Dark Nights: Metal

{{short description|DC Comics miniseries}} {{Infobox comics story arc

|image= Dark nights metal 01.jpg |caption= Cover of ''Dark Nights: Metal'' #1 (October 2017), art by Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion and FCO Plascencia |schedule= Monthly |limited=Y |Superhero=Y |publisher=DC Comics |date= |startmo=June |startyr=2017 |endmo=March |endyr=2018 |issues=6 |main_char_team={{small|Bruce Wayne / Batman Kal-El / Clark Kent / Superman Diana Prince / Wonder Woman Barry Allen / The Flash Victor Stone / Cyborg Kendra Saunders / Shiera Hall / Hawkgirl Hal Jordan / Green Lantern Arthur Curry / Aquaman Justice League Barbatos The Batman Who Laughs}} |issn= |writers=Scott Snyder |pencillers=Greg Capullo |inkers = Jonathan Glapion |colorists = FCO Plascencia }}

"'''Dark Nights: Metal'''" is a 2017–2018 monthly crossover comic book storyline published by the comic book publishing company DC Comics, which consisted of a core eponymous miniseries, and a number of other tie-in books. Premiering in June 2017 and lasting until April 2018, the plot was written by Scott Snyder, with art by Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion and FCO Plascencia. The story closely links with Snyder and Capullo's run on ''Batman'' during ''The New 52'' DC relaunch.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsarama.com/34575-in-metal-snyder-creating-dark-multiverse-beyond-morrison-s-multiversity.html|title=In Metal, Snyder Creating 'Dark Multiverse' Beyond Morrison's Multiversity|last=Rogers|first=Vaneta|date=May 22, 2017|work=Newsarama|access-date=2017-10-02|language=en|archive-date=2017-08-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802042412/https://www.newsarama.com/34575-in-metal-snyder-creating-dark-multiverse-beyond-morrison-s-multiversity.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The story involves Batman discovering a Dark Multiverse that exists beneath the core DC multiverse. It is revealed that both multiverses are connected through mysterious metals that Batman has encountered over the years. His investigations eventually result in him releasing seven evil versions of himself from the Dark Multiverse, led by the dark god known as Barbatos, who plans to unleash darkness across every Earth.

A soundtrack featuring songs inspired by the graphic novel was released as an exclusive vinyl picture disc on September 28, 2018. The six-track EP features heavy metal songs by Jerry Cantrell, Chino Moreno, Brann Dailor, Maria Brink, Alexis Krauss and Jason Aalon Butler.

== Publication history== DC Comics first announced the details of "Dark Nights: Metal" at Fan Expo Dallas in April 2017. The company revealed that the event would feature the reunion of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo after their widely acclaimed New 52 Batman run.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2017/04/02/dark-nights-metal|title=Dark Nights: Metal|date=2017-04-02|work=DC|access-date=2017-10-02|language=en|archive-date=2017-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924064715/http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2017/04/02/dark-nights-metal|url-status=live}}</ref> The series, which debuted in June 2017, is the culmination of their Batman story arcs, which includes ''The Court of Owls'', ''Death of the Family'', ''Zero Year'', and ''Endgame''. Snyder stated, "I've been writing Metal as long as I've been writing Batman."<ref name=":1"/>

