Waid has written for Superman in JLA, Kingdom Come and Superman Birthright. I recommand reading all three.
Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Last Stories of the DC Universe #1
The last battle against the Batman Who Laughs is at hand...the final fight for everything in the universe. And while the night is usually darkest just before the dawn, what would be the last thing you'd do if you weren't sure the dawn would ever arrive? Join our heroes in their waning hours as we show their journeys through what could be their final moments...heroes that have fought a million times before, but are keenly aware this could be their endgame. These are the stolen moments detailing the last stories of the DC Universe.
CRITIC REVIEWS Back to Top
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10
Kabooooom - Matt Morrison
Dec 08, 2020Even if you haven't been buying the Dark Nights: Death Metal saga up until now, it's well worth picking up this issue to see this all-star team of creators at work. There's not a dud comic in the bunch and these would all be fitting final stories for these heroes, even if I thought there were a chance these really would be their last stories. Once more into the breach! Read Full Review
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10
Dark Knight News - Steve J Ray
Dec 08, 2020This could be my favorite single issue of 2020. Read Full Review
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10
DC Comics News - Carl Bryan
Dec 09, 2020Perhaps I am anxious to see how all of this culminates. The recognition that Batman is already dead resonates strongly in how Bruce will come back (or if he does). This event has spilled over into Tom Taylor's DCeased universe (as well as it should since this is a battle for the Multiverses). If you have been a fan of the Dark Metal since its inception years ago, you can see why this "love letter" if you will from Scott Snyder means so much at this time. Kudos to the "calm before the storm" as we are all anxious to see the implications. Read Full Review
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9.6
The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally
Dec 08, 2020Mark Waid delivers a powerful story for the man of steel. A story filled with heart and hope that reminds the reader of what kind of hero Superman is. Francis Manapul delivers equally powerful art that is bright and filled with energy. Read Full Review
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9.6
Supergirl Comic Box Commentary - Anj
Dec 15, 2020The whole thing is a wonderful love letter to Superman who has to carry the burden of looking after everyone while caring for himself. He inspires. Read Full Review
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9.6
Forces Of Geek - Lenny Schwartz
Dec 17, 2020The last story of the book is fantastic as well. It is written by Mark Waid and drawn by Francis Manapul and it features Superman in a really great last story. It is perfect and this whole issue. This is probably the best of the spin off book from Death Metal and it is truly well done. Read Full Review
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9.5
Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles
Dec 08, 2020Other features include the standout Mark Waid/Francis Manapul story where Superman makes the most of his last night; Green Lantern reconnects with an old ally in a story from Jeff Lemire and Rafael Albuquerque and Green Arrow and Black Canary take the spotlight in the story from Gail Simone and Meghan Hetrick. Read Full Review
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9.5
GWW - Nick Friar
Dec 09, 2020If you want to know how DC's greatest heroes spend their final moments before the biggest battles of their lives, Dark Nights: Death Metal The Last Stories of the DC Universe #1 is mandatory reading. Read Full Review
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9.3
Major Spoilers - Matthew Peterson
Dec 09, 2020Normally, I'd grouse about paying nine dollars, but this book is worth every cent. Read Full Review
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9.1
Comic Watch - Matt Meyer
Dec 08, 2020Dark Knights: Death Metal - The Last Stories of the DC Universe#1 pulls off a pretty impressive hat trick of compelling story, art, and characterization to give beloved heroes (and villains!) one last night before war. Jam comics like this aren't supposed to work this well, but the assorted creators involved clearly put their all into it. Definitely worth the price of admission. Read Full Review
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9.0
Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield
Dec 08, 2020Overall, a mostly brilliant anthology that delivers the quiet moments and emotional punch that are often missing from big events. Read Full Review
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9.0
But Why Tho? - CJ
Dec 08, 2020Dark Nights: Death Metal-Last Stories of the DC Universe #1 contains several heartfelt tales, as DC's heroes face the end. Even if you aren't followingDeath Metal, I urge you to take a look at this book as it features several meditations on heroism and most importantly family. Read Full Review
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8.5
Comic Book Revolution - Kevin Lainez
Dec 09, 2020Dark Nights: Death Metal The Last Stories Of The DC Universe gives fans all the moments from iconic characters they can hope for. All the creators who worked on this one-shot took great care in creating stories that built on the histories of every character we see. The closure for everyone provides a strong set-up for the final battle that we will see play out in the final issues of Dark Nights: Death Metal. Read Full Review
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8.0
Comics: The Gathering - Carlos R.
