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Recently, DC Comics released "Dark Days: The Forge," one of the prelude issues to their next event that begins in August, Dark Nights: Metal.

A few of us here have read The Forge. It's clearly setting up a mystery, not just across the DC universe, but the DC multiverse, as different characters meet with Batman to chip in on some grand investigation to which only he holds all the pieces.

It's a fun issue, but being the first part of a mystery, it introduces many elements without much clear correlation between them, and to be fair, unless you're well-versed in pre-New 52 continuity, some of it's going to be like "Why did this page seem to focus on the thing in this panel? What is it?" I knew certain items were a big deal, but I needed more DC history-savvy people to tell how they related to


Some comic sites/videos are saying this is pretty much a DC Crisis, though DC has said they're not calling it one because it won't be altering continuity. Fair enough. Future solicits point the way to what this event is going to be, though branded under some stuff that says "aging dad who was really into Zeppelin and Rolling Stones," especially when one goofy cover has the Justice League standing in a way that looks like a hand throwing up the horns.

But I'd argue that's kind of the point here. This is more fun, light-hearted DC story than has gone on in recent years, while still being a multiversal threat from essentially the New 52. Y'know, back when DC wanted every hero to be Batman to increase sales? Well, that's what the antagonists appear to be from the solicits. That said, the solicits have already been a little misleading. The Forge suggested Batman had a secret weapon that would threaten the multiverse, but really he's been investigating a potential threat to the multiverse Sneaky DC.

So for the first issue, Dark Days: The Forge doesn't offer much in the way of what's ahead, but raises a lot of possibilities and has a lot of potential. I promise to keep this one updated, though I won't be reading every tie-in.

Might as well throw the list into this thread too:


They're not making a secret of the New 52-ized Batman-like characters, but like I said in the OP, I'm not putting it past them to be misleading. Hawkman's involvement is teased from the very first page of The Forge, but no idea what that will pertain to overall in the end. "Something in the metal" I'm sure .

My tentative checklist--I may do less or more depending on my enjoyment of other titles, but I don't see myself picking up tie-ins for books I'm not already subscribed to.

(Sorry for overusing this image, but regardless of the ultimate quality of the event, I really appreciate DC putting out a checklist. It says to me they're not planning to spur of the moment add extra issues and bullshit a la Civil War II/Secret Empire ... hell, if this was a Marvel event, the checklist would be three pages long.)

As if the regular cover for Dark Nights: Metal #1 wasn't silly enough:

I love it.

Dinosaurs are one of Diana's Favorite Things.

DarkAudit said:

Dinosaurs are one of Diana's Favorite Things.

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I forgot that. That makes it even better.


(though I'm going to be the most nitpicky nerd and note that while pterodactyls and its ilk co-existed with dinosaurs, biologically they were not dinosaurs and were instead winged reptiles)

I'll escort myself to my locker ...

Zero Esc said:

I forgot that. That makes it even better.


(though I'm going to be the most nitpicky nerd and note that while pterodactyls and its ilk co-existed with dinosaurs, biologically they were not dinosaurs and were instead winged reptiles)

I'll escort myself to my locker ...

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Somewhere in the DC archives is that panel where she lists her loves and includes dinosaurs and cake. I remember seeing it on tumblr somewhere. I want to find it again.

Isn't that just a Heavy Metal reference?

@Li3n said:

Isn't that just a Heavy Metal reference?

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It is a reference, but also relevant as Scott Snyder promised the event would include dinosaurs. Hopefully for Wonder Woman to lead.

@Li3n said:

Isn't that just a Heavy Metal reference?

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This could also explain why the art is so Mobiesque.

Zero Esc said:

(though I'm going to be the most nitpicky nerd and note that while pterodactyls and its ilk co-existed with dinosaurs, biologically they were not dinosaurs and were instead winged reptiles)

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Anyone who has watched Dinosaur Train would know this.

--Patrick

Gives me a reason to buy a Teen Titans comic again. That's not saying the new run is horrible mind you, BUT-it does feel a bit like character regression for Damian's character. I feel Patrick Gleason and Peter Tomasi are just better at writing him in all honesty.

