The new creative team started with a rather dubious debut with Superman/Batman #27 which turned out to be nothing more than an advertisement for Supergirl’s comic book. However, I don’t blame the new creative team since that decision was clearly one made by DC’s editors. So, after a completely waste of an issue in Superman/Batman #27, we officially start the new creative team’s run on this title. With Van Sciver you know that this issue will look great. My only question is can Verheiden deliver an entertaining story. Let’s hit the review.
Creative Team
Writer: Mark Verheiden
Artist: Ethan Van Sciver
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Story Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
Synopsis: This issue starts with Bruce Wayne hosting a big black tie gala event. Bruce feels like he is being watched and abruptly leaves the party. We then see Bruce in his Batman costume and just destroying his heavy bag in the Batcave. Alfred checks on Bruce to see if he is ok. Alfred tells Batman that he has a visitor. It is the Martian Manhunter. J’onn tells Batman that he is an affront to the world and punches the hell out of Batman. And with that we have a braaaaawwwl! Batman ends up creating a fiery explosion with an electrical cable which causes Martian Manhunter extreme pain. J’onn then flees the Batcave.
We then shift to Superman meeting Batman at the old JLA cave headquarters. Batman tells Superman about Martian Manhunter attacking him. They both found it odd that J’onn reacted to fire like he did since it hasn’t reacted to fire like that in a long time. Suddenly, the old JLA computer’s attack alert activates. There is a situation in Gotham where the military has been called in to help. Batman unveils his new Friction Pod that Hiro Okumura built for him. This will enable Superman to carry Batman at super speeds.
We then cut to Superman and Batman arriving in Gotham where Titano is on a rampage. And we have another braaaawwwl! Superman takes out Titano and they discover that it is really Martian Manhunter who transforms again and escapes into the Gotham Aquarium. Superman and Batman then confront J’onn in the Aquarium. Superman notes that J’onn is not just changing his appearance. He actually has the powers of the individuals that he turns into. J’onn then transforms into Dr. Phosphorus. Dr. Phosphorous says he wants to be acknowledged. That he has been forgotten, abused and ignored. Superman then cracks the Aquarium tank and the water takes out Dr. Phosphorous. Superman and Batman then look around for Dr. Phosphorus or whoever he is but he is gone. They figure that he transformed again and escaped. Superman and Batman decide that this situation isn’t over. That it is just beginning. End of issue.
Comments:
The Good: Superman/Batman #28 was a great issue! Verheiden delivered a well done story. This opening scene was well done. Verheiden immediately shows that he has a nice feel for Batman’s character. The obvious discomfort that Bruce has being at a black tie affair and his total indifference for the people around him was perfect. Verheiden continued to impress me with his handling of Batman in the following scene in the Batcave. I like how Verheiden shows how Batman is clearly more comfortable in his mask. That his Batman uniform is his safe haven. Verheiden definitely has the same vision of Batman that I have. This isn’t the chatty patty, touchy feely Batman that Robinson wrote in his One Year Later storyline. This is your vintage one track minded intense Batman. Perfect.
The brawl between Batman and Martian Manhunter was unexpected, but well done. I like how Verheiden shows that Batman may be outclassed in terms of raw power, but Batman’s secret weapons are his wits, instincts and will to survive.
It was neat seeing Verheiden pull some old villains out of the DC’s vault like Titano the Super Ape. Then we see Manhunter turn into Parasite and then finally Dr. Phosphorus. It becomes clear that this villain is not Martian Manhunter since J’onn isn’t able to replicate the powers of the people he transforms into. This villain can replicate powers of anyone he transforms into. This is some villain from the past that is obviously upset and I’m very curious to learn more about this villain.
Verheiden did a great job with the writing duties on Superman/Batman #28. Verheiden has a nice feel for Batman’s personality and delivers an interesting Darknight. I really liked the dialogue and intense personality that Verheiden gives Batman. Verheiden also delivers a nice Superman. Verheiden is able to contrast the personalities of these two longtime comrades. Verheiden also takes these differences and meshes them together in order to show how Superman and Batman, even though very different, compliment each other wonderfully. This is what makes them such a formidable team.
Verheiden’s dialogue for Alfred was absolutely spot on. Overall, the dialogue was very strong and made this issue an entertaining read. Verheiden crafted a nicely paced story that is focused and lays a good foundation for what appears to be a rather interesting storyline. Verheiden hooked me with this mysterious villain and I am eagerly awaiting the next issue to see where he is heading with this story.
And, of course, the art is simply incredible. Ethan Van Sciver is arguable the best artists in the industry right now. Van Sciver’s artwork is gorgeous. I could stare at this comic for hours. Van Sciver has such wonderful detail. His art is amazingly textured. It is the little things like how Van Sciver draws Batman’s cape so that it looks like actual bat wings. Very cool. His facial expressions are fantastic. You can feel the characters’ emotions. It makes his art very intense and captivating. I could go on and on about Van Sciver’s art forever. Great stuff.
The Bad: No complaints at all.
Overall: Superman/Batman #28 was a great issue. This was the perfect rebound from an absolutely horrendous debut issue. Verheiden delivers an entertaining story and he immediately got me interested in this storyline. This was a nice combination of a good story with fantastic art. Every time a title on the Revolution’s permanent pull list has a wholesale change with the creative team then I automatically put the title on probation as see if it is going to earn the right to stay on the permanent pull list. Well, after this issue, Superman/Batman definitely earns the right to stay on the Revolution’s permanent pull list. I’d recommend this comic book to anyone. Give it a try.