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Dark Nights: Death Metal (Reading Order) #21

Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Secret Origin #1

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The DCU’s darkest secrets are explored while two titans clash! The heroes search for a way to defeat the Darkest Knight through the universe’s past, while Superboy Prime faces down the demonic Batman!

37 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 22, 2020

13 people are currently reading
18 people want to read

About the author

Scott Snyder

1,788 books5,190 followers
Scott Snyder is the Eisner and Harvey Award winning writer on DC Comics Batman, Swamp Thing, and his original series for Vertigo, American Vampire. He is also the author of the short story collection, Voodoo Heart, published by the Dial Press in 2006. The paperback version was published in the summer of 2007.

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5 stars
64 (49%)
4 stars
47 (36%)
3 stars
13 (10%)
2 stars
4 (3%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
103 reviews
December 30, 2020
The best Dark Nights Death Metal one shot.
The character focused one shots have been a highlight of the series with the likes of Robin King and Lobo getting a background chapter prior to appearing or being the focus in the main storyline.
The main man’s appearance in Infinite Exxxtreme was a very enjoyable excursion.
However, this issue is one that focuses on Superboy Prike with Geoff Johns and Scott Snyder fleshing out his Sevret Origin prior to Crisis on Infinite Earths and through Infinite Crisis to a face off with the Batman who laughs.
There is a great nostalgic feel to it as well as a moment of unsung heroism that Snyder and John’s encapsulated perfectly.
The art is delivered by an absolute all star cast encompassing: Jerry Ordway (pitch perfect for the mid 80s based scenes), Francis Manapul, Norm Rapmund, Paul Pelleterier, Adriano Lucas and others.
A must read.
Profile Image for James DeSantis.
Author 17 books1,205 followers
December 24, 2020
Haven't read Death Metal and really don't care much about it. I'll probably read it on Hoopla or something down the line. However, this one caught my attention because, well, I'm a sucker for Superboy Prime.

This is the story of a boy who wanted everything and got shifted and fucked and turned pretty much insane. It's a really good tribute to the character, and a goodbye/sendoff that he deserves after how much he did in the main universe. I don't know how he came back but man oh man did I enjoy this issue and him making fun of the current state of DC.

Profile Image for STEVE LONG.
118 reviews11 followers
February 18, 2021
In some ways, this story was even better than the Dark Nights Death Metal story itself. This is, of course, a tie-in to the DNDM event but the way this was written, you wouldn't even necessarily have to read that event to understand this story as it is good as a stand alone and provides sufficient references to the event.

This one focuses on Superboy Prime and takes us on a journey that begins prior to the events of Crisis on Infinte Earths and brings us to the aftermath of Dark Nights Death Metal.

It was co-written by Scott Snyder (who wrote the main DNDM story) and Geoff Johns. I don't know who did the bulk of the writing but I feel a lot of Johns influence in this story. The artwork done by a multitude of artists was pretty stellar too. And the colors, also done by various artists, were outstanding.
Profile Image for Matt.
2,613 reviews27 followers
January 20, 2021
This was an amazing, single issue. It ties into the bigger event of "Dark Nights: Death Metal," but I thought it was a beautiful story in its own right. In fact, as I type this review, I have finished the main series, and I didn't feel like I was missing much by not reading this as part of the series, however I would highly recommend this issue to fans of DC Comics.

A few years ago, I read Superboy-Prime's origin story in "DC Comics Presents" Issue #87, and this "Secret Origin" story goes back to that origin story, and gives us more material from between (and within) the panels.

As single-issue stories go, this was my favorite story that I've read in a while.
23 reviews
January 1, 2021
I wasn't planning on writing reviews for Dark Nights as there are a bunch of one-shots, but this one deserves it. Probably the greatest villain redemptions I have ever read, and the perfect conclusion to this character's 35-year journey. Just wow...
Profile Image for Cristhian.
Author 1 book54 followers
January 7, 2021
Un poquito de revancha y reivindicación para Prime.

Es solo un pibe y no el gran villano. Me da gusto su final.
Profile Image for Kris Ritchie.
1,661 reviews16 followers
August 16, 2021
Superboy Prime has always been one of the most dynamic creations from the various Crisises, and giving him an origin story was a smart and well-executed choice.

For those who don't know, Prime is really f*cked up. He hails from a version of our world and had complete knowledge of the DC Universe up to the point where he is sucked into it. He then develops powers, a god complex, and ends up killing some people in his original debut. Locked away for decades, the Batman Who Laughs freed him for use in his plans. But Prime, of course, kind of just does whatever he wants to do.
Profile Image for Mat.
95 reviews5 followers
January 16, 2021
Not the biggest Superman fan (don't get me wrong, I don't hate the son of Krypton but I never gravitate towards his stories) but this was EXCELLENT. It had wonderful meta aspects and really felt like it was written by not just Superman fans, but true comic nerds. Really captures the spirit of why we love reading these magical pages at any age. I've read everything in the Death Metal series and this has been one of my top 3 favorite issues/stories.
Profile Image for Max Solis.
1,136 reviews2 followers
September 12, 2024
En el fondo siempre he sabido que, a pesar de lo retorcido que Superboy Prime se volvió, que este tipo solo quería hacer el bien y traer de vuelta a su universo. Lamentablemente, su camino se desvió y perdió completamente el rumbo. Pero en este cómic, pudimos volver a su lado heroico frente al Batman que ríe y su enfrentamiento a esas 52 tierras que el villano había creado. Al final, tuvo una muy bonita recompensa.
Profile Image for Metro Owlets.
197 reviews7 followers
January 12, 2021
The story took a bit in the beginning, but really picked up and turned out great!
19 reviews
January 13, 2021
I have never been a Superman fan, specially Superboy Prime. But this story broke me. Made me feel things for this fictional character. Truly one of the best tie in in Death Metal.
911 reviews1 follower
February 25, 2023
Superboy Prime has been one the most compelling heels in the DC Universe for years, and this was a great tale. I wish all the Death Metal issues were half this good....
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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