Dec 08, 2020This issue collected some excellent stories from some of DC's best talent, "Last Knights" alone was worth the price of the book. Read Full Review
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6.5
Batman-News - Casper Rudolph
Dec 09, 2020This is all about fan service and relies on readers already being familiar with the characters. That isn't a bad thing in and of itself, but it does mean that this book just isn't going to be for everyone. Both the writing and the art is very hit or miss throughout. I can't really recommend this book to anyone that isn't already invested in Death Metal, but even then I think this will only be appealing to those who want to spend some time hanging out with these characters, forsaking a coherent plot for a while. Oh, and Heroes in Crisis is referenced by having Wally meeting the Titans"I hope you can handle that. Read Full Review
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6.0
ComicBook.com - Tanner Dedmon
Dec 09, 2020I don't think anyone will understand their favorite hero any better than before after these end-of-days moments, but they're appropriate send-offs before a grave mission. Read Full Review
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5.5
Weird Science - Jim Werner
Dec 08, 2020This is another wonky Death Metal tie-in that doesn't feel necessary to anyone but completionists. Seeing what heroes are are up to on their last night before fighting the Batman Who Laughs might sound good on paper (it doesn't), but besides the art and a couple of stories, this is a bust. I want to get to the main Death Metal issues instead of taking these unnecessary detours. Read Full Review
USER REVIEWS Back to Top
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10
Great development of characters. Amazing stories, especially the one with Dick and Barbara. Superman story. Oliver and Dinah. And Frenemies Hal and Sinestro.
+ Like • Comment -
10
Well, here we are. A Death Metal tie in has made me cry so 2020 really can't be stopped at this point.
Listen, if you love the DC Universe with all its pros and cons, the hope, the darkness, the perpetually broken continuity and the great stories that come from trying to fix it, and most of all the amazing characters that have endured for decades, you owe it to yourself to read this. -
10
This was probably the best part of the whole series for me.
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9.5
Wow. That was something. If we get stuff like this DC needs to end their Multiverse ever year lol
Everyone's gonna have a favorite moment from this. For me, its the hat tip. You'll know it when you see it.
Stop reading this and buy this book. -
9.0
Greatly captures the mood and emotions before heading into the final battle. Besides Secret Origin, this is one of the only great things to come out of this event.
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8.5
Snyder / Titans - 8/10
Lemire / Green Lantern - 8/10
Tamaki / Wonder Woman - 7/10
Simone / Black Canary - 9/10
Sebela / Aquaman - 8/10
Castellucci / Batman - 6/10
Waid / Superman - 9/10 -
8.5
Really like the Hal Jordan story and I enjoyed the Titans stuff. I thought the Superman and Green Arrow stories were the weakest of the bunch. I haven't kept up with the Batman family of books so I don't have a real opinion about that story one way or the other. I like the Aquaman story despite normally not liking that much prose in my comics.
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8.5
It was very long but it was also pretty darn good. I enjoyed most of the stories and some I really really enjoyed. Overall a good read with some great art to get you ready for the end. Makes it feel more important.
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7.5
Titans: 4
Green Lantern: 8
Wonder Woman: 6
Green Arrow & Black Canary: 10
Aquaman: 3
Bat-family: 8
Superman: 7.5
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7.0
Nostalgia will only get you so far...
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7.0
It is a nice comic full of good stories that I liked.
It is also the 10th one-shot of an event that bores and annoys me.
So yeah. Can't give it a too high score. -
5.5
I couldn't be bothered to go through each and every story. I just don't have that patience for this event. The worst story was Dust of a Distant Storm. It just felt like it went on forever, and wasn't very interesting. The best story was Man of Tomorrow. Mark Waid is good at writing Superman, it turns out. Who knew? Not editorial.
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5.0
Okay.
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4.0
hahaha what the hell was this number ?? Ok I agree with Barbara and Dick that they can't get over their romance. But Jason making her a SugarBaby with a grandmother for a sword ?! hahahaha.
I don't know what they tried and then going with Rose, well I really like Rose, Essence and Art for Jason, it's his kind of strong women who are among the grays. All surreal stories, without consistencies and some fluffy. The story of Aquaman is pretty boring, the story of Hall and Sinister is ok but nothing exciting. A bit of super action, but mostly it's weird and fluffy moments. Nothing really relevant.
I don't know what they did or tried to sell us here but the price for this is very high, although I laugh a lot at the nonsense see more -
3.5
It took me a few years after the NFL's Detroit Lions hired Matt Millen for me to completely tune out the team, and I've never come back the same way. Don't get me wrong, I'll watch them when they're on TV, and I guess I'm happy when they win, but I don't set my clocks by the Lions like I used to....and it all started with Millen.
Death Metal is my Matt Millen with DC, I fear. It's working tirelessly to make me not care about their product any more. Here's hoping that Future State relights the fire, because Death Metal has all but snuffed it. -
2.0
I don't know why it is DC's tendency to make incoherent and boring stories.
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10
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10
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10
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10
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9.5
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9.0
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9.0
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9.0
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8.5
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8.5
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8.5
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8.0
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8.0
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8.0
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8.0
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7.5
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7.5
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7.0
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7.0
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6.5
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5.0
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3.5
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1.0
2025 In Review:
