Prior to this arc, Superman Batman had been sub par for quite a while. This arc brought it back to very good place. The idea but this story arc seems so simple that you can't believe you haven't read it before: Superman and Batman team up to locate and store all of the kryptonite on the planet in one place so that Superman no longer has to worry about it. Seems simple right? In the hands of lesser writers than Mike Green and Michael Johnson it could certainly be that way. That was definitely not the case with this arc however. They really explore both the dynamic between Superman and Batman and just how vengeful Superman can get. Add into that some beautiful art by Shane Davis and you've got yourself a pretty darn good story. Another element that is explored in this particular issue is a new form of kryptonite which eventually involves the whole of the JLA and beyond. The effect that the new kryptonite has on Superman requires the art to change styles completely on a dime and Davis pulls it off brilliantly. Overall, this was one of the best Superman Batman stories to come out in quite sometime and definitely my favorite book this week.
Story: 5 - Excellent
Art: 4 - Very Good
Agreed. I really enjoyed seeing Supes basically trippin' balls in this issue! Truly funny, something you'd never expect Superman to do on his own...unless Lois slipped him something before bed (wink wink, nudge nudge).
This was a much better storyline than anything recently in Superman/Batman. The title had been a bit mediocre. I never got to the stage where I wanted to drop it, because I felt they were always doing some good Supes/Bats character dynamic building. Seeing each of their inner thoughts and what they think of each other (and themselves) is a really great way to do a character/persona study...bird's eye view kinda crap.
I also really liked the introduction of a little sexual tension between Bats and Zatanna. That relationship could potentially make some great stories. I hope they intend on exploring it...if they don't kill Bruce in Final Crisis.
Posted by PhantomPhrenemy on 02/21/08 at 01:21 AM