In the second issue of Dark Nights: Metal (the fourth overall, counting the two Dark Days specials), the Justice League goes up against Batman (again), with the Leaguers getting more than they expected when he's finally caught. There's fewer groundwork-laying and more actual story, but still lots to discuss.

If you need to catch up, we've annotated Dark Days: The Forge and Dark Days: The Casting, plus issue #1. As always, we'll spoil pretty much all of issue #2, so grab your copy and follow along!

Dark Nights: Metal #2 was written by Scott Snyder, pencilled by Greg Capullo, inked by Jonathan Glapion, and colored by FCO Plascencia. We're guessing that Steve Wands lettered it, but he's not credited in our copy. Dave Wielgosz is the assistant editor, and Rebecca Taylor and Eddie Berganza are the editors. [Note: We're not counting the two-page credits spread in our page number references.]


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Let's Give Krona A Big Hand (Page 1)

Krona and the Multiverse
Krona creates the Multiverse, from Crisis On Infinite Earths #7

Narrator Carter Hall is recounting the classic DC multiverse origin story from October 1965's Green Lantern #40, written by John Broome and drawn by Gil Kane. There, we learned that against the wishes of his colleagues, the Oan scientist Krona created a time-viewer that would let him see the origins of the universe. Consequently, the viewer showed him a giant hand casting whole galaxies across the limitless void. However, in addition to signaling six million weeks of winter, Krona's experiment unleashed evil into the universe, and the Oans (who naturally felt responsible) began creating galactic police forces to fight said evil.

When Marv Wolfman, George Pérez and Jerry Ordway revisited this tale in October 1985's Crisis On Infinite Earths issue 7, the real effects of Krona's experiment became clearer. His live look-in at the first moments of creation had also somehow created a) the infinite positive-matter Multiverse, b) the singular Antimatter Universe and c) their avatars, the Monitor and Anti-Monitor.

Largely put on the proverbial shelf for 20 years after COIE ended, the Monitors (now plural) got dusted off about ten years ago for the buildup to Final Crisis, and the last Monitor (Nix Uotan, whose name anagrams to An Ion Tux) starred in Grant Morrison and friends' Multiversity. Arguably the Anti-Monitor has had more exposure, being featured in a few high-profile Geoff Johns-written storylines: 2007's Green Lantern arc "The Sinestro Corps War", 2010-11's Brightest Day miniseries and 2015-16's Justice League epic "Darkseid War."

We'll get back to "Darkseid War" before long, but let's pause a moment to reflect on how this might relate to the Dark Multiverse. Basically, if the Dark Multiverse is the dark-matter equivalent of the universe we know, it must be at least as old, if not older than, our universe. In fact, it might even be older. Thus, we're thinking that when Krona's experiment did its dirty deeds (dirt cheap, since this is Metal), all of those effects pulled something from the Dark Multiverse. That would make the infinite Multiverse itself a microcosm, as it were, of the Dark Multiverse's infinite potential. By extension, the Antimatter Universe would be a relatively pale imitation of said potential, and that would be saying something.

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Rainforest Ruckus (Pages 2-8)

Gorilla City first appeared in a story from April 1959's The Flash #106, written by John Broome and drawn by Carmine Infantino. Its two most famous residents are Gorilla Grodd and the gorillas' more benevolent leader Solovar. The House of Mystery first appeared along with its caretaker Cain in May-June 1968's House of Mystery #174, where mainly it was (you'll excuse the expression) window dressing for the series' anthological stories. It has served most recently as the headquarters of Justice League Dark, starting in August 2012's JLD #10.

We hadn't thought about it until just now, but this miniseries must take place while Green Lanterns Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz are otherwise occupied (and Hal Jordan isn't), because normally they'd be part of the Rebirthed Justice League. Speaking of League membership, as recently as the New 52 the League had a handful of reserves like Firestorm and the Atom; but the Rebirthed League doesn't seem to have gotten that far just yet. We mention these things because most of the folks on page 2 have been part of one Justice League or another, particularly in recent years, and would probably count as reservists.

