Batman/Superman #22 (Spoilers)

[Lord Grog]

Batman/Superman spoiliers ahead! Last chance to back out!

















I'm not going to attempt a full synopsis of this since I doubt this arc will make much sense to me until I can read it all together. The number of alternate timelines they have bounced through over the past few issues have sort of left my head spinning. Anyway, on to interesting plot points!

The Maximums/Marvel U parody reached a new level with the weird cross between the Beast and Wolverine, who gutted Batman (seems like that would take a while to heal...).

Superman saves the Maximum U's Gwen Stacy as she fell to her death, but it was apparently a trick to capture him. The Robot fella threatened to nuke one of his own cities if Superman didn't back off, then went on to explain that he though Supes was a good guy and not the one that killed their member. This was a rather strange exchange, but I think it's more parody on the "grim 'n gritty" superheroes.

The Batzarro/Bizarro portion was great, even if it does give you a headache altering their dialogue to figure out what the heck they are saying. Bizarro's interaction with Martian Manhunter was great, and MM's reaction when they actually activated the teleportation tubes was classic.

The coolest part of the book, however, was the realization that the 'Zarro's plan did not work, and they got seperated....

Batzarro appeared to wind up on the commie Superman world, and Bizarro encountered a Batman that looked a WHOLE lot like Terry from Batman Beyond!

So...how are all these alternate realities explained with post-crisis DCU? And is this a step towards making Elseworlds real? Or perhaps this is more lead-up to IC.

Oh, and what was that green stuff that took over Batman at the end?

LG

[Viking Bastard]

Hypertime?

[Joker2503]

It looked like Kryptonite vapor. Bats definitely went into some K-feuled roid rage on the last page. Like you said, this series is going to have to be read all at once to make any sense.

I did love it when Terry showed up at the end though. That was awesome.

[Guts/Batman]

I flipped through this book before putting it back saying "WTF?!?!?!?"

[ExoKnight]

This has been definately a weird story-arc, but very fun. I've liked Loeb messing around with alternate earths the past few arcs with Absolute Power as the starting point.

[Nick Kal]

Awesome issue. OH snaps it's Batman Beyond!

[Murrocko]

Oh I wanna see, anyone got scans?

[Captain]

This book is one of my favorite reads whenever it manages to come out. For someone who is not big into the other Superman or Batman books, I find what many call out of character to be interesting and fun. It doesn't matter how little sense the book makes in regards to continuity and history, as I am enjoying what I am reading, and will continue to pick it up.

[Ned Leeds]

Awesome issue. OH snaps it's Batman Beyond!

Hell yeah. That two page spread of the Red Son Superman and Terry from BB was sweet.

[Lord Grog]

I find it interesting that all these alternate realities are popping up now with the IC stuff (which has at least some sort of connection to the memory of multiple earths).

When this series came out, I assumed it would be all "fluff," fun stories with no real importance. Since Supergirl, though, I'm guessing that I was wrong.

And Guts/Batman...I don't imagine that anyone who has read this arc has come out of it saying anything but WTF??? with the possible exception of the author, and maybe not him. :D It's still a fun read, though.

LG

[ouiyahtsiouiyah]

I am quite depressed IO got it myself. The only thing tying into IC was that Lex Luthor in the green Darseid Armor was monitoring the situation and apparently pulling the strings, whether there are 2 luthors or not.

[1HELLBOY]

Loved it. Batman Beyond and Red Son Superman pages were badass.

[jade_nova]

That green stuff covering Batman is that kryptonite that was covering Captain Atom at the beginning of the storyline. In part two of the story it was in a briefcase that the Atomic Skull stole and then the Maximums stole it. What is Wolfen supposed to be? Is he more Wolverine or more Beast?

[Lord Grog]

I'm guessing he's a mish-mash of both. Looks more like beast, but with Wolverine's attitude and costume design in the fur.

I loved the radio announcer making fun of Superman's cape.

LG

[Kistler]

I don't get what the problem is that some people have been having concerning the fact that Superman and Batman have been travelling to parallel dimensions post-Crisis. The "no alternate universe" deal was laid off a while ago. I mean, the JLA/Avengers cross-over happened in continuity with both companies and is even mentioned in Marvel's Handbooks, there have been two battles with the Crime Syndicate of the anti-matter universe now, in KINGDOM the trinity met up with their Kingdom Come selves (not specifically Kingdom Come but people from a KC like future), Superman recently went on a time travel run through alternate realities in his own book about two years ago, Superboy travelled through a dozen different universes in his title about five or so years ago. What's the hang-up? Alternate universes are just plain FUN. I myself can't wait to see what Terry of BATMAN BEYOND will do against Bizarro.

And I have to say, Loeb is the only writer who seems to have the right handle on how to write Bizarro dialogue. in the recent Superman books where Bizarro is being recruited by the Society, I really have no idea what he's sayign becuase he picks and chooses when he'll be opposite and when he's just going to talk dumb. in Superman/Batman, it's pretty clearly just a basic opposite rule and I constantly find myself laughing at his exchanges with Batzarro.

