(with contribution from AFi Superfriend)
If you are as excited as we are about the current Green Lantern helmed crossover at DC Comics, "Blackest Night", and you collect toys, you probably want some stuff beyond the comics themselves to commemorate the event. You are in luck. DC Comics agrees.
As part of the build up to this story, writer Geoff Johns has expanded the idea of the Green Lantern Corps to be one of a number of ring wielding groups across the DC Universe. And in this case, we really mean universe.
Quick back story for those who need it. Hal Jordan is once again the primary Green Lantern of Earth. Hal’s arch enemy, Sinestro, has forged his own corps of yellow ringed fighters. In the past year, we have met red lanterns, blue lanterns, orange lanterns, violet lanterns, and indigo lanterns. It turns out there is a connection between the colors of the spectrum and basic emotions.
red – rage / hate
orange – greed
yellow – fear
green – will
blue – hope
indigo – compassion
violet – love
And then there is black, death. The overall story of Blackest Night is black rings causing dead characters to rise from the grave and attack the living heroes.
A few months back, DC gave store owners the opportunity to give out a Black Lantern ring with the purchase of a copy of Blackest Night #1. At that time, a bunch of us said things like, "This is awesome. Tell DC that I’d gladly pay to own the rest of the rings."
In addition to the black ring, red, green, blue, yellow and orange rings were available with the super limited edition 1500 piece 2009 Comic Con exclusive Hal Jordan figures. The rings were packed separately in the in the packages and were removable without having to open the figure.
And DC has responded. The rings are coming. If your store owner is participating in the promotion, all you have to do is buy the associated comic on the week it comes out to get the ring.
(Display from The Comic Bug)
The Following is the release breakdown:
Week 1- Doom Patrol #4 – Yellow – Fear
Week 2- Booster Gold #26 – Orange – Greed
Week 2-R.E.B.E.L.S. #10 – Indigo – Compassion
Week 3-Adventure Comics #4 – Blue – Hope
Week 3- Outsiders #24 – Violet (Star Sapphire) – Love
Week 4-Justice League of America #39 – Red – Rage/Hate
Week 4- Blackest Night #5 – Green – Will
Different shops are handing the rings different way. Most every shop will give you the ring free with purchase of the the corresponding book, and most shops will sell you the individual rings and sets for varying prices. My local shop still has some of the black rings so they are selling them in sets of seven and sets of eight.
DC Direct also has a higher end version of the rings coming with a display stand coming next month as part of their prop replica line. Here is the solicit information for that:
An age-old prophecy foretold the coming of the Blackest Night, and the war of light between the emotional spectrum! The Green Lantern and (yellow) Sinestro Corps are confronted by the Red Lanterns, Agent Orange, the Blue Lanterns, the mysterious Indigo Lanterns, the (violet) Star Sapphires and, ultimately, the Black Lantern Corps.
Now, for the first time ever, all of these Power Rings are collected together in one spectacular display!
Eight plated metal rings (each a different color, signifying the insignia of the various Corps) fit into a battery-operated, light-up resin display base. The rings are protected by a removable glass dome that sits on top of the base.
This special prop replica is linked to the highly anticipated "Blackest Night" storyline!
This mixed-media, hand-painted, limited-edition piece measures approximately 8" high x 5.5" wide x 5.5" deep and is packaged in a 4-color box, along with a 4-color Certificate of Authenticity and an instruction sheet. Batteries are also included.
Manufactured to order.
* Rings are removable but are prop replicas ONLY and are not meant to be worn.
$ 250.00 US | On Sale December 9, 2009
