Comic Review: Dark Nights – Death Metal: Multiverse’s End #1

Dark Knights – Death Metal: Multiverse’s End #1

DC Comics

Writers: James Tynion IV

Artists: Juan Gedeon, Mike Spicer

Scott Snyder’s 2018 event, Dark Nights: Metal, was one of my favorite comic events of all time.  Metal succeeded for many different reasons including continuity, scope, action, and strong characterization.  With such amazing success, it’s no wonder DC greenlit a Metal sequel with Snyder and Capullo at the helm.  So when Snyder went back to the drawing board for Metal 2, he had to decide what made Metal work.  And as we see in Death Metal, Snyder chooses to focus on and amplify the absurdity from the original Metal event.  Now I’m all for this.  There’s something awe-inspiring about Plastic Man transforming into a T-Rex and wreaking havoc.  But so far, Death Metal isn’t absurd in the same way.  In some places, absurdity is clouded by exposition and dialogue, but at other times, the absurdity destroys any real stakes.

The main Death Metal series seems incapable of balancing its absurdist tone, but Multiverses’s End #1, balances it perfectly.  This one-shot hits the sweet spot between completely ridiculous and near-armageddon.  So let’s start with the absurd.  The entire plot of this issue hinges on Owlman hating the Batman Who Laughs because he ripped off his gimmick.  Which is amazing by the way.  Owlman is the all-star of this issue, full of rage and unintentional humor.  But this premise is surprisingly one of the more sensical things in the issue.  Whether it’s adding Captain Carrot or an army of Rainbow Batmen, this story continues to one-up itself in terms of craziness.

But luckily, there is an actual heart and seriousness to this story that isn’t present in the main series.  The story mainly focuses on human Green Lanterns and a few other friends.  This is exactly the kind of scope that makes this story work.  Just like we saw in Speed Metal, fewer characters leads to stronger character development.  The banter between Hal, John, Kyle, and Guy is one of the best parts of the whole issue.  And that’s not to mention all of the other great moments with Captain Carrot and Owlman.  There’s plenty of other characters in the background (to give that ol’ Crisis feel), but the story only focuses on a handful of characters.

Backing up this wonderful display of character is a wonderful display of art.  Juan Gedeon’s expressions bring every character in this story to life.  Every expression is full of cartoon delight.  Owlman snickering.  Captain Carrot bawling his eyes out.  Perpetua going Super Saiyan. Every face drips with character in this issue.  Again, this art style perfectly balances absurd with a touch of seriousness.  I haven’t read much with Gedeon on art, but I’ll definitely be looking for his name in the future.

Overall, Death Metal: Multiverse’s End #1 achieves everything that the main series should.  This was an absurd action story full of great character.  The original Metal series impressed me with it’s wonderful tie-ins.  But if Death Metal keeps up this level of one-shot quality, it might surpass its predecessor.