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A review by davybaby
Batman/Superman, Volume 1: Cross World by Greg Pak
2.0
I find Batman/Superman crossovers to be a strange type of comic.
On one hand, it's an interesting way to contrast the ethical and character differences between DC's flagship characters. On the other hand, it usually feels like shameless fanchild pandering (how's that for awkward gender-neutrality?). Plus, it's always the same story: there's a villain that's too powerful for Batman and too smart for Superman. The only way to save the earth is for this odd couple to get over their differences and work together. But wait! They're also going to have to fight, because Superman gets possessed more often than Chucky, but don't worry, because Batman has a plan that involves secret Kryptonite. In the end, they find that they're actually not so different after all, and they have a grudging respect for each other. Basically it's Rush Hour 2.
In this cover of that classic refrain, Greg Pak brings nothing really new to the table. He creates a trickster Demi-God who isn't fleshed out enough to be convincing or interesting, and an alternate world story that's more confusing than anything else. It seemed like the whole alternate world plot line existed to give the heroes another chance to duke it out because Convenient Misunderstanding.
While the story was uninspired, the art had its beautiful moments. http://geek-news.mtv.com/2013/05/09/interview-greg-pak-batman-superman/
Jae Lee does some really interesting layouts, and draws monstrous uglies really well. The art in this book made it worth reading, but not necessarily worth buying.
So there you have it. If you're into awkward plot points and buddy superhero stories, you could do worse than Batman/Superman. But it's really only going to impress you if you're a fan of the tropes of the crossover story.
On one hand, it's an interesting way to contrast the ethical and character differences between DC's flagship characters. On the other hand, it usually feels like shameless fanchild pandering (how's that for awkward gender-neutrality?). Plus, it's always the same story: there's a villain that's too powerful for Batman and too smart for Superman. The only way to save the earth is for this odd couple to get over their differences and work together. But wait! They're also going to have to fight, because Superman gets possessed more often than Chucky, but don't worry, because Batman has a plan that involves secret Kryptonite. In the end, they find that they're actually not so different after all, and they have a grudging respect for each other. Basically it's Rush Hour 2.
In this cover of that classic refrain, Greg Pak brings nothing really new to the table. He creates a trickster Demi-God who isn't fleshed out enough to be convincing or interesting, and an alternate world story that's more confusing than anything else. It seemed like the whole alternate world plot line existed to give the heroes another chance to duke it out because Convenient Misunderstanding.
While the story was uninspired, the art had its beautiful moments. http://geek-news.mtv.com/2013/05/09/interview-greg-pak-batman-superman/
Jae Lee does some really interesting layouts, and draws monstrous uglies really well. The art in this book made it worth reading, but not necessarily worth buying.
So there you have it. If you're into awkward plot points and buddy superhero stories, you could do worse than Batman/Superman. But it's really only going to impress you if you're a fan of the tropes of the crossover story.