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Dark Nights Saga #2.1
Dark Nights: Death Metal - The Darkest Knight
As Earth has been taken over by the Dark Multiverse, the Justice League fight to survive! This volume collects stories expanding the hard-rocking havoc of Dark Nights: Death Metal!
In 2017 writer Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo took their bold and bombastic sensibilities that made their Batman run beloved and widened their focus to the entire DC Universe--and the result was Dark Nights: Metal, one of the most popular and consequential DC stories in recent memory.
Now, it's time for the encore: Dark Nights: Death Metal. As the Justice League fight to survive in a hellish landscape twisted beyond recognition, Snyder and Capullo crank up the volume--and the stories in Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Darkest Knight expand the rich tapestry of the metal mayhem composed by Snyder and Capullo. As the Dark Multiverse envelops the Earth, these stories detail how the world has changed, and how it's affected DC's fan-favorite characters.
This volume collects Dark Nights: Death Metal Legends of the Dark Knights #1, Dark Nights: Death Metal Speed Metal #1, Dark Nights: Death Metal Trinity Crisis #1, Dark Nights: Death Metal Multiverse's End #1, and Dark Nights Death Metal Guidebook #1.
In 2017 writer Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo took their bold and bombastic sensibilities that made their Batman run beloved and widened their focus to the entire DC Universe--and the result was Dark Nights: Metal, one of the most popular and consequential DC stories in recent memory.
Now, it's time for the encore: Dark Nights: Death Metal. As the Justice League fight to survive in a hellish landscape twisted beyond recognition, Snyder and Capullo crank up the volume--and the stories in Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Darkest Knight expand the rich tapestry of the metal mayhem composed by Snyder and Capullo. As the Dark Multiverse envelops the Earth, these stories detail how the world has changed, and how it's affected DC's fan-favorite characters.
This volume collects Dark Nights: Death Metal Legends of the Dark Knights #1, Dark Nights: Death Metal Speed Metal #1, Dark Nights: Death Metal Trinity Crisis #1, Dark Nights: Death Metal Multiverse's End #1, and Dark Nights Death Metal Guidebook #1.
208 pages, Paperback
First published April 20, 2021
29 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Scott Snyder
1,777 books5,114 followersScott Snyder is the Eisner and Harvey Award winning writer on DC Comics Batman, Swamp Thing, and his original series for Vertigo, American Vampire. He is also the author of the short story collection, Voodoo Heart, published by the Dial Press in 2006. The paperback version was published in the summer of 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 6, 2021
Most of these one shots could be considered between the numbers comics from the main Death Metal story.
The Guidebook can be read in conjunction with the first issue. It's in an introduction to each of the lands in The Batman Who Laughs's reformed Earth.
Legends of the Dark Knights are quick origin stories for all the dark Batmen who appear in issue #1.
Trinity Crisis, Speed Metal, and Multiverse's End detail what each of the 3 teams at the end of issue #3 go off and do. I would consider them essential reading to the main event.
I did read these in the order listed going back and forth between this book and the main Death Metal series and I think that's how they read best.
The Guidebook can be read in conjunction with the first issue. It's in an introduction to each of the lands in The Batman Who Laughs's reformed Earth.
Legends of the Dark Knights are quick origin stories for all the dark Batmen who appear in issue #1.
Trinity Crisis, Speed Metal, and Multiverse's End detail what each of the 3 teams at the end of issue #3 go off and do. I would consider them essential reading to the main event.
I did read these in the order listed going back and forth between this book and the main Death Metal series and I think that's how they read best.
April 16, 2021
And lo, the Dark Nights: Death Metal tie-in books came. Some were essential. Some were...not. But all were entertaining in their own right.
Y'know, I'm going to keep that. That can be my standard introduction for the five or so trades that we're going to get over the next few weeks.
The Darkest Knight definitely falls into the more essential camp in terms of tie-ins. Some of these one-shots literally take place between issues of Death Metal and shed a lot of light on what goes on in later issues. Speed Metal and Trinity Crisis are basically Death Metal Point Five issues, explaining what happened to Wally West, as well as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, between issues.
The other one-shots are more anthology type deals - Legends Of The Dark Knight is condensed version of Dark Nights: Metal's Dark Knights one-shots, with some origin stories of twisted Batmen, while Multiverse's End shows what happens when certain universes fall during the Batman Who Laughs and Perpetua's battle that destroys everything around them. That leaves the Guidebook, which zooms in on a few of the domains in the remade DC Universe under TBMWL's rule and explains how those work.
If you like Death Metal, then you'll get extra mileage out of this one. If you didn't, you probably won't be reading it anyway. I'd advise checking out Speed Metal and Trinity Crisis somehow, just to enhance the main book, but the other stuff you can take or leave.
Y'know, I'm going to keep that. That can be my standard introduction for the five or so trades that we're going to get over the next few weeks.
