(Titan �22.99)

THE horrifying events of the Blackest Night saw the dead of the DC Universe, hero and villain alike, dragged from their graves as Black Lanterns, zombified embodiments of death itself, with their sole mission the extinction of all life, everywhere, at any cost.

Victory brought with it an unexpected boon, the permanent resurrection of twelve heroes and villains by a mysterious white light expelled deep from the centre of the Earth. Heralded as a miracle by many and a sign of the apocalypse by others, their return is welcomed as the “Brightest Day” after the Blackest Night…

But Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Firestorm, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Deadman, Jade, Osiris, Hawk, Captain Boomerang, Max Lord and Zoom were brought back for a reason, and they all have a grand purpose in the machinations of the mysterious White Lantern which will determine the future of the DC Universe for years to come.

Writers Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi use much of this first in a three volume series to re-establish their cast of characters in today’s world, which is especially important for those who have been off the radar for some time. They go back to the roots of each hero and villain, reminding us of their origins and why they were so important during their first lives, before catapulting them headfirst into their new destiny as avatars of the White Lantern.

The last issue reprinted here establishes exactly why each of these disparate characters have been resurrected, but although we know the events they were brought back to prevent or bring to fruition, these answers bring with them a wealth of new questions.

A landmark series which is set to have consequences for many years to come, it is also a welcome showcase for a fascinating group of heroes and villains, and required reading for any fans of this particular superhero universe.