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taffystake · 4 years

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So......Are you ready for the encore?

Taffy’s Take: Dark Nights Death Metal #1

Written by: Scott “Hallowed Be Thy Name” Snyder

Pencils by: Greg “Panikiller” Capullo

Inks by: Jonathan “Motorbreath” Glapion

Colors by: FCO “Fixxxer” Plascencia

So....it has all finally come to this. The finale. The ultimatum in a long saga of stories that started in the original Dark Nights, began showing its hand in No Justice, and was fully fleshed out with Snyder’s Justice League run. And it opens with a resounding boom that rivets your attention straight to the story and won’t let go until the pages run out.

We open with Sergeant Rock, preparing himself and an unknown audience for a conflict to come. When or where this is set is somewhat unknown, but the massive futuristic assault rifle he levels to emphasis his last line says that Rock is somewhere in the modern day.

After the credits page, featuring a map of the current world of the DCU and a message that calls Death Metal an “Anti-Crisis”, we cut to Wonder Woman, hard at work deconstructing the invisible jet with a buzzsaw-like device in the literal depths of hell (Originally Themyscira) when someone interrupts her over approaching people. Said person is the flaming, green-covered skeleton that Swamp Thing has become in this world and he says that someone is coming with prisoners. And as Diana walks through her prison to meet these people, we get to see the absolute myriad of villains entombed in the place, including Joker. Once they reach the quartet, we get to meet Batmage, a red-suited Batman, a cloaked figure, and.....Bat-Tyrannosaurus. After some very terse banter, Diana is forced to throw this unknown prisoner into the pits of Tartarus. But before he is cast into the depths, he mutters something to Diana that makes her recognize the person for a moment.

After that, we are shown Castle Bat and given a backstory of a specific field within that area and the rebels who died within the tunnels underneath it before pulling back to a panel of a castle, with The Batman Who Laughs’ twisted Robins and Joker dragons dominating the structure. And then we meet The Batman Who Laughs’ League, composed of pairings of heros and Dark Multiverse Batmen. We have Harley Quinn and Dr Arkham, Aquaman and Bathomet, Wonder Woman and Batmage, and Mister Miracle and Darkfather. With each of them, we get a small question about their current work, with the most noteworthy being Mister Miracle revealing that Superman has almost succumbed to the Anti-Life Equation. Content with their briefings, The Batman Who Laughs begins to explain how Perpetua, the god who created their multiverse, has destroyed another of their universe, leaving only 8 before The Batman Who Laughs and Perpetua can remake the multiverse however they desire. Before we can hear more, we’re dragged into Diana’s perspective as the true Batman engages in a psychic link with her, trying to advocate for a small victory rather than the sweeping final win that Diana desires. As her thoughts turn towards what happened to result in the current state of the universe and her lack of memory about what caused it, The Batman Who Laughs interrupts her as he can tell that she is hiding something.

And at that moment, an explosive arrow fires out of the nearby woods and nearly vaporizes The Batman Who Laughs. Sacrificing one of his Robins, we soon see Bruce stride out to exchange threats with The Batman Who Laughs, who takes with some jest before ordering an entire squadron of Dark Multiverse Batmen to kill Bruce. While the enslaved Justice League does their best to take advantage of the distraction, their Dark Multiverse minders are quick to detain them from any rebellious actions. So Bruce is left alone, simply standing in this field to face down an army. And as The Batman Who Laughs monologues about how disappointed the brave men and women who died in this field would be at Bruce’s actions, he asks him what he would say to justify himself.

His answer?

One word.

“RISE.”

And so, with a BLACK LANTERN RING ON HIS FINGER, BRUCE WAYNE SUMMONS AN ARMY OF UNDEAD REBELS TO FIGHT THE DARK MULTIVERSE BATMEN JUST PURELY TO DEMONSTRATE WHAT HIS METHOD CAN DO TO DIANA BEFORE RIDING OFF ON A SKELETAL MOTORCYCLE AND LEAVING ZOMBIE JONAH HEX TO CONTINUE LEADING THE ASSAULT.

And now, as the audience both in the know about all of that and not in the know but hyped as hell because BRUCE WAYNE WENT FULL FUCKING NECROMANCER sits in the afterglow of that amazing moment, we cut to a single page depicting the planet Ossex as the Main Man, Lobo, unearths something from underneath the living bone of the planet.