The Darkest Knight definitely falls into the more essential camp in terms of tie-ins. Some of these one-shots literally take place between issues of Death Metal and shed a lot of light on what goes on in later issues. Speed Metal and Trinity Crisis are basically Death Metal Point Five issues, explaining what happened to Wally West, as well as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, between issues.
The other one-shots are more anthology type deals - Legends Of The Dark Knight is condensed version of Dark Nights: Metal's Dark Knights one-shots, with some origin stories of twisted Batmen, while Multiverse's End shows what happens when certain universes fall during the Batman Who Laughs and Perpetua's battle that destroys everything around them. That leaves the Guidebook, which zooms in on a few of the domains in the remade DC Universe under TBMWL's rule and explains how those work.
If you like Death Metal, then you'll get extra mileage out of this one. If you didn't, you probably won't be reading it anyway. I'd advise checking out Speed Metal and Trinity Crisis somehow, just to enhance the main book, but the other stuff you can take or leave.
October 22, 2021
Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Darkest Knight is an anthology of five one-shot tie-in stories that is a part of the greater Death Metal event, published by DC Comics. This collection of three one-shots and nine vignettes gives a decent background and side-stories to the Death Metal event.
Dark Nights: Death Metal: Legends of the Dark Knights (★★★☆☆) is a sub-collection of six comic vignettes that centers on the origin stories of various dark versions of Batman: The Batman Who Laughs (I Am Here), Robin King (King of Pain), B-Rex (Batmanasaurus Rex), Castle Bat (This Man. This City), Batmobeast (Road Warrior), and Baby Batman (I Shall Become...).
This is a mixed bag of vignettes with the underwhelming story about Batman Who Laughs to the outstanding story about Robin King and mostly odd as the many varied methods Batman downloaded his consciousness into a dinosaur, castle, monster truck, and an infant respectively.
It is penned by Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, and Joshua Williamson (I Am Here), Peter Tomasi (King of Pain), Marguerite Bennett (Batmanasaurus Rex), Frank Tieri (This Man. This City), Daniel Warren Johnson (Road Warrior), and Garth Ennis (I Shall Become...) and penciled by Tony S. Daniel (I Am Here), Riley Rossmo (King of Pain), Jamal Igle (Batmanasaurus Rex), Francesco Francavilla (This Man. This City), Daniel Warren Johnson (Road Warrior), and Joëlle Jones (I Shall Become...).
Dark Nights: Death Metal: Multiverse's End (★★★★☆) has the Justice Incarnate: Aquawoman (Earth 11), Batman (Earth 17), Captain Carrot, Green Lantern (Earth 20), Mary Marvel (Earth 5), President Superman, Thunderer (Earth 7) teams up with Owlman (Earth 3) and others in a last ditch effort in stopping Perpetua, mother of all existence, from culling life from the multiverse. It is penned by James Tynion IV and penciled by Juan Gedeon.
Dark Nights: Death Metal: Speed Metal (★★★★☆) has The Darkest Knight (Earth -22) on the hunt for Wally West who has inherited powers from Dr. Manhattan. The Darkest Knights sends the Lightning Knights – a team of four Flash mash-ups with Batman, Gorilla Grodd, Joker, and Jonah Hex respectively to catch him. Fortunately, Wally West has help from his family: The Flash (Avery Ho, Barry Allen, and Jay Garrick), Impulse (Bart Allen and Irey West), Jai West, Jesse Quick, Kid Flash (Wallace R. West), and Max Mercury. It is penned by Joshua Williamson and penciled by Eddy Barrows.
Dark Nights: Death Metal: Trinity Crisis (★★★★☆) DC's Trinity has finally united: Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman teams up to attack Castle Bat. Along with Harley Quinn, Jonah Hex, Jarro, and Swamp Thing, they head to the heart of Castle Bat – only to find something sinister trapped within – Barbatos. It is penned by Scott Snyder and penciled by Francis Manapul.
Dark Nights: Death Metal: Guidebook (★★★☆☆) is also sub-collection of five comic vignettes that centers on various villains and heroes during the Death Metal event: Lex Luthor (The Fall of Earth), Harley Quinn (Queen of the Desert), Aquaman (The Umibozu), Poison Ivy (Seeds of Hope), and Batman and Jonah Hex (Dragonlance).
This is a mixed bag of vignettes with the Lex Luthor story being the strongest as it reflects how Earth became the wasteland from Barbatos and the many dark Batmen to Perpetua – a good recap and backstory to the massive event. The other outstanding vignette is the one center on Harley Quinn as she battles to survive in this new wasteland. The others were moderately good and provides decent backstory of how these people became to be in this new world.
It is penned by Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, and Joshua Williamson (The Fall of Earth), Chip Zdarsky (Queen of the Desert), Becky Cloonan (The Umibozu), Vita Ayala (Seeds of Hope), and Christopher Priest (Dragonlance) and penciled by Doug Mahnke (The Fall of Earth), Khary Randolph (Queen of the Desert), Becky Cloonan (The Umibozu), Dan Panosian (Seeds of Hope), and Eduardo Risso (Dragonlance).
