Hal Jordan, still in the midst of his battle with the undead Martian Manhunter, plummets from the skies above and comes crashing through the Bat-Signal, sending shards of glass flying everywhere. It's quite fortuitous for him that on the eve of such a monumental battle he should happen to wind up staring straight at the world's premiere super-hero data-wrangler, the Oracle. Though they exchange not a word on the subject, it's clear that the word should be sent out to all points. A battle is coming. But first, Hal needs to get back to the battle at hand - his formerly deceased Martian friend tearing up the streets of Gotham!

Elsewhere in the fair city of the Bat, a Black Lantern ring has found its way to the grave of Boston Brand, otherwise known as the Deadman - the restless crime solving spirit detective. The disturbance at Boston's grave alerts the Phantom Stranger who immediately calls for an emergency meeting amongst the universe's most powerful magic users. Boston's grave may be empty by the time they arrive, but the Stranger, neither dead nor truly alive, hopes that it is not too late. Unfortunately for him, the arrival of yet another undead face from the past tells him that it very much is too late. Pariah, forbearer of destruction, arrives just before Black Hand who spews forth more rings to lay claim to those present. He has no interest in the living - Zatanna or Blue Devil. But if the "peace" of death is to finally come over the universe, those that had gone beyond death must be moved out of the way, including even the Spectre! Whereas before the soul of Crispus Allen was tethered do the Spectre, it seems the Spectre is now being sealed away inside the cadaverous prison of Allen's corpse! As the Black Lantern Spectre arises, the remaining members of Shadowpact are left with no other option but to look on in horror. Their magic is powerless against the darkness that now feasts upon the Universe..

As the black rings reach as far out as the grave of Abin Sur, Hal Jordan's predecessor it seems as though no one and nothing is immune to their great conquest of the dead. But strangely enough, one grave appears un-touchable. Black rings fly towards and then deflect from the grave of Don Hall, otherwise known as Dove. Not even the Black rings can disturb Dove's eternal peace. That is, unless his brother, the Black Lantern Hawk has something to say about it.

Meanwhile, Mera and Tempest arrive alongside several Atlantean guards at the Lighthouse at Amnesty Bay. But it's the body of Arthur Curry they hope to guide home - to a waiting tomb in Atlantis. Garth, having recently assumed the mantle of King, hopes that in doing so he can help the Atlantean people move past Arthur's death. But they're soon greeted with the sinister image of their un-dead King standing alongside the living corpses of Aquagirl and Dolphin. Aquaman immediately seizes upon the fearful hearts of the guards present, giant zombified creatures of the deep rise to snatch up those remaining. And in no time at all it's just Mera and Garth against the malevolent corpses of their loved ones.

Finding that the Black Lanterns are seemingly indestructible, Garth makes one last plea towards whatever human soul remains within the rotting flesh of his once girlfriend Aquagirl. Yet it's that last glimmer of hope that seals his fate. The zombie, drawn by the intense emotion glowing from within his chest, reaches in and in one fell swoop snatches out the hope filled heart of Tempest! Black mists swirl and go to fill the empty cavity and as the evil ring finds its way, Black Lantern Tempest is born! Left with no other option, Mera is forced to retreat. Her King calls out to her, screaming for her in the night as she flees.

Back in Gotham, Flash continues his battle with the Martian Manhunter. In death he appears to display all of the meta-abilities that he had in life. Telepathy, Flight, Strength, so it would stand to reason that he would maintain his one weakness as well, fire. Realizing the abundance of chemicals around him, the speedster scientist Barry Allen mixes a potent batch of chemicals, luring J'onn further into his trap. When the time is right, Hal Jordan appears above with a Gotham City squad car, dropping it directly onto the Martian's head and igniting what they hope to be his funeral pyre. Barry races around the explosion, keeping the massive blast in one central area, intensifying the oven's heat. But when the smoke finally clears there is no body to recover

The Martian Manhunter survived intact. And what's worse - he seems to have brought his friends, the Dibnys, the Hawks and Firestorm. All formerly dead. All thirsting for the beating hearts within their chests.