The Final Night #4 (1996)

The Final Night #4 (November, 1996)
"The Final Knight"
Writer - Karl Kesel
Penciller - Stuart Immonen
Inker - Jose Marzan, Jr.
Colorist - Trish Mulvihill
Letterer - Gaspar
Assistant Editor - Ali Morales
Editor - Dan Thorsland
Cover Price: $1.95

Alrighty, let's put this one to bed!

--

We open around the middle of Parallax: Emerald Night #1, with Kyle Rayner returning from his visit with Hal.  Since he couldn't get a solid answer one way or another, he feels like a failure, who just wasted a whole lot of time.  He arrives in the snow-covered Metropolis to find Wonder Woman helping some civilians unload a supply helicopter.  Kyle takes this as a good sign... since there's no rush to evacuate, and a contingency plan (of sorts) in the works, he figures that even if they don't beat the Sun-Eater they can ride this out.  Not so fast, kemo sabe... Wonder Woman pulls him aside, and gives him the straight dope.

Inside S.T.A.R. Labs, Lex Luthor and Brainiac 5 are pitching their latest survival plan.  In light of the fact that the Sun is not actually going to fizzle out, and instead will "heal" itself... and in so doing, go hyper-nova and atomize the entire galaxy, they figure the best offense is a good defense.  And so, Wally West was tasked with assembling a half-million force-field devices... which, I didn't know was his specialty... but I guess he can read plans as good as anybody.  Luthor hopes to deploy these units around the Sun... use the power of the nova to energize them... trap 97% of the energy within the area around the Sun... kill the Sun-Eater... then everything will be hunky dory.  Ya got all that?  Here, I'll just have Lex explain it.

Now, with the limited time they have... this plan cannot be enacted remotely... or made automated.  Luthor blames much of this of their "probe" being aborted... which was Kyle.  Dusk's ship will be sent to orbit the Sun and monitor the situation to deal with any unexpected issues that may arise.  Luthor is pretty sure the ship will not survive the blast.  So, we're talking suicide mission here... unless, they send someone who already survived an encounter.  Luthor looks to Kyle... and as he's about to accept the responsibility... he vanishes!

A confused Luthor doesn't quite know what to make of Green Lantern's beam-out.  Batman suggests they just send Luthor instead.  Lex goes all "homina, homina" until Superman says he'll do it.  He says he would be the one to do it, even if Kyle (or anyone else) were up for the task.  He's lost one home planet... he's not about to lose another.  Besides, the Sun going nova should jump-start his superpowers... hopefully.

The Legionnaires present watch in awe as Superman leaves the room.  They've, of course, heard the legends of Superman being the measuring stick for superheroes, but now they get to see it live.  Superman excuses himself... to pen a letter.  Before we know it, Dusk's ship takes off.

Saturn Girl scans the ship and realizes, that ain't Superman!  I reckon, Superman bursting in the room a second and a half later would've given her the same conclusion.  It's revealed that the man on board is... young Ferro!  Oh, Ferro... Perhaps he read those old Jim Shooter comics, and wanted to go out like his namesake?

The heroes begin to panic... trying to figure out ways to abort the mission.  The chickens-with-their-heads-cut-off are interrupted by the arrival... of Parallax!

He says he's there to help... and the heroes are happy to have him... well, not Batman.  Batman believes Hal hasn't changed... and Hal tells him... well, that he's right.  Superman gives him the skinny... and Hal thinks it a bit quaint.  He suggests he can do more... he can fix everything.

Batman again jumps in to argue... but it seems like Hal's past all that at this point.  He gives the heroes his Oath that he will fix everything.  Superman goes to shake his hand... welcome him back to the fold.  Parallax doesn't extend his hand in return, and informs Superman that's he's not coming back.

We join Ferro on his approach to the Sun just as it's about to go nova.  It's a pretty awesome scene... his cute little Ferro mask begins to melt... and he apologizes for not being able to return Spark's Legion Flight Ring.  Heyyy, did somebody say "ring"?  A giant Parallax arrives on the scene for the rescue.

