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Superman/Batman (7 Volumes Edition)
Absolute Superman/Batman, Vol. 2
The World's Finest join forces in this reality-bending tale, Superman and Batman rule the Earth with an iron fist, with humanity bending to their will. Before long, the World's Finest Duo is sent careening through a series of bizarre alternate Earths, facing an assortment of classic DC characters including Darkseid, Lex Luthor, Superwoman, Kamandi, Sgt. Rock, Haunted Tank, and many more.
Collects Superman/Batman issues #14-26. Extras include pencilled pages and character sketches.
Collects Superman/Batman issues #14-26. Extras include pencilled pages and character sketches.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
25 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Jeph Loeb
1,589 books1,367 followersJoseph "Jeph" Loeb III is an Emmy and WGA nominated American film and television writer, producer and award-winning comic book writer. Loeb was a Co-Executive Producer on the NBC hit show Heroes, and formerly a producer/writer on the TV series Smallville and Lost.
A four-time Eisner Award winner and five-time Wizard Fan Awards winner (see below), Loeb's comic book career includes work on many major characters, including Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, Hulk, Captain America, Cable, Iron Man, Daredevil, Supergirl, the Avengers, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, much of which he has produced in collaboration with artist Tim Sale, who provides the comic art seen on Heroes.
A four-time Eisner Award winner and five-time Wizard Fan Awards winner (see below), Loeb's comic book career includes work on many major characters, including Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, Hulk, Captain America, Cable, Iron Man, Daredevil, Supergirl, the Avengers, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, much of which he has produced in collaboration with artist Tim Sale, who provides the comic art seen on Heroes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
December 5, 2016
I suppose Jeph Loeb had fun writing this.
What you have are a total of fourteen issues contained in this here volume here. In two issues, Loeb tries to squeeze in some then current DC continuity – A brand new Supergirl is being monitored, but not just by Bats and Supes or some random perv – the other issue, is a Robin/Superboy team-up with the last panel showing
But not before sharing a tub with a trio of superhero sex bots. A hope those things are insulated and grounded. It would be helpful to know before I placed my order.
The remaining twelve issues are a tenuously connected story that contain some of my favorite plot devices: Alternate realities, time travel, panels of brain-frying dialogue from Bizarro and Batzarro…
…Mr. Mistopick.., Mr. Mxytpric…, the, uh, impish guy from the Fifth Dimension.
Three villains from the 31st century undo Batman and Superman’s origins and raise them to be dictatorial rulers of the Earth.
That resulting smell is combo heat-vision and char-broiled Arrow. Pass the tater salad.
This fiendish plot comes undone and the two travel through different realities trying to undo what happened.
The final six issues function as a bad hangover from the first, with the mind boggling ultimate explanation for what has previously transpired (Read: WTF!!), the introduction of a super team modeled after Marvel’s Avengers…
…and the grand finale:
Bottom Line: Why isn’t this series titled Batman/Superman? What the hell was DC thinking? This was probably Loeb’s tribute to DC continuity right before another “crisis” and the dull thud that would be The New 52. It’s got some spark, but not enough to have kept me from reaching for an aspirin or two.
A book only Anne could really love…
I never get tired of Batman dishing out a Bat-whooping to Superman.
What you have are a total of fourteen issues contained in this here volume here. In two issues, Loeb tries to squeeze in some then current DC continuity – A brand new Supergirl is being monitored, but not just by Bats and Supes or some random perv – the other issue, is a Robin/Superboy team-up with the last panel showing
But not before sharing a tub with a trio of superhero sex bots. A hope those things are insulated and grounded. It would be helpful to know before I placed my order.
The remaining twelve issues are a tenuously connected story that contain some of my favorite plot devices: Alternate realities, time travel, panels of brain-frying dialogue from Bizarro and Batzarro…
…Mr. Mistopick.., Mr. Mxytpric…, the, uh, impish guy from the Fifth Dimension.
Three villains from the 31st century undo Batman and Superman’s origins and raise them to be dictatorial rulers of the Earth.