Flash Fact
A "Flash Fact" from Wally West in "JLA" #3

Green Arrow was created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp and first appeared in November 1941's More Fun Comics #73. He was the first non-founding Leaguer, joining 'way back in April-May 1961's Justice League of America #4; but he was largely shut out of the New 52-era League until joining the alternative JLA in April 2013's Justice League of America vol. 3 #1.

Zatanna was created by Gardner Fox and Murphy Anderson and first appeared in October-November 1964's Hawkman #4. She joined the League in December 1978's Justice League of America #161, and in the New 52 was most often seen with JL Dark. John Constantine was created by Alan Moore and Steve Bissette and first appeared in June 1985's Saga of the Swamp Thing #37. His only League exposure (so far) has been with JL Dark.

Finally, Jaime "Blue Beetle" Reyes was created by Keith Giffen, John Rogers and Cully Hamner and first appeared in February 2006's Infinite Crisis #3. As a teenager, he hung out most often with the Teen Titans, but joined a revival of Justice League International in the 2010-11 Justice League: Generation Lost miniseries. Those caped folks behind Beetle are most likely part of Team Luthor, LexCorp's battle-armored private security. Its origins are a little fuzzy, but Luthor minions in battlesuits go back at least as far as December 1986's Man of Steel issue #5.

Page 3's caption about the Amazon might be a little confusing, considering that Batman was just being chased through a different jungle as recently as last issue. Remember, though, that Batman slipped away from the League while escaping from Blackhawk Island, and made his way to Wayne Manor where he found Carter Hall's journal and encountered Dream of the Endless. Here, the League is still looking for him, but apparently he's gotten as far as the Amazon rainforest.

The Batman Family, New 52 edition
The "Batman Family" in the New 52 era

Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert created Damian Wayne for September 2006's Batman #655, taking their inspiration from the events of Mike W. Barr and Jerry Bingham's 1987 graphic novel Batman: Son of the Demon. Damian became Robin V in July 2009's Batman: Battle for the Cowl #3.

The decoy Batmen captured on pages 4-6 are Dick "Robin I/Nightwing" Grayson, Kate "Batwoman" Kane, Barbara "Batgirl" Gordon, Jason "Robin II/Red Hood II" Todd" and Luke "Batwing II" Fox. Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson created Robin (and Dick) in April 1940's Detective Comics #38; and Marv Wolfman and George Pérez turned him into Nightwing in June 1984's Tales of the Teen Titans #43. Edmond Hamilton and Sheldon Moldoff created the original Batwoman, Kathy Kane, in July 1956's Detective #233; while Greg Rucka and Ken Lashley revamped her as Kate Kane starting in June 2006's 52 #7. Kathy Kane's sidekick was called Bat-Girl, but Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino dropped the hyphen and the connection to Batwoman when they created Batgirl in January 1967's Detective #359. Gerry Conway and Don Newton created Jason Todd for March 1983's Batman #357; he became Robin II in December 1983's issue #366; and Judd Winick and Doug Mahnke revived him as the Red Hood in February 2005's Batman #635. Finally, Luke Fox was created by Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti and Eduardo Pansica and first appeared in June 2013's Batwing #19. Luke took over for David Mavimbe, who was created by Judd Winick and Ben Oliver and first appeared in November 2011's Batwing #1 (following cameos in Grant Morrison and Chris Burnham's Batman Incorporated.

For those who might have missed the Silver Age and/or its many recent callbacks, the "Flash facts" were bits of scientific trivia dropped at appropriate times into old-school Flash stories. They helped give Flash a certain scientific credibility that otherwise it might have lacked. Naturally, they weren't limited to the Silver Age. In March 1997's JLA issue #3, writer Grant Morrison and artists Howard Porter and John Dell gave Wally West a memorable "Flash Fact" moment of his own.

