Superman/Batman #25 *Possible spoilers*

[Syphre Zero]

To date, I've had a hard time with the fourth and most recent arc of Superman/Batman; I found it extremely frustrating to figure out exactly what was going on and where it fit into current events, to the point where I suspected it had suddenly dropped out of canon and continuity. I can't tell if it's by sheer luck or brilliance of design, but the current arc FINALLY makes sense with its conclusion in Issue #25.

I always appreciate a chance to see multiple versions of favorite characters sharing the same stage, and this boasted an all-star cast. In fact, there's one very unexpected "Superman" cameo.... this guy (http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~toliveir/graphics/party/retardedSuperman.jpg). I couldn't believe it.

[4DGlasses]

I loved the Comic Convention Superman inclusion, but even he couldn't save this story. What was intended to be fun ended up not being worth the wait. Half-assed at best.

And what was with the Mxyzptlk/Darkseid ending? Does this tie into Seven Soldiers?

I'll let it slide though. Shame what happened to Jeph Loeb's son Sam. :(

[shaxper]

I've never read this series, so someone please explain it to me. Is it in DCU continuity, or is it more akin to the All-Star titles?

[Slortex]

The first two arcs are definitely in continuity. The first arc results in Luthor no longer being president, and the second establishes the new Supergirl.

The third arc could be in continuity, but its a time jumping piece and it ends with everything returned to normal, more or less, so take your pick.

Not sure about this fourth arc, though... still haven't read 25.

[4DGlasses]

It's supposed to be in continuity, even though it's got a lot of alternate universe stuff which makes it seem like it's in it's own little world.

[Nick Kal]

It's in continuity... it has set up Darkseid planning something... and I believe Didio has said darkseid is waiting... it also alluded to some Crisis stuff... ehich means it was going to come out before Crisis... but was delayed for obvious reasons. I liekd it. Nice wrap to Loeb's run. I was a little teary reading that little note at the bottom. Also, that Supermen/ Batmen spread was gorgeous.

Issue # 26 can't get here soon enough!

[algertman]

Anyone else notice this guy made a cameo in the latest Superman/Batman comic

http://modus-ponens.minotaurcomputing.com/blog/images/black_superman.jpg

[infoghost]

Anyone else notice this guy made a cameo in the latest Superman/Batman comic

http://modus-ponens.minotaurcomputing.com/blog/images/black_superman.jpg

SyphreZero pointed this out in the very post that started this thread.

[SuperManny]

SyphreZero pointed this out in the very post that started this thread.

His post comes from a thread I just recently merged, so it's okay.

:D

[estee]

I thought this arc was pretty weak, especially the end. It was all wrapped up in two panels by Mixiplick (or whatever his name is) and that ain't good. The Heroes had no idea what was going on or why things were happening and neither did the readers.

[Yoda]

So was Mxy responsible for wiping Superman's secret idenity from the mind of Luthor? I was a little confused by that last panel there.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

This book had gone off the rails and become a delirious fanboy wetdream almost immediately so the only way they could have possibly explained all the craziness, plot holes and outright goofiness was to have it all be a big cosmic prank-off between Mxy & The Joker (with friend).

It was big, dumb and stupid, but that was a heckuva fun ride at times.

[algertman]

As little sense as this comic made it was dang fun. I loved all the supermen and batmen and i have always been a big fan of Ed's art

[algertman]

So was Mxy responsible for wiping Superman's secret idenity from the mind of Luthor? I was a little confused by that last panel there.


I think that's what that was. It all goes back like nothing happened, or something. Hell, I don't know :confused:

[Sean Walsh]

So was Mxy responsible for wiping Superman's secret idenity from the mind of Luthor? I was a little confused by that last panel there.

I can't see why. Luthor found out who Superman was back during the Ending Battle storyarc (toward the end of the Joe Kelly era) thanks to Manchester Black - but before Black killed himself, he wiped Luthor's mind.

Maybe Luthor found out again after that (but Mxy did away with that revelation)?

Gave up on S/B a while ago, and I think I'm kinda glad I did...