That resulting smell is combo heat-vision and char-broiled Arrow. Pass the tater salad.
This fiendish plot comes undone and the two travel through different realities trying to undo what happened.
The final six issues function as a bad hangover from the first, with the mind boggling ultimate explanation for what has previously transpired (Read: WTF!!), the introduction of a super team modeled after Marvel’s Avengers…
…and the grand finale:
Bottom Line: Why isn’t this series titled Batman/Superman? What the hell was DC thinking? This was probably Loeb’s tribute to DC continuity right before another “crisis” and the dull thud that would be The New 52. It’s got some spark, but not enough to have kept me from reaching for an aspirin or two.
A book only Anne could really love…
I never get tired of Batman dishing out a Bat-whooping to Superman.
March 23, 2016
The first story focuses upon Superman and Batman as dictators of the world but both of them sense another reality of their lives. This is the best one. Probably a B plus to A minus.
The rest of the tales are all over the place from C+ to straight Bs with a focus on Supergirl and then some funky alternate realities.
Artwork varies from C minus to A minus.
The narrative flow for all the tales within is shaky.
OVERALL GRADE: B minus.
The rest of the tales are all over the place from C+ to straight Bs with a focus on Supergirl and then some funky alternate realities.
Artwork varies from C minus to A minus.
The narrative flow for all the tales within is shaky.
OVERALL GRADE: B minus.
October 4, 2020
Fun stories; different than usual for these two superheroes, but, I still enjoyed them.
May 15, 2021
Little early for Halloween, mister.
What if The Man of Tomorrow & The Dark Knight had a Time Machine? Find out in Superman/Batman, Volume 2!"
August 18, 2017
I always love these plus they take a while to read which is good :)
April 10, 2017
I thought 'With a Vengeance' was a clunker of a story, long-winded and at times confusing, and the others were not much better. (I skipped 'Absolute Power,' which was good, because I had already read it in another collection.)
December 6, 2016
Oddly enough, the overall book gets 3 stars but the last story gets 5.
The last story is about Sam Loeb who died of cancer and it's such a short, bittersweet tale. It's about Clark losing his friend Sam and not knowing how to be okay with that. Honestly, it made me cry.
On to the rest of the book:
I loved the first volume and didn't enjoy this one nearly as much.
The first part is kind of a "what if?" Scenario where villains from the 31st century try to change things in their favor. Bruce is taken moments after his parents die and the Kents are killed (?) after finding Clark. They're both "rescued" and raised by these 3 villains and they grow up to become a Batman and Superman that rule the earth. Anyone who dsagrees with them is murdered and all other capes cease to be. Wonder Woman somehow remembers the way the world used to be and brings Uncle Sam back so they can right the world.
It was interesting seeing Clark and Bruce as brothers. They were so dedicated to each other and when Clark appears to be hurt, Bruce threatens to kill Green Arrow. When Batman appears to be killed, Clark loses it and actually murders Diana. It was kind of a twisted story but their bond was interesting.
Anyway, they have to go back in time to fix it. Bruce decides to kill Joe Chill before he can kill the Waynes. We get a world where Bruce grew up with his parents and was never Batman. As a consequence, Ra's al Ghul rules (with help from Bruce and Clark's pseudo parents). Another interesting story where Clark has to break Bruce's heart and shatter the illusion of his childhood to save the world.
Finally they decide to return the villains to the time they came from and that's that. It was slightly confusing but interesting.
There's a small plot with Supergirl that was cute because Clark was so overprotective. Nothing to write home about. Honestly, I hate 99% of the artists that draw Kara because they don't seem to care that she's 16.
Loved the bit with Tim and Kon. They're adorable together. I'm so sad this kid's friends all seem to die. What the hell is that?
