Title: Dark Nights: Metal
Stand-Alone: No
Writer(s): Scott Snyder
Illustrator(s): Greg Capullo
Publisher: DC Comics
Format: Hardcover – Deluxe Edition
Release Date: June 12th 2018
Pages: 216
Genre(s): Comics, Science Fiction
ISBN13: 9781401277321
My Overall Rating: ★★★★★
Previously on DC Comics’ Metal event:
Dark Days: The Road to Metal by Scott Snyder
Hearing Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo were to get back together for one of DC’s greatest epic event is a dream come true. Sparked by an idea, Scott Snyder has been building this up for a couple of years and has finally drawn the curtains for fans to gaze upon one of his biggest project yet. Without a single drop of hesitation, Greg Capullo, who has also worked with Scott Snyder in the past to give us one of the best, if not the best, Batman comic book run, decided to tag along and bring to life what would normally be of the order of nightmares.
Coated with a desire to turn their world into the chaos that they once were plunged in, evil creatures as old as time join forces under the wings of the great Barbatos to bring the full force of destruction upon the all the heroes of Earth. While Batman’s actions drags him into a trap that seems dictated by forces beyond his control, the Justice League find themselves on a journey to obtain a mysterious metal that might be their only source of hope left for humanity. Darkness however shrouds their whole reality and leaves them to believe that the only road paved in front of them is one straight to doom. What the heroes of Earth do about it will all come down to what they truly believe in, even when looking up from the deepest abyss they’ve ever been in.
Heavy in references and drawing upon some of DC’s greatest lore, this Batman-centered epic cosmic event is bound to blow your mind. Lunatic, psychedelic and daring in every way possible, the story continuously finds ways to surprise you. Even with only six issues, it was able to reach new heights by not only plunging the universe into darkness, but also expanding the DC universe in new directions. Scott Snyder is far from being afraid to take our heroes onto a ride that they’ll never forget and give them the greatest threat they’ll have ever faced. What seems to be a hopeless future for our heroes is what will invite them to investigate uncharted territories and give everything they’ve got left in the tank to save their home from imminent death.
Filled with breathtaking moments and fantastic dialogues, this is a story about both friendship and exploration, and it is most rewarding when you reach the ending. The first couple of issues made me question everything I thought this event was going to be, but in Snyder, I trust. His vision is phenomenal, and to enjoy this particular story, you’ll have to keep an open mind. Every panel is supercharged with energy and is shocking in its own right. The way Scott Snyder ties in canon story material from the DC Universe to build a mystery of this scale is astonishing. It might heavily revolve around Batman, but once you start flipping through the pages, you’ll quickly understand that the Justice League are just as important in understanding the development of this event.
If anything, the trippiness of this story was such a refreshing look at comic book stories that it quickly became impossible to hate anything about it. This is what we need more of, and it is good to know that there is still original content that can be given birth to. Dark Nights: Metal easily became one of my favourite stories and will undoubtedly be known as a classic in due time.
Together, these two creative masterminds, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, are a duo to not mess around with. The show they put on is always revolutionary, but what Dark Nights: Metal was is nothing short of hardcore.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for sending me a copy for review!
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Roars and Echoes 
This is an incredible review Lashaan! It sounds like they have nailed it with this series 😊
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Thank you Danielle! Absolutely! 😉 This is one huge DC event that was brilliantly thought-through in my books. 😀
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Your reviews always make me want to read graphic novels 😀
This one looks pretty awesome and i like how creepy some of those characters are.
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I shall continue until the day that you DO read them then. 😉 Oh yes, the designs for the new villains are hella creepy and awesome in this event! 😀
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Phenomenal review Lashaan! I haven’t read any comics or graphic novels in eons, but you’re tempting me with this.
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Thank you so much Kim! You got to pick some comics/graphic novels up! They’d be a nice break in-between all those books you blitz through all the time. 😉
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👍🏻
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Awesome post 😍
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Thanks. 🙂
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Awesome Review, Lashaan! I am so glad you enjoyed this one so much.❤🤩📚
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Thanks, Dani! I’m really glad that such an original story was created in the first place too! 😀
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Wonderful review Lashaan! Unfortunately, Metal didn’t really work for me. It was an okay enough read but it didn’t leave that big of an impression on me. I just feel the whole thing was a bit overly self-indulgent and a little incoherent at times. I’ve liked some of Scott Snyder’s stuff (Court of Owels was pretty good and his Justice League shows promise) but not a great fan of Greg Capullo in all honesty (ugh, sorry man – are we still pals?).
However, your review has certainly given me a bit of a more positive perspective on it all and I may revisit it one day – true, as you say it was meant to be ludicrous, trippy and psychedelic. It’s always great to hear your thoughts on things even if it’s a rare instance where our opinions don’t get line up!
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Thanks Chris. It does get insanely hectic, and I can’t blame you for having a sour aftertaste upon reading this. The Sandman crossover was also pretty gutsy, but man, I do love it when stories break the conventional barriers and set standards for theses heroes to explore things that are BEYOND “normal”. It just feels refreshing to me hahah No worries about not being a number 1 fan of Capullo. Art appreciation is pretty subjective, and we don’t all need to love everything! 😛 Hopefully when you get the chance to read it again, it’ll be a much more fun ride for you. Maybe revisiting all the past stories referenced throughout this event before reading the event will make you enjoy the Easter eggs even more, and ultimately enjoy the whole thing more! 😀
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Definitely, that’s a good point – I love picking up all the little geeky Easter eggs in stuff like this.
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That cover is friggin awesome!! I’d get it just for that.
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Hahahah it is amazing, right? The hardcover is actually “metallic”/shiny too (impossible to see through my pictures)! 😀
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Ah yes, I can definitely appreciate the artwork of comics. That was one of the reasons I would read them (duh). But, as I said before, I’m relegating my time to other books and stuff. So many interesting publications to read!!
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Yep. When you can put great artwork with great story together, you’re bound to have a gem between your hands. 😀 Hope you’ve been reading some great stuff lately, Karina. *tellll meeeeeee what you’re reaaaaaadinggggg* 😉
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I have been reading quite a bit of non-fiction lately with the theme primarily about happiness, although right now I am reading an excellent book called Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez (the 2018 edition). I recommend this book highly! I got some fiction reads lined up, waiting ever so patiently.
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That sounds like something that could definitely change everyone’s life for the better. 😮 Happy reading!
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Indeed!
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