Yoshimickster said:

Gives me a reason to buy a Teen Titans comic again. That's not saying the new run is horrible mind you, BUT-it does feel a bit like character regression for Damian's character. I feel Patrick Gleason and Peter Tomasi are just better at writing him in all honesty.

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I'm hoping that the next of Super Sons arc doesn't end with Jon Kent joining the Teen Titans or else I'll feel compelled to start reading and I'd really rather not.

Zero Esc said:

I'm hoping that the next of Super Sons arc doesn't end with Jon Kent joining the Teen Titans or else I'll feel compelled to start reading and I'd really rather not.

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Hyoo boy, not sure how I feel on that myself. On the subject of the next Super Sons-ANYONE ELSE-fearing the possible "What, you expect a KID to join out team" dialogue? I know its Tomasi, but it JUST feels like its going to happen, and it'd feel just as stupid as when they initially rejected Aqualad because of his water powers.

Yoshimickster said:

Hyoo boy, not sure how I feel on that myself. On the subject of the next Super Sons-ANYONE ELSE-fearing the possible "What, you expect a KID to join out team" dialogue? I know its Tomasi, but it JUST feels like its going to happen, and it'd feel just as stupid as when they initially rejected Aqualad because of his water powers.

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I think (hope) that's just setting up the arc of Jon trying to join. It would make sense for him to join, unless Superdad intervenes, because the kid's a powerhouse, but I'd rather he didn't.

We'll know through solicits by the time Teen Titans has its Dark Nights tie-in.

PatrThom said:

Anyone who has watched Dinosaur Train would know this.

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They would probably label it a pteranodon, too.

Celt Z said:

They would probably label it a pteranodon, too.

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So would I, but I was trying to appeal to the masses :/. Pterosaur is also acceptable.

Rhamphorhynchus being the coolest-looking.

Zero Esc said:

As if the regular cover for Dark Nights: Metal #1 wasn't silly enough:

I love it.

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It's a Retailer exclusive cover by Cliff Chiang for Fried Pie Comics

Covar said:

It's a Retailer exclusive cover by Cliff Chiang for Fried Pie Comics

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NOOOOOOOO I was actually going to order a variant for once! Fuuuck that sucks.

Dark Days: The Casting releases this coming Wednesday, but there's a couple neat tidbits before then.

First up, Scott Snyder and his kids made a different Dark Nights checklist that works as more of a reading order, which is handy:



Second, almost in answer (but perhaps just coincidence) to Marvel's raising the price for certain issues pertaining to their current event, DC is dropping the price of the Dark Nights: Metal issues #2 through #6 to $4 without cutting down the page count. It's a small thing, but appreciated.

Dark Days: The Casting came out this week, the second and last prelude comic to the main event. Ancient mysteries! Hawkman journalism! The knife of Shazam! Duke Thomas finally gets a superhero name!

This issue wasn't as much fun as The Forge, but it certainly opened the way to the main event.


It's not clear how the Outsiders or certain artifacts from Dark Days: The Forge will come into play, but the rift is open. Joker calls this a "dark Crisis" and that seems like what'll happen in the first issue. I'd assumed the Justice League would be heading into the dark, but maybe more of the dark will be headed their way first.

I should throw in there that this issue is pretty dense with continuity stuff, beyond my experience. I caught a Sandman reference to Cain and Abel, but missed some other stuff I'm now hearing about, like Vandal Savage and ... it's a lot. Which is cool. And it's yet another instance of hand waving the New 52 in favor of legacy continuity.

Dark Nights: Metal #1 is out tomorrow, so I'm bumping the thread for my own convenience.

And also because I'm excited.

COME ON DARK MULTIVERSE BABY!

I read it this evening. DC has definitely opened up their big IP toy box, and Scott Snyder is going to town with it.

*SQUEE* THE MULTIVERSE MAP! Fucking LOVING this series.

I'm torn on my favorite part-
IT'S ALL JUST SO AWESOME!