The idea of creating a dark multiverse came from Snyder, who was inspired by watching the science documentary television series ''Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey'' with his five-year-old son. He became fascinated with the concept of dark matter, prompting him to question "What if the Multiverse essentially has these 52 universes, but has almost this ocean of possibility, this ocean of almost reactive matter beneath it that's like a Dark Multiverse".<ref name=":0"/> Aside the seven featured Dark Knights in the finished comic book, Snyder planned more dark Batmen that got ultimately cut; these included a Punisher-esque Batman, a dark magic-wielding Batman, a Batman who grew up as a patient in Arkham Asylum after being accused of his parents' murder, a Batman who merged with his whole rogues gallery and one who merged with Gotham City itself.<ref name="Scrapped Dark Knights">{{cite web |author=Carter, Justin |date=2018-01-21 |url=https://www.cbr.com/snyder-reveals-alternate-evil-batmen-dark-nights-metal/ |title=Snyder Had to Cut Several Evil Batmen for Dark Nights: Metal |website=CBR.com |access-date=2019-07-02 |archive-date=2019-07-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703020246/https://www.cbr.com/snyder-reveals-alternate-evil-batmen-dark-nights-metal/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Dark Nights: Metal'' also marks the first appearance of Dream of the Endless from Neil Gaiman's ''The Sandman'' (1989–1996) in the post-''New 52'' DC Universe.<ref name="polydream">{{cite web|last1=Polo|first1=Susana|title=Batman: Metal #1 confirms a classic character is still very much a part of the DC Universe|url=https://www.polygon.com/comics/2017/8/16/16152428/batman-dark-nights-metal-reveal-issue-1|website=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media|access-date=20 March 2018|date=August 16, 2017|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140511/https://www.polygon.com/comics/2017/8/16/16152428/batman-dark-nights-metal-reveal-issue-1|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Snyder, he wanted to make the story unforgettable and have a character help guide the superheroes through the unknown. When he realized Dream would be a good fit, he reached out to Gaiman for permission to use him. "I was so excited... [Gaiman] couldn't have been more generous", he said. "It's literally one of the best moments of my career, to be able to get to write a character that meant so much to me growing up and still does".<ref name="wpsnyder">{{cite news|last1=Betancourt|first1=David|title=DC Comics' 'Dark Nights: Metal' kicks off with an unexpected Vertigo Comics surprise|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/08/14/dc-comics-dark-nights-metal-kicks-off-with-an-unexpected-vertigo-comics-surprise/|access-date=20 March 2018|agency=The Washington Post|date=August 14, 2017|archive-date=15 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315211341/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/08/14/dc-comics-dark-nights-metal-kicks-off-with-an-unexpected-vertigo-comics-surprise/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2017, DC announced seven one-shot comics that tie into the story of "Dark Nights: Metal": ''Batman: The Red Death'', ''Batman: The Murder Machine'', ''Batman: The Dawnbreaker'', ''Batman: The Drowned'', ''Batman: The Merciless'', ''Batman: The Devastator'', and ''The Batman Who Laughs''. DC stated, "Each one-shot story spotlights a different, corrupted version of Batman spawned from the Dark Multiverse to wreak havoc on Earth."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2017/06/16/dc-hints-at-evil-versions-of-batman-for-dark-nights-metal-one-shots|title=DC Hints at Evil Versions of Batman for Dark Nights: Metal One-Shots|date=2017-06-16|work=DC|access-date=2017-10-05|language=en|archive-date=2017-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001163550/http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2017/06/16/dc-hints-at-evil-versions-of-batman-for-dark-nights-metal-one-shots|url-status=live}}</ref>

The following month, DC announced ''Batman: Lost'' written by Scott Snyder with art by Olivier Coipel and Bengal. Snyder states, "the single issue story will strand Batman alone in the Dark Multiverse, where he will face his greatest fears."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbr.com/dc-comics-metal-batman-lost-coipel-bengal-snyder/|title=Coipel, Bengal Join Snyder for Dark Nights: Metal One-Shot, Batman Lost|last=Gerding|first=Stephen|date=July 18, 2017|work=CBR|access-date=2017-10-05|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924012337/http://www.cbr.com/dc-comics-metal-batman-lost-coipel-bengal-snyder/|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the 2017 Comic-Con International, an additional tie-in one-shot was announced called ''Hawkman Found'' written by Jeff Lemire with art by Bryan Hitch and Kevin Nowlan. As the title implies, it focused on the connection between Hawkman and the events of "Dark Nights: Metal" and it is positioned as a sequel to ''Batman Lost''. Lemire revealed that it "re-positions one of DC's oldest, most iconic and most confusing characters ahead of a possible new ongoing in the new year."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbr.com/rebirth-hawkman-lemire-hitch-nowlan/|title=Hawkman Dark Nights: Metal Tie-In Coming From Lemire, Hitch & Nowlan|last=Shiach|first=Kieran|date=July 21, 2017|work=CBR|access-date=2017-10-05|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924225226/http://www.cbr.com/rebirth-hawkman-lemire-hitch-nowlan/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2017, DC announced, without a specific reason, that issue #4 would be delayed by a week.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsarama.com/36617-dark-nights-metal-4-delayed.html|title=Dark Nights: Metal #4 Delayed A Week|last=Arrant|first=Chris|date=September 28, 2017|work=Newsarama|access-date=2017-10-02|language=en|archive-date=2017-09-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928190611/https://www.newsarama.com/36617-dark-nights-metal-4-delayed.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> This led to the one-shot comic, ''Hawkman Found'', being delayed by a week as well.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsarama.com/36720-hawkman-found-and-demon-hell-on-earth-1-delayed-a-week-each.html|title=Hawkman Found and Demon: Hell on Earth #1 Delayed A Week Each|last=Arrant|first=Chris|date=October 4, 2017|work=Newsarama|access-date=2017-10-05|language=en|archive-date=2019-03-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302135600/https://www.newsarama.com/36720-hawkman-found-and-demon-hell-on-earth-1-delayed-a-week-each.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

