The Robin King one-shot provided an in-depth look at the Robin King’s utility belt, underscoring just what makes the belt so dangerous.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Dark Nights Death Metal: Robin King #1 by Peter J. Tomasi, Riley Rossmo, Ivan Plascencia and Rob Leigh, on sale now.
On top of all the tools and weapons he’s previously used (including a bullet specifically designed for the undead like Jonah Hex, Harley Quinn’s hammer, or a Flash Ring designed to slowly dissolve the speedster), Death Metal: The Robin King #1 reveals more of the items that he keeps contained in his utility belt.
Here are some of the tools that make the Robin King’s utility belt such a lethal accessory.
STOLEN WEAPONS
Some of the most impressive items in the utility belt are tools usually associated with other characters. The Robin King has apparently come up against Lobo in his reality, which would explain how the young villain was able to claim one of the alien bounty hunter’s unbreakable hooks for himself. This means the Robin King has one of the most sturdy and reliable weapons in the DC Universe hiding in one of the pockets of his utility belt. While almost every weapon he has is perfect to counter some specific hero or threat, the Lobo Hook is likely a useful weapon against pretty much everyone and everything.
Smilex is the name often given to a form of Joker Toxin. The nerve toxin specifically targets the nervous system of the victim, causing the infected to laugh uncontrollably after being exposed to it. Without proper treatement in a timely manner, Smilex is often fatal. It’s unknown if the Smilex came from the Robin King’s reality or not, but it potentially suggests that at one point, the Robin King was forced to confront a version of the Joker and stole his greatest criminal creation. Or, it’s possible that the Robin King is demented enough to have developed the toxin all on his own.
Nth Metal is one of the most versatile items within the DC Universe, and has been used frequently by the likes of Hawkgirl and mystical heroes like Doctor Fate. It’s capable of breaking apart mystical sources, as well as being an incredibly durable tool in the battle against other durable substances and weapons. The Robin King has refashioned the unique metal into a pair of hand-cuffs, meaning he could essentially bind someone with a truly unbreakable source. He also specifically didn’t create a key for the cuffs, meaning anyone who ends up trapped in them might be wearing them forever.
The waters of the Lazarus Pit are capable of restoring people to life after they’ve been killed. The secret to Ra’s Al Ghul’s long-life and seeming immortality, the waters of the Lazarus Pit are among the most valuable substances in the world to those who are aware of the power contained within the liquid. It makes sense that the Robin King made his way to the Lazarus Pits of his world, as taking the water gives him a potential counter to any fatal blow he may suffer. The madness brought on by the use of the Lazarus Pit water likely wouldn’t slow down the demented Robin King in the slightest, either.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Robin King’s utility belt is the captured fifth-dimensional imp that has been stuffed into one of the pockets of his utility belt. From the design of the imp, it appears to be the Mister Mxyzptlk of his reality, trapped within the belt. The fifth-dimensional imps are among the most powerful beings within the DC Universe, with the ability to reshape reality around themselves. This is maybe the most powerful tool in the Robin King’s belt, which is really saying something.
THE SMALLVILLIAN, THE GODTHRILLER & THE RING POP
Among his gear, the Robin King has weapons specifically for certain heroes. The Smallvillian is a ring specifically designed to counter Superman, similar to Lex Luthor’s infamous Green Kryptonite Ring. While Luthor’s ring ended up infecting him with cancer due to extended exposure to the radioactive properties of the ring, it’s likely the Robin King has found a way to counteract that. Notably, the Smallvillian isn’t just made of Green Kryptonite either. It’s composed of all known kinds of kryptonite, meaning it sends Superman’s body through multiple changes with every punch.
The Godthriller, like the Smallvillian, is a powerful weapon created by the Robin King. This one is specifically built to counter the magical properties of people like Wonder Woman, who otherwise would have major mystical advantages over her enemies. It’s a special diamond ring that was forged by Hephestus, imbuing it with great power naturally. But it’s even more powerful than that, as it’s also been super-charged with the lighting of Zeus — which specifically has the power to kill other deities.
The Ring Pop is a weapon made specifically for Bruce Wayne, aka Batman. However, the Robin King — who is himself a demented version of Bruce from a reality where he was born evil — has made it very personal. Shaped like the bat-symbol, the ring is revealed to have been crafted from the same metal that was in the gun used to kill the Waynes. The Robin King keeps the ring — also known as the Pearl of Blood — for sentimental value, which makes sense considering this version of Bruce was the one who murdered his parents on that infamous night.
MYSTICAL DEFENSES
The Robin King also has plenty of tools that are capable of stopping magical threats. The Bind of Veils is a weapon made from the same enchanted wool as Wonder Woman’s Lasso of Truth. However, it was given an inverted weave, which produces the opposite effect on those captured by it: It shows them false visions of the world, effectivily lying to their mind and soul. A version of the Bind of Veils was used by Batman to hold a Joker-corrupted Wonder Woman at bay during the events of “Endgame.” Having this, coupled with the Godthriller, give the Robin King a number of ways to counter Wonder Woman.
Ragman’s soul-rags are created when the mystical hero defeats someone and absorbs their soul into his being. From there, Ragman can use their abilities to his advantage or as shields against attacks. If the Robin King has claimed some of the Ragman souls, then he could use them as last-second protection or surprise assaults. Precisely which souls are currently trapped within the rags remains a mystery, although they might contain the souls of Animal Man’s family considering the Robin King was able to use those souls against the hero in battle.
Holy Water is a typical weapon used against demonic and evil forces, particularly from the depths of hell. The fact that the Robin King has some on hand suggests he’s prepared for any devilish threat that comes his way. This likely also stopped any attacks from the likes of heroes like Etrigan. But what’s interesting is that he also has unholy water, which he would likely try to utilize against some of the more righteous mystical forces out there. Something like unholy water likely kept the Robin King out of the hands of something like the Spectre, who is the personification of heaven’s wraith.