Really wish the last page hadn't been spoiled for me.

Aside from being a conclusion to the journal, doesn't feel like Dark Days were too necessary, since whether or not you read it, you're thrown into


with the Justice League. But daaaaamn, that map.

I know right? Convergence has its critics, but it's lead to stories like these where there are MORE than 52 worlds, because that damn rule makes no sense.

No fuck Convergence! DC deserves all the shit they got for that, and Dan Didio was right for personal apologizing to retailers for it (and I give him a lot of credit for it). It was a shitty, pointless event to make their jobs easier for 2 months while they moved their offices across the country. 2 months of basically telling everyone not to read DC comics.

Okay, geeze, just Multiversity then.

Multiversity was awesome.

I still need to finish Multiversity >_<. Can't remember what distracted me, but I didn't want to pick it up again until I could devote the necessary time and attention.

Multiversity was a nonsensical mess that had some cool moments and a couple of good one-shot stories. Which was all the more maddening when I'm pretty sure most of those characters aren't seen outside of those one-shots. The bookend issues felt like a 2-part mini-series and the rest (with some nods here and there) felt like its own thing. It felt like a really disjointed read, honestly. Not Morrison's best work. Seven Soldiers of Victory was a much better use of a similar storytelling method.

I like Multiversity for what it is, a trippy as fuck fan story comprised of a bunch of wild ass Elseworld stories covered in multiverse world building!

ThatNickGuy said:

Multiversity was a nonsensical mess that had some cool moments and a couple of good one-shot stories. Which was all the more maddening when I'm pretty sure most of those characters aren't seen outside of those one-shots. The bookend issues felt like a 2-part mini-series and the rest (with some nods here and there) felt like its own thing. It felt like a really disjointed read, honestly. Not Morrison's best work. Seven Soldiers of Victory was a much better use of a similar storytelling method.

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I'll have to see if I feel the same by the end. I was only two issues in when I took a break. It's standing there among my to-read books, the coupon-turned-bookmark mocking me.

Dark Nights: Metal #2 releases tomorrow, along with the first tie-in. I wasn't going to read the tie-ins at first, just some of the one-shots, but Gotham Resistance seems to have doubled-down on Mad Max craziness, so I'm in all the way.

What I'm unclear on is the reading order. I thought the checklist might help there, but it doesn't feel like events have progressed in the main series for the shit that'll be going on in Teen Titans after just one issue, so probably Dark Nights: Metal #2 immediately follows #1.

Getting mine on Thursday, can't damn WAIT!

According to Snyder's kids read issue 2 first.

I loved issue two so much. It's crazy awesome!

Scott Snyder has set the unsubtle bar to a new high.

Covar said:

Spoiler

View attachment 25513

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Oy.

Celt Z said:

Oy.

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No, it's great, because that scene ...


So not only did Final Crisis happen, but everyone apparently remembers it. Superman Reborn is a hell of a drug. Not that I'm complaining.

I'm sure there's a TV Trope for what happened at the end.

Zero Esc said:

No, it's great, because that scene ...

Spoiler

is complete bullshit. I can spoil it if you want.

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The whole story is so dumb and takes itself seriously except everyone involved in its creation is completely aware, and I just love it.

Covar said:

Spoiler

Clayface aside, is it though? He gets the Batmanium (as first introduced in Snyder's Superheavy storyline New 52 Batman vol. 8 ) poured on him at the end activating the gateway.

The whole story is so dumb and takes itself seriously except everyone involved in its creation is completely aware, and I just love it.

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And yeah, it is being dumb, and aware, and it's fun. Best of all, it's being creative about how dumb it is. Snyder very clearly planned all this out, with every piece of DC lore he could muster, from the big events to small details. I'll read the Teen Titans tie-in tomorrow and give my thoughts then.

