I usually avoid comic events/gimmicks, but with many of my usual comics not appearing (or simply cancelled) I decided to give the Dark Knights: Metal series a try. I'm only reading the core title and the one-offs that are introducing the dark-alternate Batmen.

This doesn't read much differently than any other 'bad guys invade Earth' type story; see the decades of Crime Syndicate of America/Earth-3 stories. I find the story strangely appealing because the twist is essentially "What if there were a bunch of stories in which a Batman fanboy was arguing on the playground with the fan of different JLA member... and in the ultimate schoolboy taunt, "Batman not just beat that JLA member but actually became a stronger version of the character they just beat up?"

...And then another fanboy came along and said "I'll team them all up and have them beat up the real JLA!" The story will no doubt conclude with the "real" Batman beating them all up, but that is just my speculation at this point.

I may be glossing over some subtleties: for example, Batman: The Murder Machine didn't exactly become the Cyborg of that world. There are a few classic elements of DC continuity dropped into the story (e.g. the Oblivion Bar) which at least gives me some hope that the creative team(s) are trying to reconnect with some of the lost magic of the DCU.

As a HeroClix player, I would actually look forward to seeing the Dark Knights appear. The character designs are visually interesting, and the assorted powers and combinations that have been shown (so far) are not exactly those that we have on HeroClix figures. These would probably end up as chase figures in a future set, but I'd like to see them.

That "lost magic" sure seems to be at the heart of this story - with connections to Plastic Man, the Challengers of the Unknown, the Blackhawks, Nth Metal, Dr. Fate, and hints about the tribes from which sprang characters such as Anthro and Vandal Savage, this story already qualifies as a celebration of the DC Universe.

I also saw these dark versions of Batman as a bit cringeworthy when initially advertised, but I have greatly enjoyed every one of their solo stories so far. I read The Red Death (Flash), Murder Machine (Cyborg), and Dawnbreaker (Green Lantern). Please don't post any spoilers for The Drowned (Aquaman), which came out last week - I haven't been able to get my hands on a copy yet, as my local shops were both shorted on that title.

And yes, they do seem almost tailor-made to be a set of future chase figures.

I enjoyed the other tie in story that was in Nightwing, Suicide Squad, Green Arrow, and Teen Titans. The Batman Who Laughs gives Batman villains a metal joker card that gives them super powers and each level of the mountain in Gotham City is controlled by a Batman villain. And Robin, Nightwing, Harley Quinn, Killer Croc, and Green Arrow are trying to get to the top to hopefully find Batman.

The Dawn Breaker was SOOOOO good

The Drowned was my favorite of all of them so far. Read the Merciless last night and was disappointed in the story.

If I had to rank them It would be

Drowned
Red Death
Dawnbreaker
Murder Machine
Merciless

Here is hoping that The Devastator is back up to par.

These suffers from any cross-title, editor-mandated crossover.
Some of these are good...and some are horrible.

As a bonus, I love that everyone thinks this is for Bat fanboys. Not so sure about that: all of these BadBats highlight some underlying character flaw/storytelling flaw in the Batman stories. In the hands of (many) careless writers, Batman can (has) become a monster.

I want more Hal Jordan, Plasticman, and Mr. Terrific!
They are all, each in different ways, good foils in Batman stories.
More of any of these guys make a Batman story better, OMO.
But it looks like they're just going to show up at the end to watch Batman fight his Bat-demons.

I see Grant Morrison is going to write something now...a one shot or something for this. So glad he's back in the DC camp. Doing a sequel to his WW book and an Arkham Asylum sequel as well.....