I am starting with the Blackest Night this next week, any REALLY important magazines I should read beside the main series?

I've been following Blackest Night/Brightest Day and it's been incredibly "MEH". And this is coming from a Green Lantern fan.

It's better than Siege but that's like saying a kick in the shin is better than a kick in the nuts.

Ok, good to know your opinion, but can you please answer my question? do I HAVE to read anything else beside the main books?

No, I don't think so. I've read a few of the side books but missed most of them. The story feels somewhat incomplete but you can still follow it.

I'm reading the following books:

Shadowland

The Return of Bruce Wayne

Batman Odessey

Batman Beyond

Detective Comics 867/868

Uncanny X-Men - The Five Lights 526-257

X-Men Curse of the Mutants

So far, Batman Beyond and The Return of Bruce Wayne are damn good. Shadowland's spin-off are more interesting than the main story right now. Shadowland #2 ended pretty cool though.

I've picked up Fables: Legends in Exile and am quite impressed with the concept and execution that it's being pulled off with. The idea is so simple, and yet, this could've been a train wreck, but it keeps you guessing and wanting more.

I'm on book 7 currently and it keeps on being awesome, glasd this thread came about because I had almost forgotten about it.

any solid reccomendations for vertigo trades?  I already have fables, transmetropolitan, and watchmen but I like what I've read so far.  I'll eventuallty get sandman so that one is a given.

I just currently started reading Daredevil: Born Again and I must say I need more comics from this age. Frank Miller's writing is excellent. The story is so real and makes you think.

This weeks reading list:

Deadpool Pulp #1
Scarlet #2
Shadowland #3 (Of 5)
Shadowland Elektra #1 (One Shot)
Wolverine #1
Wolverine The Road To Hell #1 (One Shot)
X-Men Curse Of The Mutants Smoke And Blood #1 (One Shot)
I Am An Avenger #1 (of 5)

is the art in Daredevil that weird photorealistic yet not style, that was awesome 4-5 years ago.  Can't remember the artists name....

Absolutely loved it, its certainly up there with Watchmen and V for Vendetta as a showcase that comic books cen be a very nuanced, advanced artistic medium.