The Multiversal Origins of the Dark Knights
The first six “Dark Nights” evil Batmen one-shots are out and readers now know the secret origins of all but one of Barbatos’ servants. Astute readers and longtime comic fans may have also noticed that each of the dark Batmen has a connection to a concept or story from the history of DC Comics.
Today we break down and explain each one of these connections. These breakdowns will not explain the motivations behind the Batmen but can help readers gain a more robust appreciation and understanding of the works that inspired them. Let’s take a look.
(Note: negative symbols in front of Earth numbers indicate a negative Earth, i.e. “Earth -4” is “negative Earth 4”)
The Red Death
The world of Batman: The Red Death (Review) should be instantly recognizable to readers who have experienced one of the most popular Batman stories of all time, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. Both stories feature an aged Batman taking down one of his superpowered friends. Beyond that though, both stories have Batman using a tank-like Batmobile instead of his standard ride and streets filled with mutants wearing oddly designed sunglasses. If you still don’t believe these two stories are similar, see the image on the right where Red Death artist, Carmine De Giandomenico, is clearly paying homage to a scene in The Dark Knight Returns.
The only thing that doesn’t fit when comparing these two stories is the number Earth they are set. Batman: The Red Death is set on Earth -52, while there is no positive version of that Earth. However, it is quite possible that the Red Death’s Earth was given this numbering because the world of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns does not have an official Earth number in Multiversity.
The Murder Machine
While The Red Death has a clear inspiration in the history of DC Comics, Batman: The Murder Machine (Review) is a little less obvious. The story is seems to be completely original and does not appear to have an origin within the history of the DC Universe.
The only real connection to be made here is in the Earth designation that the story is given. The Murder Machine’s Earth is Earth -44, which seems to be a reference to the positive version of that world, Earth 44. On this positive Earth, there was no Justice League until Will ‘Doc’ Tornado created a league of robots based on his favorite comic book characters. This is where readers can see a slight connection between worlds as both eventually involve a Justice League made up of robotic beings.
The Dawnbreaker
The origins of Batman: The Dawnbreaker (Review) are far more obvious all around. One of the most prominent Batman Elseworlds out there is Batman: In Darkest Night where Batman received a Green Lantern Ring instead of Hal Jordan. In addition, Multiversity designates Earth 32 as a world where Batman serves as Earth’s Green Lantern.
The Dawnbreaker’s Earth is Earth -32, where Bruce Wayne receives a Green Lantern Ring instead of Hal Jordan. It clearly takes heavy inspiration from In Darkest Night despite being a much darker and more violent story.
The Drowned
Like The Murder Machine, Batman: The Drowned (Review) shares very little connections with any other story in the DC Comics universe. Once again though, readers can find a connection within the world’s Earth designation.
The world of the Drowned is set on Earth -11, which the Drowned tells us is a gender swapped version of the standard Earth. In Grant Morrison’s Multiversity, Earth 11 has the exact same quality to it. These reversed genders appear clearly in Batman: The Drowned where Aquaman is Aquawoman and Selina Kyle is Sylvester Kyle.
The Merciless
Throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, the DC Animated Universe (DCAU for short) was how many fans became acquainted with DC Comics. This universe was created with the premier of Batman: The Animated Series and extended through a multitude of other television shows such as Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, Batman Beyond, and Static Shock. Though most of these shows featured their own separate storylines, they all were confirmed to exist in the same universe.
It is this very universe from which Batman: The Merciless (Review) seems to take inspiration. The DCAU is designated as Earth 12, while the Merciless hails from Earth -12. Sealing this connection though is the relationship between Batman and Wonder Woman. Throughout Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, flirtations and rumors of romance constantly hinted that these two superheroes were more than friends. Now, in Batman: The Merciless, we see a dark version of this as the two are also in a relationship on Earth -12.
The Devastator
At first glance, Batman: The Devastator (Review) does not seem to align directly with a specific Earth. Earth 1 is a Earth of younger heroes where the events of the “Earth One” series of graphic novels take place. Since the Devastator’s Earth is designated as Earth -1, readers can instantly see that there are few parallels between these two worlds.
However, looking past Earth designations, readers will find striking similarities between Batman: The Devastator and All-Star Superman issue #4. Both stories deal with Superman going rogue and attacking those who previously considered him a friend. Plus, both stories feature someone defeating Superman by using the Doomsday Virus to turn themselves into a monster. In fact, reading All-Star Superman can give a little background to this story as All-Star Superman explains how the Doomsday Virus can take over whoever uses it and drive them mad.
With the multiversal origins of these dark Batmen explained, readers can see how strange the Dark Multiverse truly is, and we haven’t even seen the origin of the Batman Who Laughs (coming November 15th).
Did you agree with the connections we found? Or did you notice any that we missed? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Or, if you want to learn more about Dark Nights: Metal, check out our timeline here or our reviews here.