He sends Ferro back to Earth before facing the threat before him.  He knows his best bet for deal with this is to draw all of the Sun-Eater's darkness within himself... and so, with (a paraphrased) Green Lantern Oath, he... does just that!

We pick up with Ferro again on Earth, and it's... Sunny?

Well, I'll be damned... Hal did it.  Kyle Rayner is overjoyed... not only is the Earth saved, but Hal Jordan might just be one of the good guys again!  Well, not so fast kemo sabe... Saturn Girl chimes in to inform the group that she had tapped into Parallax's mind for the duration... and he didn't survive the confrontation.

We wrap up the issue, and story atop the Daily Planet building.  Superman and Batman are having one of their semi-contentious post-Crisis pow-wows... this time discussing their old friend, Hal Jordan.  Batman holds firm that he is still a villain... and will not allow his legacy to be rewritten by one final altruistic act.  Superman, as you may imagine, feels differently.  He says he will always believe that Hal died... a hero.

--

Well, that was a doozy of an ending!  We got some stuff to break down... let's start light.  

Lex Luthor's depiction here was fitting... but it still kinda bugged me.  I'd gotten used to him being a complete gung-ho bad-ass... to have him freak out at the possibility of going on the suicide mission felt a bit off.  Being just a brilliant fella, you'd figure that he'd know Superman would step up and put himself on the line.  He could've at least played along... then begrudgingly "step aside" for Superman's act of heroism.  Either way though, I was happy to see Lex have a role in all of this... here he was a man who could command the attention of a room full of gods.  Not too shabby!

Ferro's attempted sacrifice... ay yai yai.  Listen pal, you seem like a good kid... got a cute little mask and everything... but, boy are you annoying.  The heroes have a plan, but he takes it upon himself to insert his own inexperienced be-hind.  Sure, his intentions were good... but, he could've (and apparently would've) FUBARed the entire plan... and cost the lives of everybody on Earth.  I get it, you're the new guy... ya feel like you have to prove yourself... but this ain't the way to do it.  Hopefully he got an off-panel punch to the shoulder and noogie after this.

Well, with that out of the way... let's talk Hal.

Hal Jordan comes through in the end... saving (at the very least) the entire Solar System.  Let's chat up Batman's reaction.  Batman, cynic that he is, thinks Hal has an ulterior motive... and he might be right, just not in the way he believes.  Hal might be offering up his services more as an act of contrition or redemption than anything... with saving the galaxy being little more than a juicy dollop of gravy.  I'd like to think that while Batman is reading him the riot act, Hal's thinking back to the conversation he had with Guy during the one-shot.  Heroes do what they gotta... even when they're despised by those around them.

Superman is more open to the possibility that Hal's "come back"... which, totally makes sense.  Being a more optimistic character, Superman always wants to see the best in everyone.  I appreciate that Hal doesn't quite receive the invitation the way it's intended.  He makes it clear that he's not "back" in any way, shape, or form.  He's there to help.  During the one-shot he turned down a Green Lantern ring... here, he's it's as though he's turning down a JLA membership card.

Hal's ultimate sacrifice... fitting... I suppose.  Though, I wish the Green Lantern Oath he spoke had "blackest night" instead of "darkest night", it really worked for me.  At the end of the day... Hal Jordan is still the greatest Green Lantern there ever was.  It makes sense for him to face the great hereafter reciting the oath he held to for so many years.  A real gut-punch to longtime fans too, I'd imagine.  Full circle.

Now, there's that question posed by the World's Finest at the end of the story... did Hal die a hero... or villain?