DC announced another delay without reason in October 2017 and issue #5 was released three weeks later than the originally scheduled date.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsarama.com/37106-dark-nights-metal-5-delayed-three-weeks.html|title=Dark Nights" Metal #5 Delayed Three Weeks|last=Arrant|first=Chris|date=October 26, 2017|website=Newsarama|access-date=October 29, 2017|archive-date=October 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026211128/https://www.newsarama.com/37106-dark-nights-metal-5-delayed-three-weeks.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The series' sequel, "Dark Nights: Death Metal" by Snyder and Capullo, was announced for May 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2020/02/12/death-metal-scoop-art-dark-knights-sequel-scott-snyder-greg-capullo-dc-comics-may/|title=SCOOP: Art, Details For Dark Nights Sequel, Death Metal, by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo|last=Johnston|first=Rich|date=2020-02-12|website=Bleeding Cool News And Rumors|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-12|archive-date=2020-02-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212120442/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2020/02/12/death-metal-scoop-art-dark-knights-sequel-scott-snyder-greg-capullo-dc-comics-may/|url-status=live}}</ref> "Dark Nights: Metal" and "Death Metal" have collectively been dubbed "'''Metal Wars'''" by reviewers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/comics/what-does-dark-crisis-mean-for-the-dc-universe/|title=What Does Dark Crisis Mean for the DC Universe?|last=Dandeneau|first=Jim|date=February 12, 2022|work=Den of Geek|access-date=2023-08-08|language=en|archive-date=2023-08-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810225048/https://www.denofgeek.com/comics/what-does-dark-crisis-mean-for-the-dc-universe/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Synopsis == === Prelude === Hal Jordan is summoned by Ganthet to investigate a dark presence that he senses on Earth, the location of which is revealed to be the Batcave. Upon his arrival, he meets Duke Thomas. As they investigate, they stumble upon a hidden room in the Batcave, where they hear a mysterious voice that lures them in. This leads them to a cell where Batman has imprisoned the Joker.<ref name=":2">''Dark Days: The Forge'' #1 (2017)</ref>

Meanwhile, Batman has been investigating random frequencies across Earth, which he believes are a part of a bigger mystery that he has been investigating for years regarding mysterious metals and dark energy. He enlists the help of Mister Terrific to collect more data from Earth-Two. After conferring with him, he realizes that he needs to use the Anti-Monitor tower at the Fortress of Solitude to further his investigations.<ref name=":2" />

Batman continues his investigation by seeking out Hephaestus, but learns from Wonder Woman that the Greek gods have abandoned Earth. However, she has been given a weapon forged for Apollo called the Sunblade that she has been instructed to give to Batman. This leads him to an encounter with Talia al Ghul, with Batman trading the Sunblade for a dagger forged by the wizard Shazam. The dagger is made of one of the metals Batman has been searching for.<ref name=":3">''Dark Days: The Casting'' #1 (2017)</ref>

Joker escapes from the Batcave and smashes a machine that Batman has built, claiming that it will herald the end of the world. Batman explains that he needed the machine to peer into the source of visions he had been seeing from the Dark Multiverse. Batman receives a vision of complete darkness, while a group of dark figures exclaim that the seal has been broken and that the Dark Knights are coming, implying that Batman opened up a door to the Dark Multiverse.<ref name=":3" />

=== Plot === The Justice League finds that Challengers Mountain, the headquarters of the Challengers of the Unknown, has mysteriously appeared in Gotham City. When they get into the mountain, the League encounters Kendra Saunders, who warns them of a full-scale invasion. She explains the concept of a Dark Multiverse, a multiverse that exists beneath the DC Multiverse, that contains a dark beast named Barbatos. Through her investigations, she has discovered a connection between Barbatos and the Wayne family. Batman is revealed to be part of a prophecy in which he will be treated by five divine metals that will open a door to the Dark Multiverse and allow Barbatos to invade the multiverse. It is further revealed that Barbatos first marked Batman when he was sent back in time by Darkseid's Omega Beams during the events of the ''Final Crisis'' storyline. Despite this, Batman steals Kendra's sample of Nth Metal, one of the divine metals. The metal leads Batman to the journal of Carter Hall, discovered to have been in Wayne Manor the whole time. The journal confirms Batman's suspicions regarding his role in the prophecy.<ref name=":5">''Dark Nights: Metal'' #1 (2017)</ref>

Batman reveals that he has previously exposed to the divine metals: electrum, dionesium, promethium, and Nth Metal. In an attempt to escape the last metal, Batman steals Darkseid, who has been reduced to a baby. He aims to use Darkseid's Omega Beams to go back in time again and prevent Barbatos from meeting him. However, Batman is tricked by the Court of Owls and exposed to the last divine metal: batmanium. This causes Batman to exchange places with Barbatos and seven dark versions of himself from the Dark Multiverse.<ref>''Dark Nights: Metal'' #2</ref>

Mister Terrific interprets vibrations coming from Plastic Man's egg which indicate the coordinates of four locations that need to be investigated. Wonder Woman, Doctor Fate and Kendra Saunders go to investigate the Rock of Eternity. Green Lantern and Mister Terrific head to the remains of Thanagar. Aquaman and Deathstroke go to Atlantis. Finally, Superman has Steel and the Flash create a path into the Dark Multiverse for him through the Phantom Zone. Once he arrives, Superman realizes that it was a trap set by the Dark Knights so that they can harness the energy from his cells to power their doomsday device, which would unleash their reality into the multiverse.<ref name=":8">''Dark Nights: Metal'' #3</ref>

