DC’s huge crossover event “Dark Nights: Metal” is here. After the events of the first installment, I wasn’t sure if the event series was going to be able to live up to the promise teased in the two prologue issues leading up to the title. The sprawling, narration-heavy first chapter of the book outstayed its welcome for my tastes. However, “Dark Nights: Metal” is still just getting started and there was a lot about the first chapter that seemed to tease an intriguing ongoing mystery involving Batman.
In many ways, the comic feels like it is just getting started with the minimal plot reveals in the debut chapter. Will the next installment of the book finally start to reveal what “Dark Nights: Metal” is all about or will the book slowly continue to unleash pockets of exposition only promising bigger things to come?
Written by Scott Snyder
Penciled by Greg Capullo
Inked by Jonathan Glapion
Colored by FCO Plascencia
Lettered by Steve WandsAs Superman and Wonder Woman hunt for a missing ally, Batman investigates a mystery spanning centuries. When the World’s Greatest Detective discovers a foe even greater than the Justice League could possibly imagine, will Earth’s heroes be ready?
“Dark Nights: Metal” #2 could very well have been the first issue of the event. The comic introduces lots of interesting aspects of Metal but in many ways feels like the very first overall chapter in this story. Writer Scott Snyder reintroduces the Metal concept as we see Batman still on the run. From there, Snyder continues to widen the scope of the event and the first big plot twist of the story finally pushes the comic into gear. This issue also contains a couple of small surprises and a fantastic energy which feels even more strong than the series’ slow-placed debut.
While the opening page features a pocket of text that is opaque, even this scene is followed up with a sprawling look at the DC Universe that shows just how big this event is. Even though lots of stories tease a grand scope, many events don’t touch on the vast array of characters we have seen so far in “Dark Nights: Metal.”
Another fascinating aspect about this installment of the comic is how much the giant chase scene with Batman works. There’s a ton of action based twists and turns in this sequence and seeing Snyder have fun with the scene sets it apart from the grueling hero-on-hero battling readers have seen in recent Marvel events or DC Universe films. Trying to figure out just how Batman can go up against the Justice League is a great idea adding some much-needed tension in the opening pages. Snyder paces the comic well as the chase starts with a fun tone and disposable action but ends with a really serious introduction to the true threat of the story and starts to tease the Dark Nights concept.
There are still large portions of the title which do not seem entirely necessary that are just coded in a sea of exposition. This issue cuts over to lots of locations for such moments that take the focus away from the story. Lots of the talking points or ramblings in these sequences feel like they are just window dressing or adding the slightest elements to the overall tone of the comic that should be spent kicking the plot into gear. In the last few pages of the issue, the sheer number of words on the page is staggering and Snyder feels excessively guilty of telling readers what is going on instead of letting Capullo’s beautiful art take center stage.
While there are lots of scenes when Snyder is taking control of the overall book with the dialogue, Capullo delivers satisfactory work throughout the title. When Capullo directly draws some of the newer character designs in the book, the story achieves a refreshing burst of energy and shows off some of the unknown aspects of this mega-event. Capullo depicts a wide range of versatility here as he accommodates the horror aspects of the final pages with the silly tone introduced by Damian towards the opening pages. The last few scenes really ratchet up the tension and feel particularly gruesome as well.
“Dark Nights: Metal” #2 was an issue full of surprises. The first installment dragged its feet and featured a cliffhanger which didn’t add to the overall story while this second issue finally pushes the plot right into gear. The story does suffer from lots of narration and dialogue, but this time Snyder gives the story a more action-heavy direction that infuses the comic with a more direct energy.
Final Verdict: 7.5 – Unlike the disappointing first installment of the title, “Dark Nights: Metal” #2 starts to push the plot of the series forward while introducing both comedic and horror elements of the tale to the forefront.