Personally, and if you've been reading this blog for any length of time you already know this, I'm not completely convinced he ever went full-villain.  Sure, he's done some bad stuff... can't deny that.  During Emerald Twilight he acted savagely... barbecuing Kilowog, snapping Sinestro's neck, leaving dozens of Green Lanterns in the vacuum of space without their rings, killing the Guardians (well, I can't say I minded that part all that much)... what I'm trying to say is... yeah, he messed up, big time.  He acted villainous... but, this being comic books, he wasn't beyond redemption.  If the Guardians would have allowed him to recreate Coast City (and he was able to actually do it)... one would imagine, he could've just as easily brought Kilowog and the gang back.  Still scummy... sure, but in trying to play the cards that are dealt... one way to go about it.

During Zero Hour: A Crisis in Time, I struggled with the idea that Hal was the villain at all.  He offered the heroes their perfect universe(s).  The heroes turned him down, accused him of playing God... then (along with the Spectre) restarted the universe themselves... making themselves no better than him!  Only he had plans to give everyone what they wanted.  I dunno... I'll post links to past relevant Hal discussions (including the funeral) below.  I guess my point is... I side more with Superman than Batman in this argument.

Now, The Final Night... as a story... really dug it!  A great, understated crossover event.  Positively quiet compared to what we see nowadays.  A simple one-month diversion from the everyday comic book adventures... I'd believe that events of this size would be more than welcome in this day and age.  Well worth checking out (even though I just spoiled the entire thing)... and is collected in (an out-of-print) trade, and the entire magilla is available digitally.

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(Not the) Letters Page:

Yeah... "We" did it.

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Relevant Hal blibbuh-blabbuh (click dem covers):

581

Parallax: Emerald Night #1 (1996)

Parallax: Emerald Night #1 (November, 1996)
"Emerald Night"
Writer - Ron Marz
Penciller - Mike McKone
Inker - Mark McKenna
Colorist - John Kalisz
Letterer - Chris Eliopoulos
Associate Editor - Eddie Berganza
Editor - Kevin Dooley
Cover Price: $2.95

Sooo... let's find out what that green light from The Final Night #3 was... 

--

We open with... the Cyborg Superman.  He's floating in space, unsure how he got there.  His attention is suddenly taken by, well the giant wall full of bodies he floats before.  Ya see, he's at the Source Wall (referred to as just the Wall here)... the very edge of the universe.  He soon finds out that he has been brought here by Hal Jordan... Parallax.

Hal reminds the Cyborg (and the reader... more the reader, probably) about the Coast City atrocity.  This occurred during The Reign of the Supermen when Cyborg Superman and Mongul did their whole Engine City dealie... and wound up reducing Hal's hometown to a smoldering crater.  Well, it's time to pay the piper... and with Mongul already dead (he died during Underworld Unleashed), the Cyborg is the only one Hal can take a pound of... metallic flesh from.

And so, for the next several pages, Hal proceeds to beat the holy hell out of the Cyborg.  Before the battle ends, it's revealed that Parallax isn't fighting the baddie (baddier?) alone.  He's actually joined by the seven million people who perished in Coast City.  It's really a great scene (and a beautiful page).

With the Cyborg Superman dead, Parallax waits to be hit by a wave of satisfaction... or peace to wash over him, but it never comes.  This was nothing more than a hollow victory... and at worst, marks the loss of the one thing that's been giving him any direction of late... revenge.  There's nothing left for Hal Jordan.  It's now that he is joined by... Green Lantern.  Hal looks him up and down, and thinks to himself how great it would be to have his youth and (relative) innocence back.  How much better life was before he became a jaded and bitter man.  He sees Kyle's optimism and eagerness... and in addition to feeling envy, he can't help but to feel pride.

Kyle's there with dire news... and since we're reading The Final Night, we kinda know what he's on about.  Hal proves to be difficult to keep on topic.  Instead of talking about the Sun-Eater, Hal asks how great it feels to be Green Lantern... how great it feels knowing you have your whole life ahead of him.  This gives Kyle the opening he needs to say "Hey, we might not have much life ahead of us if we don't get to work...".  Hal goes on the defensive... and says the last time he tried to give his old friends a "better world" (during Zero Hour: A Crisis in Time) the DC heroes told him to pound sand... and shot an arrow into his heart.  Kyle tries to reason with Hal... saying that just like Coast City, Earth is his home.  Hal doesn't commit to anything... 

