Brightest Day #23 (2011)

All around the planet, Earth’s superheroes deal with the chaos caused by the Earth itself seemingly turning against humanity. The widespread catastrophes include volcanoes and earthquakes striking major population centers. The heroes can do little more than save lives where they can and help the injured. At the forest in Star City, it is revealed that, strangely, the forest is the only place on the planet unaffected by the Earth’s attack on humanity. Scores of people attempt to enter he forest but are kept out by a barrier of White Energy. Green Arrow is in the forest. He begs the Life Entity to let the people enter, but the Entity refuses. Elsewhere in the forest, Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond/Jason Rusch) has been confronted by Boston Brand. Boston insists that Firestorm must give him the White Lantern Power Battery. Within Firestorm, Ronnie and Jason have become curious why they had to go to Qward at all if the White Lantern Power Battery could teleport. Further, Ronnie is still angered and confused by the fact that the Entity has not resurrected Martin Stein. The Entity responds that Ronnie had to witness Martin’s death to accept Jason as part of Firestorm and there can be no more delay as the Dark Avatar will soon rise. Boston tells Firestorm that the Entity has been manipulating all of them and it claims it intends to use their life forces to save the Earth. Soon, the Entity reaches out to summon Dove to the forest. Hawk sees her enveloped in White Energy and attempts to grab her, only to be teleported along with her. It is revealed that Entity has been communicating with Captain Boomerang leading him to Star City and the forest. He arrives, pushing his way past the bystanders who are kept out by the White Energy barrier. Shockingly, he is able to pass through the barrier. Outside the barrier, the Dark Avatar rises. It is revealed that Swamp Thing is the Dark Avatar. He has been corrupted and now bears a Black Lantern sigil on his chest. Soon, the Dark Avatar breaks through the White Energy barrier. Meanwhile, the Entity communicates with Boomerang about his purpose, causing two glowing ebony boomerangs to appear in his hands. Boomerang makes his way towards the others. Boston, controlled by the Entity, blasts Firestorm with the White Lantern Power Ring, seemingly causing him to be consumed in fire. However, Firestorm is soon surrounded by swirling water and air and is then absorbed into a mound of earth. With another burst of White Energy, four elementals appear. The elementals take the forms of Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, and Firestorm, with each composed of water, earth, and fire respectively. The fourth is a flowing gestalt air elemental composed of Hawkman and Hawkgirl. The four elementals being to realize their power, with each noting that they are connected to their elements across the globe. Meanwhile, the Dark Avatar reveals his target, the massive tree at the center of the forest adorned with a White Lantern sigil. The elementals go to confront the Dark Avatar. The Entity tells Boston, Dawn, and Hank to protect the tree, which is the foundation of the Parliament of Trees, because it has been corrupted and lost its protector. However, the Entity reveals that the tree’s savior is in the forest. With that revelation, the Entity causes White Energy to explode from the tree. At its base an animated corpse begins to claw its way out of the ground. The Entity reveals that the corpse is none other than Alec Holland.