For the most part, it was penned somewhat well with the single issues being stronger than the ones that are virtual anthologies of comic vignettes, mainly because they had more space dedicated to stories. However, the vignettes, while lacking, provided much back stories to the many secondary characters and the new world created by Perpetua and the Batman Who Laughs.
As for the pencilers, there are far too many to comment or to form a cohesive flow as their styles are drastic from one another. They have rather distinct styles – some more pleasing to the eye than others. However, the artistic flow is mitigated somewhat by having one penciler doing one story or vignette, which made a clear distinction of a new story.
All in all, Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Darkest Knight is a nice and serviceable collection of one-shot stories and vignette tie-in to the greater Death Metal event.
Dark Nights: Death Metal: Legends of the Dark Knights (★★★☆☆) is a sub-collection of six comic vignettes that centers on the origin stories of various dark versions of Batman: The Batman Who Laughs (I Am Here), Robin King (King of Pain), B-Rex (Batmanasaurus Rex), Castle Bat (This Man. This City), Batmobeast (Road Warrior), and Baby Batman (I Shall Become...).
This is a mixed bag of vignettes with the underwhelming story about Batman Who Laughs to the outstanding story about Robin King and mostly odd as the many varied methods Batman downloaded his consciousness into a dinosaur, castle, monster truck, and an infant respectively.
It is penned by Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, and Joshua Williamson (I Am Here), Peter Tomasi (King of Pain), Marguerite Bennett (Batmanasaurus Rex), Frank Tieri (This Man. This City), Daniel Warren Johnson (Road Warrior), and Garth Ennis (I Shall Become...) and penciled by Tony S. Daniel (I Am Here), Riley Rossmo (King of Pain), Jamal Igle (Batmanasaurus Rex), Francesco Francavilla (This Man. This City), Daniel Warren Johnson (Road Warrior), and Joëlle Jones (I Shall Become...).
Dark Nights: Death Metal: Multiverse's End (★★★★☆) has the Justice Incarnate: Aquawoman (Earth 11), Batman (Earth 17), Captain Carrot, Green Lantern (Earth 20), Mary Marvel (Earth 5), President Superman, Thunderer (Earth 7) teams up with Owlman (Earth 3) and others in a last ditch effort in stopping Perpetua, mother of all existence, from culling life from the multiverse. It is penned by James Tynion IV and penciled by Juan Gedeon.
Dark Nights: Death Metal: Speed Metal (★★★★☆) has The Darkest Knight (Earth -22) on the hunt for Wally West who has inherited powers from Dr. Manhattan. The Darkest Knights sends the Lightning Knights – a team of four Flash mash-ups with Batman, Gorilla Grodd, Joker, and Jonah Hex respectively to catch him. Fortunately, Wally West has help from his family: The Flash (Avery Ho, Barry Allen, and Jay Garrick), Impulse (Bart Allen and Irey West), Jai West, Jesse Quick, Kid Flash (Wallace R. West), and Max Mercury. It is penned by Joshua Williamson and penciled by Eddy Barrows.
Dark Nights: Death Metal: Trinity Crisis (★★★★☆) DC's Trinity has finally united: Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman teams up to attack Castle Bat. Along with Harley Quinn, Jonah Hex, Jarro, and Swamp Thing, they head to the heart of Castle Bat – only to find something sinister trapped within – Barbatos. It is penned by Scott Snyder and penciled by Francis Manapul.
Dark Nights: Death Metal: Guidebook (★★★☆☆) is also sub-collection of five comic vignettes that centers on various villains and heroes during the Death Metal event: Lex Luthor (The Fall of Earth), Harley Quinn (Queen of the Desert), Aquaman (The Umibozu), Poison Ivy (Seeds of Hope), and Batman and Jonah Hex (Dragonlance).
This is a mixed bag of vignettes with the Lex Luthor story being the strongest as it reflects how Earth became the wasteland from Barbatos and the many dark Batmen to Perpetua – a good recap and backstory to the massive event. The other outstanding vignette is the one center on Harley Quinn as she battles to survive in this new wasteland. The others were moderately good and provides decent backstory of how these people became to be in this new world.
It is penned by Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, and Joshua Williamson (The Fall of Earth), Chip Zdarsky (Queen of the Desert), Becky Cloonan (The Umibozu), Vita Ayala (Seeds of Hope), and Christopher Priest (Dragonlance) and penciled by Doug Mahnke (The Fall of Earth), Khary Randolph (Queen of the Desert), Becky Cloonan (The Umibozu), Dan Panosian (Seeds of Hope), and Eduardo Risso (Dragonlance).
For the most part, it was penned somewhat well with the single issues being stronger than the ones that are virtual anthologies of comic vignettes, mainly because they had more space dedicated to stories. However, the vignettes, while lacking, provided much back stories to the many secondary characters and the new world created by Perpetua and the Batman Who Laughs.
