Dark Nights: Metal Revealed the Future of the DC Universe

WARNING: This article contains major spoilers for Dark Nights: Metal #6 by Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion and FCO Plascencia, on sale now.

Dark Nights: Metal #6 ended with a bang, one which literally and figuratively opened the DC Universe for new and exciting storylines to come. As much as the issue brought the story of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Metal to a close, it also planted seeds for growth and expansion.

In an event as sprawling and as Metal, it can be difficult to catch some of the subtler hints, even those teased in the finale's several two-page spreads. Thus, CBR takes a look back at Metal's biggest revelations and teases regarding the future of the DCU's bigger, badder and more dangerous Multiverse.

The Original Monitor is Back

Introduced during the lead up to 1985's Crisis on Infinite Earths, the original Monitor was the overseer of the entire positive matter multiverse, until his death at the hands of the Anti-Monitor. While the character has not been seen since, 52 other Monitors were shown to be watching over the new DC Multiverse following the events of Infinite Crisis. In a way, DC's Crisis Trilogy depicted the cycle of death and rebirth for the Monitors, and Dark Nights: Metal has brought us back to the beginning again.

Revealed to be the secret prisoner of The Batman Who Laughs, the Overmonitor was intended to be used by Barbatos as a means to destroy the everything aside from the Dark Multiverse. It is implied that after the events of Final Crisis, where all the Monitors (save one) disappeared from existence, the original Monitor re-formed. Soon after, Barbatos captured him to use as his personal endgame weapon, but he was rescued by Batman and proved to be instrumental in the heroes saving all of creation.

Once the Overmonitor has regained his full strength, it's unlikely that he'll be able to be captured as easily as he was in Metal. That means he will be ready to reclaim his position as the supreme overseer of the DC Multiverse once again, though where that will eventually take us has yet to be hinted at.

The DC Universe is Bigger Than Ever

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo set out to push the DCU to the limits, and they succeeded beyond what most readers likely ever imagined. At the end of the issue, the heroes use the Tenth Meta, aka the Fourth World's Element X, to set the universe back in order. However, in an unexpected twist, the power they tap into is strong enough to break through the Source Wall itself.

Traditionally, the Source Wall is a literal wall that divides the known universe from the unknown that lies beyond -- and now, that barrier has been shattered. Breaking the Source Wall means new mysteries, different threats, and more to discover. It leaves the DC Universe bigger than it has ever been, and frees up creators to introduce new ideas and concepts that we have never seen before.

Though it introduced the concept, Dark Nights: Metal never explained how there could be a 53rd universe in a Multiverse that is comprised of 52 Earths, so it seems likely there are more universes to be found on the other side of the Source Wall. We don't yet know what this means for the DCU... and that's the point. When it comes to creativity and the in-universe stories, the possibilities have become endless.

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Barbatos and the Dark Multiverse Aren't Going Anywhere

For those who were worried that the story would end with all the toys being placed back in their boxes, you'll be happy to know that the exact opposite happened. If the purpose of the story was world building, the Dark Multiverse couldn't be destroyed and Barbatos could bot be killed. Instead, both concepts will be ready to return when another creative team decides to brush them off. In fact, The Batman Who Laughs has already booked a return engagement in upcoming issues of Immortal Men, itself a Dark Nights: Metal spinoff series.

The story ends with the heroes using the Tenth Metal to raise Earth up out of the Dark Multiverse and back where it is supposed to be. This effectively ends the invasion of the darkness, but does not destroy it like many were afraid would happen in the end. The Dark Multiverse is just too interesting of a concept to eliminate so soon after introducing it.

Though it seems that Barbatos was defeated far too easily, it doesn't mean he's gone for good. Hawgirl uses the Tenth Metal to damage the evil entity, but it is stated that he is not defeated. Instead, the freed Overmonitor uses his power to seal Barbatos away at the bottom of the Dark Multiverse, where he would be forced to watch life carry on. It is also implied that the Forger will return at some point, so that's something to watch out for in the future.

Hawman Has Finally Returned -- Again

Carter Hall was at the center of the mysteries surrounding the Dark Multiverse, and it nearly cost the hero everything. Captured by Barbatos and devolved into a giant Hawk-beast, Hawkman served as the new Dragon of the World Forge. After falling farther than anyone has a right to come back from, Carter was able to stand up against Barbatos in the end and free himself.

In the issue's epilogue, Carter Hall has returned to normal and is recovering from his trip through the Dark Multiverse,his return setting up the events of his new ongoing series by Robert Venditti and Bryan Hitch. Metal revealed that the lives of Hawkman and Hawkgirl didn't start in Ancient Egypt as readers have been led to believe for decades, so there are plenty of new mysteries to explore in the near future.

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New Storylines Are Coming - Lots Of Them

It is implied that to undo the damage done by Barbatos, the heroes had to re-write all of creation using the power of the Tenth Metal. That means not everything went back to normal, and that they may be responsible for new threats that could pop up in the future. Following Carter Hall's return from the Dark Multiverse, he left the Justice League with some clues as to what they may be facing in the future.

Jotted down in his journal, Carter left the heroes of the world with only small pieces of information, but Mikel Janin's two-page spread lays things out pretty clearly. There are references to upcoming storylines, including the return of the Darkstars in Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps, the coming of a new pantheon of Dark Gods in Wonder Woman, and "Flash War" in the pages of The Flash.

A new revelation shows Atlantis rising out of the water, as well as the arrival of the cosmic entities that will be featured in Justice League: No Justice. This likely explains why Aquaman won't be a part of the weekly Justice League event in May, and helps to shine a light on why the event is even taking place. Each storyline seems to spill directly out of Dark Nights: Metal, showing just how much Snyder and Capullo's tale has rattled the universe.

The Justice League is Changing, In A Big Way

In order to be prepared for the coming changes to the universe, the Justice League needs to be prepared for everything that is coming. This means they have to bulk up their membership with the addition of Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl, which will help them add both additional firepower and the heroes who have firsthand experience dealing with the mysteries of the universe. Both are welcome additions to the DCU's premiere team as they head into the unknown.

As the Justice League prepares for new mysteries, they realize that the entire operation needs an overhaul. To expect the unexpected, they need new members, and a new headquarters. They need the Hall of Justice. The future is coming, and the Justice League is going to be prepared for whatever it brings.