What do you think?
Rate this book
Dark Nights: Metal (Reading Order) #2.1
Batman: The Red Death #1
As the events of DARK NIGHTS: METAL rock the DC Universe, the creatures of the Dark Multiverse stand ready to invade our world! How can even the World’s Greatest Heroes stop a horde of deadly beings that appear to be powerful, nightmare versions of familiar figures? Find out in these special tie-in issues!
22 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2017
14 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 1, 2017
DC has a a cool way of making the readers follow and buy event-related comics. Important Rebirth titles are slapped with lenticular covers while essential Metal comics are appropriately covered in foil. So far, it works for me. I'm happy to say that these titles are pretty entertaining and fresh.
Di Giandomenico's kinetic art style explodes in this issue. Everything is in beautiful chaos.
So if you have been reading DC Metal, seven evil Batmen are introduced in issue two (please do read Metal!), forging seven tie-in/origin stories of these characters. And what I can say is that these evil Batmen origin one-shots kicks of with an explosive start! Red Death, the baddie amalgamation of Batman and The Flash starts to wreck havoc and murder in an alternative universe where the bad ultimately wins.
This Red Death story offers some clues to what would be the motivation of these Batmen and why the came to Earth-0 (DC's main universe) and also drops a couple of mysteries along the way. For starters, is this DC Metal cataclysm has a direct connection with Crisis of Infinite Earths? Then this guy did something here, so are there any connections to what transpired with Morrison's The Multiversity? Which, although a more far-fetched idea, are we going to see some more of the Endless aside from Dream? The possibilities are endless and very exciting.
And I have completely forgotten about Red Death himself. This guy, man, whenever he runs, bats of death literally fly instead of lightning trails. Di Giandomenico's kinetic art is spectacular. It explodes and bursts in every panel. This issue deserves at least two re-reads just for the art alone.
Di Giandomenico's kinetic art style explodes in this issue. Everything is in beautiful chaos.So if you have been reading DC Metal, seven evil Batmen are introduced in issue two (please do read Metal!), forging seven tie-in/origin stories of these characters. And what I can say is that these evil Batmen origin one-shots kicks of with an explosive start! Red Death, the baddie amalgamation of Batman and The Flash starts to wreck havoc and murder in an alternative universe where the bad ultimately wins.
This Red Death story offers some clues to what would be the motivation of these Batmen and why the came to Earth-0 (DC's main universe) and also drops a couple of mysteries along the way. For starters, is this DC Metal cataclysm has a direct connection with Crisis of Infinite Earths? Then this guy did something here, so are there any connections to what transpired with Morrison's The Multiversity? Which, although a more far-fetched idea, are we going to see some more of the Endless aside from Dream? The possibilities are endless and very exciting.
And I have completely forgotten about Red Death himself. This guy, man, whenever he runs, bats of death literally fly instead of lightning trails. Di Giandomenico's kinetic art is spectacular. It explodes and bursts in every panel. This issue deserves at least two re-reads just for the art alone.
August 3, 2024
Bear with me please because I am DC illiterate.
But I think they used the team behind Flash to write Batman the red death which is great, they are the best candidate to write a story about batman stealing flash's powers and becoming a dark combination of the two in the process, they also are better equipped to stay true to flash's character in a pridominantly flash story.
I love the scene where the evil villains were killed in various ways by the red death, we are probably going to see a lot of similar killing of villains each time we explore one of the seven dark batmen, because that's what really flips batman into a true dark story, the choice of killing evil.
But make no mistake about it, Scott Snyder and James Tynion are still the masterminds behind every single issue in this event or the writers wouldn't be thanking them each issue, it's their story, the others are just scripting.
But I think they used the team behind Flash to write Batman the red death which is great, they are the best candidate to write a story about batman stealing flash's powers and becoming a dark combination of the two in the process, they also are better equipped to stay true to flash's character in a pridominantly flash story.
I love the scene where the evil villains were killed in various ways by the red death, we are probably going to see a lot of similar killing of villains each time we explore one of the seven dark batmen, because that's what really flips batman into a true dark story, the choice of killing evil.
But make no mistake about it, Scott Snyder and James Tynion are still the masterminds behind every single issue in this event or the writers wouldn't be thanking them each issue, it's their story, the others are just scripting.
September 23, 2017
DC they're fucking my emotions again !
DC metal is the best comics after rebirth !!!
DC metal is the best comics after rebirth !!!
September 21, 2017
Really cool issue! Metal is one of the most interesting events in the past couple of years, honestly.
September 30, 2017
Well that was cool and different.
September 21, 2017
Wow! This series is on another level! So excited for every issue to come!