And with a snap of his fingers, Hal sends Kyle away.  He decides he needs to see this Sun-Eater for himself... and so, he does.

We shift scenes back to Warrior's... and revisit the the ending of The Final Night #3, with Guy trying in vain to get drunk.  He's bathed in green light... and finds himself joined by, hey lookit that... it's Parallax.

Despite Guy feeling a bit froggy, Hal tells him he's not there for a fight.  He's really just there to ask him a question.  We all know that Guy is... kind of abrasive.  Hal asks him how he was able to keep going... keep being a hero, even though all the other heroes hated his guts.  Guy replies with "You do what you gotta do", which was apparently all Hal needed to hear.  He thanks Guy, and vanishes.

Next stop, John Stewart's bedside.  Now, John had been crippled during his time with the Darkstars.  I don't think I've read those issues... but suffice it to say, the fella can't walk.  Hal's arrival inspires, as you might imagine, a whoooooole lotta questions.  Questions that unfortunately, Hal doesn't have the time to answer.  He thanks John for his friendship over the years... then gives him the power to walk again.

We then shift to one of the opening scenes from Green Arrow (vol.3) #1... a book which won't come out for five years!  Hal is stood before Oliver Queen's grave... and lays down a bouquet of flowers.  He stands there for a moment in silence.  This goes to show how long that Kevin Smith run was in development.  Actually the WATCH this space column (I'll include it below) that comes in this very issue kinda crows about the possibility of Smith calling DC Comics his home for awhile.

Hal's tour continues with a stop in, I dunno... maybe Alaska?  He's in his old pal Tom Kalamaku's hangar... and is surprised to see him tinkering with his plane instead of being with his family during these tense "end times".  Tom, who is ecstatic to see his old friend, says he just needed to feel busy... which is understandable.  He tells Hal that he's working on a book that will tell the world how great (and misunderstood) Hal Jordan was... to which, Hal informs him that he's about to give that book a proper ending.

Last stop... Ferris Aircraft.  (A very tan) Carol knew he'd eventually show up.  Hedging his bets... or perhaps having cold feet, Hal makes one final play for her heart.  He tells her that he can take her someplace safe... where they can be together forever.  She tell him that it's not about the two of them... and maybe it never was.  She tells him that she loves him, but this is goodbye.  She's confident he will do what's right.

And so, after one last kiss... Hal heads to the crater that once was Coast City.  He kneels beside a stuffed doll (which might just be the same one from Green Lantern (vol.3) #48) and concentrates... purging Ganthet from within him (!)  I guess the last Guardian took up residence inside our man to keep tabs on him.  They argue a bit about the Emerald Twilight thang, before Ganthet ultimately apologizes.  He says that the Guardians of the Universe were always too rigid... and refused to break any of their self-imposed rules, regardless of how worthy they might be.  He then manifests a Lantern ring... and offers it to Hal.

Hal stares at it for a moment... before realizing that getting his ring back won't make him the man he used to be.  He tells Ganthet he won't be needing the ring... and so, the last Guardian leaves.  Hal thinks about how lives are judged... are they by actions in the moment?  Are they by legacies left behind?  Does it even matter?  He returns to Kyle with an answer... he will aid the heroes in taking down the Sun-Eater.

--

Wow... that was one hell of a story.

Ya know, thinking about things like Green Lantern Rebirth (the first one)... all of this Parallax whatsits was swept under the rug by blaming Hal's actions on a giant yellow fear bug from outer space.  We accept that, because it's comics... but, it totally takes the steam out of stories like this.  This is the era of "broken Hal"... different than "broke as a joke Hal", "broke outta prison Hal" and "broken-hearted Hal", and feels like such a natural progression for the character.  This is a dude who knows he's screwed things up... a dude who once sought to reboot the entire universe to give people what he thought they wanted.  At his core, he's been an altruist... a selfish altruist (if that can even be a thing), but an altruist none the less.  I think taking these actions out of his control do him a real disservice.  If he's still got the Parallax buggy inside him... do we second-guess this story too?  Did Parallax make him visit his old friends... and decide to put his life on the line for his home planet?  I dunno... folks like Ron Marz, Dan Jurgens, among others put in so much effort to make Parallax work (and I feel like he did work) that wiping it away is just something that's always kinda bugged me.