Then we get the plot I didn't care for at all. I have to preface this with something that might be blasphemy to DC fans. I don't know, I don't know very many but here it is: I absolutely HATE Bizarro world stories. I think they're awful. They're needlessly ignorant and just annoying to read. I don't understand the point of them. They ruined part of All-Star Superman and they ruined the last half of this book. Sure, Batzarro and Bizarro Supes meant well and kind of saved the day but I hate their dialogue. I just wanted it to end.
On top of that, the storyline and the way it was executed was confusing as hell to follow. Just... no. No. Did not enjoy any part of it except seeing all the different versions of Supes and Bats come together.
The last story is about Sam Loeb who died of cancer and it's such a short, bittersweet tale. It's about Clark losing his friend Sam and not knowing how to be okay with that. Honestly, it made me cry.
On to the rest of the book:
I loved the first volume and didn't enjoy this one nearly as much.
The first part is kind of a "what if?" Scenario where villains from the 31st century try to change things in their favor. Bruce is taken moments after his parents die and the Kents are killed (?) after finding Clark. They're both "rescued" and raised by these 3 villains and they grow up to become a Batman and Superman that rule the earth. Anyone who dsagrees with them is murdered and all other capes cease to be. Wonder Woman somehow remembers the way the world used to be and brings Uncle Sam back so they can right the world.
It was interesting seeing Clark and Bruce as brothers. They were so dedicated to each other and when Clark appears to be hurt, Bruce threatens to kill Green Arrow. When Batman appears to be killed, Clark loses it and actually murders Diana. It was kind of a twisted story but their bond was interesting.
Anyway, they have to go back in time to fix it. Bruce decides to kill Joe Chill before he can kill the Waynes. We get a world where Bruce grew up with his parents and was never Batman. As a consequence, Ra's al Ghul rules (with help from Bruce and Clark's pseudo parents). Another interesting story where Clark has to break Bruce's heart and shatter the illusion of his childhood to save the world.
Finally they decide to return the villains to the time they came from and that's that. It was slightly confusing but interesting.
There's a small plot with Supergirl that was cute because Clark was so overprotective. Nothing to write home about. Honestly, I hate 99% of the artists that draw Kara because they don't seem to care that she's 16.
Loved the bit with Tim and Kon. They're adorable together. I'm so sad this kid's friends all seem to die. What the hell is that?
Then we get the plot I didn't care for at all. I have to preface this with something that might be blasphemy to DC fans. I don't know, I don't know very many but here it is: I absolutely HATE Bizarro world stories. I think they're awful. They're needlessly ignorant and just annoying to read. I don't understand the point of them. They ruined part of All-Star Superman and they ruined the last half of this book. Sure, Batzarro and Bizarro Supes meant well and kind of saved the day but I hate their dialogue. I just wanted it to end.
On top of that, the storyline and the way it was executed was confusing as hell to follow. Just... no. No. Did not enjoy any part of it except seeing all the different versions of Supes and Bats come together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2019
While the are is lovely to look at this was a book I simply could not get on with, I did read it to the end but it felt like there were too many ideas forced into one comic. Some of the ideas were great and this could had done with a focus on just one of them.
The dark batman and Superman were great. Their relationship was closer and more brutal at the same time. They were slightly overpowered but I would have liked to see more of their world.
The rest was a bit of a mess. Jumping from world to world. and story to story I found myself getting lost here and there. I do not know the back story enough and didn't really want to.
Mr Mzcfijhfjievh whats his face just annoys me.
I'm not overly keen on the alt superman and batman either,
I think this was one for the bigger fans than me.
It did look good though.
The dark batman and Superman were great. Their relationship was closer and more brutal at the same time. They were slightly overpowered but I would have liked to see more of their world.
The rest was a bit of a mess. Jumping from world to world. and story to story I found myself getting lost here and there. I do not know the back story enough and didn't really want to.
Mr Mzcfijhfjievh whats his face just annoys me.
I'm not overly keen on the alt superman and batman either,
I think this was one for the bigger fans than me.
It did look good though.
June 26, 2016
Literally my favorite collection so far. I already have it on order at the local comic book store. It has my favorite storyline in it plus some extras going over the ramifications of said story line. Plus, lots of different universes, time lines, and even a mock Avengers group. Love it all!
