Rating: *** 1/2

Blackest Night: Batman continues this week as Batman, Robin, and Deadman battle the Black Lanterns in Gotham City.  I really like what Peter Tomasi is doing with this story.  My only problem is again the way he writes Damian.  Compared to the way Grant Morrison is writing Damian it’s like they are two different people.  If you get past that, it’s a fun story.

Batman and Robin break into the Gotham National Guard Armory to get some weapons to battle the Black Lanterns.  At first Damian wants to grab a gun, but Dick tells him no and that they have to honor Bruce’s memory to not use a gun.  Not sure why in this case since everyone they’ll be fighting is dead already, but it’s the thought that counts I guess.

The Black Lanterns consist of various dead Bat-villains and they are attacking Jim and Barbara Gordon and the Gotham Police Department.  The Lanterns are acting more like Night of the Living Dead here and they’re eating the hearts of the police officers.  Are they doing that in other Blackest Night books?  I don’t remember. 

This issue is pretty much non-stop action.  Some cool moments like Deadman possessing the body of Barbara Gordon and using her body to escape the Lanterns. 

In the last issue, Dick called Tim Drake to tell him about his parents and the Black Lanterns.  Tim shows up and saves Batman, Robin, and the Gordons, but as they fly off, Tim and Dick’s parents, who are now Black Lanterns, attack Tim’s ship.  They crash land and we end there.

A great cover by Andy Kubert, but why do the Black Lanterns look like vampires?  More importantly, why is Andy Kubert just doing covers for DC and not the regular artist on a monthly title?  The issue’s main artist is again Ardian Syaf.  Good stuff.

Pick this one up.  Lots of fun.  Blackest Night is shaping up to be the event of the year and one of the best ever.  Later!