While searching for Nth Metal at the Rock of Eternity, Wonder Woman, Doctor Fate and Kendra Saunders face the personification of the Seven Sins. Kendra tries to fire the Anti-Monitor's astral brain into the center of the multiverse as an attempt to stop the Dark Multiverse, but is interrupted by Barbatos, who transforms her into a dark-hawk version of herself named Lady Blackhawk. Fate is confronted by Black Adam, who alongside Vandal Savage, have brokered a deal with Barbatos. At the outskirts of Atlantis, Aquaman and Deathstroke enter the burial ground of Atlantis' first king, Arion. Meanwhile, Hal Jordan and Mr. Terrific reach Thanagar and learn that has been conquered by Onimar Synn and Starro. They have known of the Dark Multiverse's existence for eons and have prepared to "raze the Earth" with a doomsday device called the Phoenix Cannon. Starro neutralizes Lantern and Terrific and the two are incarcerated.

Daniel Hall rescues Batman and Superman, to whom he explains the history of the multiverse. Alongside the Monitor and the Anti-Monitor, there is a third being: a "Forger" tasked to watch over what had yet to come. Within the Dark Multiverse is a "World Forge", which creates new universes from the hopes and fears of all living beings. Barbatos was originally meant to destroy unstable worlds, but killed his creator, which corrupted the Forge as dark universes were allowed to persist. Convinced that there is still hope, Superman and Batman head for the Forge of Worlds, but are confronted by the Dragon of Barbatos — a corrupted Carter Hall.<ref>''Dark Nights: Metal'' #4</ref>{{full citation needed|date=September 2018}}

On Thanagar Prime, Hal and Mr. Terrific are rescued from their cells by Martian Manhunter (who has been exploring Thanagar Prime to learn about the secret Nth Metal deposits) and the trio proceed to rescue Plastic Man from Synn and Starro. They soon learn several Dark Knights have seized control of the Phoenix Cannon, reversing its polarity to make Earth sink further into the Dark Multiverse.

Kendra regains control of her body after Wonder Woman uses her lasso on her, restoring Kendra's memories. Both are beaten by The Batman Who Laughs, who explains that all the heroes have done is help accelerate Barbatos' plans and that Earth is now low enough for Barbatos' army to claim it. Refusing to give up, Diana and Kendra use the Rock of Eternity's core to reach Barbatos and are confronted by his Dark Army.<ref>''Dark Nights: Metal'' #5</ref>{{full citation needed|date=September 2018}} Reaching the Dark Forge, Kendra manages to break Carter out of Barbatos' corruption, reigniting the Forge in the process.Barbatos is confronted by the Flash and Cyborg, who have gathered reinforcements from other realities.

Refusing to lose, Barbatos reveals his last resort; using the combined power of the positive energy of his prisoner the Over-Monitor, the Anti-Monitor's brain, and the Batman Who Laughs' dark energy, he plans to destroy all of creation and leave nothing but darkness in his wake. An unexpected team-up of Batman and the Joker, however, halts this plan, the Justice League defeats the remaining Dark Knights, and Hawkgirl subdues Barbatos. After the Over-Monitor explains that all living things have trace amounts of Tenth Metal, the League use this power to pull Earth out of the Dark Multiverse, which inadvertently shatters the Source Wall. After the battle, the Over-Monitor chains Barbatos at the bottom of the Dark Multiverse.<ref name="Number6">''Dark Nights: Metal'' #6</ref>{{full citation needed|date=September 2018}}

=== Epilogue === The Justice League, with the inclusion of the Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl, are invited to a gala dinner at Wayne Manor. They speak of their victory against Barbatos, Hawkman recovering on Blackhawk Island and having written about mysterious glimpses of what is to come. Most importantly, they address cracking the Source Wall, an matter of utmost importance.

During the after-dinner party, Bruce, Diana, and Clark talk more about the possible incoming threats now that the multiverse has been expanded, including a hidden threat they have not yet told anyone else about. Bruce tells his friends not to worry, as he has a plan. On the desk of his study lay a number of blueprints for a Hall of Justice.<ref name="Number6"/>{{full citation needed|date=September 2018}}

=== Aftermath === During the event, portals were created over Gotham City which Derek James fell into and gained the abilities of trans-dimensional travel.

