batman superman 1 featured image Reviews 

“Batman/Superman” #1

By | August 30th, 2019
Posted in Reviews | % Comments

Batman and Superman.

It’s a legendary team up starring two of the greatest super heroes ever published. It also comes with a crap ton of history and a daunting pedigree that has produced some of the greatest moments in comic books when it works, and disappointment when it doesn’t.

“Batman/Superman” #1 works. In fact, it works so well that it will probably be one of the best comics you will ever read this year.

Cover by David Marquez

Written by Joshua Williamson
Illustrated by David Marquez
Colored by Alejandro Sanchez
Lettered by John J. Hill

Up in the sky, in the dark of the night, trust no one-for the Secret Six walk among us. Spinning out of the devastating events of the Batman Who Laughs, Superman and Batman are together once more in an all-new monthly series-and they’re facing a terrifying new threat that could strike from anywhere. The Dark Knight and the Man of Steel must journey into the depths of Gotham City to learn which of their fellow heroes has been transformed into the horrifying horseman of their most dangerous and deranged foe ever. Our heroes will need to fight to survive, but an even more dangerous question lurks in the shadows: Can Superman and Batman even trust each other?

Any comic where a Batman and Superman team up is the headline act lives or dies by two simple rules. First, the writer has to find a way to take two drastically different sets of personalities, world views, and power sets and find a way to make them mesh. Second, the threat that the two heroes must be big enough to be a challenge to Superman while allowing Batman to put his skills and abilities to good use.

“Batman/Superman” #1 nails both of these challenges. Writer Joshua Williamson demonstrates tremendous insight into the relationship between the two heroes, and how they are able to work together despite their differences. The story puts the character traits that allow Batman and Superman to be the heroes they need to be on full display. Superman gets to be the kindhearted farm boy that has to practice a near psychotic level of physical and personal restraint; while Batman gets to be the hyper determined billionaire who has to practice opening up to other people. There’s a definite sense that they both care for each other, despite Batman’s refusal to say it out loud.

Meanwhile, the thoughtful and engaging character development is paired with a well paced mystery that brings the World’s Finest face to face with the horrifying and incredibly capable Batman who Laughs: an alternate universe Batman who became a homicidal maniac after killing his version of the Joker. It’s a well told story that challenges both heroes on a physical and emotional level and culminates in an ending that manages to achieve the herculean task of being a satisfying payoff to the plot of the first issue while laying the ground work for many more excellent issues to come.

While the writing is brilliant, a comic book of this pedigree deserves the best artist that the publisher can afford. Somehow, DC was able to lure artist David Marquez away from Marvel to provide the art for “Batman/Superman” #1, and it pays off in spades.

How good is this art? The artwork is so good, it’s almost boring to talk about.

Due to the nature of the main villain of the series “Batman/Superman” #1 needs to be drawn like a horror comic, and Marquez puts his best talents on display to make this comic properly scary. The comic has a hyper realistic style that makes every wicked smile, every wide eyed gasp of horror, and every grimace of stone cold determination meaningful and terrifying. Not only does the comic succeed in the small details, it’s able to be grandiose and dynamic as well. Superman and Batman’s capes have never looked cooler and the excellent script is paired with an artist that understands how to pace and control action.

The amazing line work is complimented by fantastically moody colors that ramp up the horror factor and elevate the comic from great to amazing. The colors are provided by Alejandro Sanchez, who makes the mean streets of Gotham look appropriately dingy and gives the Batman Who Laughs the kind of dark and oppressive shadows he deserves. It’s just another example of an artist at the top of their craft, contributing to make a truly special comic.

“Batman/Superman” #1 is a special book where everything comes together perfectly to create something wonderful. It’s an amazing book created by fantastic creative team and is a worthy addition to the long and storied histories of both characters.

Final Verdict: 9.2-An expertly written story with properly terrifying and gorgeous artwork that displays everything that makes Superman and Batman great. You need to read this comic.


Matthew Blair

Matthew Blair hails from Portland, Oregon by way of Attleboro, Massachusetts. He loves everything comic related, and will talk about it for hours if asked. He also writes a web comic about a family of super villains which can be found here: https://tapas.io/series/The-Secret-Lives-of-Villains

EMAIL | ARTICLES