Brightest Day Reading Guide

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.

Best Way To Read:

Brightest Day Omnibus

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. So you may need to hunt for them.

Reading Order:

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:

• Wikipedia
• Comic Book Herald
• Comic Book Reading Orders

Feature image Brightest Day #0 Cover Art by David Finch, Scott Williams, & Steigerwald