Greg Pak and Jae Lee nudge us over the edge of the rabbit hole in this issue of “Batman Superman.” As we tumble ever deeper into the world of confusion, mystery, and beautiful storytelling hand in hand with two of the most iconic superheroes ever created, one thing becomes clear. When it comes to the world of heroes, capes, and comic books; we are all mad here.
Written by Greg Pak
Illustrated by Jae LeeBatman and Superman travel to Earth 2, where they find familiar heroes who are trying to kill them!
The creative team behind “Batman Superman” has found a way to toy with continuity, without completely abandoning it. In this series, we are presented with a green, raw version of both Superman and Batman, from the past, perhaps from two different points in time. These rookie heroes are thrust into their own future (though seemingly, this future still lags behind the established ‘present’) on Earth 2. Batman seems a bit more well seasoned than Superman in this story. Batman and Superman, or perhaps more accurately, Bruce and Clark, must grapple for a footing in reality, as they are confronted with a world that is at once familiar and startlingly new. They are given a glimpse into a possible version of the future that draws their humanity into focus. Capitalizing on the struggles each man faces on their path to becoming the heroes we know them to be, the team reminds us just how much this pair must endure as they are steeled and tested.
Pak’s narrative accomplishes something beautiful echoing the bewilderment of the heroes as they face this unfathomable new reality. The twisting, turning story never completely unfolds, instead each turn of the page reveals another layer of deception, and raises new questions. Playing the part of a trickster himself, Pak’s deliberate disorientation is not unlike the plot of this series villain, Kaiyo, a trickster god hellbent on disturbing the existence of Batman and Superman. This complex story structure is a hurricane of mystery, dwelling in possibility and reconstructing the realities of very well known mythology in effective ways.
One of the most successful elements of this series is the stark contrast created by the two protagonist. Batman is the ice to Superman’s fire, the dark to his light, the mind to his heart. These men have very little common ground to stand upon, and yet they are facing this unbelievable scenario together; the sole ally for one another in this uncharted labyrinth. Lee’s art draws this into focus beautifully. Gotham, the world of Bruce Wayne and Batman, is a city of smoke and mirrors where nothing is quite what it seems. Somehow organic and angular at once the city marries baroque opulence with cold minimalism. Dark and foreboding, Lee’s Gotham pulses mystery. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Smallville and Metropolis, the homes of Superman are ablaze with light. Whether burning with unrestrained passion and fervor, or glowing with hope; the golden palettes used as backdrops for the Man of Steel are markable departures from the blacks and cool tones coloring the world of the Bat Man. The differences between Clark and Bruce extend well beyond their visual representations. Confronted with his double, Bruce begins analyzing the situation with cold deduction; while Clark’s response is much more intuitive and emotional. Bruce continues to assert his personal agency, while Clark becomes surrenders to his inability to control the situation to a greater degree than his counterpart. Though, through Batman’s internal monologue we are allowed to see a rare moment of self-doubt, he always reverts to the hardened introvert we know him to be, relying on his intellect. Clark seems incapable of divorcing the storm of emotions that he is experiencing from his decision making. Clark is allowed to be a child, naive and in need of guidance, creating a vulnerability that we rarely see in the character.
Throughout “Batman Superman” #2, Lee’s artwork rails against convention creating something novel and beautiful. From his innovative layouts to his depictions of action, Lee continually finds opportunities to develop his own voice within this story. The beautifully articulated figures in this issue move like water, rippling and gliding across the page. Lee is able to render a great deal of expression using obscured faces and silhouettes. The body language he captures speaks as loudly as a glint in an eye, a welcoming smile, or a tear on a cheek. The settings and environments he creates become characters themselves, always forceful and surreal. These settings melt away when the characters need to come to center stage. In this way, Lee guides the audience through the complicated story with care and intention.
Continued belowLee’s style is romantic and raw, but balances this energy with thoughtful composition and obvious skill. His work emits a sensation of immediacy. These panels are not still photographs snapped in the midst of these events, instead they are transportive, his work in this issue brings us into this world completely. In one moment Lee channels Dutch baroque masters, and in the next he melts reality like one of Salvador Dali’s clocks. Seamlessly bringing together the worlds of the hyperreal and the surreal, his art is entirely unique and inspiring.
By contrasting these two heroes, and drawing attention to their differences the creative team does something incredible. As different as the two men are, their experiences mirror one another with great clarity. An exploration of love, family, roots and aspirations; this story draws attention to the universal commonalities of the human experience. “Batman Superman” #2 reminds us that our similarities are more numerous and more important than our differences.
Final Verdict: 8.5 – A thinking man’s superhero story.
