Dark Days: The Casting # 1 DC Comics 9/17 Foil CGC 9.8 4631836023

Dark Days: The Casting #1 is the second part of a two-issue prelude to the 2017 DC crossover event Dark Nights: Metal. Written by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV, it expands on the mystery of ancient metals and the "Dark Multiverse". 

Major First Appearances

The following characters and groups make their debut in this issue:

• The Dark Knights (Cameo): This issue features the first cameo appearance (appearing in shadows/vision) of the corrupted Batmen from the Dark Multiverse:
• The Batman Who Laughs
• The Red Death
• The Dawnbreaker
• The Murder Machine
• The Devastator
• The Drowned
• The Merciless
• Barbatos (Dark Multiverse): While an unrelated demon named "Barbathos" appeared in older comics, this issue marks the first appearance of the specific dark god Barbatos who serves as the primary antagonist of the Metal saga (appearing here in a vision).
• The Signal (Duke Thomas): While Duke Thomas was already a supporting character, this issue is where his superhero codename "The Signal" is first revealed as his powers begin to manifest.

• The Immortals: The first full appearance of this group occurs in flashback sequences within this issue. 

Key First Items & Locations

• Sunblade: This weapon, made of the "Eighth Metal," makes its first appearance when Batman barters with Talia al Ghul.
• The Great Forge of Hephaestus: A notable single-appearance location where Batman travels to find a specific artifact.

Plot Summary

The issue follows several interconnected threads that converge to set the stage for the return of an ancient darkness:

• Batman's Global Quest: Batman travels to the Great Forge of Hephaestus and later a ruined Cadmus site in Arizona. He trades a divine weapon from Wonder Woman for an ancient dagger held by Talia al Ghul, seeking more of the mysterious "Ninth Metal" to power his investigation.
• The Joker's Revelation: In the Batcave, an escaped Joker taunts Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) and Duke Thomas. He reveals that the "metal" is tied to the origins of metahumans and that Batman’s obsession is leading to a cosmic catastrophe.
• Hawkman’s Journal: Through flashbacks, Carter Hall (Hawkman) details his life as a detective of history. He discovers that his eternal cycle of reincarnation is tied to an ancient "Bat Tribe" betrayal and a dark force waiting in another dimension.
• The Climax: Duke Thomas discovers his own metahuman abilities, taking on the moniker The Signal. He helps Batman activate a machine that reveals a terrifying vision of the Dark Multiverse and the upcoming threat: Barbatos and his dark "Batmen". 

Key Characters

• Batman (Bruce Wayne): Driven by visions of his own death, he risks everything to uncover the secret of the Metal.
• Duke Thomas: Learns he is a metahuman and is dubbed "The Signal".
• The Joker: Acting as an unlikely "good guy," he tries to stop Batman from opening the portal.
• Carter Hall (Hawkman): The narrator whose journal provides historical context for the Nth Metal.
• Barbatos: An ancient demonic entity from the Dark Multiverse, appearing in a vision at the end of the issue. 

Creative Team & Art

The book features a distinct visual style split between three major artists: 

• Andy Kubert: Illustrates the Carter Hall flashback sequences.
• John Romita Jr.: Handles the present-day Batman sequences.
• Jim Lee: Draws the scenes involving the Joker, Green Lantern, and Duke Thomas.

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