Dark Nights Death Metal #4
DC Comics
Written by: Scott Snyder
Art by: Greg Capullo
Inks: Jonathan Glapion
Colors by: FCO Plascencia
Letters by: Tom Napolitano
Comic book events always seem daunting at first — which is probably the result of them happening so often at the two major publishers. The tie-ins that accompany the main line are always the problem, especially when they dip into other ongoing titles. That’s a non-issue with Dark Nights Death Metal.
However, this catastrophic has featured its share of one-offs, and quite a few important things have taken place in the pages of those issues. The events of Dark Nights Death Metal #4 can be confusing without knowledge of what takes place in Dark Nights Death Metal: Speed Metal #1 and the other one-offs.
While readers of Dark Nights Death Metal #4 were encouraged to check out those one-offs, Scott Snyder made sure the individuals who are just sticking to the main line know exactly what they need to. The summary was to the point, but also fun — and covered exactly what was necessary to know.
It’s important to draw attention to this, but too often it feels like a casual reader can’t simply read the main line and get the full breadth of what’s going on. Sure, it’s a different experience if you read all the one-offs, but some readers just want things to be simple. Snyder has done a great job catering to the fans who want as much information as possible while giving the ones who want the DC Universe-altering event just that and nothing else.
All the while Greg Capullo is effortless reminding all why he’s one of the best in the business.
But he had some stiff competition with Dark Nights Death Metal #4. So many covers, all impressive. David Finch’s Darkseid cover is probably my favorite.
(WARNING: Spoilers for Dark Nights Death Metal #4 ahead.)
Now, while the handling of the Dark Nights Death Metal story has been good, things haven’t exactly gone well for DC’s heroes to this point. Even in Dark Nights Death Metal #4 when it appeared momentum had shifted slightly, things went wrong.
And it’s unclear what’s going to happen with the characters after this event, so it doesn’t feel like a guarantee that everyone’s going to survive this endeavor. Most important characters probably will, but Snyder and Capullo have been able to increase the level of doubt that was present entering the book.
Also, Snyder and Capullo’s cameos have been great — had another one early this issue.
And while each cameo has been cool, each one also emphasizes the severity of the event.