Let's get into the story itself... this is, Hal Jordan attempting to make peace (and learn from) his oldest and closest associates and friends.  To his mind this might be his final contrition... perhaps a way to wipe his spirit clean before facing the unknown.  Perhaps, he's just looking to make amends... maybe he was just looking for a sign that he was going to do the "right" thing.  Whatever it was, it made for some wonderful scenes.

It was really neat seeing that, of all his old running buddies, he now has the most in common with Guy Gardner... because everyone hates/hated them!  Guy's answer to the question... how he can still be a hero despite being despised, was about as perfect as it could've been.  Guy's a jerk, yeah, but he's still a hero... and heroes do what they gotta do.

The Carol scene was great... you really get the feeling that the situation is becoming real for Hal here.  You get the feeling that Carol knows the real reason for his visit as well... he's not there to take her away, he's there because he needs to hear her tell him that what he's about to do is the right thing.  Hal, despite his Parallaxian stumbling, is still a hero.  If he was willing to push the limits of his own power to bring back Coast City... he's likely going to go all out to save the Earth.

I appreciate how we joined Hal as he was tying up his final thread.  Taking out the Cyborg Superman, with the aid of seven-million Coast City-zens was not only a powerful scene, but a bittersweet one as well.  He's left... alone, with one of the scariest questions a person can ask themselves... "What now?"  He's been so fueled by revenge... so driven... that, now he's gotta question what purpose his life even has.  He's slayed all his demons... so, what now?

Let's talk Ollie for a bit.  It's not clear here that Hal brought his buddy back... and it wouldn't become clear for nearly a half-decade... but I really liked that this scene was included.  The behind the scenes machinations are always fun to consider, but even as just a "saying goodbye" scene, this was a good one... it's a scene where silence says so much more than words might.

Finally... Ganthet.  Hal's known the little bugger's been latched on, but hasn't done anything to expel him.  Perhaps, the Guardian gave him a measure of comfort.  We have Hal offered his ring back... which, we may imagine is all he ever wanted in the first place.

The ring, to him, likely signifies a more innocent time in his life.  A time he can never (fully) get back.  He's done what he's done... and no matter what costume he wears, he's always gonna be "that guy".  It's such a human way to be... and it's great.  I can think of times I've cleaned out a drawer in my dresser, and found an old shirt that doesn't quite fit the same (or at all!) anymore.  I pause for a moment... and think about what my life was like back when it did.  Sometimes it's a memory of better (easier) times... other times, it's a memory of a time I'm glad to have behind me.  This scene was quite powerful... 

Actually, I think if I were to sum up the issue in a single word... it would be "powerful" (add "beautiful" if I can use two words... the art here is fantastic).  If I had to pick any nits, my only issue is that this might have gone unread if you were just following the main The Final Night miniseries.  This is a story that I would implore you to check out.  It's a wonderful Hal Jordan-as-Parallax tale that allows us to really get into the man's head.  He's not power-mad... or even just plain mad.  He's a man... a confused, lost, and atoning man... who needs direction, and perhaps forgiveness.  As luck would have it, it's available digitally... I'd highly recommend checking it out.  This book reminds me why I love comics.

We'll wrap up our battle with the Sun-Eater tomorrow.

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WATCH this space:

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580

The Final Night #3 (1996)

The Final Night #3 (November, 1996)
"Keeping Hope Alive"
Writer - Karl Kesel
Penciller - Stuart Immonen
Inker - Jose Marzan, Jr.
Colorist - Patricia Mulvihill
Letterer - Gaspar
Assistant Editor - Ali Morales
Editor - Dan Thorsland
Cover Price: $1.95

Now... look at that cover.  I thought it was Superman, Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, and Green Lantern flying away from an exploding planet or something.

