When Dark Nights: Metal hit the shelves in 2017, it introduced readers to the unknown world of the Dark Multiverse. In this darkness, all of the heroes' worst nightmares manifested as realities and no hero has more nightmares than Batman.
Since its introduction, fans have been shown many dark versions of Batman, with more promised to come in the future. Each version has its own twisted story on what caused their deviation into the darkness and each story is as interesting and intriguing as the last. Now with the release of Dark Nights: Death Metal, the history of the Dark Multiverse expands even further.
10 B. Rex
A T-Rex has long been tied to Batman's mythos thanks to the icon T-Rex from the Batcave. Now with the release of Dark Nights: Death Metal #1, Batman has become a T-Rex who is known as B. Rex.
This Batman was created when, out of desperation, Bruce Wayne uploaded his mind into the T-Rex of the Batcave in order to survive. Now the mind of Batman lives inside the body of a T-Rex, which is definitely very metal.
9 Batmobeast
The fuel was running out and people were descending into chaos because of it. Batman decided to upload into everything digital and run the world via surveillance.
When the people rebelled, the only thing left standing was Batmobeast, a monster truck with the mind of Batman. Making his debut in Dark Nights: Death Metal #2, Batmobeast was hacked to help the heroes traverse the US, only to be killed by Swamp Thing in the end.
8 Bat-Mage
Trained in magic by Zatara, Bat-Mage is a ruthless version of Batman who is powerful enough to pose a threat to the strongest magician. One of the main lieutenants for The Batman Who Laughs, Bat-Mage was originally in charge of guarding Wonder Woman and keeping her in line.
When Wonder Woman's rebellion started, Bat-Mage went to Themyscira to eliminate the magical threat. Unfortunately for him, he happened to be present when the Batman Who Laughed transformed and was killed, a sorry end for a powerful Batman.
7 The Grim Knight
If readers didn't think Batman could be more dangerous than he already was, then think again. The Grim Knight is Batman turned up to 11, there is no line he won't cross. Making his first appearance in The Batman Who Laughs #1, his origin is the same except he has no qualms about guns or killing.
The Grim Knight uses all weapons at his disposal and killed every criminal in Gotham in his world. This brought him into conflict with his Jim Gordon, and in the end, that was his downfall.
6 Castle Bat
In one of the weirdest version of Batman, Castle Bat is a living city that is Bruce Wayne. When he became too old to be Batman, he passed the mantle onto Damian Wayne, his son. Yet Gotham continued to become more and more chaotic.
Bruce decided to perform a 17th sacrificial ritual in order to save his city, although in order for the ritual to work he had to sacrifice what he loved most. Bruce sacrificed his son Damian and he became the city he so desperately wanted to save.
5 Ark
Little is known about Ark, but that does not stop him from being an awesome and disturbing version of the Caped Crusader. Stepping onto the page for the first time in Dark Nights: Death Metal Trinity Crisis #1, Ark seemingly possesses all aspects of the Arkham Asylum inmates. From Killer Crocs jaw to Clayface's arms, Ark is the result of putting together the deadliest versions of all of Batman's villains.
4 Mindhunter
Mindhunter is one of the more powerful Dark Knights that is under the command of The Batman Who Laughs. He is the combination of Martian Manhunter and Batman, meaning he has all of Batman's skills in addition to the powers and abilities of Martian Manhunter.
Mindhunter first appeared in Dark Nights: Death Metal Trinity Crisis #1 and then again in Justice League #53. In the latter, Mindhunter does battle with the real Martian Manhunter, which readers are eager to see how it goes down.
3 Darkfather
After defeating the Darkseid of his world, Bruce Wayne took on his powers and became the new lord of Apokolips, aka Darkfather. When he came to this Earth he built a new Apokolips in the center of the sun and imprisoned Superman there.
Darkfather made Mister Miracle the guardian of Apokolips and used him to build a trap that Superman could not escape from and live. Superman was stuck there until Batman and Wonder Woman came and freed him from Darkfather's grasp.
2 Robin King
Even though he is named the Robin King, he is no less Batman than any of the other Dark Knights. This version of Bruce was a deranged child who killed his own parents and pretended the mugger did. When Gordon brought this evidence to Alfred, who was already deeply concerned about Bruce, it ended poorly.
Bruce killed Jim Gordon and when Alfred tried to stop him, he killed his butler too. Bruce then went on to kill other heroes and create ways to make sure he could stop anyone, including Swamp Thing who Robin King killed using The Rot.
1 The Batman Who Laughs
The unholy abomination of Batman and Joker combined, The Batman Who Laughs is one of the most deadly new villains added to Batman's rogues gallery. Making his debut in 2017's Dark Days: The Casting #1, The Batman Who Laughs has been on the scene ever since.
When Bruce killed his version of the Joker a chemical was released from his heart that infected Bruce and started transforming him into the Joker. When the transformation took place, Bruce went mad, killing anyone that stood in his way. When he was finished, there was no one who dared oppose him.