Monday, July 31, 2017

Why You Should Read "Brightest Day"


In Brightest Day...

Following the terror of the "Blackest Night" comes the mystery of the "Brightest Day". This storyline takes place immediately after "Blackest Night", so if you have not read that story or read my synopsis, I suggest you stop reading this post right now and read "Blackest Night".

If you're reading this, I'm guessing you've read "Blackest Night" because I'm about to drop a huge spoiler...after the defeat of Nekron, several previously deceased superheroes and super villains were resurrected and had to find a new place for themselves in the world. 


While some of these characters go on journeys that are covered separate comic book titles, "Brightest Day" follows Aquaman, the original Hawk of Hawk and Dove, the Martian Manhunter, Firestorm, Hawkman and Hawkgirl, and Deadman. It is Deadman's journey that links the others together, since the white power ring that brought him back from the dead drags him around for a very important mission.


Before being resurrected, Deadman was a ghost that used his supernatural abilities to fight threats and aid other superheroes. Back from the dead, Deadman is given a new purpose in helping the other resurrected heroes and villains fulfill the unknown purposes behind their resurrections.

Hawk and Dove help Deadman on his mission, especially since Dove had a very strong connection to the White Lantern during the Blackest Night, and besides being Dove's partner, Hawk tags along since the White Lantern has told him that his purpose is to protect Dove from a lethal threat.


Meanwhile, Aquaman discovers that his powers to control sea life have changed and he can now control dead sea creatures. As much as his new power scares him, Aquaman has to deal with a new threat that has a strange connection to his wife, Mera. On top of that, Black Manta, Aquaman's nemesis, has returned, along with a new Aqualad.


Martian Manhunter attempts to bring life back to Mars, but ends up discovering that he is not the last green martian. The other martian and has come out of hiding after the Martian Manhunter's return and seeks him out. However this martian is not noble or gentle, but a monster who kills humans without a second thought.


During the Blackest Night, a Black Lantern Firestorm, the reanimated body of Ronnie Raymond, killed one half of the new Firestorm, Gehenna, who was the girlfriend of the other half, Jason Rusch. Though Ronnie didn't intentionally kill Gehenna, Jason still hates him, which makes things difficult when Ronnie and Jason fuse to become a new Firestorm. Their tense relationship as Firestorm creates a deadly monster that threatens the entire universe.


And then there is Hawkman and Hawkgirl. Being resurrected and reincarnated is something that is all too familiar for this bird couple, and they decide to put an end to this cycle by killing the man who originally cursed them, Hath-Set. Back in ancient Egypt, the Prince Khufu and Princess Chay-ara were cursed to die at the sorcerer Hath-Set's hand only to be resurrected again and killed again, over and over.

Writers, Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi, do a terrific job of balancing all of these stories and characters and bringing them all together. However, I have mixed feelings about the ending. I won't spoil anything, but I will say that the ending takes a turn that is almost a complete 180 degree turn from where it seemed like the storyline was heading.

"Brightest Day" is not just an epic mystery with several storylines written by awesome writers, but also is a showcase of some of today's best artists. This includes Ivan Reis, Scott Clark, Patrick Gleason, Adrian Syaf, and Joe Prado. Each of the stories in "Brightest Day" are illustrated by their own artist, which makes each character feel independent of the overarching storyline.

ISSUES: Brightest Day #0-24
 
PROS CONS
-Long story with plenty of cliffhangers and twists.
-Great characters.
-Plenty of action with beautiful art.
-Return of many favorite characters.
-Long story that can take awhile to read through.
-Lots of backstory.
-Easy to get lost.

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