Dark Nights: Death Metal #2 needs to be on your pull list, and here's why.

A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS

The Batman Who Laughs is dead...at least for now (after all, death doesn't mean much in the world of superheroes).

SPOILER In Death Metal #1, Wonder Woman uses an invisible chainsaw (yes, I said invisible chainsaw) while in Hell to end the tyranny of the Batman Who Laughs. But the fun doesn't stop there. Superstar writer Scott Snyder has BWL's replacement ready and waiting, the Robin King.

If you have been following the BWL, you know that he keeps demonic Robins at his beck and call as both servants and pets. As we learned way back in Dark Nights: the Batman Who Laughs #1, these are children corrupted by the Joker toxin. Nicknamed the "Groblins," they typically say only one word, "Crow." That's about to change.

Beginning with Death Metal #2, Snyder will introduce the Robin King, which is fitting considering the BWL's first appearance was in 2017's Dark Nights: Metal #2, although it was a brief cameo. What all Snyder has in store for the Robin King has yet to be revealed, but Snyder has commented that the Dark Multiverse Robin is even scarier than the BWL.

THAT NEW CHARACTER SMELL

It seems that every month, either Marvel or DC is giving us a new character. In recent weeks, Thor #5 introduced Black Winter, Venom #25 debuted Virus, and Legion of Super-Heroes #6 gave readers a futuristic Gold Lantern. That's just to name three, and I am certain we will see many more fresh faces in the comic pages.

This is obviously a marketing ploy to sell comics, and it is a good strategy. Nothing sends collectors to their local comic shops quite like an insta-key for a hot new character.

Everyone hopes that first appearance turns into the next Incredible Hulk #181, or at the least, Teen Titans #12 or Venom #3. What it takes are time and popularity. It also depends on how the character is used and whether or not there's a broad appeal. Look at the BWL and Knull. Those characters have evolved from their original titles to become the elite villains in all of comics. That's what it takes for a modern first appearance to keep its inflated values.

INVESTMENT POTENTIAL OF DARK NIGHTS

In the case of the Robin King, it appears he will be thrust into the spotlight very quickly. With the BWL out of action, this alternate Robin will be pitted against the upper echelon of DC Comics starting with Wonder Woman. That hints at bigger plans for the Robin King moving forward, and he could steal the show in Dark Nights: Death Metal, much like BWL did in the original Dark Nights: Metal.

I have no doubt that Dark Nights: Death Metal #2 will balloon in value overnight. It will probably hold those inflated values all the way through the Death Metal story. After that, we will see if Robin King has long term potential.

While we can hope that the Robin King will reach BWL heights, it is unlikely because we all know the Batman Who Laughs won't be down for long. He's too popular a character to stay dead, and when he returns, he will reclaim his spot.

Still, it's an easy decision to invest in Death Metal #2. Especially if you can get it for the cover price when it releases on July 14.

 

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