Upon closer inspection... those black bits are actually... body bags (!) being carried off by emergency responders.  Ay yai yai... that got pretty dark.

Anyhoo, today we discussing the penultimate part of The Final Ni-- whattayamean, this isn't the second-to-last chapter?  Hmm...

--

We open with Guy Gardner and the new Ferro carrying an injured Wildcat into Warrior's Bar, which has been modified into an ad-hoc shelter, command center, and hospital.  It looks like we might've missed some stuff in the tie-ins... but that's okay, we'll make it work.  Before the doctor can take a look at Wildcat, the power generators blink out.

Luckily, Legionnaire Spark is there... and she is able to jump-start Warrior's power generator.  While she pumps the power, she turns to Ferro and gives him an attaboy for helping rescue Dusk from the rioters.  She tosses him her Legion Flight Ring just in case he might be able to use it.  I was doing a bit of reading yesterday, and found out that Ferro Lad's death (back in the late 60's) was tied in with the Sun-Eater story running through Legion of Super-Heroes stories in Adventure Comics!  So, his appearance here has some nods to Legion history... which is really cool to me!

Anyhoo, their chat is interrupted by a special report from... Etrigan, live from Hell?  He claims (in almost perfect rhyme... c'mon "harm" and "warm"? I expect more from ya Etrigan!) that he and his brethren can save the Earth... for a price.  The Daily Planet responds in the way only they can... and we get another throwback to DC history, which tickles me.  At the same time, Lex Luthor is having a press conference about putting together biospheres capable of housing humanity, wildlife, and plant life... and is coming across like a real bad-ass.  Totally brash and confident... and you can tell that he loves that he's got this room full of folks in the palm of his hand.

When a question is posed regarding the temperature level of the Earth's core, we shift to a meeting between Gaea and... the Spectre.  We learn that the Spectre is keeping the Earth warm... until he can be sure of what God's will is.  He's not going to allow the Earth to perish unless he's sure that's what the big guy wants.

We shift, briefly, to Opal City... where Ted Knight is observing the Sun-Eater in his telescope.  He stops for a moment to make an important call to S.T.A.R. Labs... it might be that his eyes are failing him, but he's almost sure the diameter of the Sun... is shrinking!

S.T.A.R. Labs corroborates Ted's tired eyes... and proceeds to tell the heroes (and Luthor) what's about to go down.  Ya see, the Sun ain't gonna go down without a fight... and what it's trying to do is heal itself.  This means it will eventually (though, within 24 hours) go hyper-nova... and turn the solar system to shiny flecks of dust.  Luthor, ever the bad-ass smirks and comments that "at least they don't have to worry about freezing to death".  Superman asks what "we" can do... and in light of Superman's lack of solar exposure, Luthor actually puts his hand on his shoulder and asks... "'We,' Kemo Sabe?"  Wow!

Meanwhile, Dusk is in her ship preparing to get outta dodge... likely to the next solar system that will be imperiled by the Sun-Eater.  Meet the new Pariah, same as the old Pariah.  She seems oddly contented that the Earthlings are about to go out in a blaze of gory glory... because of the riot, ya see.  Before she can jam, she is joined by the Phantom Stranger... who gives her the ol' It's a Wonderful Life treatment so she can see the brighter side of humanity... hope, love, resilience... all that stuff.

We pop over to that unnamed Spanish-speaking land that the Ray burnt himself out trying to keep heated and lit.  He's passed out in bed, and the town is soon visited by Zatanna and Fire.  Fire turns on the green flame, and plants one on Ray Sleeping Beauty style.  He wakes up, but can't do much to keep the town warm.  Zatanna then calls in Firestorm, who was trying to save the planet, but... c'mon Ronnie... there are a few dozen chilly folks in this little town who could really use your help.  And so, he turns on the heat... which might keep this town warm for another couple hours.  I get what they're trying to do here... but, really... this is quite an irresponsible use of all of their time and energy.  Firestorm's a powerful dude, who could really be of assistance on the "front lines".

tahw a etsaw fo s'mrotserif srewop !

