Batman: The Merciless #1

Dark Nights: Metal (Reading Order) #2.5

by Peter J. Tomasi, Jason Fabok (Illustrator), Francis Manapul (Illustrator)

As the events of DARK 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?

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Batman, Comic Book, Graphic Novels, Comics Manga, Graphic Novels Comics

19 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2017

About the author

Peter J. Tomasi is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, such as Batman And Robin; Superman; Super Sons; Batman: Detective Comics; Green Lantern Corps; and Superman/Wonder Woman; as well as Batman: Arkham Knight; Brightest Day; Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors; Nightwing; Black Adam, and many more.

In the course of his staff career at DC Comics, Tomasi served as a group editor and ushered in new eras for Batman, Green Lantern, and the JSA, along with a host of special projects like Kingdom Come.

He is also the author of the creator-owned titles House Of Penance with artist Ian Bertram; Light Brigade with artist Peter Snejbjerg; The Mighty with Keith Champagne and Chris Samnee; and the critically acclaimed epic graphic novel The Bridge: How The Roeblings Connected Brooklyn To New York, illustrated by Sara DuVall and published by Abrams ComicArts.

In 2018 New York Times best-selling author Tomasi received the Inkpot Award for achievement in comics.

Reviews

[Tawfek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah I didn't like this very much.
Toomuch inner thoughts for Batman the Merciless instead of an actual origin story.
The writing played at being profound when it really wasn't.
I didn't know 80% of those gathered to drop the bomb, I only knew the woman from Suicide Squad.
I liked the revelation at the end that he was the one who actually killed Diana, I hope our Diana Skewer him.

[Jedi JC Daquis · Rating 5 out of 5]

With only two more evil Batmen one-shots still to be published, The Merciless is easily the most fleshed out character yet. Thanks to Tomasi's superb writing an otherwise "just dumb and explosive entertainment" has been reinforced with a stronger layer of tragic emotions. The irony is, The Merciless may just be the one who has the most heart among the seven nightmare Bats.

I am totally invested with this DC Metal event, my advice is, just enjoy the crazy ride and appreciate whatever the story gives you. DC Metal is very much self-aware of its metal rock themes, so don't take it extra seriously. And that includes this particular comic.

I am also a fan of Francis Manapul's art (mabuhay ka!) and I am surprised to see that his domimantly optimistic and colorful art style feels very organic with the story. His well-defined movement lines and knack for artistic framing really gives this issue a special flavor.

[Abdelhak · Rating 5 out of 5]

this issue is fucking badass y'all !!!

[Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series continues to be laughable and dumb but it’s honestly worth the read. “he has been baptized in the metal!” The dialogue has been hysterically cheesy

[Siona Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of these one shots have been pretty interesting. I liked the Bruce and Diana romance in this one. I still think the Dawnbreaker and Batman Who Laughs are the best though.

[Monsour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Batman Wonderwoman shippers finally get what they want AND also wish they never wanted one in the first place in this (not so)latest DC's Dark Nights: Metal tie-in.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wrath Child

[Mr. Cody · Rating 3 out of 5]

A badass Batman. Not so much Batman + Wonder Woman as it is Batman + Ares.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of my favourites so far. Tomasi is a fantastic writer and Manapul's art is always iconic. There was a lot of depth to this story and a lot more backstory than the others. Loved how this wasn't just a carbon copy of Wonder Woman like some of the other dark knights are with their respective powers.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool story, bro.

(But instead of taking something uniquely Wonder Woman physically he takes Ares's helmet which whatever no big deal but it's not the mash-up of them that I was wanting to see play out so sounds like they COULDN'T pull it off but the heart is there so I mean WHATEVER could you guys ever show how cool Wonder Woman is?!)

[Jenn Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really liking the Metal story arch. Merciless got me all riled up. It isn't my favorite Batman arch, but it is well worth the read. I am a big fan of the Dark Batmen, I like the sadness the stories bring. Each character has a tragic back story that sets the tone of desperation. I can't wait to see how it ends.

[Vanessa Yeazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This issue was highly enjoyable. I love Wonder Woman, so I have a bias and loved this issue. The backstory was interesting to read. I love how they combined Batman and Wonder Woman's powers. It was unique and I didn't expect it. I also enjoyed seeing how the government is reacting to the crisis in real time.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Which one was better? Dawnbreaker or The Merciless? I'm not sure I know.

But they were both fantastic. I'd be willing to say that a bit more depth was given to The Merciless, though. And the storytelling was a touch more masterful.

Yeah...I probably call this the best so far.

[David Dalton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of these Bat Dark Nights Metal stories are okay and some, like this one, are a little too off-beat for me. Kind of feels like DC is spacing this series out a tad longer then it needs to be.

[Norman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t love this one. Felt overly “written” instead of unveiled. I suppose it makes sense as this Bruce Wayne has gone insane.

[Beth M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm liking the one shots of this series far more than I am the original story line right now. I could easily read 20 more issues of this. Would prefer to, in fact.

[Vishualee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This version of Batman, warrior god, doesn't believe in good and bad. He believes in survival. But who do you survive for?

I think there is a good chance for this character to turn his life around.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coolest looking Dark Bat. Good story with some romance mixed in.

[Eladio Garro · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tomasi is a great writer, but he just didn't nail it in this one. The main character is this one-shot's best part, but the story could've been better.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very bombastic.

[Anastasia Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

You don’t need to convince me that Batman suffers in every universe.

[James Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

A twisted metal mish mash of Batman, Elseworlds & DC Crisis.

When Batman and Wonder Woman are the only Justice League members left to battle Ares the God of War...

Batman assumes the helm and because WarBat...

[Max's Comic Reviews and Lists · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one so almost as good as Dawnbreaker! Yay. Being one of my favourite reasons for Bruce Wayne to become evil and having a very entertaining and excellent sub plot about he government and Task Force X. The bad deeds of the Merciless are certainly game changing but didn’t hit me as much as the Dawnbreaker. It also does not really stay faithful to the character of Batman as much as I might of hoped but that’s pretty much it. Regardless this is one of the better than all others besides Dawnbreaker. This is also my favourite art for the one shots so far. It is drawn more imperfectly, the colours are close to being on par with paintings and is a little like Sean Murphy’s style which I loooooooove. Combine that with the cool ass design of Ares/Batman and you got one
entertaining story. Letter Grade: (-A)

[Ripley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Year of the Villain Tie In

[Tim Nowotny · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is really difficult to rate these tie ins separately, as their structure is quite similar: Batman loses something, gets utterly mad, kills somebody from justice league while getting their powers, realizing that he is in a dying universe and unleashing hell unto ours. A strange breed of fan service that I did not read without joy.

[Fernando Bonilla]

Este cómic sí me arrepiento de haberlo leído en un orden que no le corresponde. Principalmente porque mucha de la historia no es un flashback (al contrario que Dawn Breaker) y hay cosas que se tocan en otros volúmenes que aquí ya pasaron.

Merciless me parece un villano bastante intimidante pero estoy casi seguro que o traiciona a los demás, ayudando a que los buenos ganen o va a tener una debilidad patética que lo va a derrotar bien derrotado.