Brightest Day #24 (2011)

Boston Brand, Dove, and Hawk look on as the reanimated corpse of Alec Holland shambles toward them. Boston has partial knoweldge of Alec’s previous fate, stating that he was killed in an explosion and the Swamp Thing was formed as result believing it was Alec. The Entity agrees, and confirms that, while Alec’s memories were absorbed into the Green, that the Swamp Thing was formed believing itself to be Swamp Thing, Alec died that day. Meanwhile, the Elementals continue to fight the Dark Avatar. The Entity draws them to Alec, bonding him with the Elementals. The Entity finally explains everything. When Nekron came to Earth Boston was dead, free from any connection to the living, and, therefore, free of the infection of decay. Boston was the only one whose lifeforce was absolutely pure. Boston was the Entity’s sanctuary and the forest was the Green's Sanctuary. While, the Life Entity resurrected many to stave off this attack, others like Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond/Jason Rusch), Hawkman and Hawkgirl could act as a guide for the four elements just as Alec Holland's essence acted as a guide for the Green. But Nekron’s essence was imprinted on the Green in the form of Swamp Thing. Now, the Green needs a consciousness with which to bond. To truly eradicate the vestiges of Nekron, they need not only Swamp Thing, to believe it is Alec Holland, the Swamp Thing must truly become Alec Holland. At that point, the Entity tells Captain Boomerang to throw his boomerang at Dawn. He does so, and Hawk attempts to catch it. However, the boomerang cuts through Hawk’s hand. As it seems the boomerang will strike Dawn, Boston steps in and is fatally struck by the boomerang. Despite Dawn’s pleas, the Entity refuses to save Boston. Knowing his fate is sealed, Boston willingly releases his White Lantern Power Ring and it bonds with Alec, returning him to full life. Though Alec is confused, the forest soon begins to bond with him and he realizes his purpose, to be the returned Swamp Thing, protector of the Earth. Alec takes the form of a massive Swamp Thing adorned with the White Lantern sigil. He faces the Dark Avatar adorned with the Black Lantern sigil. After a one-sided battle, Alec destroys the Dark Avatar. Meanwhile, Dawn morns Boston. Boston, now once again in the form of the spirit Deadman, rails at the Entity demanding to know why he has not been allowed to pass on from this plane. The Entity tells him that his work on Earth is not complete, Boston must help those who have lost hope. It is revealed that Dawn can still hear Boston, while in his previous incarnation no one could see or hear him. With that, Swamp Thing expels the heroes who are no longer Elementals. However, Carter soon realizes that Shiera is not among them. He attacks the Swamp Thing thinking she is still within him. Swamp Thing explains she is not here, but she is all around him, seemingly in the form air that swirls around Carter. Swamp Thing then restores the Green around the Earth and puts a stop to the Earth’s attack on humanity. The Entity congratulates the heroes, but explains that Hawk failed at his mission. The Life Entity tells him that his life is not his own. The Entity states that it cannot free Hawk from the influence of war and tells him that he is not like the others. The Entity then explains that Maxwell Lord, Osiris, and Jade have succeeded at their tasks. With that, the Entity disappears and Firestorm remarks that he suspects that they will not be able to follow. Later, Orin and Mera discuss what comes next, and Orin realizes that the Xebelians were using Atlantean weapons, hinting that there may be Xebel sympathizers in Atlantis. Martian Manhunter visits the daughter of Professor Saul Erdel. He removes a device that was placed there by D'Kay D'Razz and which was causing her dementia. D’Kay’s reasons are unknown, but when the woman recovers, she immediately recognizes J’onn and apologizes for her part in stealing him from his home. He responds that, contrary to her belief, she actually gave him home. At the Stonechat Museum, Carter seethes with anger about Shiera’s disappearance. In Pittsburgh, Jason and Ronnie review Martin Stein’s notes and discover that their fight with Anti-Monitor has destabilized the Firestorm Matrix. If they cannot find a solution, they will explode within 90 hours. Later, Swamp Thing begins his new mission of protecting Earth by killing a group of executives responsible for poisoning nature and harming humanity. After, a man investigates the scene of the murder. It is soon revealed that the man is John Constantine