We covered the Parliament of Trees in annotations for Dark Days: The Casting. However, Swamp Thing was created by Len Wein (R.I.P.) and the late Berni Wrightson and first appeared in July 1971's House of Secrets #92. This is the Alec Holland version, who first appeared in November 1972's Swamp Thing #1. New 52 fans may remember that Scott Snyder wrote the New 52's Swamp Thing from November 2011's first issue through May 2013's issue #18.

Last year around this time, DC's characters (and readership) were grappling with the return of the pre-Flashpoint Superman, a/k/a "Dad Supes," who apparently needed to prove himself to the New 52 versions of old friends like Batman and Wonder Woman. Recent events in the Superman books resulted in Dad Supes' history merging with that of his New 52 counterpart, a process which apparently also rippled through the timelines of his friends and family. In short, Batman and Superman are now old friends, regardless of where they might have been in their relationship last year. Nevertheless, if Page 8's "you're my brother" scene seems a bit weird to you, we understand.

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The Judas Tribe And... The Legion Of Doom? (Pages 9-13)

So "the Judas tribe" are the bats, because they split off from the birds? That adds another layer to the "dark reflection" motif with which Metal has been working.

We've talked already about Electrum (used by the Court of Owls), Dionesium (used by the Joker) and Nth Metal, but we haven't discussed Promethium in detail. It's a real element (symbol Pm, atomic number 61), but in DC's shared universe a different Promethium became a plot point in July 1981's New Teen Titans #9. According to Wolfman and Pérez, the man-made Promethium was a "regenerating, self-generating energy source," facilitating everything from indestructible armor to an ever-deadlier explosive. Eventually Vic Stone's cyborg parts were rebuilt using Promethium, and it was used in the experiments which created Titans foes The Hybrid. (That sounds familiar in light of Metal's talk about various metals facilitating superpowers.) From there, like Marvel's adamantium or vibranium, it found other uses throughout DC's shared universe.

Promethium talk
Robin and Changeling talk Promethium, from New Teen Titans #10

If Page 10 is any indication, it looks like the Daily Planet globe is made of Judas Tribe metal. Of course, the Planet building generally has taken its lumps over the years, but that doesn't mean the Tribe wasn't able to use its sinister influence to have the globe rebuilt as per its own evil specifications.

The history of Clayface (who pops up on page 11) is starting to rival Hawkman's. The original "Clayface" was a 1940s horror-movie villain (so named because of his hideous appearance) played by actor Basil Karlo. As related by Bob Kane and Bill Finger in June 1940's Batman #40, Karlo (himself named for Basil Rathbone and Boris Karloff) became jealous of another actor and decided to murder him as Clayface. Karlo's final Golden Age appearance was in March 1941's Detective #47. In the Silver Age, treasure hunter Matt Hagen gained shape-shifting super-powers while on an expedition, and fought Batman and Robin (and others) from December 1961's Detective #298 (written by Finger and drawn by Sheldon Moldoff) until his death in March 1986's Crisis On Infinite Earths #12. After that, the aged Basil Karlo gave himself shape-shifting powers by injecting himself with bits of Matt Hagen's body (September 1989's Secret Origins #44). Notwithstanding the New 52 and Rebirth relaunches (which made him over into a younger version), the superpowered Karlo is still the current Clayface. As of Early August 2016's Detective #934, though, he has reformed and become one of Batman's associates.

As far as we can tell, there's no real-world Antarctic location called "Finisterre." That doesn't really matter, because Page 12 brings us the Hall of Doom, ageless signifier of 1970s superheroics. For those who came in late, this Sith-inspired structure debuted on September 9, 1977, as part of the retitled "Challenge of the Super Friends" cartoon. There it was the Legion of Doom's headquarters, although not so here. Regardless, it may be one of the more universally loved elements of the often-mocked "Super Friends" series.

Kendra working with Vandal Savage may rub some "Legends of Tomorrow" viewers the wrong way, since that show explained that Vandal was the reincarnation of Hath-Set. Considering how Metal has tweaked Hawkman and Hawkgirl's histories, that could still be the case (leading to a sudden but inevitable betrayal). Indeed, neither seems particularly comfortable with the arrangement.

