What are your feelings on the return of the Worlds Finest bromance?

[LoneNecromancer]

Since i dropped JL anyone want to tell me if this sychs with the Action Comics scene where Batman tells the JL that they will eventually have to take Superman down?

One series is set five years later, it's not wholly unfeasible that Batman started out as untrusting of the others and gradually became close friends with them.

Besides, judging from All-Star Superman, Morrison's not opposed to them being best friends.

[NotSuper]

Remember, Batman in Action Comics did get beaten by Superman when they first met--and beat Green Lantern and The Flash too. That's probably why he starts out distrusting him. That and Batman cares more about justice AND order, whereas Superman cares primarily about justice. Remember Superman's comment about wanting to help people suffering from social problems around the world and the JL (including Batman) not exactly backing him up?

Ironically, SUPERMAN is the outsider, Green Arrow-type of the Justice League.

[bat39]

Well in the New 52 they actually started off with similar methods. Both using intimidation in the service of justice and both not interested in working directly with the authorities.

Interestingly, it seems like the current Superman actually cares less about rules and structure and order than Batman. Post-Crisis, they both believed in strict codes (albeit different codes) and went about their crusades in different ways with different methods.

That's true. Its actually a pretty striking role reversal, when one considers the two characters in the early days of the Post COIE continuity. Back then, Superman was presented as the ultimate Establishment man, while Batman was the rebel, the vigilante who worked outside the law and was more interested in justice than in the law.

But really, the new 52 dynamic makes a hell of a lot more sense, given their motivations and worldviews. Batman's mission has always been about preserving the rule of law and order in Gotham City, and ensuring safety and stability. Whereas Superman's mission has been about 'saving the world' and 'inspiring humanity' to better themselves. Between the two, Batman's mission is a lot closer to the notion of preserving the status quo.

However, given that Superman has cooled off a lot since his 'social crusader' days of five years ago, it makes sense that he and Batman have become close and trusted friends. I'd really like to see this relationship explored further, perhaps in a miniseries or something.

[NotSuper]

Yeah, I'd say the Five Years Later Superman is more Neutral Good than Chaotic Good (which the Action Superman clearly is). He still cares more about justice than order, but is more willing to compromise and work with others. It was interesting that he seemed most supportive of Green Arrow, though, suggesting he still has an appreciation of those who achieve justice by working outside the system.

[Mat001]

I hear what you guys are saying, but I don't think the post crisis era ever reached the level of Worlds Finest that the 60s ands 70s established. They were more like partners then and it just seemed to me Johns isn't being coy about it and is committing fully to their BFF relationship early in the nu 52

Except they were friends. It was Bruce that pushed Lois and Clark's names up to the top of the list of the apartment that they moved into, as shown in "The Wedding Album". Clark kept Bruce in the loop regarding the restoration of Gotham. Clark came to Bruce after Jason's death, not just because he was ordered to, but because of their friendship. Then you have all the stuff in "Til Death Do Us Part", "Trinity", "52" and "The Tornado Path". They were friends more than partners.

[The Action Ace]

Except they were friends. It was Bruce that pushed Lois and Clark's names up to the top of the list of the apartment that they moved into, as shown in "The Wedding Album". Clark kept Bruce in the loop regarding the restoration of Gotham. Clark came to Bruce after Jason's death, not just because he was ordered to, but because of their friendship. Then you have all the stuff in "Til Death Do Us Part", "Trinity", "52" and "The Tornado Path". They were friends more than partners.

But as one poster said earlier there was a real lack of consistency post crisis. I still feel they never reached the pre crisis Worlds Finest level. Plus with S/B DC editorial seemed wishy washy about what was and was not in continuity. This just seems much different to me.

[Mr. Holmes]

The initial volumes of S/B were in canon, and Loeb wrote in a lot of bromance there. Not to mention, the pre-Flashpoint era sort of ended with Final Crisis/Return of Bruce Wayne.

[AndItsOn!]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure you liked Superman treated like a bitch by the bat-god.

I really don't care about this 2 teaming up. Superman always seems to get the short end of the stick.

You get the point exactly right. That's why I not only don't care this kind of book but also not even want it to actually happen. It's just another bat book in essence.

[Brainiac 3.5]

In Superman/Batman #50, the writers had them considering each other almost as the brother they never had. It kinda makes sense with them both being orphans. I don't know if going that far is gonna be possible or if that type of relationship would be well received, especially in the new continuity. But, they've been friends and the World's Finest team for decades. It's a tradition.

[Lexrules]

I love seeing it. The friendship between them is timeless. I hated the years they didn't get along.

[Mat001]

But as one poster said earlier there was a real lack of consistency post crisis. I still feel they never reached the pre crisis Worlds Finest level. Plus with S/B DC editorial seemed wishy washy about what was and was not in continuity. This just seems much different to me.

In the individual Superman and Batman books, they were friends. The antagonism between them ended with "Dark Knight Over Metropolis" and by the time of "Funeral For A Friend" and "Zero Hour", you can tell that they were good friends. Even in "Superman/Batman", the friendship was apparent. Sure, they had their falling outs like in "Infinite Crisis", but you have to look at the context of that story and compare it, almost, to when Bruce quit the League the first time. He was plenty pissed at Clark and the rest of the League. It even carried over into World's Finest.

[ChristianP]

Supes and Batman as teammates is truly the quintessential synthesis in Superhero comics.
They have the same goals, but they are the antithesis of one another. So as a duo, that really interests me

[manofsteel1979]

I personally think it's awesome. However, there is obviously a bit of antagonism in their relationship in the DCnU at the beginning, judging from how they first met in JUSTICE LEAGUE #2, and the tension that was shown in ACTION #10's Justice League scene set in the past where as soon as Superman leaves the others, Batman remarks that they will eventually "have to take him down" or something to that effect. I think their relationship probably unfolded similar to Post-Crisis where they start out ala Frank Miller and ended up best friends eventually.

[manduck37]

I love it. I've been waiting for Bats and Supes to be friends and working together again for quite some time. Superman himself was a man on the street fighting for those who couldn't stand up for themselves, much like Batman. They're both orphans, they started on the streets and went global, they're founding members of the League. There is a so much more in their stories that makes it seem like they would get along great. Plus I enjoy seeing the two biggest heroes of all time team up and take out the trash. Just doesn't get any better.

[J. Robb]

I prefer Superman/Batman team-ups to be fairly rare, only when a writer has a really good idea. It's tough to give Batman something to do without dumbing down Superman (or mind-controlling him). Plus, it makes the team-ups more exciting if they don't happen very often.