The Good

Everything has been building up to this one issue. All of the tension, all of the madness, all of the hate, all of the sorrow, all of the raw emotion... all of it has led us to this confrontation between Batman and Superman. I've read the issue three times now and the turn of events still leaves me flabbergasted (I was reserving use of that word for the time it could truly apply... and this seems like a really good time).

When it comes to Batman and Superman being at odds, we've seen everything from Superman being controlled yet still holding back (Hush) to the two playing rock 'em sock 'em robots while Bruce is in an armor (The Dark Knight Returns). Writer Tom Taylor subtly acknowledges this in the back and forth dialogue between the two iconic characters and makes what happens next not only incredibly interesting, but also continually gripping and legitimately intense. Batman has a plan and it by no means involves him directly fighting a vicious version of Superman, but it plays out in a manner that'll leave you guessing what'll happen next after each and every moment.

Tom Derenick and the colorists nail the powerful expressions in this chapter. The reactions from both characters are believable and the visual team brings this chapter to life, never letting it feel stagnant. Everyone involved in the visuals did an able job making me feel the intensity behind the drastically changing emotions and the effects from each bit of action deliver as well. Those poor bats...

The Bad

Minor gripes: Batman remarks that Superrman is covered in Green Arrow's blood, yet I don't see any on him. Also, Superman appears a bit too stocky and short when he first appears -- almost as if his legs are too short.

I still have trouble believing Bruce can hide from Superman (especially after pointing out Supes can lobotomize him from space), but this is definitely not the first time it has happened, so I'll stop being grumpy and just get over it.

The Verdict

The momentum has been building and building for quite some time now, and this long anticipated encounter feels organic instead of totally forced. It's unlike the other encounters we've seen between the two and it's sure to leave you shocked. Opinions will definitely to be mixed on this development, but I think it was brilliantly executed and awesomely engrossing. Given everything that has happened and the relationship they share, I can absolutely see how this was a feasible solution for one of them.

INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US continues to prove it's a wonderfully twisted alternate universe which is more than worthy of your attention. This latest emotional and cinematic course of events makes me realize this is a story that's simply begging for the DC animated movie treatment. Potential legal issues be damned... make it happen, DC and WB Animation!

Just to clarify: this isn't the last chapter.

And to think he used to be such a nice young man.

Yep great issue I was both shocked and thrilled at what happened already looking forward to next tuesday

This series has been really great and I'm excited for what is next. Part of me really wishes we could see this series keep running post the events of the game, but that's just me.

Anyway I know it isn't done yet, but this series has been a heck of a roller coaster and proof of just how awesome stories outside of continuity can be, not to mention what happens when you have a passionate creator with the freedom to tell the story they want.

Batman will be called crippled man for now on lol

I hear a vast amount of good things about this series and i still don't want to pick it up.
Probably because i don't like the premise of the story. How many evil Superman stories we have why do we need one more?(that goes for the game too).

@k4tzm4n i havent read the issue yet but is it possible Bats meant that Superman was covered in figurative blood?

Bane is going to be pissed.

what i thought of after reading this.....Spoiler Alert!!!

Also Batman was a total douche showing supes his wedding video and then telling him that he didnt protect Lois because we all know Batman's indirectly the cause for not handling the joker better.

@ultimatesmfan:

Batman always a dick

I am looking forward to reading this as soon as the hardcover is out!

How is it art wise? Do artists change a lot, or does it have a steady art team?

this would be cool as an animated movie

I think you might be pleasantly surprised by both this and the game. I do agree "Evil-Superman" isn't exactly an original idea, but there is a lot more to this series.

For one thing there is an entire issue dedicated to old school Superman and why we don't need or want an edgy or dark Superman. Not only that, but while yes he has wound up in a very dark place the comic does a very good job of not painting him as just blatantly evil. Some of his core ideas and actions are actually pretty heroic (there is a reason most of JL side with him over Batman).

