Comic Review: Dark Nights: Death Metal Infinite Hour Exxxtreme! #1

Dark Nights: Death Metal Infinite Hour Exxxtreme! #1

DC Comics

Writers: Becky Cloonan, Sam Humphries, Fran Tieri

Artists: Denys Cowan, Tyler Kirkham, Rags Morales, Andrew Dalhouse, Arif Prianto, Chris Sotomayor

When you think of the word Metal, a few things might come to mind.  You might hear the slasher riffs of Metallica or Black Sabbath.  You might envision rockers pounding their hands back and forth in the air.  You might picture skulls and lightning.  But when I think about the word Metal in relation to the DC Universe, one thing comes to mind…Lobo.  Dark Nights: Death Metal and Lobo are the perfect pairings.  They’re peanut butter and Jelly.  They’re Morrison and Quitely.  Which is why Infinite Hour Exxxtreme works so well.

This is without a doubt one of the most fun tie-ins in this entire event.  Every idea and interaction is a pleasure to watch unfold.  The issue introduces yet another Dark Knight in The Batman Who Frags.  Who, just as he sounds, is a Bruce Wayne and Lobo hybrid.  Because the only thing better than one Lobo in a story is two.  Seeing Lobo face off against a strange extra-dimensional version of himself is a joy.  In a universe where so few characters can rival the Main Man, a second Lobo is the perfect antagonist.  And the issue never lets up with it fun, over-the-top ideas.

After a brief conversation with a now regretful Lex Luthor, Lobo runs wild, flying all around the DC Universe.  His journey starts with a brief run-in with the Batman Who Frags, followed by a reluctant team-up with Hawkman, and rounded out with a humorous conversation with Brainiac.  Each scenario just adds to the fun of the story.  And even though a different author writes each section, they all feel consistent in tone and style.  The absolute best of these stories is of course the handful of short stories narrated by Lobo himself.  In these few pages, Lobo crudely retells the origins of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.  These three pages alone are worth the entire price of the issue.  It’s a hilarious read from start to finish.

That being said, this issue didn’t have the impact that a Lobo tie-in usually does.  The Main Man does a great job of adding levity and humor to an otherwise grim story.  For a great example of this, check out his inclusion in Blackest Night.  But in an already absurd story like Death Metal, Lobo more so fits in line with the tone than he does provide a healthy contrast.  However, I think that speaks to the content of the main event more than the tie-in itself.

Either way, Death Metal Infinite Hour Exxxtreme #1 is a blast.  If you are a fan of the tone of Death Metal so far, I have no doubt you will love this issue.  And if you’re a fellow Fragger itching for more Lobo content, you’ll love this issue too.  It’s a forty-two-page issue about Lobo, what’s not to love?

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