Blackest Night #8, the Great Resurrection
Well, how appropriate it is that Blackest Night concludes just prior to Easter weekend, itself a celebration of resurrection. Despite my tiring of the event, and my distaste of the entire Rainbow Guardians concept, I must confess that it was an extremely satisfying ending. A whole number of rebirths (a confusing selection at that), the discovery that Bruce is not dead after all (no great surprise there, but it’s nice that it’s become common knowledge amidst the heroes), and the highlight for myself, the Anti-Monitor swatted like a flea.
So let’s look at the repercussions. Firstly, the Anti-Monitor has been returned to freedom in the Anti-matter universe, so we can guarantee we have not seen the last of him.
In the mean time, one resurrection I particularly welcome is that of Digger Harkness – Captain Boomerang. How long do you think it is before he is once more in the hands of Amanda Waller? Although as a villain he is hardly a world shattering threat, his experiences may well have widened his scope somewhat, so for the heroes’ sake we should hope not very long at all.
Of course, there is always Maxwell Lord to reign in such irresponsible metahumans. The scene where Guy instantly defers to Max immediately after confronting him was almost a return to the Bwah-ha-ha years, if it wasn’t so chilling.
As for the other resurrections, many of them are straight forward. Ronnie Raymond returns to the mantle of Firestorm, although where that leaves Jason Rusch leaves the character in a far more interesting position. I wonder if enough people will be intrigued to justify a new ongoing?
Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Hawkman and Hawkwoman, Jade and Professor Zoom all make sense, all commercially viable and enforcing the DC status quo. Hank Hall as Hawk can also fall under that category, except can I mention Monarch? Extant? There are now some very interesting tales to be told there, although I rather think that will be a team book. Hawk & Dove rarely survive as a series, and personally I think the Titans would be the ideal home to help rehabilitate Hank.
Deadman returning to corporeal form is a major step however, and the return of Kid Osiris is more than welcome. Together with Hawk and Firestorm, could these be the upcoming comics in 2011?
I hope to see that there are more resurrections behind the scenes, more than what we have seen in these pages. That would create a nice bit of suspense and surprise in the universe.
So all in all I rather think as an event, Blackest Night was a success, if a trifle over-long. I think I would sooner have paid for four double-sized specials that have it drag on for so many months.
My other recommendation for this week? The new Cloak and Dagger #1, back where they belong, in centre spotlight.