Having made it back to Themyscira, Diana is quick to continue with the rebellion, setting off into Tartarus to see who this mystery prisoner is. And its...Wally West, with a Dr Manhattan-style hydrogen atom drawn into the forehead of his costume. And with Wally, we finally get an explanation of what the hell is going on. See, with the traditional multiverses, they are created using the positive energies that were explored in the Justice League run, things like the Speed Force, the Emotional Spectrum, Imagination. The inverse, stuff like chaos magic and the forces of doom that Perpetua wished to bring to power (and succeeded at doing) are what Wally calls Crisis Energy. And whereas the positive energies wish to create a strong united universe, Crisis Energies wish to simply make only one thing, one moment, one person important. And so, when Perpetua was trapped after her attempts to make a universe of war out of crisis energy, she did her best to instigate crises and came back empowered with all that energy. Meanwhile, the league, empowered by the slightly failed efforts of Dr Manhattan to ‘fix’ the multiverse, gathered all the positive energy they could and then, between the last issue of Justice League and Death Metal, the two forces clashed. Which, since they were basically smashing tow inverse forces together, resulted in both sides burning themselves out.

Now, that block of text could be extremely dry feeling, but it works really well in the two page spread, with the word balloons beginning to form an infinity symbol as images of past crises ranging from the original Crisis On Infinite Earths to Emerald Twilight to Dark Nights Metal in the background.

But back to the story. With that explanation done, Wonder Woman begins to theorize potentially going back to those crises and gathering this information for themselves in order to reshape the universe themselves. Resulting in....”The first Anti-Crisis” The Batman Who Laughs interrupts with, striding into Tartarus to cut his own deal with Wonder Woman to let him take control over Perpetua. If she helps him, she gets all the people Perpetua has trapped and their own planet. And after that, he emphasizes how she can’t out-plan him, how he’s already prepared for her to knock him out, use the invisible jet she was being forced to deconstruct and melt down to give her armor that would render her undetectable. Wonder Woman is quick to counter that despite all the knowledge The Batman Who Laughs says he has, that entire plan is what Bruce would do. So he is quick to counter, stating so then she’d make a weapon, some sort of sword?

But it seems The Batman Who Laughs didn’t account for two things. One, for Diana to have already made her weapon before he showed up. Two, she didn’t need to make a sword. And so, with a pull of its ripcord, THE CHAINSAW OF TRUTH CLEAVES ITS WAY THROUGH THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS IN A SPLASH PAGE OF PURE ENERGY ERUPTING OUT OF THE DEMON WHERE THE CHAINSAW IS CUTTING THROUGH HIM!

The comic ends with two quick one panel stories. The first, with Batmage executing a final plan that The Batman Who Laughs had in place to unleash a final Bruce Wayne. Which only sounds mildly menacing, unti the art shows both a button with a watchmen-style frownie face and the final Bruce Wayne in silhouette, a glowing hydrogen atom on his forehead.

The other is a cut back to Sergeant Rock, still continuing with his tirade from the beginning of the comic before he is taken out of the moment by Batman coming to retrieve him for the big fight. And as Batman promises One last fight with everyone together, we get to see in silhouette that Sergeant Rock is missing his everything below his torso, revealing himself to likely be another resurrection from Bruce’s Black Lantern ring.

So, in summary, IM PUMPED TO SEE WHAT HEIGHTS THIS THING HITS! THE BIG MOMENTS WERE SO DAMNED COOL! THE ART IS STILL THE ABSOLUTE ALL KILLER NO FILLER THAT CAPULLO ROCKED OUT WITH IN THE LAST DARK NIGHTS METAL EVENT AND I CANT WAIT TO SEE WHAT NEW SPORES OF MADNESS HE GETS TO CREATE FOR THIS STORY!

And while I’d like to be pure hype beast, that feels a little disingenuous when I do have some small moments that seem like they could be tweaked. Both of the long exposition scenes for the Dead Bats and the Positive Energy vs Crisis Energy could have potentially stood for another pass just to really tighten them up, but I will also admit that both those scenes kinda deserve to be long-winded. The Dead Bats to make sure that the setup for Batman with a Black Lantern Ring summoning an army at that point works and the Energy one because its explaining the entire setup for the rest of the event series and it helps lull things down so that the hype of Chainsaw of Truth can hit like it should.

So yeah, this thing is absolutely something any Scott Snyder fan, any DC fan, heck Id almost venture to say anyone interested in comics read. None of the story elements of the comic intrinsically need you to know the backstory behind them, but there are definitely rewards for knowing DC continuity in general and Scott Snyder’s previous works in this arcing story. So yeah, I am going to sit here, vibrating in anticipation as I await the next issue of Death Metal from the Cowboys From Hell on their encore tour.