== Titles involved == {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:100%" !Title !Issue(s) !Publication date(s) !Writer(s) !Artist(s) !Colorist(s) !Note(s) |- ! colspan="7" |Preludes |- |'''''Dark Days: The Forge''''' | rowspan="2" |#1 |June 14, 2017 | rowspan="2" |Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV | rowspan="2" |Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Andy Kubert, Klaus Janson, John Romita Jr., Danny Miki | rowspan="2" |Alex Sinclair, Jeremiah Skipper | rowspan="2" | |- |'''''Dark Days: The Casting''''' |July 12, 2017 |- ! colspan="7" |Main series |- |'''''Dark Nights: Metal''''' |#1–6 |August 16, 2017 – March 28, 2018 |Scott Snyder |Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion |FCO Plascencia | |- ! colspan="7" |'''Tie-ins''' |- |'''''Batman: The Red Death''''' | rowspan="10" |#1 |September 20, 2017 |Joshua Williamson |Carmine Di Giandomenico | Ivan Plascencia | rowspan="7" |The "Dark Knights" one-shots |- |'''''Batman: The Murder Machine''''' |September 27, 2017 |Frank Tieri |Riccardo Federici |Rain Beredo |- |'''''Batman: The Dawnbreaker''''' |October 4, 2017 |Sam Humphries |Ethan Van Sciver |Jason Wright |- |'''''Batman: The Drowned''''' |October 18, 2017 |Dan Abnett |Philip Tan, Tyler Kirkham |Dean White, Arif Prianto |- |'''''Batman: The Merciless''''' |October 25, 2017 |Peter J. Tomasi | colspan="2" |Francis Manapul |- |'''''Batman: The Devastator''''' |November 1, 2017 |Frank Tieri, James Tynion IV |Tony S. Daniel, Danny Miki |Tomeu Morey |- |'''''The Batman Who Laughs''''' |November 15, 2017 |James Tynion IV |Riley Rossmo |Ivan Plascencia |- |'''''Batman: Lost''''' |November 8, 2017 |Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Joshua Williamson <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comixology.com/Batman-Lost-2017-1/digital-comic/575851|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209164828/https://www.comixology.com/Batman-Lost-2017-1/digital-comic/575851|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 9, 2017|title=Batman Lost|work=www.comixology.com|access-date=March 30, 2018}}</ref> |Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza, Jorge Jimenez, Yanick Paquette | Wil Quintana, Nathan Fairbairn, Alejandro Sanchez |Interlude between ''Metal'' issues #3 and 4 |- |'''''Hawkman: Found''''' |December 27, 2017 |Jeff Lemire |Bryan Hitch, Kevin Nowlan |Alex Sinclair, Jeremiah Skipper |Interlude between ''Metal'' issues #4 and 5 |- |'''''Dark Knights Rising: The Wild Hunt''''' |February 14, 2018 |Scott Snyder, Grant Morrison, James Tynion IV, Joshua Williamson |Howard Porter, Jorge Jiménez, Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza |Hi-Fi Design, Alejandro Sanchez, Wil Quintana |Interlude between ''Metal'' issues #5 and 6 |- |'''''Teen Titans''''' '''(vol. 6)''' |#12 |September 13, 2017 |Benjamin Percy |Mirka Andolfo | Romulo Fajardo, Jr. | rowspan="4" |"Gotham Resistance" story line |- |'''''Nightwing''''' '''(vol. 4)''' |#29 |September 20, 2017 |Tim Seeley |Paul Pelletier, Andrew Hennessy |Adriano Lucas |- |'''''Suicide Squad''''' '''(vol. 5)''' |#26 |September 27, 2017 |Rob Williams | colspan="2" |Stjepan Šejić |- |'''''Green Arrow''''' '''(vol. 6)''' |#32 |October 4, 2017 |Benjamin Percy, Joshua Williamson | colspan="2" |Juan Ferreyra |- |'''''The Flash''''' '''(vol. 5)''' |#33 |October 25, 2017 |Joshua Williamson |Howard Porter | Hi-Fi Design | rowspan="3" |"Bats Out of Hell" story line |- |'''''Justice League''''' '''(vol. 3)''' |#32–33 |November 1, 2017 – November 15, 2017 |Robert Venditti, Joshua Williamson |Liam Sharp, Tyler Kirkham, Mikel Janin |Adam Brown, Arif Prianto, Jeromy Cox |- |'''''Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps''''' |#32 |November 8, 2017 |Robert Venditti |Ethan Van Sciver, Liam Sharp |Jason Wright |}