As for the pencilers, there are far too many to comment or to form a cohesive flow as their styles are drastic from one another. They have rather distinct styles – some more pleasing to the eye than others. However, the artistic flow is mitigated somewhat by having one penciler doing one story or vignette, which made a clear distinction of a new story.
All in all, Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Darkest Knight is a nice and serviceable collection of one-shot stories and vignette tie-in to the greater Death Metal event.
July 9, 2022
A little better than the actual Death Metal series, largely because this is mostly confined to shorter vignettes. I thought the Batman Who Laughs was a great creation, but he's been so overexposed that he's lost any real menace or even credibility. Here, we have at least one creation, the Robin King, that almost lives up to that other character. Some of the others--Bat-Mage, a Batmobile with intelligence, the Bat Castle (Gotham infested with the consciousness of that world's dark Batman), the B-Rex (the dinosaur statue from the Bat Cave somehow brought to life)--are pretty laughable. And having the Batman Who Laughs somehow take over the body of Doctor Manhattan from the Watchmen comics, to become "Bat-Manhattan," well, that gives you some sense of the ridiculous, over-the-top nature of this entire endeavor.
January 7, 2022
Pretty good collection of one shots and stories and also has a main storyline to it as well which isn’t quite as good but the side stories really made this interesting to me. Not a bad collection.
July 26, 2021
Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Darkest Knight coects issues Death Metal: Legends of the Dark Knights 1, Death Metal: Guidebook 1, Death Metal: Trinity Crisis 1, Death Metal: Speed Metal, and Death Metal: Multiverse's End written by Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Joshua Williamson, Peter J. Tomasi, among others with art by Francis Manapul, Eddy Barrows, Juan Gedeon, and others others.
The issues in this collections help flesh out origins of some of the characters appearing in Death Metal as well as events that are occuring "between the pages" of the main Death Metal series.
So far this series is making much more sense than Metal did and the series has been super over the top and most importantly, fun. These issues help flesh the story out and add more to the world. If you want to know more about the Death Metal world, start here.
The issues in this collections help flesh out origins of some of the characters appearing in Death Metal as well as events that are occuring "between the pages" of the main Death Metal series.
So far this series is making much more sense than Metal did and the series has been super over the top and most importantly, fun. These issues help flesh the story out and add more to the world. If you want to know more about the Death Metal world, start here.
January 26, 2024
This is basically an anthology book, with different stories that happen in the first 3 issues of the main series. As it happens with every anthology, some stories are better than others, but overall it's a pretty fun read. It becomes a little bit boring when they start recounting everything all the time on every issue, but I guess that made sense for the singles.
November 25, 2020
Collects Dark Nights: Death Metal Legends of the Dark Knights #1, Dark Nights: Death Metal Speed Metal #1, Dark Nights: Death Metal Trinity Crisis #1, Dark Nights: Death Metal Multiverse's End issue #1, and Dark Nights Death Metal Guidebook #1
I read each of these issues as they came out, and this collection is made up of a bunch of one-shots that are important to the overall story being told in the event, "Dark Nights: Death Metal." I would almost call them required reading.
There's so many people that complain about things online that it's hard to know what the overall thoughts are on "Death Metal." Are the complainers loud, and the people that like this miniseries (like myself) more quiet? I'm a fan of "Dark Nights: Death Metal," though I do think that its predecessor, "Dark Nights: Metal," was better. One complaint I have about "Death Metal" is that there are a lot of one-shots that significantly tie into the event, but it is kind of hard to keep track of what's happening in the main title, and what order you should read the one-shots in. With that being said, DC does provide a checklist in their comic books, so it is not an impossible task.
The "Speed Metal" issue was a favorite of mine because I'm a Flash fan, especially the current version of Wally West. He was prominently featured, so that was a winner for me.
"Multiverse's End" was another one of my favorites from this collection. It tells a solid story, but also gives an easy-to-understand review of what has happened so far in the main "Dark Nights: Death Metal" series. A majority of this story takes place on Earth-3, one of the parallel Earths I'm particularly fond of. Owlman is prominently featured here, and I love how he is used.
In "Trinity Crisis," DC's Trinity of Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman each travel individually to one of the three major Crisis events - Crisis on Infinite Earths, Infinite Crisis, and Final Crisis.
I read each of these issues as they came out, and this collection is made up of a bunch of one-shots that are important to the overall story being told in the event, "Dark Nights: Death Metal." I would almost call them required reading.
There's so many people that complain about things online that it's hard to know what the overall thoughts are on "Death Metal." Are the complainers loud, and the people that like this miniseries (like myself) more quiet? I'm a fan of "Dark Nights: Death Metal," though I do think that its predecessor, "Dark Nights: Metal," was better. One complaint I have about "Death Metal" is that there are a lot of one-shots that significantly tie into the event, but it is kind of hard to keep track of what's happening in the main title, and what order you should read the one-shots in. With that being said, DC does provide a checklist in their comic books, so it is not an impossible task.
