REVIEW: ‘Dark Nights: Death Metal,’ Issue #6

Dark Nights: Death Metal #6 is published by DC Comics, written by Scott Snyder, with art by Greg Capullo, inks by Jonathan Glapion, colors by FCO Plascencia, and letters by Tom Napolitano. As the armies of He Who Laughs gather to take on the universe’s combined defenders, all hope rests with Wonder Woman as she and Lobo seek out the Forge of Worlds in the hopes of building that which will allow them to defeat He Who Laughs once and for all.

The night is always darkest just before the dawn. When all that is good’s last hope flickers like a candle in a hurricane-force wind, seemingly doomed to be snuffed out once and for all. The darkness has been so great for the entirety of the Dark Nights: Death Metal series that these analogies seem even more apt than is usual for the superhero genre. But, mayhaps, the dawn will still come. After all, another old saying that seems to bear equal relevance within this story…the truth will set us free.

As Dark Nights: Death Metal #6 opens, the haggard and battle-weary defenders of Earth gather for one last confrontation with the minions of He Who Laughs. During this calm before the storm, we get a monologue talking about prayers on the battlefield. Of what most pray for as the chaos of war envelops them and that dam bursts.

This monologue provides an odd sense of serenity where there feels like there should only be tension. This isn’t a complaint, mind you. Just an unexpected tonal twist on the part of writer Snyder. Just as he does throughout the entirety of this book, Snyder does an amazing job of balances the grim bleakness of the despair that is preparing to engulf all of creation with that small, ever-present, unwilling to die spark of hope and calm.

As the pitched battle opens, Dark Nights: Death Metal #6 takes readers to the core of its story: Wonder Woman. As she struggles to find a way to forge a power capable of confronting He Who Laughs once and for all, she is beset by her own tests. But what could she forge that might grant the heroes the strength to see good prosper over the seemingly unending evil they face?

Just as the story strives to emphasize the full weight of the moments it presents, so does the art. And just as Snyder’s script delivers in its intention, so too does Capullo’s art. The Dark Nights: Death Metal series has shown off the unique character designs complemented by Capullo’s ability to keep these heroes, projecting the energy and aura of the classic heroes we have always loved. Does Clark Kent look like he just arrived from an all-night death metal extravaganza? Yes. Does he look one inch less the beacon of hope he has always been? Not in the least. And to top it all off, Capullo gifts readers with one of the most awe-inspiring final pages I’ve seen in a comic book in quite some time.

The feeling of balance continues to shine through in Plascencia’s colors. This is best seen in the Wonder Woman part of the story. As she travels through the void to the Forge of Worlds, so much is dark around her. Yet the light she bears never feels dwarfed by it. Nor does she shine so bright as to drive it off.

Lastly, the letter work in Dark Nights: Death Metal #6 delivers over the top personalities that occupy it’s stories amazingly. Special font and bubble styles give many of the characters the added extra flair their personalities deserve.

When all is said and done, Dark Nights: Death Metal #6 delivers an excellent, energy building story that perfectly sets the board for the upcoming series finale. With the stage now set, the only thing left for our heroes to do is to see the battle through, to whatever end may await them.

Dark Nights: Death Metal #6 is available now wherever comics are sold.

Charles Hartford

Lifelong geek who enjoys comics, video games, movies, reading and board games . Over the past year I’ve taken a more active interest in artistic pursuits including digital painting, and now writing.
I look forward to growing as a writer and bettering my craft in my time here!