Also and I will spoiler mark this just in case. The game is not about everyone against and evil Superman... ok well it sort of is. The thing about the game is it is about two different parallel worlds and while there is an evil Superman as the primary antagonist there is another Superman who is ultimately the hero of the game and story.

Anyway I totally get it if this still doesn't sell you on the series, because I do understand not being interested in that sort of thing, but if you were at least somewhat on the fence I wanted to let you know there is more to it than meets the eye.

I'm not sure if it is consistently the same art team or not, but I will say the art suffers a bit in this series. It's not bad, but it does kinda vary from issue to issue. For the most part it's serviceable, but occasionally you'll hit a panel or two that looks a little rough.

To be fair the comic hits every week so they get a little bit of a pass there too.

Batman needs anti-spinebreaker armor

@batman242: lol

@batman242:

LMAO

Could someone possibly post scans or tell me what happens. I won't get to see this for a long time.

@sonofodin25: I came up with the same sort of conclusion too. Bats always seems to have a plan, but this back breaking thing has to stop.

So Superman broke Batman's back but at the very start of this series, we saw Batman was fine and about 5 years later. Hmmm, something to think about.

@mapuia_ralte: Why is that such a big issue,it's happened to him before and he still fights crime

I'm in love!!!!

LOL wonder what the reaction of the batman fanboys after this lol

@codysf:

I don't know if I'm a Batman fanboy, but I'm a Batman fan and I'm fine with it. Such a great chapter.

THE pill batman will eat it

Batman and Catwoman were beautiful in this until he knocked her out.

@new_onslaught:

I'm a Batman fan to I just want to see of the reaction of the delusional Batman fanboys.

Wow. Such an awesome chapter. Can't wait for the next one!

There might be some future directions. One: Catwoman intervenes and begs Supes for mercy, joining his Regime. Second: there was another Batman's dupe (android, imposter or... I dunno... the whole ordeal happened in the Superman's dream) ... Yeah, not a chance. Third: Supes leaves, while Bruce's struggling to reach the pill - I guess, this particular pill posesses some outstanding healing properties. Anyway, I give 5 stars too.

I had to stop, drop and roll after seeing that ending, mann. I do agree that knowing Batman, he would have resolved the problem of leaving his back vulnerable. But, I still think it wouldn't have helped, since this time it's Superman and not Bane.

After reading it second time, I wondering why batman is not in two pieces right now, lol.

This series is so thrilling. Can't wait for the next one

a few weeks ago@death_by_smoke and i had a convo about Superman breaking Batmans back but i pictured it more like this

I bet the dude on Batman's computer screen is Luthor.

There still making this comic? I stopped reading these at like #10.

@k4tzm4n I think the reason why Bruce was able to hide from Clark was because he was in a place he didn't think he would look. It's not like Clark is going to scan the whole cave up and down in a few seconds.

This comic series has definitely surpassed all of my expectations

My heart is Bat-broken.

Thought bubble: "Not this s*** again!"

I really don't get how this development ties in to the game. I mean in the game he was perfectly fine.....

Those are literally the kinds of comments that start flame wars.

Haven't read this yet.

@mapuia_ralte: He did some pull ups and stuff like in The Dark Knight Rises.

Have you heard? Batman has a new issue now. Broke Back Batman.

Never mess the mind of a messed-up man Bruce. Specially if his pissed at you.

Have you guys considered bringing in decimals to your review scores so we can tell the difference between these endless 5/5 reviews? I mean, is this issue of a videogame spin-off really the peak of comics?

@kid_apollo: @batsymyplaything: Superman said he wasn't going to kill him,just incapacitate him,he obviously held back. (and then broke it :P im soo punny!)

I thought Heath 'Joker' Ledger was supposed to be the star of Broke Back? Why is Bat's taking all the spotlight from Joker?

Batman may be a dick but he's my... favorite hero!

Awesome issue. That exchange made so much sense and everything that happens till the end was just gripping. Can't wait for the next Injustice!

as always!

This is incredibly awesome and it deserves five stars entirely . Don't judge a book by his cover