The "Speed Metal" issue was a favorite of mine because I'm a Flash fan, especially the current version of Wally West. He was prominently featured, so that was a winner for me.
"Multiverse's End" was another one of my favorites from this collection. It tells a solid story, but also gives an easy-to-understand review of what has happened so far in the main "Dark Nights: Death Metal" series. A majority of this story takes place on Earth-3, one of the parallel Earths I'm particularly fond of. Owlman is prominently featured here, and I love how he is used.
In "Trinity Crisis," DC's Trinity of Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman each travel individually to one of the three major Crisis events - Crisis on Infinite Earths, Infinite Crisis, and Final Crisis.
January 25, 2022
The first half of Darkest Knight is a series of extremely short stories. Some only a page or 2 or 3.
These were pretty neat but at a certain point I tired of the super short vignettes...
It's cool to learn how Batman got trapped in a Monster Truck but at a point I just wanted a complete story that really tied into what I'd read in Death Metal.
Well I wasn't disappointed... this final half of the book was exciting, intense and helps illuminate components of Death Metal that are quickly glossed over.
Owlman makes an epic appearance in this series of stories and literally BLOWS everyone away.
I'm eagerly waiting the other companion Death Metal collections coming out soon!
These were pretty neat but at a certain point I tired of the super short vignettes...
It's cool to learn how Batman got trapped in a Monster Truck but at a point I just wanted a complete story that really tied into what I'd read in Death Metal.
Well I wasn't disappointed... this final half of the book was exciting, intense and helps illuminate components of Death Metal that are quickly glossed over.
Owlman makes an epic appearance in this series of stories and literally BLOWS everyone away.
I'm eagerly waiting the other companion Death Metal collections coming out soon!
March 21, 2025
Expanding on the main event of Death Metal, a collection of short stories that starts with a background for the one who laughs which gives more details than what has been covered in the Metal arc, and then follows some stories that fall in the timeline of Death Metal event, covering some of the action that has been left out, or in some instances covered in a rush.
Yet I didn't fully understand a couple of the stories, while being able to follow the narrative, I couldn't place this in relation to the timeline or their contribution to the event itself.
MiM
Yet I didn't fully understand a couple of the stories, while being able to follow the narrative, I couldn't place this in relation to the timeline or their contribution to the event itself.
MiM
May 3, 2021
Dark Knight’s Death Metal: The Darkest Knight
Author: Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Williamson, Tomas, Priest, Manapul, Barrows, Gedeon, Daniel, Mahnke
Publisher: DC Comics
Publishing Date: 2021
Pgs: 216
Disposition: Hoopla ebook via Irving Public Library - South Campus - Irving, TX
=======================================
REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Summary:
Darkness rises. The Batman-Who-Laughs is gathering his forces. He will be the survivor, the one left standing, not as a henchman of Perpetua, but as master of his own multiverse. He plans on the victory of the echo over the voice. Tales here include the Robin King, Batmanasaurus Rex, the battle of the Flashes, the Trinity vs Anti-Monitor, Superboy-Prime, and Darkseid. And much more as the war sweeps through the multiverse and the dark multiverse. Perpetua is coming and the Darkest Knight rises.
_________________________________________
Genre:
DC Comics
Superhero
Supervillain
Graphic Novel
Why this book:
I like comics.
_________________________________________
Cover Art:
Pretty damned cool. The art on this all the way through is pretty awesome.
Favorite Character:
George the mutant hyena is a fave. Shame the Harley in the Prime Universe doesn’t have one that does that. Now that would be an awesome addition.
Favorite Scene:
The peeks at the other Batmen in the other universe...dark universes are disturbing. The cannibal Batman who eats his villains, including The Joker.
The Bat-nomicon giving birth to its own set of horrors.
Love looking over the Justice League’s shoulders as they race out to face a new crisis. It is a unique image. I don't know that I've ever seen that image from that angle before. Usually, when they show this kind of thing, they always show them from the front as they're rushing toward you, instead of rushing out to face the danger and you see them head-on.
Jarro saying that he's the greatest psychic in the universe...and then turning to Wonder Woman and asking “right?” And her reassuring him, “Of course you can [do it]” It's kinda sweet.
Great scene where Jonah hex encourages Harley and in appreciation, she kisses him on the cheek, on the side where his cheek is gone. And she says “Did you just slip me the tongue?” And he responds, “I got no cheek on that side. There ain't nothing else to kiss.” And she responds, “Fair enough.” That's comics.
I could have gone a long time without seeing that Captain Carrot with the Zoo Crew dead all around him scene. It’s great, but it’s heart-wrenching for one of their fans.
Favorite Quote:
I am the bullet. BLAM!
Favorite Concept:
The Batman-Who-Laughs origin story is pretty good. That is exactly something The Joker would do: A failsafe, The last laugh.
The Robin King story is horrific.
Hmm Moments:
The Crisis splash pages are beautiful.
Meh / PFFT Moments:
The predominant Superman design used throughout this crossover event was meh, in the extreme.
