Some thoughts about Death Metal: Legends of the Dark Knights #1

What's the story behind the new Dark Knights?

The Batman who Laughs has reinvented himself and he has brought brand new and even more terrible Dark Knights to accomplish his mission.

Let's get this out of the way: The Batman who Laughs is a toxic concept, we all know it. Everything connected to that extremely derivative and ill-conceived character is bound to be terrible and the fact that DC keeps exploiting him makes me sick.

That being said, at least some writers are willing to get the best from a bad situation and there are a few glimmers of hope here.

First we have the usual culprits, Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV writing about, what else? The Batman who Laughs (Oh, and poor Joshua Williamson has been dragged here too for some reason). This is centered around the transformation he suffered during the last issue of Death Metal becoming the Darkest Knight. It's basically a recap of his whole history, as if we needed too see more of that, and doesn't really offer anything beyond that. Tony Daniel's artwork is always pleasent to see at least.

The first glance of quality is brought by Peter Tomasi about the new character Robin King which is basically about the idea of what would have happened if Bruce was a born psychopath, it offers interesting moments concerning that idea. Riley Rossmo's bizarre pencils convey such theme nicely.

Then comes Marguerite Bennett to disappoint almost immediately with an extremely short story about B. Rex (The dinobat) that is not even entertaining. Jamal Igle's art is solid though.

The Batcity or "Castle Bat" gets a segment written by Frank Tieri and is another highlight which is suited in yet another universe where Damian is Batman (especifically the 666 incarnation), except that Bruce is still alive and this explores such scenario appropriately with solid character moments. Francesco Francavilla's dark style is perfectly fitting here.

Batmobeast, the Batmobile, er, Batman also receives his own story written and drawn by Daniel Warren Johnson which is yet another pretty short tale but at least is more entertaining this time and the detailed art nicely convey the devastation of the world.

Seeing Garth Ennis of all people here was the biggest surprise considering that most of his Batman was about making fun of him and this is not really different since he handles the idea of Bruce transfering his mind to a baby's body, Ennis doesn't take the premise seriously at all and it works for the better. Joelle Jones' expressive artwork is pretty fitting.

Not bad but some stories definitely were. Just get rid of The Batman who Laughs/Darkest Knight already.