== Reception == {| class="wikitable" style="float: right; width:24.2em; font-size: 80%; text-align: center" ! colspan="4" style="font-size:120%;" | Aggregate scores |- ! colspan="4" style="background:#d1dbdf;font-size:120%;" | Comic Book Roundup |- |Issue |Rating |Reviews |Reference |- |1 |8.8/10 |46 |<ref name=":4" /> |- |2 |8.8/10 |37 |<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dc-comics/dark-nights-metal/2|title=Dark Nights: Metal #2 Reviews|work=ComicBookRoundup.com|access-date=2017-10-03|language=en-US|archive-date=2019-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213082113/https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dc-comics/dark-nights-metal/2|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |3 |8.2/10 |37 |<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|url=https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dc-comics/dark-nights-metal/3|title=Dark Nights: Metal #3 Reviews|work=ComicBookRoundup.com|access-date=2017-10-13|language=en-US|archive-date=2019-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213083620/https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dc-comics/dark-nights-metal/3|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |4 |8.6/10 |34 |<ref name=":9">{{Cite news|url=https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dc-comics/dark-nights-metal/4|title=Dark Nights: Metal #4 Reviews|work=ComicBookRoundup.com|access-date=2017-12-23|language=en-US|archive-date=2019-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213083640/https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dc-comics/dark-nights-metal/4|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |5 |8.6/10 |32 |<ref name=":ddd">{{Cite news|url=https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dc-comics/dark-nights-metal/5|title=Dark Nights: Metal #5 Reviews|work=ComicBookRoundup.com|access-date=2018-02-01|language=en-US|archive-date=2019-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213083620/https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dc-comics/dark-nights-metal/5|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |6 |8.4/10 |38 |<ref name=":10">{{Cite news|url=https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dc-comics/dark-nights-metal/6|title=Dark Nights: Metal #6 Reviews|work=ComicBookRoundup.com|access-date=2018-03-30|language=en-US|archive-date=2019-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213082111/https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dc-comics/dark-nights-metal/6|url-status=live}}</ref> |} The review aggregator website Comic Book Roundup, gave issue #1 an average score of 8.8 out of 10 based on 46 critics.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dc-comics/dark-nights-metal/1|title=Dark Nights: Metal #1 Reviews|work=ComicBookRoundup.com|access-date=2017-10-02|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903151250/http://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dc-comics/dark-nights-metal/1|url-status=live}}</ref> Kieran Shiach of Comic Book Resources (CBR) wrote "Ultimately, ''Dark Nights: Metal'' is just outright fun. Snyder, Capullo and their collaborators really leaned into the ecstatic lunacy of superhero comics towards the end of their Batman run and'' Metal'' feels like the next logical step."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbr.com/dark-nights-metal-1-review-dc-comics/|title=Review: Dark Nights: Metal #1 is a Reminder of Why We Love Superheroes|last=Shiach|first=Kieran|date=August 16, 2017|work=CBR|access-date=2017-10-02|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919044422/http://www.cbr.com/dark-nights-metal-1-review-dc-comics/?|url-status=live}}</ref> Jesse Schedeen from IGN gave the issue an 8.4 out of 10 writing, "Apart from a surprisingly sluggish middle act, Dark Nights: Metal #1 is a terrifically enjoyable read. This issue crams in all the adventure and bombast that was promised, but also makes it clear that Batman is confronting one of the most dire and all-encompassing threats of his career."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/08/16/dark-nights-metal-1-review|title=Dark Nights: Metal #1 Review|last=Schedeen|first=Jesse|date=August 16, 2017|website=IGN|language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-02|archive-date=2017-09-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922023607/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/08/16/dark-nights-metal-1-review|url-status=live}}</ref> Pierce Lydon from Newsarama gave it an 8 out of 10 saying, "Dark Nights: Metal is a great event book because it is true to its characters and it's deeper than just its surface 'Justice League vs. Evil Batmen' premise."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsarama.com/35961-best-shots-review-dark-nights-metal-1.html|title=Best Shots Review – Dark Nights: Metal #1 'Asks You To Hold On Tight & Ride The Lightning'|last=Lydon|first=Pierce|date=August 15, 2017|work=Newsarama|access-date=2017-10-02|language=en|archive-date=2017-09-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906213929/https://www.newsarama.com/35961-best-shots-review-dark-nights-metal-1.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Comic Book Roundup gave issue #2 an average score of 8.8 out of 10 based on 37 critics.<ref name=":6" /> Jim Johnson of CBR praised the issue, and the story-line, for giving Batman a larger role in the DC Universe, saying "''Dark Nights: Metal'', though, has so far not only given his character fantastically plausible reasons to get out of Gotham, but to take a central role in a storyline that reaches much farther."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbr.com/dark-nights-metal-2-review-dc-comics-batman/|title=Review: Dark Nights: Metal #2 Shows Batman's Importance to the DCU|last=Johnson|first=Jim|date=September 14, 2017|work=CBR|access-date=2017-10-04|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919044015/http://www.cbr.com/dark-nights-metal-2-review-dc-comics-batman/|url-status=live}}</ref> Schedeen gave it an 8.5 saying "While Metal still has a few kinks to iron out before it can rival the best of Snyder and Capullo's work, the series is delivering plenty of drama and spectacle as it explores the collision between the DCU and the Dark Multiverse."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/13/dark-nights-metal-2-review|title=Dark Nights: Metal #2 Review|last=Schedeen|first=Jesse|date=September 13, 2017|website=IGN|language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-04|archive-date=2017-09-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920023628/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/13/dark-nights-metal-2-review|url-status=live}}</ref>

