Brightest Day

Brightest Day
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Title	Brightest Day
Caption	Cover motif used across tie-in issues
Publisher	DC Comics
Date	2010
Issues	25 main series
Writers	Geoff Johns, Peter Tomasi, Jeff Lemire
Pencillers	Ivan Reis, Ethan Van Sciver, Patrick Gleason
Colorists	Alex Sinclair, Hi-Fi
Editors	Dan DiDio, Mike Marts

Brightest Day

Brightest Day is a 2010 comic book miniseries and company-wide publishing initiative produced by DC Comics following the events of the 2009–2010 crossover Blackest Night. The series centers on the resurrection of twelve characters and the mysteries connecting Green Lantern, Justice League of America, Flash, and other properties across the DC Universe, with creative contributions from writers such as Geoff Johns and artists including Ivan Reis.

Background and Publication History

Brightest Day launched as part of a sequenced publishing strategy by DC Comics overseen by editors like Dan DiDio and coordinated with the continuity established in the Blackest Night event. Announced through promotional material distributed at conventions such as San Diego Comic-Con International and covered by periodicals like Wizard (magazine) and Comic Book Resources, the company positioned the series alongside ongoing titles including Green Lantern (vol. 4), Green Arrow (vol. 4), Justice League (vol. 2), and Titans (comics). The project employed a rotating creative team model seen previously in initiatives like Crisis on Infinite Earths follow-ups, with principal scripting by Geoff Johns supported by tie-in writing from creators such as Peter Tomasi and contributions from Jeff Lemire. Brightest Day ran its 25-issue main miniseries in 2010–2011 while spawning dozens of tie-in issues across DC’s line, affecting titles tied to the Flash (Barry Allen), Aquaman, Black Canary, and Martian Manhunter mythologies.

Plot Summary

The narrative begins immediately after the conclusion of Blackest Night, when twelve heroes and villains are resurrected by the White Entity associated with the Emotional Spectrum. Prominent figures such as Hawkman (Carter Hall), Hawkgirl (Kendra Saunders), Firestorm (Jason Rusch), and Osiris (Amon Khadun) are thrust into a mandate to carry out specific tasks while being pursued by allies like Martian Manhunter (J'onn J'onzz) and antagonists including Maxwell Lord. The arc interweaves mysteries involving artifacts and locations like the Book of the Black and the planet Oa, and it escalates through confrontations with entities tied to Sinestro Corps and legacy organizations such as Checkmate (comics). Subplots explore the return of Mera to Aquaman (Arthur Curry), the reformation of Boston Brand (Deadman) relationships, and the destabilization of teams including Justice Society of America and Teen Titans (New Teen Titans). The storyline culminates in revelations about the White Entity’s purpose, the resolution of character destinies, and wide-ranging consequences for continuity in series like Green Lantern Corps and Brightest Day tie-in comics.

Main Characters and Teams

Brightest Day spotlights a roster spanning legacy heroes, modern protagonists, and supporting organizations. Major resurrected figures include Hawkman (Carter Hall), Hawkgirl (Kendra Saunders), Osiris (Amon Khadun), Firestorm (Jason Rusch), and Boston Brand (Deadman). The series also features established heroes and teams such as Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Green Lantern Corps, Justice League of America, Justice Society of America, Flash (Barry Allen), Aquaman (Arthur Curry), Black Canary (Dinah Lance), and Green Arrow (Oliver Queen). Antagonists and supporting cast involve Maxwell Lord, Lex Luthor, Black Manta, Sinestro, and organizations including Checkmate (comics), Brotherhood of Evil, and A.R.G.U.S.. Secondary characters from series like Teen Titans (Tim Drake), Titans (Donna Troy), and Secret Six appear in crossover scenes tying the initiative into the broader DC Universe.

Themes and Reception

Brightest Day explores themes of rebirth, destiny, moral ambiguity, and the cost of resurrection, echoing motifs from earlier DC events such as Resurrection Man storylines and the mythic cycles of Hawkman (Golden Age). Critics and commentators in magazines like Entertainment Weekly and websites like IGN offered mixed-to-positive reviews, praising character work by Geoff Johns and art by Ivan Reis while critiquing pacing and the breadth of tie-ins that echoed concerns voiced during Infinite Crisis and 52 (comics). Scholarly and fan analyses compared the series’ management of legacy to projects by creators like Grant Morrison and Mark Waid, noting its impacts on character arcs in Aquaman (New 52) and subsequent restructuring during the New 52 relaunch.

Collected Editions

The main miniseries and its significant tie-ins were collected in several trade paperback and hardcover editions by DC Comics, including Brightest Day Volumes 1–3 compilations, omnibus-style collections, and boxed sets that gathered tie-in arcs from Green Lantern (vol. 4), Green Arrow (vol. 4), and Adventure Comics. Library editions and digital collections were made available through platforms associated with DC Universe (service) and later via DC Universe Infinite.

Impact and Legacy

Brightest Day influenced subsequent continuity choices across the DC Universe, informing characterizations used in media adaptations and future comics. Elements from the series fed into storylines in Green Lantern Corps, Aquaman (Geoff Johns run), and team formations in Justice League (various series). The initiative served as a template for company-wide events balancing a central miniseries with tie-ins, a model revisited in later crossovers such as Flashpoint and Forever Evil. The series’ approach to resurrection and consequence remains a reference point in discussions of serial continuity managed by DC Comics editorial policy.

Category:DC Comics storylines