Dark Nights: Metal #1 Review

This review contains minor spoilers.

To quote Steel Panther: “Death to all but metal.” It’s how I feel right now after reading Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s electrifying Dark Nights: Metal #1, AKA your new favorite comic book. If this were a song, it’d be a hard-hitting, down-tuned ripper to wash away the filth of “Despacito” from your ears. It’s that little something you want to play loud and proud.

To give you a brief rundown of what happens in this bonkers book: we kick off with the Justice League battling Mongul’s murder machines in a coliseum. In order to defeat these things, though, the League have to climb into them and form their own Megazord. Yes, Snyder and Capullo go full-on Power Rangers here!

Back in Gotham City, a bloody mountain has formed where it shouldn’t have. When the League investigate this anomaly, they encounter Kendra Saunders, who reveals more about the mystery of the metal, the dark multiverse theory, and her part in all of it. What follows this conversation, though, is the real highlight of the issue. And it also happens to be the single greatest thing to ever happen in DC Comics: Batman rides a dinosaur. I’m not going to tell you why, or if there’s even a why, but it’s amazing to behold.

At Wayne Manor, the Dark Knight puts together more pieces of his puzzle and uncovers Carter Hall’s journal in his home. This isn’t all he finds, however, as he’s visited by a shocking and unexpected guest. The identity of this person is all over the net at the moment, but I urge you to experience it for yourself and not fall into the trap of instant gratification. Snyder himself told me that he and Capullo have been working on this for a long, long time, so let’s enjoy the fruits of their labor and give this the attention it deserves.

Compared to Dark Days: The Forge #1 and Dark Days: The Casting #1, this issue isn’t bursting at the seams with revelations and OMG moments, apart from the one on the last page. But that’s okay, because it’s pacing itself for the long haul and the current narrative keeps you invested in what’s to come.

Speaking of the narrative, Snyder is on form here, whipping up one of the wackiest and insane stories yet. Channeling the craziness of All-Star Batman and blurring it with the richness of Action Comics of years past, he crafts something unique that’ll likely send shockwaves throughout the comic book industry.

His efforts would be in vain, though, if the artwork sucks. But when you look at Capullo’s art, what more is there to say that hasn’t been said before? The chemistry between him and Snyder is undeniable, and you simply cannot imagine another artist bringing these madcap ideas to life. They’re married – creatively – for life, and it’s good to see the “spice” between them is still there.

While the two prequels could be considered the crunching album openers, Dark Nights: Metal #1 is the hit single that’ll please the mainstream audience. It’s truly a wild ride in the style of Jack Kirby and completely balls to the wall in its approach. The days ahead might be dark for our heroes, but the metal will get us through. Welcome to Snyder and Capullo’s band.