Dark Nights: Metal

Lore & Background

The plot centers on the discovery that a Dark Multiverse exists beneath the standard DC multiverse, connected through mysterious metals Batman encountered over the years. The concept originated when Snyder watched Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey with his son, becoming fascinated by dark matter and imagining an "ocean of possibility" beneath the 52 universes. This realm contains failed realities born from nightmares. The story reveals that both multiverses are linked by divine metals: electrum, dionesium, promethium, Nth Metal, and batmanium. Barbatos, a dark god, marks Batman during the Final Crisis events when Darkseid's Omega Beams send him back in time. The prophecy dictates that five divine metals will open a door for Barbatos to invade. Snyder originally planned additional dark Batmen, including one merging with Gotham City and another who grew up as an Arkham patient, but these were cut.

In Their Own Story

The narrative begins with Hal Jordan investigating a dark presence in the Batcave alongside Duke Thomas, where they find Batman has imprisoned the Joker. Batman investigates random frequencies regarding mysterious metals, enlisting Mister Terrific to gather data from Earth-Two and using the Anti-Monitor tower at the Fortress of Solitude. After trading the Sunblade for a dagger forged by Shazam with Talia al Ghul, the Joker escapes and smashes Batman's machine designed to peer into the Dark Multiverse. As dark figures declare the seal broken, Challengers Mountain appears in Gotham City. Kendra Saunders warns the Justice League of an invasion led by Barbatos. Batman steals a sample of Nth Metal and Carter Hall's journal, revealing his role in the prophecy. Tricked by the Court of Owls into exposure to batmanium, Batman exchanges places with Barbatos and seven dark versions of himself. Superman attempts to enter the Dark Multiverse via the Phantom Zone but is trapped by the Dark Knights to power their doomsday device. Daniel Hall rescues them, explaining the existence of a "Forger" and a "World Forge." Meanwhile, teams face the Seven Sins at the Rock of Eternity, Starro's conquest on Thanagar, and Onimar Synn.

Reader's Guide

The event consists of a core eponymous miniseries and multiple tie-in books. In June 2017, DC announced seven one-shots spotlighting corrupted Batmen: The Red Death, The Murder Machine, The Dawnbreaker, The Drowned, The Merciless, The Devastator, and The Batman Who Laughs. A single issue titled Batman: Lost was released the following month by Scott Snyder with art by Olivier Coipel and Bengal, stranding Batman in the Dark Multiverse. At 2017 Comic-Con International, an additional tie-in, Hawkman Found by Jeff Lemire with art by Bryan Hitch and Kevin Nowlan, was announced as a sequel to Batman: Lost. Production faced delays; issue #4 was pushed back one week in September 2017, delaying Hawkman Found similarly. In October 2017, issue #5 was released three weeks late without a specific reason cited. The story marks the first appearance of Dream of the Endless from Neil Gaiman's The Sandman in the post-New 52 DC Universe. Snyder secured Gaiman's permission to use the character, calling it one of the best moments of his career.

Did You Know?

• The concept of the Dark Multiverse was inspired by Scott Snyder watching Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey with his five-year-old son.
• A soundtrack featuring heavy metal songs by artists like Jerry Cantrell and Chino Moreno was released as an exclusive vinyl picture disc on September 28, 2018.
• Scott Snyder originally planned dark Batmen who merged with the entire rogues gallery and Gotham City itself, but these were cut from the final story.
• The series introduces Dream of the Endless from Neil Gaiman's The Sandman to guide superheroes through the unknown.
• DC Comics announced the event at Fan Expo Dallas in April 2017, marking the reunion of Snyder and Capullo after their New 52 Batman run.