June 22, 2015
Vengeance I didn't like at all. Sam's Story was endearing. Of the whole book, I liked that one the most.
January 11, 2020
Superman/Batman, Vol. 2 picks up where the previous trade paperback left off and collects the next thirteen issues (Superman/Batman #14–26) of the 2003 on-going series and covers four stories: "Absolute Power", "The New Adventures of Supergirl, the Girl of Steel!", "With a Vengence!", and "The Boys Are Back In Town!".
"Absolute Power" is a five-issue story line (Superman/Batman #14–18) that has Lightning Lord, Saturn Queen, and Cosmic King – three super-villains from the 31st century, eliminating members of the Justice League of America, except for young Superman and Batman, whom they raise as their own children. Batman and Superman are raised to be dictators of the world, eliminating all opposition and killing people who would otherwise be their friends.
"With a Vengeance!" is a six-issue story line (Superman/Batman #20–25) that has Mister Mxyzptlk battles the Joker, who has tricked Bat-Mite out of his powers, using other characters as their pawns. Superman and Batman fight a team of superheroes from an alternate universe called the Maximums.
"The New Adventures of Supergirl, the Girl of Steel" is a one-issue storyline (Superman/Batman #19) that has Kara Zor-El as Supergirl teaming up with Batman and Superman to take down Noah Kuttler as The Calculator, Cassius Payne as Clayface (pretending to be Batgirl), Harleen Quinzel as Harley Quinn, Lex Luthor, and Pamela Isley as Poison Ivy. This issue also serves as a backdoor pilot for the Supergirl series and is later reprinted as Supergirl #0.
"The Boys Are Back In Town!" is a one-issue storyline (Superman/Batman #26) has Clark Kent Superman and Bruce Wayne as Batman send Conner Kent as Superboy and Tim Drake as Robin to visit the Jiro Osamu as Toyman in Japan because he has not been heard from in a while. This issue would have been Sam Loeb's, son of Jeph Loeb, writing debut, but had succumb to cancer before being finished. So, many writers and pencilers have finished the issue for him in his honor with all the royalties and fees from these individuals going to charity.
Jeph Loeb penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written somewhat well. The two main stories: "Absolute Power" and "With a Vengeance!" are done rather well. The first takes an interesting looking into how easily Clark Kent as Superman and Bruce Wayne as Batman could become dictators and the last one is a somewhat mediocre story about the wackiness of extra-dimensional creatures could wreak havoc in the DC Universe.
Jeph Loeb, Geoff Johns, Brian K. Vaughan, Allan Heinberg, Paul Levitz, Mark Verheiden, Richard Starkings, Brad Meltzer, Audrey Loeb, Joe Kelly, Joe Casey, Joss Whedon finished penning “The Boys Are Back In Town!” for Sam Loeb in a poignant story where Tim Drake as Robin eulogizing Conner Kent as Superboy mirrored the one a father had for his son.
Ed McGuinness (Superman/Batman #20–25), Carlos Pacheco (Superman/Batman #14–18), Ivan Reis (Superman/Batman #18), and Ian Churchill (Superman/Batman #19) penciled the trade paperback. For the most part, the penciling style meshes rather well with each other, but rather distinct, which gives an uneven artistic flow throughout the trade paperback.
Ed McGuinness, Jim Lee, Tim Sale, Pat Lee, Carlos Pacheco, Mike Kunkel, Duncan Rouleau, Ian Churchill, Rob Liefeld, Joe Madureira, Art Adams, Joyce Chin, Jeff Matsuda, and John Cassaday penciled the memorial issue credited to Sam Loeb. With so many pencilers, the issue suffers from too many cooks in the kitchen syndrome, which made the penciling style rather mediocre.
All in all, Superman/Batman, Vol. 2 is a mediocre continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series.
