jamietherebelliousreader's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars. I liked the artwork a lot. It was so beautiful and breathtaking at parts and I was just really impressed with it. I really liked the whole Bruce and Clark were childhood friends take. It was so adorable to see them meet as kids and their interaction. I'm a sucker for Clark and Bruce friendship storylines. Also, this had Selina/Bruce and Clark/Diana and I'm such trash for those ships. That was a plus. That is always a plus.
My main issues with this was the story itself. The plot was kind of all over the place and I got confused between which Bruce and Clark were from the present and which were past versions of them. I just feel like the story should've been stronger to match the artwork. I feel like the artwork completely out shined everything else. I feel like the story gets stronger in the next volume and on so I'll definitely be reading it whenever I get my hands on it.
My main issues with this was the story itself. The plot was kind of all over the place and I got confused between which Bruce and Clark were from the present and which were past versions of them. I just feel like the story should've been stronger to match the artwork. I feel like the artwork completely out shined everything else. I feel like the story gets stronger in the next volume and on so I'll definitely be reading it whenever I get my hands on it.
gohawks's review against another edition
2.0
All concept and no story. Nothing new here at all. The layouts and the art are threats on for any stars at all. Beautiful inking with great layering and textures. Very Gothic styling. But again, no story. Just jam Supes and the Dark Knight together to sell more comics.
heresthepencil's review against another edition
3.0
i wish i knew what i just read but it sure was fun
davybaby's review against another edition
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.
trike's review against another edition
3.0
The art by Jae Lee is SPECTACULAR. Hands down just gorgeous through and through. The layouts are amazing, everything flows well, a strong use of shape and shadow throughout. Just marvelous.
The main story is fine. I’m sure if I hadn’t read dozens like this over the decades I’d be blown away, but parallel universes and alternate timelines are old hat by this point, especially for these characters. That said, this is a decent version of doppelgängers meeting, all things considered. It assumes the reader has familiarity with all the characters since everyone aside from Clark and Bruce are barely outlines of characters. It’s not a bad assumption because we all know these people by heart, but it does leave the story feeling a bit... insubstantial.
The instigating incident is caused by a reality-hopping trickster who can possess people, and that’s followed by a couple more Macguffins intended to drive the story. Basically the whole enterprise is an excuse to point out that this new reboot features grittier, wilder, younger, badasser versions of Supes and Bats. But my main problem with DC’s constant partial reboots persists, in that I don’t know how much of the past continuity I should carry forward. Sometimes it seems like the answer is “zero”, while sometimes it feels like there’s a ghost image of what’s gone before underneath everything.
The backup story is an origin for Darkseid, which is fine. But the end makes it clear he’s pillaging numerous alternate universes. I thought this version didn’t have that? Beats me. Again, these DC reboots are stupidly confusing, and I’m sure we’re due for yet another one this year.
However, definitely check out the art on this book. Really terrific.
The main story is fine. I’m sure if I hadn’t read dozens like this over the decades I’d be blown away, but parallel universes and alternate timelines are old hat by this point, especially for these characters. That said, this is a decent version of doppelgängers meeting, all things considered. It assumes the reader has familiarity with all the characters since everyone aside from Clark and Bruce are barely outlines of characters. It’s not a bad assumption because we all know these people by heart, but it does leave the story feeling a bit... insubstantial.
The instigating incident is caused by a reality-hopping trickster who can possess people, and that’s followed by a couple more Macguffins intended to drive the story. Basically the whole enterprise is an excuse to point out that this new reboot features grittier, wilder, younger, badasser versions of Supes and Bats. But my main problem with DC’s constant partial reboots persists, in that I don’t know how much of the past continuity I should carry forward. Sometimes it seems like the answer is “zero”, while sometimes it feels like there’s a ghost image of what’s gone before underneath everything.
The backup story is an origin for Darkseid, which is fine. But the end makes it clear he’s pillaging numerous alternate universes. I thought this version didn’t have that? Beats me. Again, these DC reboots are stupidly confusing, and I’m sure we’re due for yet another one this year.
However, definitely check out the art on this book. Really terrific.
bloodravenlib's review against another edition
3.0
I would actually give it 3.5 out of 5 stars, but you all know GR by now. Anyhow, you can find my full review of this over on my blog, The Itinerant Librarian. Click on the link below to read my review.
Review link: http://itinerantlibrarian.blogspot.com/2014/06/booknote-batmansuperman-vol-1-cross.html
Review link: http://itinerantlibrarian.blogspot.com/2014/06/booknote-batmansuperman-vol-1-cross.html
scostner's review against another edition
4.0
The mix of alternate worlds, interfering aliens, different versions of Superman and Batman, and the women - Selina, Lois, and Wonder Woman - combine to form an intriguing story line. What if Bruce and Clark had met as children and become friends? How would that change their lives as they grew up? Do couples wind up together in all the alternate worlds, or could different versions choose a different mate? If an alien was trying to lure a powerful creature somewhere that it could be killed, which version of Earth would it choose? Would the older and wiser superheroes stand a better chance, or their younger and angrier versions? Add in all the magnificent artwork and you have a really good book. The additional material at the end includes alternate cover designs, preliminary sketches and rough drafts that are a great bonus for fans.
This is a recommended read for DC fans and for those just dipping into the world of comics and graphic novels.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
This is a recommended read for DC fans and for those just dipping into the world of comics and graphic novels.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
shannonleighd's review against another edition
3.0
A bit confusing, mostly because of the messy art. Well, no, that's not fair. The art was a stylistic choice that didn't really match the story. Plus, if you're going to have doubles of Bats and Supes, try going just a little farther with the differences so I can at least tell them apart. I also kept forgetting which two were "ours."
