Overview:
The DC Brightest Day event kicked off in 2010 and wrapped up its run in 2011. Penned by Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi, with an artistic ensemble led by Ivan Reis, Patrick Gleason, and Ardian Syaf, it’s a collaborative effort that spans the DC Universe.
Fans and critics had mixed reactions. Some praised the intricate plot and character development, while others found the pace a tad slow. The diverse array of heroes and villains adds depth, featuring prominent characters like Green Lantern, Aquaman, and Hawkman.
This storyline isn’t just about punching bad guys. It’s got a spiritual undercurrent, dealing with life, death, and the murky in-between. Expect surprises, twists, and some serious soul-searching.
Background Reading:
Related Guides
Best Way To Read:
Collects: Brightest Day #0-24
Alternative Collections
Main Story
- Brightest Day Volume One
- Collects: Brightest Day #0–7
- Brightest Day Volume Two
- Collects: Brightest Day #8–16
- Brightest Day Volume Three
- Collects: Brightest Day #17–24
Tie-Ins
- Birds of Prey Volume One: Endrun
- Collects: Birds of Prey (vol. 2) #1–6
- The Flash Volume One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues
- Collects: The Flash (vol. 3) #1–7 and The Flash Secret Files and Origins 2010 #1
- Green Arrow Volume One: Into the Woods
- Collects: Green Arrow (vol. 4) #1–7
- Green Arrow Volume Two: Salvation
- Collects: Green Arrow (vol. 4) #8–14
- Green Lantern: Brightest Day
- Collects: Green Lantern (vol. 4) #53–62
- Green Lantern Corps: Revolt of the Alpha Lanterns
- Collects: Green Lantern Corps (vol. 2) #21–22 and 48–52
- Green Lantern Corps: The Weaponer
- Collects: Green Lantern Corps (vol. 2) #53-57
- Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors Volume One
- Collects: Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #1–7
- Justice League: Generations Lost Volume One
- Collects: Justice League: Generation Lost #1–12
- Justice League: Generations Lost Volume Two
- Collects: Justice League: Generation Lost #13–24
- Justice League of America: The Dark Things
- Collects: Justice League of America #44-48, Justice Society of America #41-42
For crossover and significant events, I typically only read the main story the first time I encounter it. Trying to read all of the tie-ins with the story tends to make them increasingly convoluted and are not crucial to the main narrative. However, I think they are important to read, as many series-shifting plotlines can happen.
For the tie-in issues, I only read them as they come up in the reading guide that I am working through. This can become problematic because the tie-in issues are not always included in collected editions of the event. So you may need to hunt for them.
Reading Order:
| Title | Importance | Collected |
|---|---|---|
| Brightest Day #0 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume One |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #1 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume One |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #2 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume One |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #3 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume One |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #4 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume One |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #5 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume One |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #6 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume One |
| Green Lantern vol. 4 #53 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern: Brightest Day |
| Green Lantern Corps vol. 2 #48 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern Corps: Revolt of the Alpha Lanterns |
| Brightest Day #1 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume One |
| Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #1 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors Volume One |
| Green Lantern vol. 4 #54 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern: Brightest Day |
| Green Lantern vol. 4 #55 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern: Brightest Day |
| Brightest Day #2 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume One |
| Brightest Day #3 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume One |
| Brightest Day #4 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume One |
| Brightest Day #5 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume One |
| Brightest Day #6 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume One |
| Green Lantern Corps vol. 2 #49 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern Corps: Revolt of the Alpha Lanterns |
| Green Lantern Corps vol. 2 #50 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern Corps: Revolt of the Alpha Lanterns |
| Green Lantern Corps vol. 2 #51 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern Corps: Revolt of the Alpha Lanterns |
| Green Lantern Corps vol. 2 #52 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern Corps: Revolt of the Alpha Lanterns |