The tie-in's pretty good, although instead of "Teen Titans" it REALLY should've been called "Robin 's awesome Metal adventure, and OH-here's the Teen Titans for a few panels." Also THANKFULLY the over-used scene of the Titans arguing about Damian being a shit-lord for the BILLIONTH time is over-shadowed by all the cool stuff in it. I'm just saying if I were given a Teen Titans trade, I'd enjoy the adventure parts of it, but I'm not considering buying any time soon unless it ties into something.

Probably the tie-ins will be collected in a Gotham Resistance book rather than each individual title, since it's only one issue per series.

I like that there are stages to the event and tie-ins, rather than generic "here's what this character/group was doing during the event." So Gotham Resistance will be this month into next month, and then we get a new phase in November. Still no idea who's writing the Justice League tie-ins then.

Loved this first tie-in though. As I've seen said elsewhere, the mismatched heroes heading into the labyrinth of Gotham is pretty much a D&D party trying to get to the boss monster in the center. I'm enjoying WOJAR, but it was nice to see a more traditional Riddler again.

Batman Who Laughs threw me for a loop, telling Nygma he has Batman's voice. I always read Batman as Kevin Conroy's voice, so adjusting that in my head to sound creepy took some effort.

In case anyone's curious, here's Greg Capullo's cover for Dark Nights: Metal #4. Warning, as this issue doesn't come out until December, the cover itself is a spoiler for issue #1, #2, and possibly more. Who knows?


Next week, Nightwing tie-in and one of the first evil Batmen one-shots.

Batman the Red Death scares me almost as much as the Batman who laughs. Hell, I cant' wait for the Murder Machine next week, how did THAT happen?!

I'm not sure whether to read Red Death or Gotham Resistance part 2 in Nightwing first. It probably makes no difference.

NONE at all, two different events, happening at the same time I'd say!

Yoshimickster said:

NONE at all, two different events, happening at the same time I'd say!

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Well, it really makes no difference for me because I discovered that my store forgot to put the Nightwing issue in my folder, so now I have no choice .

I'll have to stop by tomorrow to grab that. And be more attentive next week.

I was surprised to find a lot of interesting stuff in Red Death. Solid bit of world building.

Covar said:

I was surprised to find a lot of interesting stuff in Red Death. Solid bit of world building.

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Just finished reading it and I concur. That was what I'd call a crucial tie-in, at least the beginning and end. It explains exactly what the dark multiverse is, gives general motivation to the evil Batmen as a group (more to this specific one), and


This is shaping up to be something amazing.

Also read the Nightwing tie-in, Gotham Resistance part 2. Not as much fun as part 1, and I thought Riddler was better utilized there than Mr. Freeze here, but nice brother stuff between Dick and Damian, and the outside-Gotham stuff suggests next week's tie-in should be interesting.

Couldn't read the Suicide Squad tie-in until today.

The writing ranges from clunky to amateurish, but Sejic's art is divine.

I need to still read Nightwing.

Murder Machine was alright. Art was gorgeous, rest of it was just kind of there for me.

Zero Esc said:

Couldn't read the Suicide Squad tie-in until today.

The writing ranges from clunky to amateurish, but Sejic's art is divine.

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SON OF A BITCH-I knew I missed something on Wednesday! Twas my Birthday month to-CURSES!

Yoshimickster said:

SON OF A BITCH-I knew I missed something on Wednesday! Twas my Birthday month to-CURSES!

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Hope your store has more copies than mine. I got the second to last copy today.

Zero Esc said:

Hope your store has more copies than mine. I got the second to last copy today.

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Agreed, same thing happened to me about a week ago with Dark Nights 2.

With the second tie-in arc complete and all of the Dark Knights one-shots released except The Wild Hunt, I gotta disagree with Scott Snyder that you can just read the main series. You can follow along, sure, but it's clear that things are happening and you are missing them. A throwaway explanation for the Dark Knights does appear in the main series, but one should really read Batman: The Red Death to get the full scope. Yeah, you can go from main series #3 to #4, but if you don't read the tie-in arc between ... sure they're heading to the places they were before, but the stakes have changed. Cyborg's powers, outlook, connection to things has changed, and I don't know how much time #4 will waste on retreading Victor's character development.