The long awaited Dark Days: The Forge #1 is here packed with the surprising returns of heroes, villains and huge clues about the big event: Dark Nights: Metal – the event series reuniting New 52 Batman team Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo.
We see how this major DC Universe spanning epic will tie back to the first issue of Snyder and Capullo’s Batman run. What has the Dark Knight been keeping secret and why is he unleashing it now?
Dark Days: The Forge is the prelude by Snyder and James Tynion IV with artists Jim Lee, Andy Kubert and John Romita Jr on pencils. The ominous cover and main story is centered on Batman and his big secret but the story goes across time, dimensions and is packed with DC favorites.
Three arcs power this massive issue that signals the future of the DC Universe.
Before we break down the biggest moments and our burning questions here’s a SPOILER ALERT!
If you have not read Dark Days: The Forge #1 yet stop reading now and get to the comic book shop!
Seriously.
OK.
Here it comes.
Before the Bat, Enter the Hawk!
In what appears to be the “final” journal, Carter Hall recounts an alien spaceship (Thanagarian) landing in ancient Egypt and of a clue to “the greatest mystery in the history of mankind. And it was written in metal.”
Hall reflects on the ship made of Nth metal and it’s connection to his history as Hawkman, his wife, his mortal enemy, his cycle of reincarnation. The explorer later reveals seeing a bat symbol among the ancient artifacts in his studies of ancient Egypt and the Thanagarian influence and that there were four tribes that walked the Earth.
Batman joins the action in a new high-tech Bat-vehicle that allowed him to explore a volcano. Batman calls to a Dr. Madison before the eruption that destroys a Wayne Enterprises “black site” in Atlantis territory. Aquaman helps save Bruce and the Doctor but questions why there was this site here hidden from the surface world and him. When the King of Atlantis demands answers about what Batman is looking for, Bruce reveals he knows what Arthur has locked underneath his Kingdom.
Both heroes are being spied on by Lady Blackhawk.
Cut to The Campus –
Elaine, mother of Duke Thomas, is still insane after her infection by the Endgame virus. The incarcerated mother is watched by two men who revealed she was once recruited to join The Immortal Men. This will be one of the new books under the upcoming Dark Matter banner by James Tynion IV and Jim Lee.
Lunar Batcave:
Batman heads to his base on the moon talking with Alfred about a shadow drive, getting black site 14 back up and running and collecting more geological data. Mister Terrific is on the station reporting on his mission on Earth 2 for the Dark Knight. Bruce and Michael then head to a secret room where Batman has been storing someone too unstable but now he needs him:
Plastic Man.
The long-lost hero appears to be in a big egg like shape surrounded by metal arms holding him in place.
Batman then heads to the Fortress of Solitude where Bruce he asks Superman to give him access to the secret room he gave him long ago. Bruce has help to unlock this impossible to open chamber: Mister Miracle.
Inside?
The dimensional tuning fork from Crisis of Infinite Earths!
Bruce then says “it’s time then…time to see what’s in the dark once and for all.”
But that’s not the mic drop. Snyder and Tynion’s big final shocker doesn’t star Batman.
Guardians Ganthet orders Hal Jordan on a secret mission after “whispers of a stirring in the dark. A terrible truth is coming to light on your home planet. And we must not let it.”
Green Lantern is ordered to investigate the coordinates of the cosmic rumblings: Wayne Manor, Gotham City.
Hal is confronted by Duke Thomas, no code-name but costumed and ready to defend the Batcave against this intruder. The two later discover a secret cave within the cave and a mysterious voice in the dark showing them this secret cave with a metal tooth that could bring back the dead. In the vault are Court of Owl masks, Talon masks, Hawk symbols, Doctor Fate’s helmet, an iconic Trident, bracelets – of Wonder Woman or Hawkwoman?
The revelations continue showing Batman’s black-ops team: The Outsiders.
The voice then reveals the metal led to a liquid metal evolving into something called Dionesium – the substance introduced in Snyder’s final Batman arcs. This liquid underneath Gotham City apparently resurrected both Batman and the Joker after they were both crushed under the city. Dionesium factored into the theory that the Joker made be immortal.
Hal and Duke finally meet the mystery man leading them a sealed door in the cave in the Batcave teasing, “this is a mystery that stretches back to the dawn of time. it’s bigger than all of us. And it sure as hell is bigger than you.”
As the face of the guide turns he says, “you don’t understand. All it that was just a cruel JOKE. You’re just another couple of pieces in Batman’s puzzle. Just like me.”
The Joker is carving numbers into a stone wall like a formula.
Batman’s big secret involves the secret of Nth Metal, the return of Hawkman, Plastic Man, Mister Terrific, Mister Miracle, reintroduces the Outsiders, Lady Blackhawk and sets the stage for The Immortal Men and the Dark Matter.
What is the Dark Knight unleashing?
Dark Days: The Casting arrives July 12th.
By Editor