Tales from the Dark Multiverse: Blackest Night #1

2019 is the ten-year anniversary of arguably the greatest Green Lantern-centric event DC has ever published, Blackest Night. As such, it is only natural that in the “Tales of the Dark Multiverse” series of one-shots focusing on major DC events would turn the spotlight on such a series. Add in a fan-favorite and star writer in Tim Seeley and this issue should be a hit in the making.

The general point of these Dark Multiverse tales is to focus on how it could have all gone wrong and then to follow that wrong turn to its natural conclusion as the universe in questions ultimately fails. In that regard, Seeley hits the nail perfectly on the head. Sinestro gains the power of the White Lantern and declines to share that power with the Color Corps, thus dooming the universe to fall to Nekron and his Black Lanterns. Still, a handful of living beings tries a final gambit to restore order to the universe. It is in the execution of this final plot that Seeley goes all out and makes this story a memorable one (you’re just going to have to read it for yourself!). There is a certain sadism in how this story ends that also sets up a potential threat and/or ally for future stories.

The characterization of Lobo in this issue adds a certain depth that those of us who were inundated with Lobo stories in the 90s certainly can appreciate although it feels off-key slightly in the third act of the narrative. Still, this type of storytelling is something of a hallmark of Seeley’s– injecting depth and heart in unexpected places– so ultimately, the gamble pays off.

Kyle Hotz and the host of inkers do a commendable job on the artwork and layout work throughout. The original story, drawn by Ivan Reis, is a very high bar, so while this issue doesn’t achieve those heights, it would be unfair to drag the art over the ringer on that account. I wish that there had been more opportunity for Hotz to work with a larger cast of characters and perhaps a bit more gore but that is a minor gripe at best.

In the end, this issue is one that could have been structured for mass appeal but ultimately feels more destined to land with a select group of niche fans. Lobo fans, Hawk and Dove fans, Fourth World fans, and maybe even fans of the original event will appreciate this book for what it is but it likely isn’t for everybody.