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nervousalpacahologram · 5 years

Text

Sass Robot

For @swarmisazergling

(I hope you like it!)

“Now Power Down, Sass-Robot!” The Blackbird yelled at Founder, his bowler hat askew on his head. He was about to shout another thing when the Founder’s metal fist slammed into his jaw, knocking him to the floor.

“Founder, I swear to God!” Tamlin shouted, helping the Blackbird back to his feet.

“He deserved it!” Founder shouted back, sporting a furious scowl and bruised ego. Not Five minutes ago, Blackbird, the new O5-5 after Manifest had retired, had begun to insult MEKHANE. Founder, filled with anger and offense, started the shouting match that led to Blackbird trying to regain his bearings, held upright by Tamlin.

“Now everyone, how about we calm down just a tad? Before you know, Founder kills someone? We all remember when that Broken Church priest called him a heretic?” Seven said, their smile extending off of their face in mildly-irritated glee.

“I should’ve remembered that.” Blackbird said, nursing his jaw. The red beginnings of a bruise had begun to form, marring his rounded jawline. He laughed, making to clap Founder on the shoulder, nearly falling again in the process.

Founder stepped back, avoiding the gloved hand with a rattle of bones. Blackbird stabilized after a few moments, picking his bowler hat up from the floor.

“Hey, I’m allowed to diss MEKHANE, me and Teeth knew her. You don’t want to know the gossip we have on ‘em.” He grinned as Founder’s eyes widened fractionally, sweeping from Blackbird to Teeth, who was desperately trying to rein in their grin. Their long-fingered hand tried to hold back the canines and molars that threatened to escape their mouth.

“Well Friends, how about you tell me some of this…Gossip.” One said, voice tinted with a sharp, metallic edge. Teeth and Blackbird exchanged glances, unsure if they should speak. Founder arched an eyebrow, waiting calmly for them to talk as an awkward silence enveloped the present Overseers.

“Uhm… You’re not cleared to know?” Blackbird tried, shying back a step when the cloaked Overseer examined his knuckles in a semi-threatening gesture.

“Fine! But you wouldn’t like what we have to say!” Teeth raised their hands above their head in exasperation.

“Try me.” Founder said as Tamlin and Way swiftly exited the room, sensing the tension. Three remained, having the feeling that he would have to diffuse a fight if Founder couldn’t control his fervor.

“All right, Founder, we’re gonna need you to calm down, if only for a moment.” They dragged a chair up to Founder, his eyebrow still raised. He tentatively took the seat, Teeth standing while Blackbird leaned against the conference table. Three stood in the background, fingers gently toying with his nails. “The first thing to know is that MEKHANE never created the human race. Nor Yaldabaoth. The Human race is an unknown. However. She did adopt them and sacrificed herself for them.”

Founder nodded gently, his mechanisms exponentially growing faster.

“Calm down, try not to meltdown now. She may not be the Creator, but she is a Savior. Either way, the Human race owes her.” Blackbird says, crossing his arms as Founder’s mechanisms began to slow down.

“Secondly, MEKHANE and Yaldabaoth have not always been enemies,” Teeth said, stroking their chin thoughtfully, “I don’t know how to describe it… Nothing fits it. Maybe romance. They existed in tandem, attracting opposites as they say.”

“Romance!” Founder shouted, outrage coloring his eyes red.

“I wouldn’t call it that exactly. They circled the other scared of any form of commitment, of what it would mean for them and the other. Of what could happen. It’s not too unlike what you and Philosopher have!” Seven was so caught up in their speech that they hadn’t realized what they said before it was a few seconds too late.

Silence descended on the room once again as Founder and Philosopher looked at each other. Founder’s eyes were wide and scared, and Philosopher’s were mortified, desperately trying to avoid Founder’s carmine gaze. Teeth swore under their breath, eyes turning from One to Three. One tried to stutter out a response, and finding that he couldn’t, turned to exit the room. His cloak whispered and rattled behind him as he swiftly walked away. Three sat down heavily, fingers tapping a staccato rhythm on the wooden table.

After a moment, he spoke:

“What have you done?” It was calm, entirely too calm. Goosebumps ran up Blackbirds back as the eerily cool voice left the man’s mouth. “Everything was fine. He knew nothing! Nothing! Would this be cause for Censure? Clouded judgement?” He was about to continue when Blackbird interrupted him loudly.

“Clouded judgement? If dating a coworker was grounds for censure, then there would be no one in this damned council! Lesser and Cowboy, Teeth and Tamlin, even Archivist and Outsider! And you’re foolish if you think that One doesn’t feel the same.”

“But O5’s aren’t allowed-”

“All those rules were Administrator-made! Need I remind you that we killed the Administrator! Ripped the heart from it’s blackened carapace! We make our own rules.” Blackbird gestured vaguely to the few O5s in the room before Teeth spoke.

“So pull yourself together. I would hate to see you and Founder end up like MEKHANE and Yaldabaoth. Now go.” Both them and Blackbird turned, leaving Philosopher alone in the room with the open door that Founder has strode through.

=============================================================

Founder hissed in pain as his tweezers missed the wire, hitting synthetic muscle. He sat in his office, tinkering with his arm to distract his thoughts from what Teeth had told Philosopher. He startled as a tentative knock came from the door, and he swore under his breath.

“Argentum, I sure hope that this isn’t another meeting.” The only reply was the sound of the door opening hesitantly. Founder turned, and the pliers dropped from his hands as they went numb.

O5-3, the Philosopher Scientist, stood in the doorway. His hand toyed anxiously with the wings of his caduceus-cane, ever-restless. Before One could say anything, Three held out his hand, motioning for One’s silence.

“One, before you ask, I’m not mad. I… I didn’t know how you felt. It took Teeth of all people to tell me about this…” He faded into silence, eyes turning to hands. Founder looked as well, taking in the Philosopher’s hands not for the first time.

They were long and covered in scars, jagged lines that marred his skin. The flesh and cuticles around his fingernails were ripped and torn, obviously self-inflicted. Anyone could tell the state of his affairs by the state of his hands. They were the only things that could betray his emotions.

“I guess what I’m trying to say is that…” He screwed his eyes shut briefly, taking in a deep breath, “It’s okay… Fuck.” He rubbed his chin, a flush of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. Founders clockwork had sped up, coloring his cheeks blue instead of the red of Philosophers. “I’m not angry or disgusted. What I worry about now is you.”

“I’m… I’m free on Thursday after Six o’clock.” Founder suggested, aware of the awkwardness that infused the room. He mentally cursed himself for being that forward, even if it was just a suggestion.

“That sounds good… Um, where should we meet?” His unoccupied hand reached up to scratch at his shoulder. Founder didn’t know when he had stood up.

“I mean, I can cook decently. I’ve picked up some tricks in my time you know.” They both stopped for a moment, simply looking at each other.

“Founder, I know this may be a bit awkward, but is it okay if I kiss you?” At that moment, he realized how close they had gotten, breaths mingling in the space between them.

“I would not be averse.” Founder replied, his hand reaching out to gently caress the Philosopher’s cheek. When their lips connected, Philosopher was surprised by how warm the Founder’s lips were, less warm than human, but not cold.

Philosophers lips were dry, but not chapped, Founder thought. They tasted like some form of lip-chap, a flavor he couldn’t quite place. Maybe eucalyptus. Philosopher gripped Founder’s cloak when they pulled apart, the only sounds being the gentle rhythm of clockwork and Philosopher’s panting.

“Definitely wasn’t awkward.” The Japanese man said, his hand running along Founder’s spine. He felt each vertebra, mentally counting them as Founder closed his eyes, sighing softly.

“I might have to thank Teeth when I see them next.” He rested his head in the crux of Philosopher’s neck, simply taking in the heat of the other Overseer.

They stayed exactly like that for several minutes, simply holding each other and speaking quietly. Neither was used to the almost casual affection they were showing the other at the moment. They finally broke apart when Founder’s phone rang, informing him of the latest anomaly contained. Philosopher left with an exchange of a few quiet words, a confirmation to their date on Thursday, leaving Founder to turn back to his desk and the stacks of paperwork that covered it.

He reached for his pen, arm stopping in the air. Gently, he moved it up to his lips, the phantom feeling of Philosopher’s kiss still enduring. Shaking his head, he gripped his pencil and began the paperwork.

There was much to do until Thursday.

#SCP Foundation #o5-1 #o5-3 #o5-7 #o5-5 #o5-13 #the founder #the philosopher scientist #the blackbird #joey tamlin #teeth #MEKHANE #little gift for @swarmisazergling #foundational ethics

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