Comic Review – “Superman / Batman #1”

Three down, two comic reviews to go in this week’s shipment.

General Information

Title: Superman / Batman #1

Author: Jeph Loeb

Illustrator: Ed McGuinness

Original Publication Date: August 6, 2003

Cover Price: $2.95 US, $4.95 Can

Premise

The first in an ongoing series about the combined efforts of Superman
and Batman, available in two covers, which focus on each of the two
heroes. This issue deals with the reappearance of Metallo.

High Point

The introductory pages, which do a beautiful job of setting up the
differences between the two heroes.

Low Point

Referring to each other by their real first names when privacy
couldn’t be assured. Superman might do that, but Batman would never
risk it.

The Scores

How original is this title? It takes established characters
and recreates an established team-up. It’s got some of that good,
old-fashioned superhero glory that I haven’t been seeing recently, but
that may be a DC/Marvel difference more than anything. Still, it
feels new enough that I’m compelled to give it 5 out of 6.

The artwork is very good. My only complaint is that there’s
something about the way Superman’s jaw is drawn that makes him look
more like the man of marshmallow than the man of steel. There’s just
a certain cartoony goofiness that seems to imply a malleable face.
It’s nothing I can quite put my finger on, but it still bugs me. I
give it 4 out of 6.

The story is well laid out. It introduces our heroes and
their differences quickly and efficiently, setting up a larger story.
It also ends with several effective cliffhanger elements. I give it 4
out of 6.



The characterization is well done, offsetting the two
characters against each other. There’s a sense of evil about Lex
Luthor that would pervade even if I didn’t know the character. It’s my
first introduction to Metallo, and I feel I know him somewhat too. I
give it 5 out of 6.

The emotional response this produced was very positive.
I’m
in for the first story arc, and probably beyond, guaranteed. I give
it 5 out of 6.

The flow is very well done, especially in the opening
juxtaposition. I give it 6 out of 6.

Overall, it’s a solid first issue, which is fairly accessible
to those who, like myself, are not particularly familiar with the DC
universe. I give it 5 out of 6.

In total, Superman / Batman #1 receives 34 out of 42.

Additional Notes and Comments

This title will also be reviewed with every issue.