Back to It's a Wonderful Dusk, where we watch Dusk and the Phantom Stranger... watch Sentinel (Alan Scott) reunite with his children, Jade and Obsidian... we also see the other heroes trying to keep the world shuffling along.  Dusk can see that even in the face of The Final Night, the heroes (and Earthlings) remain resilient... and hopeful for the future... that there will be a future!

After all of this, the Stranger drops Dusk in an alley... right by a torch-wielding gaggle of folks.  They see her, and rush over.  She braces for a beating... but that's not what they're there for.  The recognize her as Dusk, and ask if they can help her get to Warrior's. Aww.

Superman heads back to Smallville to check with his folks.  Pa is more annoyed that the crops are going to be ruined than anything else.  This really speaks a lot about him.  Either he's so sure his son will fix this mess that he's not worried about... ya know, the end of the world... or, he's trying to put up a brave front.  I'm leaning more toward the former.  I mean, by this point Superman's beaten everything... even death!  What's a little Sun-Eater to a guy like that?  Superman breaks the news that this might actually be... it.

We wrap up this chapter back at Warrior's... where Guy is trying to get drunk.  Unfortunately for him, his Vuldarian whoziwhatsits won't let him even get a bit of a buzz.  He walks past his trophy cases... and toasts to his old Green Lantern costume.  He's suddenly bathed in a green glow... and we are out!

--

Another really good issue!  We're still handling the "ground level" consequences of the Sun going out... which, I'm pleased about.  I'd much prefer this to spending four issues in nebulous outer space.

If we're looking for a theme... I'm going with "hope".  Let's break that down... starting with that little Spanish town.  Boy oh boy, like I said during the synopsis... I get what they're doing here.  We're getting quiet little scenes to help keep certain heroes busy, and show that this crisis is not just affecting Metropolis or Gotham City.  With that said... I still don't like it.  It just seems so irresponsible... and ignorant and dismissive of the skatey-eight thousand other tiny towns dotting the globe.  I mentioned yesterday that it was silly for The Ray to comment that the people in this town "didn't do anything wrong"... which, again... I get it... but it is dismissive of every other tiny town (and big city, for that matter).

I think heat and light powered characters need to be working with S.T.A.R. Labs during this crisis.  I mean, in the first issue, they combined their powers to create a decoy Sun for cryin' out loud!  Why couldn't they do something like that again?  That might just buy the Earth a few more hours.  Nah, instead they'll put on a little light show for a few dozen people.

Okay... with that out of the way, more hope!  Let's talk the Kents.  To Pa, this is just another day in the DC Universe.  Can't hold that against him... I mean, there's always something threatening the Earth... so, why would this be any worse?  I appreciate that he has so much faith in his son (and his amazing friends) that he's more annoyed that his crops are dying... than even processing that the world might be ending.

Dusk's magical mystery tour was... ehh.  It's another one of those things where... we get what they're doing... but, at this point, what does it matter?  Is Dusk going to "solve" the Sun-Eater?  Not likely.  If she wants to jam... let her go.  Does it matter to the Phantom Stranger that she thinks humanity is comprised of a bunch of jerks?  It shouldn't!  She wants off-planet?  Can we get a Daily Planet headline for her?

I gotta say, in reading this series I'm getting a whole new appreciation for Lex Luthor.  He's coming across as stone-cold, charismatic, and just flat-out awesome here.  He's got contingencies for just about every situation... and can speak with such a presence that he inspires (cautious) hope.  Like I said yesterday, it looks like his road to the White House has already started!

Overall, still really digging this story... though I gotta say, tomorrow we will... not be discussing The Final Night #4.  Swerve!

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