Dark Nights: Death Metal #2 Review

Insert Metal Song Title Here

Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Greg Capullo
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: July 14, 2020

The first issue of Death Metal was polarizing for DC fans.  Some liked the vast scope and promise that everything matters, while others found it an overly convoluted and confusing start to an event.  I can see both sides of the argument, and while I want some answers, I understand Scott Snyder should give them in due time.  Until then, everyone can enjoy the Greg Capullo art and figure it all out together.  So, how was this month's issue?  Let's find out...


The issue opens in the Hellscape with Wonder Woman and Wally West hanging with Swamp Thing and the Batmobeast.  I appreciate Snyder putting a bit of humor in such a dark tale, but I wish it felt like something more than just Snyder placing a bit of humor in such a dark tale.  We do get the JSA (some of them at least), and I am always for that!

We eventually find out that they are dropping in on Batman and Jonah Hex, who are in the middle of the coolest fantasy drafts ever.  There are a couple "everything matters" hints as Batman tries to decide who makes the cut in his (not so) brave new world.

This is where Bruce and Diana continue to disagree.  Batman wants to go small while Wonder Woman wants to go big.  After losing so much and so many times, Batman needs a little pick-me-up, and after avoiding the big questions on the table, he gives readers a bit of recap of what happened since this whole thing started.  Long story short, they got their asses handed to them over and over.

We continue with Batman flip-flopping out of nowhere to go along with Diana's plan.  The first step is to get a Flash Family reunion and go save their captured friends in New Apokolips, and that involves a cliffhanger that is fun in its craziness.

Besides all that, we get more of the new and improved Batman Who Laughs.  After a little brain salad surgery, we get a couple of evolutions, and thank god each of them has word bubbles I can easily read!  I don't know how I think about the final form, but I have been getting tired of the Batman Who Laughs so I am up for giving him a try.

This is a good issue that didn't have the wow factor of the first issue for me, but it makes up for it a bit by showing us more of the plan to make things right by the end.  The art is good and I am still intrigued by the story and hopeful it can change the DCU into something more people care about again.

Bits and Pieces:

Wonder Woman and Batman join up to make things right, but I wish we got a couple more answers.  Still, this issue had some fun moments, and Greg Capullo's art is good.  I don't think this one will change anyone's minds either way, but if you liked issue #1, you should like this one.

7.0/10