DCU Comic Book Reviews

SUPERMAN/BATMAN #55

Super/Bat, Part 2

February 2009

Written by Michael Green and Mike Johnson

Pencils by Rags Morales

Inks by John Dell

Covers by Rags Morales

Synopsis

After getting shot in the stomach by a mugger, Clark Kent is rushed to the hospital.  Around the world, Batman (with the powers of Superman) fights against crime, staying one step ahead of the rising sun.  On the JLA Watchtower, Clark is being treated by the Justice League.  Batman then shows up to tell the League to leave him alone.  With the power he has, he will never stop.  In Gotham City, Batman interrupts Catwoman in the midst of a robbery. She tells him she is taking for a drug lord.  Batman tells her he has no time for games and is taking her in.  Just then, Nightwing arrives and attacks the Dark Knight.  Despite being in the dark, and out of the sun, Batman wins the fight.  Later, Robin tracks down Banshee.  CLark wants to help capture her, but Zatanna doesn’t think it is a good idea.  However, Alfred, however, offers Bruce a reinforced suit so he can join the mission.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

There a small bits and pieces that I liked in this issue, but overall there really isn’t much here to sustain a story for as long as it is.  It is really a boring story that is not told in any way imaginatively.  There have been dozens, perhaps more, of stories done about Batman and/or Superman gaining unlimited power that corrupts them in some way.  Hell, you can argue that over in Trinity that story is being told right now.  Anyway, there is nothing in this story that is different or fresh.  It is (again) Batman becoming drunk on the powers he has been given.  It is not original and lacks a spin on it to make it interesting. 

The parts that I did like include the brief aside that Batman tells the group he will give up the powers once Banshee has been found.  While I like the moment, it is too short.   I like the fact that he isn’t greedy or selfish with what he has; he is just trying to do what he can while he can.  This should be something that should be reinforced throughout the story. 

I also liked the fight with Nightwing, especially his reasoning on why he thought he could actually fight and possibly beat a powered Batman.  It is a nice touch, showing that Nightwing was just blindly charging in there like an idiot.  Hey, wait a minute, doesn’t Batman have a cache of Gold Kryptonite stores somewhere (a bit of continuity that not only comes from this title, but these same writers).  Why wouldn’t Nightwing grab a few those pieces and depower Batman long enough to knock him senseless?  Or am I interjecting too much reality into the story?

Finally, I’m glad the writers addressed the Bane situation that I mentioned in a previous review of this story (not sure which issue, however).  It is a little throwaway line, but at the very least we know that Bane wasn’t killed.  That still doesn’t excuse the fact that Batman tried to kill him although I suppose one could argue that Batman knew Bane was juiced and therefore would be able to withstand punishment.

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