| Titans: Villians for Hire Special #1 | Tie-in TBD | Uncollected |
| Titans vol. 2 #24 | Tie-in TBD | Uncollected |
| Titans vol. 2 #25 | Tie-in TBD | Uncollected |
| Brightest Day: The Atom Special #1 | Tie-in TBD | Uncollected |
| The Flash vol. 3 #1 | Tie-in TBD | The Flash Volume One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues |
| The Flash vol. 3 #2 | Tie-in TBD | The Flash Volume One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues |
| The Flash vol. 3 #3 | Tie-in TBD | The Flash Volume One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues |
| The Flash vol. 3 #4 | Tie-in TBD | The Flash Volume One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues |
| Green Arrow vol. 4 #1 | Tie-in TBD | Green Arrow Volume One: Into the Woods |
| Green Arrow vol. 4 #2 | Tie-in TBD | Green Arrow Volume One: Into the Woods |
| Green Arrow vol. 4 #3 | Tie-in TBD | Green Arrow Volume One: Into the Woods |
| Brightest Day #7 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume One |
| Brightest Day #8 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume Two |
| Birds of Prey vol. 2 #1 | Tie-in TBD | Birds of Prey Volume One: Endrun |
| Birds of Prey vol. 2 #2 | Tie-in TBD | Birds of Prey Volume One: Endrun |
| Birds of Prey vol. 2 #3 | Tie-in TBD | Birds of Prey Volume One: Endrun |
| Birds of Prey vol. 2 #4 | Tie-in TBD | Birds of Prey Volume One: Endrun |
| Birds of Prey vol. 2 #5 | Tie-in TBD | Birds of Prey Volume One: Endrun |
| Birds of Prey vol. 2 #6 | Tie-in TBD | Birds of Prey Volume One: Endrun |
| The Flash vol. 3 #5 | Tie-in TBD | The Flash Volume One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues |
| The Flash vol. 3 #6 | Tie-in TBD | The Flash Volume One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues |
| Justice League of America vol. 2 #44 | Tie-in TBD | Justice League of America: The Dark Things |
| Justice League of America vol. 2 #45 | Tie-in TBD | Justice League of America: The Dark Things |
| Justice League of America vol. 2 #46 | Tie-in TBD | Justice League of America: The Dark Things |
| Justice Society of America vol. 3 #41 | Tie-in TBD | Justice League of America: The Dark Things |
| Justice League of America vol. 2 #47 | Tie-in TBD | Justice League of America: The Dark Things |
| Justice Society of America vol. 3 #42 | Tie-in TBD | Justice League of America: The Dark Things |
| Justice League of America vol. 2 #48 | Tie-in TBD | Justice League of America: The Dark Things |
| Justice Society of America vol. 3 #43 | Tie-in TBD | Justice League of America: The Dark Things |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #7 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume One |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #8 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume One |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #9 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume One |
| Brightest Day #9 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume Two |
| Brightest Day #10 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume Two |
| Brightest Day #11 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume Two |
| Brightest Day #12 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume Two |
| Untold Tales of Blackest Night #1 | Tie-in TBD | Uncollected |
| Green Arrow vol. 4 #4 | Tie-in TBD | Green Arrow Volume One: Into the Woods |
| Green Arrow vol. 4 #5 | Tie-in TBD | Green Arrow Volume One: Into the Woods |
| Green Arrow vol. 4 #6 | Tie-in TBD | Green Arrow Volume One: Into the Woods |
| Green Arrow vol. 4 #7 | Tie-in TBD | Green Arrow Volume One: Into the Woods |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #10 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume One |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #11 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume One |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #12 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume One |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #13 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume Two |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #14 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume Two |
| Titans vol. 2 #26 | Tie-in TBD | Uncollected |
| Titans vol. 2 #27 | Tie-in TBD | Uncollected |
| Titans vol. 2 #28 | Tie-in TBD | Uncollected |
| Titans vol. 2 #29 | Tie-in TBD | Uncollected |
| Titans vol. 2 #30 | Tie-in TBD | Uncollected |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #15 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume Two |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #16 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume Two |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #17 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume Two |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #18 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume Two |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #19 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume Two |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #20 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume Two |
| Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #2 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors Volume One |
| Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #3 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors Volume One |
| Green Lantern vol. 4 #56 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern: Brightest Day |
| Green Lantern vol. 4 #57 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern: Brightest Day |
| Green Lantern vol. 4 #58 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern: Brightest Day |
| Brightest Day #13 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume Two |
| Brightest Day #14 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume Two |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #21 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume Two |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #22 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume Two |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #23 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume Two |
| Justice League: Generations Lost #24 | Generations Lost Story Essential | Justice League: Generations Lost Volume Two |
| Power Girl vol. 2 #21 | Tie-in TBD | Uncollected |
| Green Lantern vol. 4 #59 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern: Brightest Day |
| Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #4 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors Volume One |
| Green Lantern Corps vol. 2 #53 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern Corps: The Weaponer |
| Green Lantern Corps vol. 2 #54 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern Corps: The Weaponer |
| Brightest Day #15 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume Two |
| Brightest Day #16 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume Two |
| Brightest Day #17 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume Three |
| The Flash vol. 3 #7 | Tie-in TBD | The Flash Volume One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues |
| Brightest Day #18 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume Three |
| Green Lantern vol. 4 #60 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern: Brightest Day |
| Green Lantern vol. 4 #61 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern: Brightest Day |
| Green Lantern vol. 4 #62 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern: Brightest Day |
| Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #5 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors Volume One |
| Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #6 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors Volume One |
| Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #7 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors Volume One |
| Green Lantern Corps vol. 2 #55 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern Corps: The Weaponer |
| Green Lantern Corps vol. 2 #56 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern Corps: The Weaponer |
| Brightest Day #19 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume Three |
| Brightest Day #20 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume Three |
| Brightest Day #21 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume Three |
| Green Arrow vol. 4 #8 | Tie-in TBD | Green Arrow Volume Two: Salvation |
| Green Arrow vol. 4 #9 | Tie-in TBD | Green Arrow Volume Two: Salvation |
| Green Arrow vol. 4 #10 | Tie-in TBD | Green Arrow Volume Two: Salvation |
| Green Lantern Corps vol. 2 #57 | Tie-in TBD | Green Lantern Corps: The Weaponer |
| Brightest Day #22 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume Three |
| Green Arrow vol. 4 #11 | Tie-in TBD | Green Arrow Volume Two: Salvation |
| Brightest Day #23 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume Three |
| Brightest Day #24 | Main Story Essential | Brightest Day Omnibus Brightest Day Volume Three |
| Green Arrow vol. 4 #12 | Tie-in TBD | Green Arrow Volume Two: Salvation |
| Brightest Day Aftermath: The Search for Swamp Thing #1 | Aftermath Important | Uncollected |
| Brightest Day Aftermath: The Search for Swamp Thing #2 | Aftermath Important | Uncollected |
| Brightest Day Aftermath: The Search for Swamp Thing #3 | Aftermath Important | Uncollected |
Publications Impact
- Follow-up
- Leads into the War of the Green Lanterns for the Green Lanterns.
- Generations Lost continues in Booster Gold vol.2 #33-43.
- Series Spun out of the Event
- Birds of Prey vol. 2
- The Flash vol. 3
- Green Arrow vol. 4
- Justice Society of America vol. 3
- Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors
References:
Feature image Brightest Day #0 Cover Art by David Finch, Scott Williams, & Steigerwald
Recent Posts
The Ravagers are a superhero team introduced in the New 52 continuity of DC Comics, comprising young metahumans who escape from captivity and seek freedom from those who exploited them. The team is...
The Outlaws is a team in the DC Comics universe primarily led by the anti-hero Red Hood. Originally conceived as a darker, more complex alternative to traditional superhero teams, they often operate...