The Wolfen character seems to me rather a blatant Wolverine rip rather than a combo of beast and Wolverine. Yeah, Beast has fur, but so what? Spider-Man doesn't have several arms but we know who Bug is supposed to be. Wolverine is supposed to be a big cat-man and Wolfen is that to an extreme. The claws, the attitude, the fact that he's someone who has to be taken down, and the fact that several fans have wanted to see a Batman Wolverine fight makes it clear to me that this is just Logan of another universe rather than a strange amalgam in a universe where no one else is an amalgam.

The Kryptonite cloud is really interesting to me. Looks like either as a result of Captain Atom's close encounter with the Kryptonite meteor or perhaps because of his time-jump (maybe something in the timestream hitched a ride), this new Post-Crisis Kryptonite Man is some kind of parasitic dust cloud that takes over people and uses them as hosts. Can't wait to see what it means be "We" will have revenge. Who is WE? and why revenge?

Final note, does anyone have translations of teh Kryptonese conversation Batman and Superman have? I'm just lazy and was curious. :-P

[trickster]

Oh I wanna see, anyone got scans?

Be more specific. :) What do you want to see?

Am I the only one who thinks DC's continuity is a mess at the moment? Manhunter is still alive/ accounted for in this issue of S/B? In Birds of Prey 86 we see Dick coming to see Barbara and in NW 112 he's telling Deathstroke that he's cut all ties with the Bat Family? WTF? Bizarro is traveling around in time while simultaneously running around in the Superman books?

Added later. You have just made me read this again. I didn't catch the Spiderman reference, but the real funny part was the knock knock joke with Manhunter and Bizarro.

Kryptonese translation:
B:Are you ready to do this?
S: I still think we should stay together.
B: We need better intel. My way is more effective.

[Alan2099]

If nothing else, this is the first time the Spider-man bridge scene has been used in a long time where it didn't feel forced and unwanted.

[pureclint]

Be more specific. :) What do you want to see?

Am I the only one who thinks DC's continuity is a mess at the moment? Manhunter is still alive/ accounted for in this issue of S/B? In Birds of Prey 86 we see Dick coming to see Barbara and in NW 112 he's telling Deathstroke that he's cut all ties with the Bat Family? WTF? Bizarro is traveling around in time while simultaneously running around in the Superman books?

Added later. You have just made me read this again. I didn't catch the Spiderman reference, but the real funny part was the knock knock joke with Manhunter and Bizarro.

Kryptonese translation:
B:Are you ready to do this?
S: I still think we should stay together.
B: We need better intel. My way is more effective.


Superman Batman is not running concurrently as the rest of the DCU it is months behind schdule. Remember EACH comic has its own place in the timeline, just because two books come out in OCT does not mean both things happen at the exact same time, one could be next year one could be last month. And Loeb never pays that much attention anyway. Nightwing is fubared, thanks to his solo book.

[Guts/Batman]

Superman Batman is not running concurrently as the rest of the DCU it is months behind schdule. Remember EACH comic has its own place in the timeline, just because two books come out in OCT does not mean both things happen at the exact same time, one could be next year one could be last month. And Loeb never pays that much attention anyway. Nightwing is fubared, thanks to his solo book.

Exactly.

Which is why I try to ignore S/B effect on continuity...to no avail.

[pureclint]

Exactly.

Which is why I try to ignore S/B effect on continuity...to no avail.

I like it for a few reasons, even though I can not wait til Loeb leaves.

The big part of me that wants to know how and where everything fits has a lot of interest in how Luthor gets moved along here. That is the only real bearing on continuity at this time (outside of Captain Atom and Supergirl).

[Guts/Batman]

I like it for a few reasons, even though I can not wait til Loeb leaves.

The big part of me that wants to know how and where everything fits has a lot of interest in how Luthor gets moved along here. That is the only real bearing on continuity at this time (outside of Captain Atom and Supergirl).

I read it. But I don't pick it up.

Loeb just has too many crazy things going on for me (yes, I know it is a comic book). I may pick ot up when Lobe leaves the title. Just depends.

Also, I heard that Darkseid was off the Source Wall. When did hat happen and the particulars around that.

[pureclint]

Not sure yet all we know is he has some inlvovment with Lex in the whole Maximums plot.
Them working together goes back to the big crossover when Hippolyta died right?

And oh yeah it is WAY wacky, a giant Superman/Batman robot equals wacky. I like the inner monologues of the heroes, but a more grounded writer will be nice.

[Guts/Batman]

Not sure yet all we know is he has some inlvovment with Lex in the whole Maximums plot.
Them working together goes back to the big crossover when Hippolyta died right?

And oh yeah it is WAY wacky, a giant Superman/Batman robot equals wacky. I like the inner monologues of the heroes, but a more grounded writer will be nice.

I didn't read OWAW so I wouldn't know.

I like the monologues myself, however, that is not enough to have me pick it up. I'm also not found of the art in the book currently.

[pureclint]

Heh, to each their own. Trust me I am not trying to convince you to buy it. Personally, if Loeb was not leaving soon I would have dropped it but do to the way my subs work I am stuck with it.

[Guts/Batman]

Like I said, I read it but not buy it.

I got Supergirl #1, too. But that is definitely not getting it done either.