I love Batman. One of the reasons for this is because he turned the darkest moment in his life into something positive, bringing light from the darkness. I have always wondered, though, what if he hadn’t? What evil versions of Batman could have arisen if Bruce Wayne had taken a darker path?
DC Comics are launching Dark Nights: Metal this fall. Part of the story looks at answering this question.
In a press release issued last night, we received a sneak peek at seven fascinating one-shot titles, which will tie into the huge Batman comics event. Each issue spotlights a different, corrupted version of Batman spawned from the Dark Multiverse to wreak havoc on Earth.
These invaders from the Dark Multiverse attack our universe, giving rise to The Gotham Resistance; a team comprised of some of the Dark Knight’s protegees, friends… and even an old enemy or two.
Darker Knights
Patrick McCallum, DC Entertainment Executive Editor has this to say:
With names like The Red Death, The Murder Machine, The Dawnbreaker, The Drowned, The Merciless, The Devastator and The Batman Who Laughs, it’s pretty clear that these creatures mean business and prove just how dangerous the Dark Multiverse will be for DC’s heroes.
The terror begins with Batman: The Red Death #1, by Joshua William & Ricardo Federici (September 27). Sam Humphries & Ethan Van Sciver will team up on Batman: The Dawnbreaker #1, (October 4), with Dan Abnett & Philip Tan collaborating on Batman: The Drowned #1 (October 18). The month concludes with Peter J. Tomasi & Francis Manapul on Batman: The Merciless #1, (October 25).
With the combination of an event comic helmed by two of the most talented creators in comic history a legion of evil Batmen and crossover titles that show just how deeply this event impacts the DCU, fans will know now more than ever that Dark Nights: Metal is something not to be missed
Evil Versions Of Batman
November will see the release of two more one-shots; Batman: The Devastator #1 (November 1) and The Batman Who Laughs #1 (November 15). All the covers hint that these Batmen may be versions of our hero combined with other characters. The Joker and Doomsday are clear, but we also see versions of The Flash, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Aquaman’s symbols in the artwork.
The presence of these characters infects some of DC’s villains, who are ready to take down Gotham City. But DC’s heroes are ready, as part of the Gotham Resistance. This series of crossovers begins with Teen Titans #12 by Benjamin Percy & Mirka Andolfo (September 13), Nightwing #29 by Tim Seeley & Paul Pelletier (September 20) and Suicide Squad #26 by Rob Williams & Stjepan Sejic (September 27).
Each one-shot will retail at $3.99 and ship with a special foil stamped cover, with art by Jason Fabok. Issue #1 of Dark Nights: Metal hits comic book stores and digital retailers on Wednesday, August 16.
Images courtesy of DC Entertainment