September 25, 2017
Time to run the speed force Barry Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
One Bad day will kill a world. But a one bad week? That could kill the Multiverse
One Bad day will kill a world. But a one bad week? That could kill the Multiverse
September 22, 2017
Okay, this was a very weird one. This Dark Metal is looking to be a very big impact series. Oh well, in for a penny......
September 23, 2017
This is one wild ride.
January 27, 2018
*chanting to myself*
It's supposed to be hokey. It's supposed to be hokey. It's supposed to be hokey. It's supposed to be hokey. It's supposed to be hokey. It's supposed to be hokey.
But does hokey have to mean mostly bad?
EDIT: Second reading...I enjoyed it much more the second time. Effectively I'm reading it as an Elseworld story that's overlapping. I know...that's what it was always meant to be. I guess I'm just more open to the idea today than I was back last September.
It's supposed to be hokey. It's supposed to be hokey. It's supposed to be hokey. It's supposed to be hokey. It's supposed to be hokey. It's supposed to be hokey.
But does hokey have to mean mostly bad?
EDIT: Second reading...I enjoyed it much more the second time. Effectively I'm reading it as an Elseworld story that's overlapping. I know...that's what it was always meant to be. I guess I'm just more open to the idea today than I was back last September.
November 16, 2025
“One bad day will kill a world. But one bad week? That could kill a multiverse.”
That’s the kind of impact only Batman can have: his willpower, his obsession, his mind. They’re powerful enough to save everything or break it. That’s the paradox of him. His darkness and his hope walk the same line, each as potent as the other. The danger he brings can be matched by the heroism he delivers.
That’s the kind of impact only Batman can have: his willpower, his obsession, his mind. They’re powerful enough to save everything or break it. That’s the paradox of him. His darkness and his hope walk the same line, each as potent as the other. The danger he brings can be matched by the heroism he delivers.
November 19, 2017
Loved this! B-man was so incredibly creepy with the dark speedster outfit. Loved how they continued the bat theme with the batty drifts coming off him, excellent art!! Looking forward to learning more about the other dark knights >:)
September 21, 2017
Mind altering.
October 4, 2017
I've been fairly impressed by the quality of the Metal event so far. This one shot here was good & pretty creepy too.
September 25, 2017
Batman kicking ass morality free. Epic.
March 13, 2018
The first origin for the 7 Dark Batmen. The flash version of Dark
Batman this is a competently written story. It does come off a little
weak and short, being 22 pages long. How the the Dark Batman was
born was fine but not as good as Batman The Dawnbreaker. The story
does not show enough of the havoc and crime the Red Death caused.
An very average story, I still recommend it because it has terrific art and
provides a cool enough tie in to the main arc. Letter Grade: (C)
Batman this is a competently written story. It does come off a little
weak and short, being 22 pages long. How the the Dark Batman was
born was fine but not as good as Batman The Dawnbreaker. The story
does not show enough of the havoc and crime the Red Death caused.
An very average story, I still recommend it because it has terrific art and
provides a cool enough tie in to the main arc. Letter Grade: (C)
December 22, 2025
Batman: The Red Death #1 is dark, fast, and unapologetically brutal—very much in line with what you’d expect from the Dark Multiverse.
The story introduces a twisted version of Batman who has fused himself with the Speed Force after killing his world’s Flash. The result is a terrifying antagonist driven by obsession, grief, and an absolute refusal to accept loss. From the very first pages, the comic leans heavily into horror elements, showing just how far this Batman is willing to go to impose his version of “justice.”
What works especially well is how the issue explores Batman’s fear of losing control and his inability to let go. This isn’t just a flashy mashup of Batman and Flash powers—it’s a character study taken to a disturbing extreme. The pacing is relentless, matching the Speed Force theme, and there’s a constant sense that everything is spiraling out of control.
Visually, the art reinforces the tone: sharp, aggressive, and chaotic, perfectly suited to the Dark Multiverse aesthetic. It’s not subtle, but it doesn’t try to be. This is meant to feel overwhelming, and it succeeds.
Overall, The Red Death #1 is a strong, unsettling introduction to one of the more memorable Dark Multiverse Batmen. It’s grim, intense, and a great read for fans who enjoy seeing familiar characters pushed to their absolute limits.
The story introduces a twisted version of Batman who has fused himself with the Speed Force after killing his world’s Flash. The result is a terrifying antagonist driven by obsession, grief, and an absolute refusal to accept loss. From the very first pages, the comic leans heavily into horror elements, showing just how far this Batman is willing to go to impose his version of “justice.”
