WTF was DC thinking with this one?

I'm seeing glowing reviews for this comic and simply don't get it.Writer Gre Pak’s Batman/Superman #1 is a confusing tale that doesn't seem to fit anywhere in DC’s current New 52 storyline. It seems DC is already reconning New 52 events as this comic give us the first meeting between Batman and Superman (which New 52 already took place in Justice League).

Don't get me wrong, the art is pretty and I like how Greg Pak gives us both Superman and Batman's opposing views on the same events. However, the logic of the issue makes no sense! The scene between Clark and Bruce is unnecessary, and poorly thought-out (what is Bruce Wayne doing in this scene, exactly?). The first battle between Batman and Superman works better... until all the sudden they are fighting in Smallville and suddenly know each other (Batman has Kryptonite, knows Superman's new costume, appears to be friends, etc.)??? The more I re-read this the less sense it seemed to make (which when you think about it is freakin' amazing as it makes no sense the first time)!

You can find more of my reviews (with images) on RazorFine Reviews

@theacidskull: I understood the idea of what Pak was trying to do with Bruce Wayne undercover in the beginning. It simply isn't well explained (who exactly is he spying on, kids on skateboards?). It just seems like a ridiculous sequence whose sole purpose is to force an awkward meeting between Bruce and Clark.

I also understand the idea of an unexplained entity taking over Catwoman and later Superman, I just didn't think it was all that interesting or (for me) all that well thought out as the character of such power should have been better introduced.

If this was a possessed Clark being sent to Earth-2 (which I've seen others offer as an explanation) it's not well expressed (and isn't Earth-2 Batman dead?). Sorry, I felt the whole sequence was confusing as hell.

And even if that's the case, it still doesn't explain how Batman and Superman met for the first time both here and in Justice League (which the New 52 already stated as fact and is already retconning here).

The concepts (such as they are) aren't well-handled. Am I being too hard on it? Perhaps, as I did like some of the art early on, but I'm also not giving this confusing, jumbling mess, whose story doesn't fit into New 52 continuity at all a free pass. This comic actually made me angry, at that's where the 1 star rating comes from.

Name

Cross World

Volume

Batman/Superman

Issue Number

Cover Date

August 2013

In Store Date

June 26, 2013

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Capn_Carrot

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10 years ago

Batman vs. Superman 0

Batman/Superman #1 - Cross World by johnkmccubbin91 on June 29, 2013

I've been looking forward to this series for a while now, as being a huge Batman, as well as a relatively big Superman fan I really wanted to see the first encounter of these two great character's in the New 52. Also with the brilliant Greg Pak taking the writing reigns I expect brilliant things.PlotAs Wayne Enterprises employees start turning up murdered in Metropolis, Clark travels to Gotham City to ask Bruce Wayne's thoughts on the matter. This leads to Batman travelling to Metropolis to inve...

14 out of 14 found this review helpful.

Ying Yang 0

Batman/Superman #1 - Cross World by deactivated-613e82c4b95f9 on June 26, 2013

It's no mystery that i love greg pak, he is one of the best writers currently working, as soon as i learned that he was on board i knew i had to pick it up, because he respects characters and their history, and i am Glad i wasn't wrong! not that i thought i would be.lee's art is amazing, it sets a dark tone for the book, which is very interesting. the colors are amazing as well, batman is surrounded by some really dark colors and it brings out his personality , while superman on the other hand i...

8 out of 8 found this review helpful.

Batman/Superman #1

capn_carrot's Batman/Superman #1 - Cross World review