Missed Opportunity:
A missed opportunity that we didn't get a Jarro and Jonah hex series.
_________________________________________
Last Page Sound:
Good book. I wanted to look past Death Metal. Guess I need to find the other pieces. Hope they do an omnibus version.
Conclusions I’ve Drawn:
I prejudged this by everything that was said about the event online. I should know by now that that isn’t the way to see things that I end up enjoying.
=======================================
Author: Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Williamson, Tomas, Priest, Manapul, Barrows, Gedeon, Daniel, Mahnke
Publisher: DC Comics
Publishing Date: 2021
Pgs: 216
Disposition: Hoopla ebook via Irving Public Library - South Campus - Irving, TX
=======================================
REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Summary:
Darkness rises. The Batman-Who-Laughs is gathering his forces. He will be the survivor, the one left standing, not as a henchman of Perpetua, but as master of his own multiverse. He plans on the victory of the echo over the voice. Tales here include the Robin King, Batmanasaurus Rex, the battle of the Flashes, the Trinity vs Anti-Monitor, Superboy-Prime, and Darkseid. And much more as the war sweeps through the multiverse and the dark multiverse. Perpetua is coming and the Darkest Knight rises.
_________________________________________
Genre:
DC Comics
Superhero
Supervillain
Graphic Novel
Why this book:
I like comics.
_________________________________________
Cover Art:
Pretty damned cool. The art on this all the way through is pretty awesome.
Favorite Character:
George the mutant hyena is a fave. Shame the Harley in the Prime Universe doesn’t have one that does that. Now that would be an awesome addition.
Favorite Scene:
The peeks at the other Batmen in the other universe...dark universes are disturbing. The cannibal Batman who eats his villains, including The Joker.
The Bat-nomicon giving birth to its own set of horrors.
Love looking over the Justice League’s shoulders as they race out to face a new crisis. It is a unique image. I don't know that I've ever seen that image from that angle before. Usually, when they show this kind of thing, they always show them from the front as they're rushing toward you, instead of rushing out to face the danger and you see them head-on.
Jarro saying that he's the greatest psychic in the universe...and then turning to Wonder Woman and asking “right?” And her reassuring him, “Of course you can [do it]” It's kinda sweet.
Great scene where Jonah hex encourages Harley and in appreciation, she kisses him on the cheek, on the side where his cheek is gone. And she says “Did you just slip me the tongue?” And he responds, “I got no cheek on that side. There ain't nothing else to kiss.” And she responds, “Fair enough.” That's comics.
I could have gone a long time without seeing that Captain Carrot with the Zoo Crew dead all around him scene. It’s great, but it’s heart-wrenching for one of their fans.
Favorite Quote:
I am the bullet. BLAM!
Favorite Concept:
The Batman-Who-Laughs origin story is pretty good. That is exactly something The Joker would do: A failsafe, The last laugh.
The Robin King story is horrific.
Hmm Moments:
The Crisis splash pages are beautiful.
Meh / PFFT Moments:
The predominant Superman design used throughout this crossover event was meh, in the extreme.
Missed Opportunity:
A missed opportunity that we didn't get a Jarro and Jonah hex series.
_________________________________________
Last Page Sound:
Good book. I wanted to look past Death Metal. Guess I need to find the other pieces. Hope they do an omnibus version.
Conclusions I’ve Drawn:
I prejudged this by everything that was said about the event online. I should know by now that that isn’t the way to see things that I end up enjoying.
=======================================
January 18, 2025
Death Metal is FIRE it’s so good. I love metal, I love DC comics, I’m happy.
We start off with Legends of the Dark Knights: 3.5⭐️
The first story, I Am Here by the trio, Snyder, Tynion IV, and Williamson, is The Batman Who Laugh’s contingency plan, it’s great, and then we’re followed by a mixed bag of shorts for some other evil bats
The standout for me in this book is This Man, This City by Frank Tieri with EXTRAORDINARY artwork by Francesco Francavilla, the story of Castle Bat
Death Metal Guidebook: 3⭐️ flat
Again the best story is the first story, The Fall of Earth by the trio, it’s Lex Luthor’s account of how everything fell apart.
We’re followed by a few more looks in to the world of Death Metal, there’s a cute Harley story, a sad poison ivy and Wonder Woman story, another sad Aquaman story about how you can’t win em all, and my honorable mention: Dragonlance by Priest featuring Batman and Jonah Hex
Now Trinity Crisis I count as necessary reading, 4⭐️
Speed Metal is full of corn and tack and I LOVED it, I had so much fun with this one. The scooby doo chase adds a real level of urgency, 5🌟🚨
Lastly, Multiverses End, featuring my beloved Captain Carrot. I’d say 3.5 stars, I think I came here saying “I love Multiversity whatcha got” but Morrison’s stank is nowhere to be found here, and that’s okay. Solely written by Tynion IV, I am pleased with the fun I had with Owlman while reading this story, he’s a nut job.