[Jack Tango]

I've enjoyed every issue of Superman/Batman since the beginning, but I suspect that's due to my comfort with Jeph Loeb's writing; he doesn't explain everything out in specific detail, and only tells you what he feels you need to know. If it's not there, you get to fill it in with your imagination. Fun!

Anyway, here's some things I liked:


The Supergirls busting Superman out of the Source Wall."Is that Linda? And that other one? It's like I'm not supposed to remember some of them."

The Supermen & Batmen spread.
Electri-Kal, Elseworlds Bats, and more.
Mxy saying that he based the Maximums on Superman & Batman, although they are clearly analogues to the Ultimates/Avengers; essentially, through Mxy, Jeph Loeb is telling us that all heroes come from Superman and Batman -- they're the originators.
Bat-Mite.
Blue Kryptonite giving Bizarro a 12th level intellect.
Batzarro will still be around.
Just about everything else.
Things I didn't like:

Loeb's gone to Marvel now.

[Captain Smith]

I keep on wondering if the new Supergirl is a 5D construct. I'm not convinced of her origin. Oh, well!

We probably have a few more Supergirls in the system to be seen.

Currently active are:

Kara
Karen
The JLU universe gal.

[SuperBails]

[QUOTE=Sean Walsh]
Maybe Luthor found out again after that (but Mxy did away with that revelation)?

QUOTE]

I don't know when, but didn't Luthor tell Pete Ross that Clark was Superman? It was in that arc where Ross was the bad guy (I forgot the name).

[PatrickG]

Go back and reread SUPERMAN/BATMAN #6.

It's pretty obvious that Jeph intended for the trauma of the venom and the fight to undo Manchester Black's mindwipe. Hence Batman's line about "Who knows what secrets locked away in his twisted brain have been unlocked".

This would be the second time editorial issues have kept Jeph from having Luthor learn the secret.

The gag here is that Luthor DID get his memory back but that Mxy's magic was so effective that it altered all our copies of SUPERMAN/BATMAN #6.

So Luthor DID remember that Clark Kent is Superman. But Mxy retconned that and did it so thoroughly that it changed our copies of the issue.

[WolverinesSon]

In fact, there's one very unexpected "Superman" cameo.... http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~toliveir/graphics/party/retardedSuperman.jpgthis guyI couldn't believe it.


Hey that right there had me cracking the hell up when I seen it. I couldn't believe it. I know that dude is loving life right now since something like Superman/Batman has aknowledged him.

Overall the storyline was very confusing. But, the amazing artwork kept me coming back. How can you deny Ed? You can't. No matter how zany/confusing the storyline is the guy delivers with the eye candy.

[algertman]

Go back and reread SUPERMAN/BATMAN #6.

It's pretty obvious that Jeph intended for the trauma of the venom and the fight to undo Manchester Black's mindwipe. Hence Batman's line about "Who knows what secrets locked away in his twisted brain have been unlocked".

This would be the second time editorial issues have kept Jeph from having Luthor learn the secret.

The gag here is that Luthor DID get his memory back but that Mxy's magic was so effective that it altered all our copies of SUPERMAN/BATMAN #6.

So Luthor DID remember that Clark Kent is Superman. But Mxy retconned that and did it so thoroughly that it changed our copies of the issue.


Mxy is THAT good. Also liked the part about Emperor Joker not being collected in TPB

[Sean Whitmore]

The gag here is that Luthor DID get his memory back but that Mxy's magic was so effective that it altered all our copies of SUPERMAN/BATMAN #6.


NOW I get it...wish the comic itself had been that coherent. Thanks, Patrick!


SEAN

[aeastwic]

Could Myx possibly use his magic to erase the entire last 2 arcs of Superman/Batman. Holy crap, I thought they were bad. Even the art, which is pretty to look at, was so over the top and unbelievable that I found myself wishing I hadn't bought it.

I understand that Loeb had trouble getting things out on time. I was buying this because I thought it would have something to do with IC, but honestly I can't see how it does. Maybe it was changed because it was late, but I could have done without anything after the Super-girl arc.

I mean, what in the world was happening here?