"Absolute Power" is a five-issue story line (Superman/Batman #14–18) that has Lightning Lord, Saturn Queen, and Cosmic King – three super-villains from the 31st century, eliminating members of the Justice League of America, except for young Superman and Batman, whom they raise as their own children. Batman and Superman are raised to be dictators of the world, eliminating all opposition and killing people who would otherwise be their friends.
"With a Vengeance!" is a six-issue story line (Superman/Batman #20–25) that has Mister Mxyzptlk battles the Joker, who has tricked Bat-Mite out of his powers, using other characters as their pawns. Superman and Batman fight a team of superheroes from an alternate universe called the Maximums.
"The New Adventures of Supergirl, the Girl of Steel" is a one-issue storyline (Superman/Batman #19) that has Kara Zor-El as Supergirl teaming up with Batman and Superman to take down Noah Kuttler as The Calculator, Cassius Payne as Clayface (pretending to be Batgirl), Harleen Quinzel as Harley Quinn, Lex Luthor, and Pamela Isley as Poison Ivy. This issue also serves as a backdoor pilot for the Supergirl series and is later reprinted as Supergirl #0.
"The Boys Are Back In Town!" is a one-issue storyline (Superman/Batman #26) has Clark Kent Superman and Bruce Wayne as Batman send Conner Kent as Superboy and Tim Drake as Robin to visit the Jiro Osamu as Toyman in Japan because he has not been heard from in a while. This issue would have been Sam Loeb's, son of Jeph Loeb, writing debut, but had succumb to cancer before being finished. So, many writers and pencilers have finished the issue for him in his honor with all the royalties and fees from these individuals going to charity.
Jeph Loeb penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written somewhat well. The two main stories: "Absolute Power" and "With a Vengeance!" are done rather well. The first takes an interesting looking into how easily Clark Kent as Superman and Bruce Wayne as Batman could become dictators and the last one is a somewhat mediocre story about the wackiness of extra-dimensional creatures could wreak havoc in the DC Universe.
Jeph Loeb, Geoff Johns, Brian K. Vaughan, Allan Heinberg, Paul Levitz, Mark Verheiden, Richard Starkings, Brad Meltzer, Audrey Loeb, Joe Kelly, Joe Casey, Joss Whedon finished penning “The Boys Are Back In Town!” for Sam Loeb in a poignant story where Tim Drake as Robin eulogizing Conner Kent as Superboy mirrored the one a father had for his son.
Ed McGuinness (Superman/Batman #20–25), Carlos Pacheco (Superman/Batman #14–18), Ivan Reis (Superman/Batman #18), and Ian Churchill (Superman/Batman #19) penciled the trade paperback. For the most part, the penciling style meshes rather well with each other, but rather distinct, which gives an uneven artistic flow throughout the trade paperback.
Ed McGuinness, Jim Lee, Tim Sale, Pat Lee, Carlos Pacheco, Mike Kunkel, Duncan Rouleau, Ian Churchill, Rob Liefeld, Joe Madureira, Art Adams, Joyce Chin, Jeff Matsuda, and John Cassaday penciled the memorial issue credited to Sam Loeb. With so many pencilers, the issue suffers from too many cooks in the kitchen syndrome, which made the penciling style rather mediocre.
All in all, Superman/Batman, Vol. 2 is a mediocre continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series.
June 21, 2020
2.5. Sadly, a bust.
The first story Absolute Power by Jeph Loeb was a little Injustice: Gods Among Us... Superman and Batman are pulled from their points of origin by these time-traveling future Metas, who raise them to rule the world (as a dictatorship team). There's a bit of a resistance that tries to go up against them (lead by Diana), and of course, during the last battle, they rip open time and space, which sends Superman and Batman along a wild ride of dimension-hopping where they keep getting killed and then sent on to another world. They (Supes & Bats) finally end up on a future Earth where Darkseid rules, and he and Metron help Batman and Superman get back to normal after more time jumping and alternate dimensions, etc.
