Batman Superman #16 Review

Batman/Superman “The Nemesis Objective” has mind wiped itself of all the mind wipe hullabaloo that came before. We have a brand new arc that is a good jumping on spot for new readers, much like Justice League this month. Also, like Justice League, there is a new artist on board and I’m very excited about it. For all the newness in the title, Greg Pak is still at the helm and guiding this ship. While I don’t think this issue exemplified his finest writing moments, I’m certainly willing to follow especially if we can keep our new artist Ardian Syaf along.

The issue opens up with a set-up for something I found very momentous. What I’m talking about is the guys who dressed up as Batman and Superman to entertain those little kids in the hospital. I won’t ruin it, but it’s sad and that’s an emotion I rarely honestly have while reading comics. (Certainly most of us have been desensitized to the death of Martha and Thomas Wayne. Even though I know it’s sad, I don’t always feel it.) Superman, Supergirl, Steel and Krypto are saving some orca whales when suddenly something terrible happens.

Of course, Superman dons his glasses to do some investigative reporting. But as we all know, this is Batman/Superman and Clark just isn’t smart enough to figure things out on his own, so he goes to see the world’s greatest detective, Benedict Cumberbatch… I mean, Batman. After some moments at the hospital, they return to the Batcave where I believe some of the worst dialogue takes place.
Up until the cave I felt very strongly about this issue. It had heart, looked great, and was interesting. We get to the Batcave and Bruce just starts talking very strange. I’m not opposed to the root of what is said, but it’s presented to us -the readers- as it might have been presented to the editors at DC.

“Here’s an idea guys, what if Superman had to face a villain similar to one of Batman’s? What if, somehow, Bruce could use his intimate psychoanalysis of a certain nemesis that would come in handy when Superman has to deal with the same type of threat?” I felt like it was another case of telling us what was going on than showing us. The set-up with the volunteers was great to show a particular point: the villain is cruel and that guy was truly a hero. But there should have been hints at this too that would help the reader accept it and feel those tiny pieces of information fall into place. Instead, we get an opening transcript from Lois Lane about people feeling better. I’m all about what is revealed, but the process and way it was presented was lacking. That disappoints because I felt it had/has potential.


But not all the dialogue and flow of the story is off. There are sincere moments between Bruce and Clark that are written well. There is an element of danger that feels honest and not contrived. One page in particular really shows the potential for danger that is headed Superman’s way. I really want to see the next issue, so that is a plus for sure.

Recommended if:

• You want to see a Batman/Superman issue with good artwork again.
• You think there’s nothing better than the dualities between Batman and Superman.
• You’re looking to start this series. It’s a great place to pick it up.

Overall:
I am thrilled to see Syaf’s artwork. I like the overall direction this arc looks like it’s taking us. I feel like the last quarter of the book had more potential than was recognized, at least in the writing department, though the rest of the book made up for it. It’s a good first chapter in a new story arc. I’d recommend it.

Get full review from Batman News here

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Superman Unchained #9 Review

The scope of the story has been expanding since the series' first issue, and now culminates in near-apocalyptic fashion in Scott Snyder and Jim Lee's "Superman Unchained" #9. Even as the events build and conclude, though, both Snyder and Lee symbolically bring the story back to its beginnings, poetically capping off their run on the title as they bring it to a close. Having set up everything prior to this final issue, the creators simply roll out the story's very loud and cinematic-style conclusion, giving themselves both plenty of room to stretch out and deliver a satisfying sendoff and a wrap-up that sums up the essence of both hero and villain.

As he has in past issues, artist Dustin Nguyen also contributes to the story with a flashback to Clark's youth, where Clark demonstrates perhaps his first act of heroism. It's an act that's in the aftermath of Clark's actions, though, which shows he's still just a human who makes mistakes. This is a theme that Snyder addresses more than once throughout the issue, making it very clear that while Superman is a super hero, he's not perfect -- but he still learns from past mistakes. Moreover, Snyder cleverly voices this supposed foible through the words of Lex Luthor, whose narration implies that this characteristic is a negative trait, while the voiceover ironically takes place as Supes prepares himself to make the ultimate sacrifice, to achieve the noblest of victories.

When Luthor's voiceover pauses, Snyder also steps aside and lets Lee do the talking with a grand, five-page wordless sequence that shows -- perfect or not -- Superman acting every bit the super hero that he is. Lee uses inset panels over a series of impressive and dynamic single and double-page spreads that both evoke the enormity of the threat facing the world as well as The Man of Steel's heroic bravery in confronting it. It's a wonderfully laid-out series of pages that are beautifully colored by Alex Sinclair, only matched by the subsequent climactic pages where a possibly unexpected ally steps in to help. Snyder's words are poignant, and Lee and Sinclair's art give the story's climax a big budget, space opera kind of feel that make eight issues of story building all pay off.

The conclusion brings symmetry to the nine-issue story, as the explosive ending to the battle recollects the Nagasaki bombing shown in the arc's opening scene in issue #1, and brings The Wraith's involvement in both to a redeeming and positive close. "Superman Unchained" #9 brings the entirety of the series to a positive close, as well; a series that has consistently outshined the other Superman titles during its run.

Get full review from Comic Book Resources here

Superman #35 Review

Geoff Johns and John Romita, Jr. are back after a month-long hiatus to tell the further adventures of Superman and his new BFF, Ulysses. Issue #34 ended on a pretty significant cliffhanger, making the extra wait that much harder to deal with. And even though the characterization in this issue is a bit off compared to the previous chapters, there’s no momentum lost as this partnership continues to develop.
Issue #35 does disappoint somewhat in its early pages. Rather than force the powerful but naive Ulysses to deal with the consequences of killing an innocent man, Geoff Johns finds a way to downplay that mistake. But the end result is still a heavy focus on the morality of being a superhero and te limits of what one man can do to change the world. Here Johns really taps into what makes Superman so super. Ulysses may be a physical match for the Man of Steel, but he doesn’t quite have Clark’s heart or head yet.

Aside from the tension-deflating opening where this issue stumbles is in its overly brisk handling of Ulysses’ arc. The character undergoes significant changes in terms of his world-view and relationship with Superman, and the whole process seems a bit rushed. In the process, the Machinist seems important more as a means to an end than as a lasting addition to Superman’s rogues gallery. The interaction between the two characters remains a highlight, though, and it’s really more a case of needing to see where this arc is headed before judging too firmly.

Johns' script offers John Romita, Jr. a winning blend of action and character drama to tackle. Naturally, Romita shows a flair for both. His use of body language early on hammers home the pain and despair Ulysses is feeling at the death he caused (even if that despair is fleeting). Romita's facial work shines in the Daily Planet scenes, apart from one panel where Lois' face is a bit off. And there's a great action-oriented sequence as the two heroes attack the Machinist aboard an oil tanker and battle all manner of crazy inventions. As always, I do wish Romita were paired with a different inker. There's a subtlety to his line-work that sometimes gets drowned out under Klaus Janson's heavy blacks. But at least Laura martin's colors give every panel that extra bit of vitality and depth.

THE VERDICT

It's good to have Johns and Romita back on Superman after the month-long hiatus. This isn't their strongest issue, as the underwhelming resolution to the previous chapter's cliffhanger and a fairly rushed approach to Ulysses' character arc are problematic. But there's still a great blend of character dynamics and epic action to be found. And through it all, Johns shows an ability and a willingness to delve into the heart of who Superman is.

Get full review from IGN here