Overview:
DC’s “The Final Night” event, published in 1996, is a noteworthy chapter in the DC Universe. Penned by writer Karl Kesel and illustrated by artists Stuart Immonen and Paul Ryan, this event delves into a cataclysmic threat that puts Earth’s very survival at stake.
“The Final Night” received mixed reviews from critics and fans alike. While some praised its unique storyline and character development, others found the pacing and resolution lacking. The event’s focus on human resilience and unity, however, struck a chord with many readers.
Set against the backdrop of impending doom, “The Final Night” explores how the DC heroes and the planet’s inhabitants respond to a sun that mysteriously dims, threatening to plunge the world into an eternal night. As the crisis unfolds, iconic characters like Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern must rally their forces to save Earth from this cosmic disaster.
The impact of “The Final Night” event reverberated throughout the DC Universe. It showcased the DC heroes’ ability to come together in the face of overwhelming odds and highlighted the resilience of humanity. Although not considered a pivotal event in DC’s history, “The Final Night” is remembered for its exploration of the human spirit in the face of potential annihilation. (Full Review)
Background Reading:
Best Way To Read:
The Final Night
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Week Zero: The Final Night Preview | Main Story | The Final Night |
| Week One: The Final Night #1 | Main Story | The Final Night |
| Week One: The Power of Shazam! #20 | TBD – Not Read | Uncollected |
| Week One: Sovereign Seven #16 | TBD – Not Read | Uncollected |
| Week One: Superman vol. 2 #117 | TBD – Not Read | Uncollected |
| Week Two: The Final Night #2 | Main Story | The Final Night |
| Week Two: The Adventures of Superman #540 | TBD – Not Read | Uncollected |
| Week Two: Batman #536 | TBD – Not Read | Uncollected |
| Week Two: Green Arrow vol. 2 #114 | TBD – Not Read | Uncollected |
| Week Two: Supergirl vol. 2 #3 | TBD – Not Read | Uncollected |
| Week Three: The Final Night #3 | Main Story | The Final Night |
| Week Three: Action Comics #727 | TBD – Not Read | Uncollected |
| Week Three: Aquaman vol. 4 #26 | TBD – Not Read | Uncollected |
| Week Three: Detective Comics #703 | TBD – Not Read | Uncollected |
| Week Three: Superboy vol. 3 #33 | TBD – Not Read | Uncollected |
| Week Four: Parallax: Emerald Night #1 | Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) Important | The Final Night |
| Week Four: The Flash vol. 2 #119 | TBD – Not Read | Uncollected |
| Week Four: Hitman #8 | TBD – Not Read | Uncollected |
| Week Four: Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 4 #86 | TBD – Not Read | Uncollected |
| Week Four: Robin vol. 4 #35 | TBD – Not Read | Uncollected |
| Week Four: The Spectre vol. 3 #47 | TBD – Not Read | Uncollected |
| Week Four: Superman: The Man of Steel #62 | TBD – Not Read | Uncollected |
| Week Four: Takion #6 | TBD – Not Read | Uncollected |
| Week Five: The Final Night #4 | Main Story | The Final Night |
| Week Five: Green Lantern vol. 3 #81 | Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) Important | The Final Night |
References:
Feature Image Final Night Trade Paperback Cover art by Stuart Immonen
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