Mild Mannered Reviews - Classic Post-Crisis Superman Comics

The Batman Adventures #25

The Batman Adventures #25

Cover date: Early November 1994

"Super Friends"

Writer: Kelley Puckett
Penciller: Mike Parobeck
Inker: Rick Burchett

Cover: Mike Parobeck and Rick Burchett

Reviewed by: James Lantz



Criminals disguised as waiters are placing a bomb under a table. Later, LexCorp and Waynetech are preparing business proposals for General Turgidson, a representative for the American military. Clark Kent, who has met Bruce Wayne before, is covering the story for the Daily Planet. There is clearly some rivalry between Lex Luthor and Bruce as they do not see eye to eye on many things. As General Turgidson discusses his options with Bruce, Clark and Lex, Bruce notes that the servants are nervous. Clark's sharp ears, meanwhile, have picked up the sound of ticking. His X-ray vision then sees the hidden explosive. This has truly become a job for Superman. Leaving General Turgidson for a moment, Bruce and Clark rush into their costumed identities. The Man of Steel hurls the weapon into space while Batman pursues the ones who had planted it. Two of the crooks have gotten away, but Superman has stopped their car. Suddenly, the ground begins to rumble. This adventure has just become more intense.

Maxie Zeus has claimed that he has caused all of the recent explosions in town. If his unusual demands are not met by 11:00 tonight, all of Gotham City will be destroyed at midnight. The hours tick away as Superman and Batman search for the bombs. Meanwhile Lex sees that action must be taken. He unveils LexCorp's Hunter-Seekers, highly advanced robots controlled by a mobile command center. He intends to use the machines to save Gotham. At the same time, Superman and Batman have found two of Maxie Zeus' henchmen. The Dark Knight is able to get Maxie's location from them by saying that they will be crushed if one of the explosives goes off in police headquarters while they are in prison. The World's Finest Heroes may be one step closer to saving the day.

Zeus has been angered as there is still no word from his men. Now, with his scepter in hand, Maxie intends to turn Gotham City into a pile of rubble. The team of the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel interrupt the villain before he can use the wand, which controls a transmitter that communicates with the explosives. As Superman and Batman battle Zeus' gang, Lex's robots crash through the hideout. One of the machines fires on Superman. Lex explains that it mistook the Man of Tomorrow for an enemy because of his alien DNA. At the same time, Maxie's thugs try to grab the staff that had fallen from Superman's hand. Batman stops them while Superman battles Luthor's Hunter-Seekers. Zeus is now concerned for his plan's success and calls on Brother Hephaestus, whom Batman and Superman learn is really Lex, for aid. Unfortunately, Maxie Zeus' pleas go unheeded. He is carted off to Arkham Asylum, and Gotham City is once again safe.

General Turgidson has made a decision. He will want to use the Hunter-Seekers on the battlefield. However, Batman knows that Lex provided Maxie with means to detonate bombs all over Gotham City with his scepter. This forces Luthor to withdraw his military proposal. After much consideration Waynetech also declines to help Turgidson. Superman flies away to Metropolis, but he and Batman will meet again whenever a threat is too great for one of them to handle alone.

5Story - 5: Okay, I admit it. I love all the DC animated series Bruce Timm has worked on, and I find that their companion comics provide a great expansion of that universe. There are some good and bad stories, but overall, I find the shows and their books entertaining. That being said, let's move onto the review.

The Batman Adventures #25 was published roughly three years before "World's Finest." However, it could honestly take place after that episode. Bruce says that he's met Clark before, but nothing said further as if the creative team knew that Timm and company planned something. In any case, the story was fun despite the fact that my least favorite DC Comics villain, Maxie Zeus, is involved with Luthor. However, I don't think any of Batman's other foes would have worked well into the story.

This is an entertaining comic book for all ages, and, after multi-part sagas and crossovers, it's a breath of fresh air. Pick up this one in your comic shop's back issue bin if you can.

5Art - 5: While Lex and Superman look more like their comic book counterparts from 1994, the art does a spectacular job of telling the story and giving the reader an atmosphere like they're watching an episode of Batman: The Animated Series instead of reading a comic book.

3Cover Art - 3: Unfortunately, the cover didn't impress me as much as the rest of the issue. It's not bad, but I expected something better.


Classic Post-Crisis Superman Comic Book Reviews

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