Dark Nights: Metal #2

Writer: Scott Snyder
Pencils: Greg Capullo
Ink: Jonathan Glapion
Colorist: FCO Plascencia
Letters: Steve Wands
Publisher: DC Comics

A review by Stacy Dooks

Full disclosure: with the slow-burning passion of your average neutron star, I have come to loathe the concept of “event” comics of the kind published by the Big Two.  However, this modern event, by two creators at the height of their popularity, promised to be something decidedly different than any other ‘crises’ to come down the pike. Dark Nights Metal was clearly making some pretty big promises. And, let me just say, Dark Nights Metal #2 is off the deep end.

I wouldn’t dare spoil the contents for you. I will only say that of all the crossovers I can recall, this one has an energy to it that I haven’t felt since the first time I read DC’s Legends. The writing, the art, and the colors all crackle with a barely contained energy. Big things were brewing in the previous issue, but Dark Nights Metal #2 takes things even further. 

While there is a lot in this book to love, I admire the little touches the most. We see references to previous characters like the Challengers of the Unknown, Plastic Man, and Red Tornado.  There are also sly bits of meta-textual commentary about DC’s over-reliance on Batman and the fatigue readers feel from the batgod becoming transformed into a literal bat demon god spawned from the depths of the dark multiverse leading a legion of Evil Batmen. The issue ends on one hell of a cliffhanger (pun intended) and opens things up to get absolutely nuts. Batty, you might say.

The Verdict: Buy It! Seriously, this is the first crossover comic I’ve read in three years and change, and it delivers the goods. With epic stakes, wonderful characterization (Batman says thank you. Multiple times. And is not a jerk to anyone. I will repeat that. Batman is nice. Cancel Christmas), and absolutely gorgeous art and colors, Dark Nights Metal #2 shreds the competition. Recommended!

Stacy Dooks
StacyDooks5@hotmail.com
Stacy Dooks is a writer and assorted pop culture fanatic whose childhood fixations on the works of Jim Henson, George Lucas, and DC Comics laid the groundwork for his current status as a pop culture junkie chatterbox. He currently resides in Calgary, Alberta while he waits for his TARDIS coral to finish growing. For more of his observations on popular culture, check out The Fanboy Power Hour: http://tfph.libsyn.com/

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