The trickster character Kaiyo is super interesting though and I can't wait to see her pop up again.
The trickster character Kaiyo is super interesting though and I can't wait to see her pop up again.
hellocookie's review against another edition
3.0
When this series first came out, I gave the first issue a try and felt a little meh about it, but completed in the first arc, I decided to give it another shot with the hopes that the overall story made this whole thing more enjoyable and up my alley.
Did it succeed? DON’T RUSH ME… I’m getting to that!
First things first, let’s take a minute to talk about Jae Lee’s Catwoman… Meeeeeeo-ooooow, amirite?! I know, not the most original of jokes, but for real, this might be one of my favourite interpretations of Catwoman ever. EVER, guys. There’s a couple of panels where Lee not only captures what I envision Catwoman to look like in my dream CW book, but he captures he posturing and behaviourisms perfectly. Every single panel that she’s in is so distinctly Catwoman that even if I didn’t know it was her, I would still know (for those of you who’ve read it, that panel with Catwoman on the ledge of a building? PERFECTION… or should I say purrrfection? I’ll stop now). Same for his version Lois Lane. Perfect, perfect, perfect.
The art, while superb mostly doesn’t completely suit the story though. Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent (both in civilian form and super forms) are very anime-ish. It isn’t a bad thing, but if I don’t know if I liked it in this particular instance. At least when it came to the main fellas of the story. His Wonder Woman was a bit off to me too, being a bit wispy to me, literally in some cases. Lee gives a very gothic vibe to the book and right from page one, you know that this isn’t going to be a feel good story, even without Greg Pak’s script. I suppose Batman’s business card essentially says: ‘BATMAN – World’s Great Detective – Broody as f*ck’ but still, every now and again we have to have a fun story to lighten the mood a bit. This isn’t it though.
Onto the story that, as mentioned, is written by Greg Pak. I know he’s gotten a pretty good following over the last few years, but I’m honestly not too familiar with any of his previous works to get into that. Speaking as a first-time Pak reader, I found his writing style interesting and yet, in the case of a story involving two Batman’s and two Superman’s (due to some Earth 2 shenanigans), extremely confusing. Not a lot of clarity is given to what’s happening and the story was hard to follow, at times. It’s an action-packed first arc of a series and I found myself struggling to understand where we were in the plot, almost constantly feeling like I had missed something.
I really do like Jae Lee’s art, but I don’t know if he was the right artist to work on this book as Lee’s abstract-ish panels left me feeling like I was missing even more of the puzzle. His work just didn’t mesh with Pak’s writing to answer questions missing from the script. If anything, it added to my confusion.
All in all, it seemed like a strong effort from both Pak and Lee but their creative partnership just didn’t work out to convey the story that they were seemingly trying to tell.
VERDICT
Pass. The art is worth checking out because hot damn, them be some beautiful pages, but for me, the story wasn’t worth adding to my shelves.
I’m not sure if it’ll get better after this “build-up” arc but at this point, I don’t know if I care enough to find out, beautiful art or not.
Did it succeed? DON’T RUSH ME… I’m getting to that!
First things first, let’s take a minute to talk about Jae Lee’s Catwoman… Meeeeeeo-ooooow, amirite?! I know, not the most original of jokes, but for real, this might be one of my favourite interpretations of Catwoman ever. EVER, guys. There’s a couple of panels where Lee not only captures what I envision Catwoman to look like in my dream CW book, but he captures he posturing and behaviourisms perfectly. Every single panel that she’s in is so distinctly Catwoman that even if I didn’t know it was her, I would still know (for those of you who’ve read it, that panel with Catwoman on the ledge of a building? PERFECTION… or should I say purrrfection? I’ll stop now). Same for his version Lois Lane. Perfect, perfect, perfect.
The art, while superb mostly doesn’t completely suit the story though. Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent (both in civilian form and super forms) are very anime-ish. It isn’t a bad thing, but if I don’t know if I liked it in this particular instance. At least when it came to the main fellas of the story. His Wonder Woman was a bit off to me too, being a bit wispy to me, literally in some cases. Lee gives a very gothic vibe to the book and right from page one, you know that this isn’t going to be a feel good story, even without Greg Pak’s script. I suppose Batman’s business card essentially says: ‘BATMAN – World’s Great Detective – Broody as f*ck’ but still, every now and again we have to have a fun story to lighten the mood a bit. This isn’t it though.
Onto the story that, as mentioned, is written by Greg Pak. I know he’s gotten a pretty good following over the last few years, but I’m honestly not too familiar with any of his previous works to get into that. Speaking as a first-time Pak reader, I found his writing style interesting and yet, in the case of a story involving two Batman’s and two Superman’s (due to some Earth 2 shenanigans), extremely confusing. Not a lot of clarity is given to what’s happening and the story was hard to follow, at times. It’s an action-packed first arc of a series and I found myself struggling to understand where we were in the plot, almost constantly feeling like I had missed something.
I really do like Jae Lee’s art, but I don’t know if he was the right artist to work on this book as Lee’s abstract-ish panels left me feeling like I was missing even more of the puzzle. His work just didn’t mesh with Pak’s writing to answer questions missing from the script. If anything, it added to my confusion.
All in all, it seemed like a strong effort from both Pak and Lee but their creative partnership just didn’t work out to convey the story that they were seemingly trying to tell.
VERDICT
Pass. The art is worth checking out because hot damn, them be some beautiful pages, but for me, the story wasn’t worth adding to my shelves.
I’m not sure if it’ll get better after this “build-up” arc but at this point, I don’t know if I care enough to find out, beautiful art or not.