Review: Superman/Batman #52

Disclaimer: The story doesn’t matter. I’ll say it’s fun and cute and we’ll move on.

This is the world of the Lil’ Leaguers:

Heh, I don’t actually want to review this comic. I just want to post my favorite moments, like this one: Joker discovers giant-sized violence in this giant-sized world.

And this one: I call it PUNCH IN THE JUNK!

(Sure, he doesn’t nail him exactly in “the junk”, but it’s close enough, and clearly, the intent is evident.)

Or this one: Batman’s on monitor duty… whether he likes it or not.

All that stuff was great, but the Batman/Lil’ Catwoman scenes were my favorites:

But truth be told, this issue wasn’t all fun and games. There was some serious stuff too. “Super” serious, to be exact. After Lil’ Superman sacrifices himself to save both Leagues, we’re treated to this sad lil’ series of panels:

You see, in our world, when heroes die they don’t wake up. Um, wait, what? Well, that’s not entirely true, but I can forgive the writers the obvious lie since needlessly addressing the “continuity” or “pray for resurrection” debate kind of misses the point. And then this next panel, GOSH, I almost cried:

OH MY GOSH! LOOK AT THE LITTLE “SUPER-COFFIN”!!!

After the Lil’ Leaguers leave, Bats and Supes have a little heart to heart and the main storyline of the arc comes to an end… but wait, there’s more! Lil’ Joker! You cad! Hey, what’s up with the “FOR NOW…” at the bottom of the page? Just how many freaking Jokers we got running around the DCU?

• “Classic” Joker appearing in Birds of Prey
• “The Clown at Midnight” Joker appearing in Batman
• “Lil” Joker appearing in Superman/Batman

DC editorial, clean up your toys! Is Joker turning into the new Wolverine? Maybe they’re all Skrulls…

Green and Johnson have been kicking the crap out of this series since the “Kryptonite” arc and I could not be happier, and the sudden appearance of talented writers makes me glad I sloshed my way through all the terrible stories between their run and Jeph Loeb’s. The K trade should be out soon, so if you liked anything you saw here, be sure to check that out. Next issue is the start of a new arc, “Super/Bat”, with art by Rags Morales. The synopsis implies that Batman and Superman switch powers? Very interesting. I love me some what-if stories told in the classic World’s Finest tradition.

Quick Note: Actions Comics, Superman (it’s not terrible), Supergirl, Detective, Batman, Superman/Batman… all solid reads, yes? Can anyone remember the last time this many Superman and/or Batman books have been this good? I think it was never ago.