What works especially well is how the issue explores Batman’s fear of losing control and his inability to let go. This isn’t just a flashy mashup of Batman and Flash powers—it’s a character study taken to a disturbing extreme. The pacing is relentless, matching the Speed Force theme, and there’s a constant sense that everything is spiraling out of control.
Visually, the art reinforces the tone: sharp, aggressive, and chaotic, perfectly suited to the Dark Multiverse aesthetic. It’s not subtle, but it doesn’t try to be. This is meant to feel overwhelming, and it succeeds.
Overall, The Red Death #1 is a strong, unsettling introduction to one of the more memorable Dark Multiverse Batmen. It’s grim, intense, and a great read for fans who enjoy seeing familiar characters pushed to their absolute limits.
January 2, 2026
The storywriting, the art, everything is absolutely insane especially the glowing red bats everytime Red Death runs. Moreover, on the part where Red Death said "Once upon a time I was jealous of yours and Clark's (Superman) little races (context: The Flash and Superman got into a race and Lex Luthor upped the Ante by saying if Superman won he will donate $1 Billion Dollars to charity) this signifies that Bruce Wayne is just a human compared to them—not a superhuman that can travel the word in just a second. Ultimately, I like the art and storywriting on this book as it clearly shows that the author has made an effort actual blood, sweat and tears. Thank you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2018
The 7 Batmen of the dark multiverse must be synonymous with the seven deadly sins. The Bruce Wayne in Red Death #1 is consumed by greed. Greed for power. Greed for the speed force. Batman devised a plan to steal Flash's powers and his attempt becomes successful . He turns into Red Death. Anyone crossing his path fall victim to accelerated ageing. He is primed to kill.
I enjoyed reading this. The panels on this issue looked incredible. The costume of Red Death and the bats trailing behind him makes him look like Flash's worst nightmare.
I enjoyed reading this. The panels on this issue looked incredible. The costume of Red Death and the bats trailing behind him makes him look like Flash's worst nightmare.
December 16, 2017
This one’s super fun yet oddly heartbreaking. We’ve seen it over and over many many times - Bruce Wayne or Batman goes nuts for one reason or other, and we always know the reason. He’s a fucked up dude with fucked up reasons for being the Batman. Still, tying it all together in some human relation, in this case with Central City and the Flash and all his peeps, I am still left feeling for his dark and tormented soul. Probably why Bats is so popular.
July 6, 2020
An interesting Tie-in but it is very short and I want to know more about the dark multiverse, the advancement of the story seems well developed to me.
Un Tie-in interesante pero es muy corto y me dejo con ganas de saber más sobre el multiverso oscuro, el avance de la historia me parece bien desarrollado.
Un Tie-in interesante pero es muy corto y me dejo con ganas de saber más sobre el multiverso oscuro, el avance de la historia me parece bien desarrollado.
October 2, 2017
So, did Williamson just really like that scene of Tom Hardy tied to the front of the truck in Mad Max: Fury Road?
The Read Death wasn't quiiiiiiite as dark as Murder Machine, but only by a narrow margin.
The Read Death wasn't quiiiiiiite as dark as Murder Machine, but only by a narrow margin.
February 2, 2019
Arte de New 52 e historia de New 52 si bien no es malo, no me parece en lo absoluto a la altura de los otros numeros de origen de los caballeros oscuros, sin mencionar que su funcion como complemento es anecdotica.
February 9, 2019
I loved this issue. One of my favorite parts of Metal so far is all the different plot arcs and how they intertwine to create one giant event taking place in the world. I loved the themes this one presented, and going into the Red Death's character.
September 16, 2020
Interesting story about speed force, the flash, batman, and about their morals and friendships.
About the people they care about what Batman does to be able safe himself and become a different person.
About the people they care about what Batman does to be able safe himself and become a different person.
September 21, 2017
PUTA QUE ME PARIU MEU IRMÃÃÃÃÃO
METAL É SIMPLESMENTE O CÚMULO DA BADASSISSE, É DIVERSÃO PRA TODA FAMÍLIA CARACA, PUCTA MIERDA.
METAL É SIMPLESMENTE O CÚMULO DA BADASSISSE, É DIVERSÃO PRA TODA FAMÍLIA CARACA, PUCTA MIERDA.
October 11, 2017
That merge tho... Interesting to see how these "evil" Batmen develop!
November 8, 2017
A twisted metal mish mash of Batman, Elseworlds & DC Crisis.
Barry Allen vs. Bruce Wayne for total control of the Speed Force and the birth of BatFlash...
Barry Allen vs. Bruce Wayne for total control of the Speed Force and the birth of BatFlash...
February 9, 2018
Ride The Lightning!
July 12, 2018
Average storyline, interesting premise, killer art.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews