what happens when they discover his mission and what’s waiting for them in the unpatrolled darkness?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale AUGUST 11 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US
GREEN ARROW #3
Written by J.T. KRUL
Art by DIOGENES NEVES & VICENTE CIFUENTES
Cover by MAURO CASCIOLI
1:10 White Lantern Variant cover by RYAN SOOK, FERNANDO PASARIN & JOEL GOMEZ
Witness the power of the BRIGHTEST DAY as death comes to Green Arrow’s forest. Is the Emerald Archer worthy of living in the sacred grove? Who else is in there? Will he be Green Arrow’s assassin or savior? The mysteries continue!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale AUGUST 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST #7-8
Written by JUDD WINICK
Breakdowns by KEITH GIFFEN
Issue #7 art by JOE BENNETT
Issue #8 art by AARON LOPRESTI
Covers by TONY HARRIS & J.D. METTLER
1:10 White Lantern Variant covers by RYAN SOOK, FERNANDO PASARIN & JOEL GOMEZ
DC’s biweekly JUSTICE LEAGUE event continues! Justice League International has re-formed and tracked Maxwell Lord to Checkmate headquarters. Their plan is simple: break into Checkmate – one of the most heavily guarded facilities on the planet – and capture Max so he can pay for his crimes. But Max has more than one trick up his sleeve as he turns the entire world against the JLI and shows Booster Gold, Captain Atom, Fire, Ice, Blue Beetle and Rocket Red what it truly means to be lost...
Retailers please note: These issues will ship with two covers each. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
Issue #7 on sale AUGUST 11
Issue #8 on sale AUGUST 25
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #42
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by MARK BAGLEY & NORM RAPMUND
Cover by MARK BAGLEY & JESUS MERINO
1:10 White Lantern Variant cover by RYAN SOOK, FERNANDO PASARIN & JOEL GOMEZ
In part 4 of the JLA/JSA crossover, everything’s going dark for the two greatest Super Hero teams in all of comics as the Starheart makes its final bid to obliterate the good in Green Lantern’s life – and all of reality – forcing both teams to seek help in the Shade!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale AUGUST 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #48
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by MARK BAGLEY, ROB HUNTER & NORM RAPMUND
Cover by MARK BAGLEY & JESUS MERINO
1:10 White Lantern Variant cover by RYAN SOOK, FERNANDO PASARIN & JOEL GOMEZ
The BRIGHTEST DAY continues with a shocking connection to the White Light in part five of the JLA/JSA crossover!
It’s the grand finale of this team-up, and it’s chock-full of revelations as the greatest threat to the Earth may not be Alan Scott or the chaotic energy of the Starheart, but one of the other members!
Plus, don’t miss the second feature starring Cyborg, whose goal of restoring Red Tornado’s body becomes a battle to save the android’s sanity as the madness of the Starheart engulfs them.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale AUGUST 25 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
BIRDS OF PREY #4
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art by ED BENES, ADRIANA MELO and MARIA BENES
Cover by ALINA URUSOV
1:10 White Lantern Variant cover by RYAN SOOK, FERNANDO PASARIN & JOEL GOMEZ
The explosive first arc of BIRDS OF PREY concludes here! The Birds race against the clock to protect the Super Hero community, but can they make it in time and find their blackmailer? And the final showdown between Black Canary and White Canary is a can’t-miss fight between two martial arts masters!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale AUGUST 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
THE FLASH #5
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
1:10 White Lantern Variant cover by RYAN SOOK, FERNANDO PASARIN & JOEL GOMEZ
BRIGHTEST DAY continues with a shocking connection to the White Light as Captain Boomerang and the Reverse-Flash experience a bizarre event that ties them together. Meanwhile, it’s the Rogues vs. the Renegades with The Flash caught in the middle!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale AUGUST 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
TITANS #26
Written by ERIC WALLACE
Art and cover by FABRIZIO FIORENTINO
1:10 White Lantern Variant cover by RYAN SOOK, FERNANDO PASARIN & JOEL GOMEZ
Straight out of the JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE RISE OF ARSENAL miniseries, Arsenal signs up with Deathstroke and Cheshire when the Titans target a child slavery ring for takedown. What they unearth will shock you to the core!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale AUGUST 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
This July, you can do what no other Lantern could – hold the power of the entire Lantern spectrum in your own home. Just be careful, OK?
From DC Direct comes the BLACKEST NIGHT POWER RING SPECTRUM PVC Ring Set, which features designs that are authentic to the hit comic series. Each of the wearable, adjustable plastic rings (one each in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, black and white) instantly lights up with a long-lasting LED bulb when you slip the ring on your finger. You can also turn off the light manually and change the battery by using a key that comes with the set.
Packaged in a deluxe window box, the rings make for a eye-catching display when they are not being worn.
And as you can see from the photo above, the rings are not only supremely powerful, but extremely stylish.
Good morning, Source readers. Hope Monday wasn't too stressful. Now, what can we do here that'll make this Tuesday better than usual?
How about a first look at BRIGHTEST DAY #1?
And, not just any first look, but a peek at a key scene featuring Hal, Sinestro and Star Sapphire, as rendered by superstar BLACKEST NIGHT artist Ivan Reis and Joe Prado.
OK, OK. I get it. Stop talking and let us see the pages. Here goes. Courtesy of writers Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi and artists Ivan Reis, Patrick Gleason, Ardian Syaf, Scott Clark and Joe Prado.
Welcome to BRIGHTEST DAY...
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It was such a good BLACKEST NIGHT (I was just lamenting in this very space how sad I was that it was over), but now come the white rays of a brand new BRIGHTEST DAY.
Mustn’t hit snooze… must get up…
…No rest for the wicked or Editors working with Geoff Johns.
Time to make the Comics.
With that bit of incentive, I leap out of bed and recharge starting off with reciting the DC oath—
“--When BRIGHTEST DAY must ship because BLACKEST NIGHT is over, no script or crossover shall escape my sight. Let those who do not obey the deadline right beware my power, an Editor’s might!”
With that my will is fully charged to deal with New York’s transit system. Aside from a hundred or more happy campers on the train, I have other company, one that will be haunting me for a while.
Deadman or currently after the events of BLACKEST NIGHT Aliveman.
“Hey, Boston.” I say. (yes, an occupational hazard for writers and editors is that we live with our characters 24/7). “What? You see me?!” he replies a bit startled. Note this is a huge deal for Mr. Brand because since he got back as the only bearer of a white ring he has been tossed from one resurrected person to another while remaining invisible as “seen” in BRIGHTEST DAY #0.
“Yeah, you doof,” I snort. “How else am I gonna tell Peter Steigerwald how to color you and add more glows to your White Ring effects?”
Noting I am not a morning person, Boston remains silent for the rest of the trip, which is good, people were starting to stare.
Finally arriving at the Dark Tower that is the fortress for DC Comics, I am greeted by my associate editor Adam Schlagman—I am convinced that Adam is a Manhunter robot as I have never seen him sleep and he is returning e-mails around the clock.
Speaking of which, I valiantly try to catch up to the rest of the world as I check in with Spain (6 hours ahead) and Ardian Syaf’s agent Pepe Caldelas to see how the latest pages on the Hawkman sequence are doing. He tells me inker Vincente Cifuentes will have the part with _________ in just a bit. It looks amazing especially the… you’ll see.
Then only an hour ahead in Brazil I check in with designer/finisher/agent extraordinare Joe Prado to see how he and Ivan Reis are doing with Aquaman and my pal Boston.
“Don’t worry. Be Cool, all will be well,” he confidently states in a deep voice that has a hint of his Portuguese accent.
OK then, seeing jpegs, I’m happy that mine and co-writer Pete Tomasi’s time watching the Discovery Channel has paid off giving Geoff an idea for a particularly nasty scene between Aquaman and one of his finny friends.
But I’m not making up any time, so I try to get the drop on L.A. (who we’re ahead of by 2 hours).
Nope. Geoff is already awake. He wants notes on the latest GREEN LANTERN. Does the White Lantern scene work with what’s happening in BD?
Before I’m even off the phone, I now have messages from both Pete and Pat Gleason to see if we like the design on the baddie that’s gonna make J’onn J’onzz life hell on Earth.
Yup, no looking back at past wins, we’re in full BRIGHTEST DAY mode here!
And I need another recharge. No oath this time.
I stop assistant editor Rex Ogle from ballooning for a bit to take a short trip across the street for some Starbucks. He fills me in on what Maxwell Lord is doing in JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST, and then Caramel Macchiato grande in hand back to work. Have to see if the other BRIGTEST DAY books, FLASH, GREEN ARROW, BIRDS OF PREY, TITANS, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA, GREEN LANTERN CORPS and the upcoming GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD WARRIORS are all on track with their bits that will add to explain why the twelve have returned.
They are back for a reason!
For all involved there is no slacking this BRIGHTEST DAY!
Deadman. Hawkman. Hawkgirl. Reverse-Flash. Maxwell Lord. Captain Boomerang. Aquaman. Firestorm. Martian Manhunter. Hawk. Osiris. Jade.
They're back -- for a reason.
This isn't a time for words to adorn the pictures. Let's get right to the preview, courtesy of the superstar team of Geoff Johns, Peter J. Tomasi and artist Fernando Pasarin (along with those lovely covers from David Finch and Ivan Reis).
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The Eisner Awards, considered by many to be "The Oscars" of comic book industry awards, unveiled their nominees for the 2010 ceremony today, honoring a number of key DCU titles and creators. The winners will be named at the San Diego Comic-Con International, the largest and oldest comic convention in the United States.
Let's check out the DCU nominees, shall we?
SINGLE ISSUE:
"Blackhawk and the Flash: Firing Line," by J. Michael Straczynski and artist Jesus Saiz presents the reader with a tale both classic and modern, reminding us of the best, off-the-wall superhero team-ups of the past with a modern twist.
LIMITED SERIES OR STORY ARC:
BLACKEST NIGHT, by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert. The epic, universe-spanning mini-series gets a much-deserved nod from the Eisner judges, capping off an epic year of compelling storytelling and jaw-droppingly beautiful art that dominated the comic book landscape.
WRITER:
Geoff Johns, ADVENTURE COMICS, BLACKEST NIGHT, THE FLASH: REBIRTH, SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN, GREEN LANTERN. What more can be said about Mr. Johns? He's had a stellar year, hasn't he? Whether he was bringing back the dead and spreading mutli-colored rings in the pages of BLACKEST NIGHT or reinventing one of modern folklore's greatest legends in the pages of SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN, Johns has blazed a trail through the DC Universe by making the supremely difficult look almost too easy: strong stories focused on strong characters with no frills.
WRITER:
James Robinson, JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE. One thing that can be said about James Robinson as a writer? He takes risks. Whether it's launching a Justice League series starring Congorilla, a blue-skinned Starman and Supergirl or having one of comic's most-beloved heroes shoot an arrow through Prometheus' skull, let it never said that Robinson plays it safe. And it's that daring and innate knowledge of these characters he so clearly loves that earned him the nod.
PENCILLER/INKER and COVER ARTIST:
J.H. Williams III, DETECTIVE COMICS. You read that correctly. That's TWO nominations for superstar artist J.H. Williams III, who clearly poured everything he had into his work on the Batwoman story in DETECTIVE COMICS. It was Williams' vivid and constantly evolving linework and almost innate ability to construct a page -- and do so in new, daring ways -- that helped literally paint a picture for the reader, and really made Kate Kane a real, breathing character for an entire generation of fans to embrace. Bravo!
PAINTER/MULTIMEDIA ARTIST:
Mauro Cascioli, JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE. Mauro Cascioli made tragedy real. With his realistic, painterly style, Cascioli brought a gritty, three-dimensional sensibility to a book that collected some of the most daring and imaginative characters in the DC Universe. Whether it was a battle of super-powered beings among the clouds or an archer's aching sense of loss, Cascioli has it covered, and he showed as much in the pages of CRY FOR JUSTICE.
COLORING:
Alex Sinclair, BLACKEST NIGHT. Seems like a no-brainer, huh? But not just anyone could bring to life the vivid spectrum of powers and emotions that form the crux of BLACKEST NIGHT -- from the raging reds of Atrocitus to the serene blues of Saint Walker and everything in between, Sinclair made the reader feel like they were on the sidelines watching a fantastical light battle that was as awe-inspiring as it was dangerous. Not an easy feat, folks.
GRAPHIC ALBUM (REPRINT) and PUBLICATION DESIGN
ABSOLUTE JUSTICE. Alex Ross, Jim Krueger and Doug Braithwaite's all-star story of of heroes and villains got the spruced up Absolute treatment in 2009, and we finally got to see the book's amazing artwork presented as it should have been -- in an expanded and high-end format.
Congrats to all the nominees. 2009 was a major year for the DC Universe, and it's great to see the talent recognized by such an esteemed organization. Fingers crossed!
Well, that was an epic ride, wasn’t it? BLACKEST NIGHT #8 brought the massively popular series to a close, but not without opening some doors for the future.
But, let me cut right to the chase: Do not read any further if you haven’t gone to your comic shop and picked up BLACKEST NIGHT #8 yet. Spoiler Warning is definitely up and in effect.
Trust me. Go on, I’ll wait here. Back? OK, give it a read.
Done? How ‘bout that ending, huh?
Bet you weren’t expecting this…
They’ve been resurrected — for a reason.
“To all things there is an end.”
A pretty basic conceit. One that BLACKEST NIGHT pretty much focused on. It was the driving force of our main baddie, Neckron. He wanted to return everything back to the black void, before there was light.
And now, while Nekron has been defeated, Black Hand lives and the Blackest Night is over... I am sad. Very sad, in fact, because this event that started off so simply with the slogan “The Dead Shall Rise” is over.
For most, having undertaken one of these massive comic crossovers, the end could not have come fast enough. But not me.
I’m gonna miss getting the latest script from Geoff Johns. With each chapter--and I don’t know how he did it -- he topped himself. Look at every issue's last page -- from the villains all rising out of the JLA’s crypts to former dead heroes being turned into Black Lanterns to other heroes being deputized by the various color corps; they were all jaw dropping. (Holey Moley moments, to put it politely).
But that then went off to Ivan Reis, and like Dr. Frankenstein, he gave life to Geoff’s monstrous visions. A dark Guardian tearing his fellow Guardian’s throat. An undead Aquaman summoning horrors from the sea. Spectre towering over the DC mystics. The list goes on. Visceral, dynamic and quite simply works of art. I have not seen any other artist go the distance on an epic like this. No offense to anyone that I have worked with before on an event comic, but they will all admit to looking for some shortcuts when, in the last couple of issues it comes to one army of heroes facing off against a horde of evil. This is were the backgrounds get a bit lost. When lighting is such that more silhouettes start to appear. But not Ivan. Each double-page spread became more intricate than the next. And as we reached the homestretch, he asked for heroes he had not yet drawn on the double page spread on the last issue’s page 10-11, not to mention there’s that spread with Guy leading the colored Corps. Oh yeah, and that spectacular fold-out which Ivan had wanted to do to have the Twelve’s return really mean something. What Ivan’s done really does mean something to me. This is someone that loves comics and loves what he does.
His wingmen, Oclair Albert and Joe Prado, kept up with the insanity by putting down some very powerful inks. On the side, Joe was designing Black Lanterns as quick as they were rising in the main title and the tie-ins.
Sleeplessness just became the norm for all these guys. I know that despite our time difference, colorist Alex Sinclair was always up, always keeping the war light and color looking as dramatic as possible and not a Skittles commercial.
My associate editor Adam Schlagman was on e-mail 24/7, making sure everything kept moving, that every colored Lantern leader had the right balloon, that all Black Lantern vision across the tie-ins was consistent.
Yup, amazing efforts by all and I’m gonna miss it a lot, as I figuring you will as well as you go to the comic shop. At least. we all have the DC Direct toys to let us re-enact some of our favorite scenes (even more toys are on the way).
Still... not the same...
I miss BLACKEST NIGHT and hate saying goodbye to it and all the great, amazing talent that made it possible...
...So... what to do...
Hmm... those heroes and villains are back from the dead.
Wonder what their story is?
Geoff, Ivan, Joe and Adam grab Peter Tomasi, Pat Gleason, Fernando Pasarin, Scott Clark and Ardian Saef-- let’s see what the BRIGHTEST DAY brings... Carpe Diem!
For more behind the scenes stuff, don’t miss the BLACKEST NIGHT DIRECTOR’S CUT, on sale soon.
Thanks Eddie! But that's not all...speaking of what's coming next, click below!
