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The Batman Strikes! #44

The Batman Strikes! #44

Cover date: June 2008

"A Tale of Two Cities"

Writer: Josh Elder
Penciller: Christopher Jones
Inker: Terry Beatty
Cover: Christopher Jones and Terry Beatty

Reviewed by: James Lantz

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Intergang has been providing Rupert Thorne with super criminals. Batman has gone to Metropolis to confront Bruno Mannheim. However, Mannheim calls the police, which forces Batman to use other means to bring down the villain. The Dark Knight must team up with Superman, and a new plan is set into motion. Clark Kent is captured by Intergang because of articles he has written in the Daily Planet. He manages to escape his bounds and use a sonic signal watch to contact Superman. Kent was really Batman in disguise. The Dark Knight and the Man of Steel battle Intergang to later discover that Mannheim has been outfitted with a cybernetic body like that of Metallo, complete with a Kryptonite heart. Batman removes the meteor from Mannheim's chest before he can attempt to kill the Metropolis Marvel. Now, Bruno Mannheim and Intergang will spend their lives in prison thanks to the World's Finest Heroes.

3Story - 3: I've only seen a few episodes of The Batman from the show's first season. This makes me quite unfamiliar with the universe created by its producers. That said, I only gave this issue a 3 because it was only an average story that shows things that have been done before. Then again, Bruce Timm's treatment of the DC Universe has spoiled me with its epic writing and animation. Still, this comic didn't quite live up to my expectations. Plus, I'm not sure if I like the Kryptonite cyborg Mannheim. That element feels forced into the book.

2Art - 2: Once again, Bruce Timm and company have spoiled me. I'm not a huge fan of the visuals from what little I've seen in The Batman. It just looks too much like Manga or Anime for my taste. The art in this issue told the story, but there really wasn't anything too impressive that really stood out for me.

1Cover Art - 1: I bought the comic because Superman was in it, but the cover was awful. Plus, the blurb implies that The Batman Strikes! #44 is the first meeting between Superman and Batman. It isn't. They've clearly met before once you read this issue's contents.

Mild Mannered Reviews

2008

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

January 2008

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