Comic Book Roundup gave issue #3 an average score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 30 critics.<ref name=":7" /> Jim Johnson of CBR applauds the issue for providing Superman as a bright contrast from Batman, he says "The presence of Superman dilutes the darkness, if only a little, and is exemplified here in his optimistic, albeit false for now, hopes of finding and rescuing his crimefighting partner."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbr.com/dark-nights-metal-superman-role-revealed/2/|title=Dark Nights: Metal – Superman's Crucial Role, Revealed|last=Johnson|first=Jim|date=October 11, 2017|work=CBR|access-date=2017-10-13|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-10-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014000953/http://www.cbr.com/dark-nights-metal-superman-role-revealed/2/|url-status=live}}</ref> Schedeen gave it a 7.2 saying "Unfortunately, this issue seems prone to biting off more than it can chew, resorting in a number of exposition-driven sequences that slow down an otherwise exciting storyline."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/10/11/dark-nights-metal-3-review|title=Dark Nights: Metal #3 Review|last=Schedeen|first=Jesse|date=October 11, 2017|website=IGN|language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-13|archive-date=2017-10-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013234420/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/10/11/dark-nights-metal-3-review|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Soundtrack== DC and Warner Bros. collaborated on a soundtrack featuring songs inspired by ''Dark Nights: Metal''. The soundtrack was produced by Tyler Bates and Mike Elizondo,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2017/10/06/dc-and-warner-bros-records-to-collaborate-on-soundtrack-for-dark-nights-metal |title=DC And Warner Bros. Records To Collaborate On Soundtrack For Dark Nights: Metal |date=October 3, 2017 |website=DCComics.com |access-date=September 30, 2019 |archive-date=September 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930000031/https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2017/10/06/dc-and-warner-bros-records-to-collaborate-on-soundtrack-for-dark-nights-metal |url-status=live }}</ref> and was released as a six-track EP exclusively on 12" vinyl on September 28, 2018. The pressing was limited to 4,000 copies and the EP was also accompanied by a poster and a 32-page comic book.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/DC-Comics-Dark-Nights-Metal-To-Be-Released-as-Exclusive-Vinyl-Picture-Disc-20180827 |title=DC Comics' 'Dark Nights: Metal' To Be Released as Exclusive Vinyl Picture Disc |date=August 27, 2018 |website=Broadway World |access-date=September 30, 2019 |archive-date=June 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607065958/https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/DC-Comics-Dark-Nights-Metal-To-Be-Released-as-Exclusive-Vinyl-Picture-Disc-20180827 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Track listing=== ;Side A {{Track listing | extra_column = Artist | title1 = Red Death | extra1 = Brann Dailor | writer1 = Brann Dailor, Mike Elizondo, Tyler Bates | length1 = 5:37

| title2 = Brief Exchange | extra2 = Chino Moreno | writer2 = Chino Moreno, Elizondo, Bates | length2 = 4:48

| title3 = War Cry | extra3 = Alexis Krauss | writer3 = Alexis Krauss, Elizondo, Bates | length3 = 3:37 }}

;Side B {{Track listing | total_length = 26:02 | extra_column = Artist | title1 = Fact Check | extra1 = Jason Aalon Butler | writer1 = Chris Chaney, Gil Sharone, Butler, Elizondo, Bates | length1 = 4:06 | title2 = The Calling | extra2 = Maria Brink & Chris Howorth | writer2 = Chris Howorth, Maria Brink, Elizondo, Bates | length2 = 4:44 | title3 = Setting Sun | extra3 = Jerry Cantrell | writer3 = Jerry Cantrell, Elizondo, Bates | length3 = 4:30 }}

