The Final Night Reading Guide

Final Night

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)

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. So you may need to hunt for them.

Reading Order:

TitleImportanceCollected
Week Zero: The Final Night PreviewMain StoryThe Final Night
Week One: The Final Night #1Main StoryThe Final Night
Week One: The Power of Shazam! #20TBD – Not ReadUncollected
Week One: Sovereign Seven #16TBD – Not ReadUncollected
Week One: Superman vol. 2 #117TBD – Not ReadUncollected
Week Two: The Final Night #2Main StoryThe Final Night
Week Two: The Adventures of Superman #540TBD – Not ReadUncollected
Week Two: Batman #536TBD – Not ReadUncollected
Week Two: Green Arrow vol. 2 #114TBD – Not ReadUncollected
Week Two: Supergirl vol. 2 #3TBD – Not ReadUncollected
Week Three: The Final Night #3Main StoryThe Final Night
Week Three: Action Comics #727TBD – Not ReadUncollected
Week Three: Aquaman vol. 4 #26TBD – Not ReadUncollected
Week Three: Detective Comics #703TBD – Not ReadUncollected
Week Three: Superboy vol. 3 #33TBD – Not ReadUncollected
Week Four: Parallax: Emerald Night #1Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)
Important
The Final Night
Week Four: The Flash vol. 2 #119TBD – Not ReadUncollected
Week Four: Hitman #8TBD – Not ReadUncollected
Week Four: Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 4 #86TBD – Not ReadUncollected
Week Four: Robin vol. 4 #35TBD – Not ReadUncollected
Week Four: The Spectre vol. 3 #47TBD – Not ReadUncollected
Week Four: Superman: The Man of Steel #62TBD – Not ReadUncollected
Week Four: Takion #6TBD – Not ReadUncollected
Week Five: The Final Night #4Main StoryThe Final Night
Week Five: Green Lantern vol. 3 #81Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)
Important
The Final Night
The Final Night Reading Order

References:

Feature Image Final Night Trade Paperback Cover art by Stuart Immonen

Brett

In my mid-30s, I ventured into the mesmerizing world of comic books, and since then, they've captured my heart as one of my cherished pastimes. With a delightful dance between Marvel and DC, sprinkled with the occasional indie gem, I've immersed myself in this enchanting universe. As a true completionist at heart, my passion for collecting has birthed an abundance of reading lists that I'm thrilled to share with all of you, bringing us together on this thrilling comic journey.

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