In a world twisted beyond recognition, the Justice League must fight to save the multiverse before it is completely destroyed. Spoilers for Dark Nights: Death Metal #1 follow.
It’s rare that comic book events get sequel series, let alone only a few years after the first series was released. And yet, here we are with Dark Nights: Death Metal. Personally, I loved Dark Nights: Metal and have been looking forward to this series since it was announced. I also loved Scott Snyder’s run on Justice League, even if the end is just a bit of an awkward set-up for Death Metal. So really, this series seems like it is primed for someone like me and thankfully, it’s a really solid first issue and immediately brings you into the insanity that this series is about.
One of the main selling points that writer of the series, Scott Snyder, had emphasized for months was that in Death Metal, “It all matters.” It’s even the actual title of this singular issue. So, the question was, “Will that really be the case?” and the answer is an emphatic yes. Not everything is explained in this issue and there are still a ton of unknown variables (as there should be), but Snyder and artist Greg Capullo are hellbent on tying every piece of DC history into this series.
There’s a fantastic two-page spread that details how each “Crisis” story, from Crisis on Infinite Earths to Doomsday Clock, ties into the story being told. It’s not flawless integration or explanation, but that’s really to be expected, the DC universe is so vast and complex with so many timelines, continuities, and retcons that its impossible to tie everything together perfectly. However, this is probably as close as one can get.
As for the story though, one would think that after everything Snyder and Capullo have worked on for the past 10 years together, this would be a Batman-centric story. In a way, it is, but that’s only because the villains are evil versions of Batman. No, this is a Wonder Woman-centric story and, honestly, it feels all the better for that. Everyone loves to call Superman the “beacon of hope” which is rightfully earned, but Wonder Woman is just as much worthy of that title, if not more so.
Snyder writes her incredibly well here and makes it feel like this is a series that no other character could truly headline. Her depiction here is of someone that anyone would be willing to follow to the ends of the earth, not out of fear, but out of respect. And the best part is, Snyder doesn’t forget her compassion amidst everything going on. Wonder Woman is not truly Wonder Woman if she doesn’t have her compassion the guide her and luckily, Snyder seems to understand that, and every aspect of the character.
Beyond just getting the writing for Wonder Woman right, Capullo’s depiction of her is absolutely incredible. Her design works so well with the world that the series is set in, while never losing the identity that this is the Wonder Woman that everyone knows. It’s a great contrast to the monsters and evil depictions of Batman that are heavily present in this issue.
As for the issue outside of Wonder Woman though, Capullo goes all-in on the insanity of this story and there are few artists that could do it so well. He manages to combine horror stylings with a fantasy world that is filled with superheroes. Everything from the design choices to the execution is beautiful and wondrous to take in. Capullo also works with long-time inker Jonathan Glapion and colorist FCO Plascencia and, yet again, these three work together incredibly well.