==Collected editions== {| class="wikitable" |+ !Title !Material collected !Published date !ISBN |- |''Dark Days: The Road to Metal'' |''Dark Days: The Forge'' #1, ''Dark Days: The Casting'' #1, ''Nightwing'' (vol. 4) #17, ''Final Crisis'' #6–7, ''Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne'' #1, ''Batman'' (vol. 2) #38–39 and material from ''Detective Comics'' #950 |May 2018 |{{ISBNT|978-1401278199}} |- |''Dark Nights: Metal — The Deluxe Edition'' |''Dark Nights: Metal'' #1–6 |June 2018 |{{ISBNT|978-1401277321}} |- |''Dark Nights: Metal'' |''Dark Nights: Metal'' #1–6, ''Dark Knights Rising: The Wild Hunt'' #1 and ''Batman: Lost'' #1 |January 2019 |{{ISBNT|978-1401288587}} |- |''Absolute Dark Nights: Metal'' |''Dark Nights: Metal'' #1–6,''Batman: Lost'' #1, ''Dark Nights: Metal Director's Cut'' #1, ''Dark Knights Rising: The Wild Hunt'' #1 |November 2022 |{{ISBNT|978-1779515278}} |- |''Dark Nights: Metal — Dark Knights Rising'' |''Batman: The Red Death'' #1, ''Batman: The Devastator'' #1, ''Batman: The Merciless'' #1, ''Batman: The Murder Machine'' #1, ''Batman: The Drowned'' #1, ''Batman: The Dawnbreaker'' #1, ''The Batman Who Laughs'' (vol. 1) #1, ''Dark Knights Rising: The Wild Hunt'' #1 |June 2018 |{{ISBNT|978-1401289072}} |- |''Dark Nights: Metal — The Resistance'' |''Teen Titans'' (vol. 6) #12, ''Nightwing'' (vol. 4) #29, ''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 5) #26, ''Green Arrow'' (vol. 6) #32, ''The Flash'' (vol. 5) #33, ''Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps'' #32, ''Justice League'' (vol. 3) #32–33, ''Batman: Lost'' #1, ''Hawkman: Found'' #1 |July 2018 |{{ISBNT|978-1401282981}} |- |''The Batman Who Laughs'' |''The Batman Who Laughs'' (vol. 2) #1–7, ''The Batman Who Laughs: The Grim Knight'' #1 |September 2019 |{{ISBNT|978-1401294038}} |- |''Dark Nights: Metal Omnibus'' |''Dark Nights: Metal'' #1–6, ''Batman: Lost'' #1, ''Dark Nights: Metal Director's Cut'' #1, ''Dark Knights Rising: The Wild Hunt'' #1, ''Dark Days: The Forge'' #1, ''Dark Days: The Casting'' #1, ''Batman: The Red Death'' #1, ''Batman: The Devastator'' #1, ''Batman: The Merciless'' #1, ''Batman: The Murder Machine'' #1, ''Batman: The Drowned'' #1, ''Batman: The Dawnbreaker'' #1, ''The Batman Who Laughs'' #1, ''Teen Titans'' (vol. 6) #12, ''Nightwing'' (vol. 4) #29, ''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 5) #26, ''Green Arrow'' (vol. 6) #32, ''The Flash'' (vol. 5) #33, ''Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps'' #32, ''Justice League'' (vol. 3) #32–33, ''Hawkman: Found'' #1 |January 2023 |{{ISBNT|978-1779517036}} |- |''Dark Nights: Metal Compact Comics Edition'' |''Dark Nights: Metal'' #1-6, ''Batman: Lost'' #1, ''Dark Knights Rising: The Wild Hunt'' #1 |August 2026 |{{nowrap|{{ISBNT|978-1799508809}}}} |}

==Follow-up lines== With the end of ''Dark Nights: Metal,'' new titles were spun out due to the aftermath:

* '''New Justice''': An aftermath that became a relaunch for several DC Universe mainline comics. * '''The New Age of DC Heroes''': Debuting new characters and stories related to the repercussions of ''Dark Nights: Metal''. * '''''The Sandman Universe''''': Featuring the return of several characters from ''The Sandman'' by Neil Gaiman. * '''''Year of the Villain''''': In March 2019, Scott Snyder announced a new event campaign titled ''Year of the Villain'', which features the repercussions of ''Dark Nights: Metal'' from the supervillains' perspective. * '''''Tales from the Dark Multiverse''''': A series of one-off comics that take some of DC's most famous events and put a tragic twist on them, with ''Batman: Knightfall'' and ''The Death of Superman'' to start. DC Comics has teased other tales such as ''Teen Titans: The Judas Contract'', ''Infinite Crisis'', and ''Blackest Night''.<ref>{{cite web |title=TALES FROM THE DARK MULTIVERSE |url=https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2019/07/15/tales-from-the-dark-multiverse-infects-some-of-the-biggest-events-in-dc-history-this |website=Dc Comics |access-date=2019-07-16 |archive-date=2019-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716062416/https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2019/07/15/tales-from-the-dark-multiverse-infects-some-of-the-biggest-events-in-dc-history-this |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=THE INFECTION SPREADS WITH TWO MORE TALES FROM THE DARK MULTIVERSE COMING IN NOVEMBER |url=https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2019/08/14/the-infection-spreads-with-two-more-tales-from-the-dark-multiverse-coming-in |website=Dc Comics |access-date=2019-08-14 |archive-date=2019-08-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814163624/https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2019/08/14/the-infection-spreads-with-two-more-tales-from-the-dark-multiverse-coming-in |url-status=live }}</ref> * '''''Dark Nights: Death Metal''''' is the sequel to ''Dark Nights: Metal'', with Snyder stating: "Everything is coming back, we want to pay it forward. The Omega Titans, Barbatos, the Forge, it's all coming back. Everything you read, our goal is to reward. All of it culminates in like a year in like a ''Metal'' event."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbr.com/dc-comics-crossover-event-scott-snyder/|title=Scott Snyder Announces Massive DC Crossover Event for 2019|last=Cronin|first=Brian|date=July 20, 2017|work=Comic Book Resources|access-date=September 4, 2018|archive-date=November 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105184130/https://www.cbr.com/dc-comics-crossover-event-scott-snyder/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == * [http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2017/04/02/dark-nights-metal Official website]

Category:Batman titles Category:DC Comics titles Category:Comic book reboots Category:Comics by Scott Snyder