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Mild Mannered Reviews - Superman/Batman

Superman/Batman #68

Scheduled to arrive in stores: January 20, 2010

Cover date: March 2010

"The Big Noise" - Part 1: "Rumble Face"

Writer: Joe Casey
Penciller: Ardian Syaf
Inker: Vicente Arrerola

Reviewed by: Michael Bailey

Click to enlarge

In the Himalayas Anderson Gaines reaches a summit and finds what appears to be a crashed space craft. Suddenly his base camp loses contact with him.

Six months later Batman fights Death-Man in Gotham City. After taking the villain down Superman arrives and reminds Batman of the ship they had found earlier and tells him this is something that needs to be dealt with. They talk about the ancient Kryptonian space craft and how uncomfortable Superman is with the entire situation. Batman maintains that their priority is the single escape pod since the last thing they need after the war with Imperiex is another alien terrorist. After telling Superman that he will be in touch Batman takes off into the night.

Soon after that conversation Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen are in S.T.A.R. Labs central headquarters to meet with Garrison Slate for a profile for the Sunday section. After the photos are taken care of Garrison and Clark sit down for the interview. They are interrupted by Anderson Gaines, who is unhappy with the interview. Clark and Gaines shake hands and something clicks with Anderson. Clark leaves and Garrison and Gaines discuss Gaines showing up during the interview and what Anderson refers to as destiny.

In the Batcave Batman studies the cell sample that he had previously taken and discovers that whatever the cell belongs to is a shape shifter.

In Metropolis Clark Kent is busy writing his article when a giant fireball hits the Daily Planet building. NRG-X (which stands for Nuclear Radiation Generator, Experimental), the man behind the attack, ponders why a reporter was his intended target. Suddenly Superman reveals himself and informs NRG-X that now it is just the two of them.

Story - 4: I really liked this issue.

I didn't think I was going to because Joe Casey is involved and I have never been his biggest fan. Still, even though the beginning of this issue was a bit clunky once the first two scenes were over I settled in and enjoyed myself quite a bit.

I think the main reason I dug this issue so much is that while Superman and Batman were front and center (as it should be) we also got an extended scene with Clark Kent. I miss Clark Kent. I really do. Some people may find Superman spending a lot of time in his so-called "civilian identity" boring but I came up in an era where the glasses were just as important as the cape. Casey gave us a really good sequence where Clark was doing an interview that led to a meeting with what I am assuming is the ultimate villains of the piece. Then, we get to see him at work at the Daily Planet before NRG-X attacks. It just made me happy to see this. It really did.

And that last scene? Of Superman standing in the flames looking like it's on like Donkey Kong?

Awesome.

My main problem with this story is that the trade dress on the front of the issue says that this is tied to "Our Worlds at War". Now I am a big fan of OWAW. I thought it was a great Superman centric event and I remember it well and so should Casey since he was in on it. The problem is that the events of that war are never really explained, so a new reader might be confused. I don't want to speak for anyone. This is just a thought I had while reading the book.

So yeah...Joe Casey turned in a really solid story. Hopefully this means the title is back on track.

Art - 5: At the bottom of this review I discuss my issues (at least those that I can articulate) with the art on the cover.

I have no issues with the art inside the book.

Seriously. Top to bottom I loved it. Every character looked good. Even Death Man. All of the gear, the backgrounds, everything.

And that last page? Of Superman with the previously mentioned on like Donkey Kong look?

That made this issue for me.

I am a very happy reader right now.

Cover Art - 4: This is not a bad cover but at the same time there is something about it that I just don't like. Batman and Superman look off. I don't know. As bad as it is for a reviewer to write such a thing I just can't put my finger on it.

Mild Mannered Reviews

2010

Note: Month dates are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic went on sale.

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Mild Mannered Reviews - Superman/Batman

Superman/Batman #68

Mild Mannered Reviews

2010

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