DCU Comic Book Reviews

SUPERMAN/BATMAN #60

Mash-Up, Part 1

July 2009

Written by Michael Green and Mike Johnson

Pencils by Francis Manapul

Inks by Francis Manapul

Covers by Francis Manapul

Synopsis

Batman can sense that something is wrong with Gotham City.  Suddenly, he comes to face-to-face with the police, who open fire.  Superman stops the bullets and the World’s Finest reach safety.  There, the duo realize that Gotham and Metropolis have merged into one city.  They also learn heroes and villains they used to know have merged into one, such as Night Lantern and Aquaborg of the Justice Titans.  At first, Batman and Superman are viewed as threats, but eventually they are able to convince the others they are good guys and they need to find a way home.  Suddenly, the Justice Titans receive an alert of trouble.  They go to investigate, where they encounter DoomStroke.  Together, they are able to defeat DoomStroke.  Later, DoomStroke reports his failure.  So back-up is called in by their leader, Lex Joker. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

I am at a loss for words.  The basic idea behind this story is the type of thing young geeks would do after a long night of either studying or partying.  It is where you sit around and debate who is stronger or faster or whatever and eventually you get around to mixing and matching powers and abilities, creating mash ups of different characters.  It is usually done for giggles and for fun.  I am amazed that something like that actually became a story, for whatever reason actually published by DC comics.  It is mind boggling.  But, then, reading this issue proves that beyond the simple idea of mashing up the characters, there really is no story.  I mean, it is a nice idea and I liked seeing who were mashed together and what they would look like.  Some of the mash-ups were inspired (Lex Luthor and Night Lantern) while others didn’t quite make sense (Aquaborg and DoomStroke), but I think that is part of the fun, finding combinations and trying to think how it would all work.  But as a story?  No, not quite.  Mostly because there is no story.  It is an exercise to put together different characters.  In what way could there be a story?  Re-read the issue and ask yourself in what way are the mash-up characters doing anything different than the way, say, the normal Titans would be acting.  The writers try, a little bit, with Batman’s observation about Night Lantern, but it is a small moment amongst the fight scenes.  Granted, I think the writers picked the right structure for the story, by focusing on the action and the actions of the characters, but ultimately, reading mixed up characters fighting each other can get boring pretty quick.   

ïPREVIOUS	Main		Page	NEXTð

Home ●  Blog ● Who Are We? ● Site News
Alive and Well since April 16, 2006

 DC Universe Reviews.  All Rights Reserved
  Characters, trademarks, brands are property of DC Comics

For problems or questions regarding this website, please contact our kindly webmaster.
Last updated: 08/06/11.