Moving on to Death Metal 4, can’t wait!
We start off with Legends of the Dark Knights: 3.5⭐️
The first story, I Am Here by the trio, Snyder, Tynion IV, and Williamson, is The Batman Who Laugh’s contingency plan, it’s great, and then we’re followed by a mixed bag of shorts for some other evil bats
The standout for me in this book is This Man, This City by Frank Tieri with EXTRAORDINARY artwork by Francesco Francavilla, the story of Castle Bat
Death Metal Guidebook: 3⭐️ flat
Again the best story is the first story, The Fall of Earth by the trio, it’s Lex Luthor’s account of how everything fell apart.
We’re followed by a few more looks in to the world of Death Metal, there’s a cute Harley story, a sad poison ivy and Wonder Woman story, another sad Aquaman story about how you can’t win em all, and my honorable mention: Dragonlance by Priest featuring Batman and Jonah Hex
Now Trinity Crisis I count as necessary reading, 4⭐️
Speed Metal is full of corn and tack and I LOVED it, I had so much fun with this one. The scooby doo chase adds a real level of urgency, 5🌟🚨
Lastly, Multiverses End, featuring my beloved Captain Carrot. I’d say 3.5 stars, I think I came here saying “I love Multiversity whatcha got” but Morrison’s stank is nowhere to be found here, and that’s okay. Solely written by Tynion IV, I am pleased with the fun I had with Owlman while reading this story, he’s a nut job.
Moving on to Death Metal 4, can’t wait!
June 10, 2021
A companion volume to the Death Metal event. Two of the five issues are anthologies, showing bits and pieces of the dark Batmen and what was going on in the background at the darkest point of the event. The other three happen between issues of the main series, and I would argue that at least two (Trinity Crisis and Speed Metal) are essential reading and probably should have been collected in the main book. Obviously the overall quality is going to be variable, especially in the anthology issues. Each have at least one great story and at least one stupid one. The between issues stories are important reads if you want to fully understand Death Metal, so this is one companion volume that's worth reading.
January 19, 2024
Enjoyed all the different little stories...
But like with all the DC universe crisis, they can be a little confusing. Great little stories and 1 page I wish this was a whole comic short story pages but some of them can be a little confusing, AT LEAST TO ME JUST MY OPINION. Loved the art and lettering and imagination but FOR ME it's hard to keep all the details of all the crisis hell even during that specific crises I FORGET some of the details lol. Again loved the art and imagination and lettering and the stories too are great. I'm more of a straight forward story or at least keep it easier to keep the details like identity crisis, long Halloween ect. Definitely worth reading I think.
But like with all the DC universe crisis, they can be a little confusing. Great little stories and 1 page I wish this was a whole comic short story pages but some of them can be a little confusing, AT LEAST TO ME JUST MY OPINION. Loved the art and lettering and imagination but FOR ME it's hard to keep all the details of all the crisis hell even during that specific crises I FORGET some of the details lol. Again loved the art and imagination and lettering and the stories too are great. I'm more of a straight forward story or at least keep it easier to keep the details like identity crisis, long Halloween ect. Definitely worth reading I think.
February 11, 2025
One of the cool things about the original Metal event was seeing these dark and twisted versions of Bruce Wayne, that in some way or another become evil versions of the DC superheroes. Well, in Death Metal, we get more of that...
But along with that we get some interesting fill in type stories for the overall event, and these were actually really good. The one that stood out was the story with Owlman who realizes that he himself is just a variant of sorts, and thus switches sides. Its interesting to see Scott Snyder and the rest of the writers play with the notion of the "Dark Multiverse" because there are so many storytelling possibilities. And all of the stories here are interesting in their own way.
If you like the Death Metal event, this one goes deeper into the dark multiverse and explores the characters that come from these dark realities. And it is a really fun read.
But along with that we get some interesting fill in type stories for the overall event, and these were actually really good. The one that stood out was the story with Owlman who realizes that he himself is just a variant of sorts, and thus switches sides. Its interesting to see Scott Snyder and the rest of the writers play with the notion of the "Dark Multiverse" because there are so many storytelling possibilities. And all of the stories here are interesting in their own way.
If you like the Death Metal event, this one goes deeper into the dark multiverse and explores the characters that come from these dark realities. And it is a really fun read.
October 5, 2022
This volume contains a bunch of shorter stories filling in details of character origins, locations, and side events from the main Dark Nights: Death Metal event. A lot of the stuff feels like throwaway material (not providing much detail at all), but there are a bunch of cool artists and styles. This also recaps a lot of what led up to Death Metal, and will probably spoil a thing or two if you haven't kept up with all of the DC line. I definitely have some stuff sitting on my backlog that has been spoiled. A lot of ups and downs here, mostly I am sick of all the different Batman variations. However, this kept my interest more than several of the other related trades.
July 17, 2021
To me this is the only companion book that is extremely necessary for Death Metal!
