10 METAL Moments From Dark Nights: Metal

6. All The 'Heavy Metal' References

Dark Nights Metal Batman Joker Dragon Wonder Woman Superman
DC Comics

Early in Dark Nights: Metal it is revealed that Batman had been exposed to five "impossibly heavy metals". Not only is this an accurate description of those elements, but it's also a reference to the "heavy metal" music genre, and it's not the last. Turns out Metal is chock-full of Heavy Metal references.

For instance, the cover of Metal #1 is the Justice League arranged in a way to form the popular "Devil Horns" hand gesture used at concerts. The look of Barbatos is reminiscent of the band Disturbed and their mascot "The Guy".

The names of the Dark Knights (Red Death, Merciless, Dawnbreaker, Murder Machine, and Drowned), are all band names and even tie-in titles like The Wild Hunt & The (Gotham) Resistance are a reference to a heavy metal band or two. Not to mention Batman flaunts a gauntlet with various kinds of kryptonite attached, calling it "Five Finger Death Punch", another popular metal band.

The Batman Who Laugh's outfit seems inspired by the genre as well with his spikes, straps, chains and leather. The story ends with Batman and the other Leaguers attending a secret rock concert put on by Jon Kent and Damian Wayne. This was also a call-back to a nightmare Superman experienced in the Dark Multiverse, where Jon and Damian's band performed the 1966 Batman theme.

Contributor

I am a veteran of the U.S. Army, comic book fanatic and part-time super hero. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY.