Connect with us
Dark Nights: Metal #5 Review

Comic Books

Dark Nights: Metal #5 Review

The world forge has gone dark and it is time for all life to end.

[amazon_link asins=’B076DR87ZD’ template=’AiPTProductAd’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’497062a1-05ed-11e8-9a97-ab70c31db2c5′]

Normally, at this point in a story arc that seems to only affect a few titles in a major comic universe, we’d be on our way back up.  That’s part of the journey: heroes reach the “abyss,” their lowest point, and some ray of hope beams through the darkness, letting us know that everything will be okay in a few issues.  Not Dark Nights: Metal.  Nope.  We have plunged down into the depths of despair and then just kept digging.  I joked about this during the one-shot issues and how things just kept getting darker.  It was great when there was an expected arc to follow.  Now?  One issue away from the finale?  I just don’t know what might happen and I’m not sure that’s a good thing.

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!

When we last left our heroes, everything was terrible.  Everyone walked into traps everywhere in the multiverse, including Batman who, after saving Superman from Barbatos’ mega-battery, found himself 30 years aged and in the center of the world forge, confronted by the demon form of Hawkman.  The book opens with an intriguing question as to which villain is truly in charge.  Is it Barbatos or could The Batman Who Laughs be the one truly pulling the strings?  At BWL’s urging, Barbatos begins the process of bringing his dark army forth to drag the universe into the dark forever.  The world forge has gone dark and it is time for all life to end.

This is where things start to get better, right?  Wonder Woman finds a way to reach through to Lady Blackhawk, Batman finds the words that seem to peel through the demonic layers of Hawkman.  This is the dawning of the end where things may not ever go back to normal, but at least the world will be saved?  Nope.

Subverting the predictable is, generally, a good thing.  Keep the audience guessing and the story moving in new ways.  But, when the story is so dark and so dire, what happens when hope goes out the window for the audience?  Will this be another story wrapped up at the last minute with some deus ex machina that just leads into another in an unending line of world-shattering crises?  I really dig what has been going on in the Metal line, but I’m afraid of the ending being a letdown.  With really no other series even acknowledging that it is happening, how serious should we, as readers, take it?  Is this an elseworlds kind of moment or should we take it as fact throughout the DC universe?  I guess only time will tell.

Dark Nights: Metal #5 Review
Dark Nights: Metal #5
Is it good?
I really dig what has been going on in the Metal line, but I'm afraid of the ending being a letdown.
Pros
Greg Capullo's art is top notch.
The story feels like it has long-term, dire implications for the DC Universe...
Cons
...but where do they go from here?
Is abandoning all hope all we have left?
8
Good

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024 WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024

WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024

Pro Wrestling

AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024 AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024

AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024

Pro Wrestling

AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024 AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024

AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024

Pro Wrestling

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt' Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt'

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in ‘Blood Hunt’

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup