In the future, the fist bump is replaced by punching people in the back of the head.
Superman/Batman Annual #4
DC Comics (August 2010)
WRITER: Paul Levitz PENCILER/COLORIST: Renato Guedes INKER: Jose Wilson LETTERER: Steve Wands COVER: Art Germ ASSISTANT EDITOR: Rex Ogle EDITOR: Eddie Berganza
Set in the “Batman Beyond” universe/future, Terry, the current Batman, is on the hunt for the makers of a designer drug that comes from Metropolis and contains Kryptonite. After the events of Superman’s appearance in the show, he has gone into hiding and Metropolis is going the way of Metropolis under the control of Lex Luthor. Batman goes undercover in hopes of making the connection to Luthor and learning about the “ghost” that has been snatching his underlings, sending them running to Gotham. Luthor uses Terry to get a object from the Fortress of Solitude to create his own Superman, but the real Superman (who turns out to be the “ghost”) arrives and together they finally bring Luthor to justice. Then Superman decides to head off into space to live out his final days.
What they got right: I have to admit I was a little concerned going into this, due to recent actions in the main DC titles, since this and the upcoming Batman Beyond miniseries are not part of the Johnny DC line. Thankfully, it wasn’t graphically violent or filled some of the horrific actions that has been getting the headlines in the blogosphere and news sites. The art was well done, although a bit overshaded at times for my taste.
What they got wrong: It’s a lot darker visually than the cartoon, which I suppose makes sense for the current DC style, which I’m not a fan of. Sadly, this includes Metropolis, which is also darker in tone. I don’t buy that being controlled by Starro would put Superman in the kind of funk that would cause him to pretty much quit, since he’s been through a lot worse if this is actually supposed to be the DCAU in a more “mature” style. (Which alone bugs me.)
Recommendation: Overall a rather good comic. Hopefully the upcoming miniseries is on this level, with no graphic violence. The last word in the opening of the credits is “hope”. That’s what the new Batman is, so I hope Terry isn’t written like he’s Bruce.
Bruce thought Terry needed to learn the hard way not to play tag with Superman.
Tomorrow’s Comic: Transformers: Ironhide #2
BW Media Spotlight 