The "Guidebook" story "The Fall of Earth" is the first issue you need. The other stories are not as important but aren't that bad.
Issue "Legends of the Dark Knights" contain a lot of cool origins for some new dark knights. Story "I Am Here" and "King of Pain" being the only ones needed.
Issue "Trinity Crisis" immediately follows Part Three.
The issues "Speed Metal" and "Multiverses End" are also extremely important in knowing what transpired before Part Four.
The "Guidebook" story "The Fall of Earth" is the first issue you need. The other stories are not as important but aren't that bad.
Issue "Legends of the Dark Knights" contain a lot of cool origins for some new dark knights. Story "I Am Here" and "King of Pain" being the only ones needed.
Issue "Trinity Crisis" immediately follows Part Three.
The issues "Speed Metal" and "Multiverses End" are also extremely important in knowing what transpired before Part Four.
December 13, 2022
4.5/5 A lot of fun. I’m not a huge Wonder Woman person normally. I’ve read stories I like with her but she’s not a huge draw for me. Here though, when’s awesome. Favorite character in a story full of characters I like. It’s dumb and nonsensical at times, but it knows what kind of story it is telling and I was ready for the ride (again). I do like the Batman Who Laughs, but Perpetua was underwhelming in this. Just underutilized and a little disappointing. But that’s my only real complaint.
1 review for all four trades since I just read it as one long story.
1 review for all four trades since I just read it as one long story.
May 26, 2021
"The Darkest Knight" is a collection of some of the side stories associated with the "Dark Nights: Heavy Metal" story. Lots of history and origin of obscure characters here, but not tons that is needed to be read before the main title. The gem of this collection is "Speed Metal" where we see all of our speedsters racing away from BWL. A very complete story and I think is part of a Flash Volume... maybe.
Overall... good stories, but not necessary to the overarching "Death Metal" tale.
Overall... good stories, but not necessary to the overarching "Death Metal" tale.
April 16, 2024
I think I read this out of context. I had no idea what was going on, and since this isn't as popular of a series, I can't seem to find any order to this. So yeah, I didn't understand it
But most of it was entertaining! I'm hoping I can reread this in the future when I find the actual reading order because some of the apocalyptic aspects of it were really cool! Hence why I gave it a 3 and not less
But most of it was entertaining! I'm hoping I can reread this in the future when I find the actual reading order because some of the apocalyptic aspects of it were really cool! Hence why I gave it a 3 and not less
October 5, 2021
So much multi madness. Everything and everyone is is here doing everything they can. Pulling out all the stops. There’s sooooo much. Everyone is fighting their hardest. It’s none stop page turning DC adventure.
As a stand alone this is a strong three. We understand it’s building up to the grand finale.
As a stand alone this is a strong three. We understand it’s building up to the grand finale.
February 10, 2023
Some of the funnier Batmen from different universes were fun to read and thankfully they were short. Robin King was nice. This and the other collections are insane to have to figure out how to read within the main 7 issue story, because some of this is literally moving the plot forward and some is nonsense.
March 8, 2023
A collection of a few tie in issues for the main Dark Nights: Death Metal story. The evil Batmen backstories are fun. The Speed Metal issue in this is really cool with multiple speedsters and cool costumes. Still don't really understand the speedster part of the plot because I have not read many other stuff.
May 8, 2024
This was a pretty interesting volume. It's a series of shorter stories giving us background on several of the evil Batman. It also contains the one shots showing the three different missions the heroes were sent on in Death Metal.
This DC Metal stories are still too far out for me, but this particular volume was fairly coherent.
This DC Metal stories are still too far out for me, but this particular volume was fairly coherent.
July 12, 2021
*I read all of the Dark Nights: Death Metal titles at the same time, attempting to read them as close to publication order as possible. As such, it was one whole story for me, rather than individual books. Full review in the main "Dark Nights: Death Metal" book.*
August 3, 2021
3.5 rounded up. It's a collection of one-shots, so some are definitely stronger than others. I really enjoyed Speed Metal, and the dark Bruce anthology as well as the guidebook for making more sense of this crossover.
March 14, 2022
Good collection of tie-ins, that nonetheless, depend entirely of the Dark Nights Death Metal event to be enjoyed and understood. For that alone, I feel I can't give it more than three stars, but as far as tie-ins go, these are pretty decent.
March 31, 2022
This was an enjoyable tie-in for Dark Nights: Death Metal. I'm glad they explored the missing pieces from the previous volume.
April 1, 2022
This book made my head hurt.. However I did really enjoy the different versions of the evil batmen and how each of them were versions where he made a mistake. But it was kinda difficult to keep up with due to the complex story line. However I learned a whole bunch.
November 26, 2022
It was silly at times. Bat Baby, Bat Monster Truck, Batmanasaurus Rex, and what I'm calling Bathulhu (better name than Bathomet). The Flash story was moving, and seeing Captain Carrot, brought back my childhood. Overall great book that I enjoyed thoroughly.
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