Once again Brightest Day cuts back on the number of characters on which it focuses. It would be nice to see all stories progress, but if this is what it takes to move things along, then at least the change is for the better. But another lesson has yet to be learned by the Brightest Day crew: when you promote something on the cover, it's usually a good idea to have the contents of the issue back it up.
Blackest Night #4 by Johns and Tomasi
The issue opens where the last one left off: Hawkman and Hawkgirl stand before a portal made with the bones of their previous incarnations. It's revealed that the gem that's led them there has a bone from one of their original bodies in it, and so the bone was trying to find its body. The Hawks step through the portal into a world of floating cliffs strung together with large chains.
Deadman finds himself in Dove's bedroom. Hawk, sensing his partner in danger, show up and attacks Deadman. After learning that the white ring can create life, Hawk tries to make Deadman use it to bring back his brother, the original Dove (whom the Black Lantern rings couldn't bring back from the dead in Blackest Night due to him being completely at peace).
In New Mexico, the white lantern has been raising the temperature, and a pair of friends head to a swimming hole, only to find it completely dried up. In the Bermuda Triangle, however, a rescue team searches for a plane downed last issue, only to be attacked by what appear to be people from Mera's world.
Ronnie, one-half of the current Firestorm, is passed out at a party when he's visited by the girl he killed as a Black Lantern. She's made of salt (which is what Ronnie turned her into with his powers), and explodes all over his room. A single panel shows Jason (the other half of Firestorm and the dead girl's former boyfriend) asleep, though his powers seem active.
The Last Word on Blackest Night #4 by Reis, Syaf, Clark and Prado
Focusing on just a couple plot threads is a nice change. Though fans of the Martian Manhunter are probably let down by this issue, readers get more of Deadman (who is the only character trying to solve the ongoing mystery of the book: why everyone is back), which is another nice change.
However, the cover promises “Black Lantern Firestorm!” who never shows up (at least not as himself), and last issue's cliffhanger is resolved without actually furthering Hawkman's story.
While there is definitely some advancement of plot, the book feels very uneven, mixing it up between Deadman's story and two-page excursions that serve to do what this series seems to do best: tease the reader into buying the next issue. What Johns and Tomasi should be doing isn't teasing their readers with little glimpses at what's to come, but moving past their lackluster exposition and jump straight into the action.
So far the series has had some great art, but four issues in and it still feels like the story's still getting started.
Robert Becka - In 2008, Robert Becka graduated from Saint Cloud State University with Bachelor's degrees in Film Studies and Journalism. His senior paper ...
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