Morgaine le Fay versus The Demon
Morgaine le Fay confronts Etrigan, from Jack Kirby's The Demon #2

Directly or indirectly, Dark Days: The Casting mentioned thirteen immortals, including Etrigan the Demon, Cain and Abel, Uncle Sam, at least one member of the Parliament of Trees, Shining Knight, Phantom Stranger, the wizard Shazam, Mary "Queen of Blood" Seward and Rā's al-Ghūl. Now we can add Vandal Savage, mentioned in previous annotations but not seen until now; as well as Morgaine le Fay. Jack Kirby based Morgaine on the mythical Arthurian character Morgan le Fay for September 1972's The Demon #1. We think the hooded dude behind Morgaine is one of her unliving servants.

The Rock of Eternity is Shazam's otherdimensional home, located at the very center of space and time. From there, one can find one's way to any point in the cosmos. (Just remember to take that left turn at Albuquerque.) Writer Otto Binder and artist C.C. Beck introduced the Rock in December 1946's Marvel Family #7.

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Enter: The Tomb Of The Bats (Pages 14-22)

In the real world, the Valley of the Kings is located across from Luxor and houses tombs cut out of rock. By contrast, the Great Pyramid of Giza, in which Khufu (a/k/a Cheops) is entombed, is some 640 kilometers away. Also, Khufu/Cheops lived during the Fourth Dynasty (around 2560 BC), whereas the Valley of the Kings was for royalty of the New Kingdom in the 18th through the 20th Dynasties (1500-1000 BC). Therefore, absent some explanation (Khufu's tomb was moved, it's a different Khufu, etc.), Batman was way off. "They're digging in the wrong place," indeed.

Although the "place of the black sun" could mean anything, we remember seeing some "black suns" in the Antimatter Universe.

Kids today
Superwoman and Baby Darkseid, from "Darkseid War"

Batman riding a dinosaur in issue #1 was as good a tone-setter as any, but Batman cradling Baby Darkseid on Page 15 tops even that. In so doing, Metal picks up at least one plot thread from the aforementioned "Darkseid War" mega-arc, and it's wearing the most adorable blue-steel battle gear. See, while "Darkseid War" involved you-know-who and the Anti-Monitor, it looped in Earth-3's evil version of the Justice League, the Crime Syndicate of Amerika. Both Darkseid and Anti-M died in "Darkseid War," but clearly Darkseid came back. In fact, Baby Darkseid started out as the child of Earth-3's Superwoman (the evil Wonder Woman) and Mazhas (the evil not-the-wizard Shazam), and became Baby D thanks to Grail's influence. Believe us, that's the simplest explanation.

As for Hawkman's mace beating Barbatos "once before," the only time the demon "walked the Earth," we're kind of at a loss. If Batman's referring to the Hyper-Adapter, which is related to Barbatos but not the same as Barbatos, we're not finding anything in previous stories. However, since Batman's got Carter Hall's journal, maybe he's read about an encounter yet to be told to us.

The "Strigydae" (referenced on page 16) are named for Strigidae, the scientific name for the family of birds known as "true owls" or "typical owls." They are not to be confused with barn owls (family Tytonidae). Wikipedia notes, rather ominously in hindsight, that "typical owls" are found on every continent except Antarctica.

Page 17 reveals the Judas Tribe as our old friends the Court of Owls. As for Batman's fate on page 18, from the earlier context we're guessing that he's not dead, just exchanged for some Dark Multiverse counterparts. We see the first of these on Page 19, as the the evil Robins (Crows?) murder the Owls. DC has already told us they're the sidekicks of the Batman Who Laughs.

Finally, Pages 20, 21 and 22 reveal the Dark Multiverse's "Dark Knights" in all their twisted glory. No doubt we'll get to know them well over the next few months. They look like Batman combined perversely with Mera/Aquaman, Doomsday, Cyborg, the Joker, Wonder Woman, the Flash and Green Lantern. That leaves the hulking hooded creature in the back as Barbatos itself.

Scary!

What did you spot in "Metal" issue #2? Let us know in the comments!