The time/world jumping should have been a lot of fun, but this story read like a weak Elseworld's book, with not enough of a world-building or solution (Darkseid somehow knows the world is messed up and gives Superman & Batman Boom Tube access to time-jump and fix it multiple times...) that really makes sense.
Supergirl the Girl of Steel by Jeph Loeb was fine/good. It had action and fun baddies (Harley, Poison Ivy, the Calculator, Clayface, and Luthor, lurking in the shadows).
With A Vengeance! by Jeph Loeb is the second big story of the collection, with six confusing issues that all tie up into a neat little "The Joker & Mister Mxyzptlk were playing a Fifth Dimension game of DC chess and messed with everyone. Don't worry, it wasn't real!". I hate those types of stories!!
The only thing/s I liked about With A Vengeance!, was Bizzaro & Batzarro (The World's Worst Detective). I loved how Batzarro's speech bubbles and text boxes of inner dialogue were exactly the same, lol.
And I really like the art by Ed McGuinness
But that was it.
The book concludes with Superboy & Robin the Boys Are Back in Town by Sam Loeb, which I found to be hella problematic. Besides for the art changing every two pages (which gave me a headache), Superboy is so horny for his female teammates to the point that he and Robin demean them at every turn: talking about finding pictures of Raven, Starfire, and Power Girl on the internet, and then totally embracing the naked sex-robots of them in Hiro's lair. It's super gross and disrespectful to their teammates who are also powerful & save the world as much as they do. The end.
The first story Absolute Power by Jeph Loeb was a little Injustice: Gods Among Us... Superman and Batman are pulled from their points of origin by these time-traveling future Metas, who raise them to rule the world (as a dictatorship team). There's a bit of a resistance that tries to go up against them (lead by Diana), and of course, during the last battle, they rip open time and space, which sends Superman and Batman along a wild ride of dimension-hopping where they keep getting killed and then sent on to another world. They (Supes & Bats) finally end up on a future Earth where Darkseid rules, and he and Metron help Batman and Superman get back to normal after more time jumping and alternate dimensions, etc.
The time/world jumping should have been a lot of fun, but this story read like a weak Elseworld's book, with not enough of a world-building or solution (Darkseid somehow knows the world is messed up and gives Superman & Batman Boom Tube access to time-jump and fix it multiple times...) that really makes sense.
Supergirl the Girl of Steel by Jeph Loeb was fine/good. It had action and fun baddies (Harley, Poison Ivy, the Calculator, Clayface, and Luthor, lurking in the shadows).
With A Vengeance! by Jeph Loeb is the second big story of the collection, with six confusing issues that all tie up into a neat little "The Joker & Mister Mxyzptlk were playing a Fifth Dimension game of DC chess and messed with everyone. Don't worry, it wasn't real!". I hate those types of stories!!
The only thing/s I liked about With A Vengeance!, was Bizzaro & Batzarro (The World's Worst Detective). I loved how Batzarro's speech bubbles and text boxes of inner dialogue were exactly the same, lol.
And I really like the art by Ed McGuinness
But that was it.
The book concludes with Superboy & Robin the Boys Are Back in Town by Sam Loeb, which I found to be hella problematic. Besides for the art changing every two pages (which gave me a headache), Superboy is so horny for his female teammates to the point that he and Robin demean them at every turn: talking about finding pictures of Raven, Starfire, and Power Girl on the internet, and then totally embracing the naked sex-robots of them in Hiro's lair. It's super gross and disrespectful to their teammates who are also powerful & save the world as much as they do. The end.
January 22, 2022
SPOILERS!!!!
(You have been warned.)
In all truth, this is a really good book with a rather surprisingly intense Superman/Batman adventure. HOWEVER... it was not what I expected. The art style is a bit more... I don't want to say cartoonish, as that seems to undermine it, but it was definitely not what I think of when I think standard comic art. As such, I was expecting a lighter read--
Cut to Batman and Superman raised by supervillains from the future. And now they're evil despots. And Superman DECAPITATES WONDER WOMAN USING HER LASSO OF TRUTH!!! Yeah, not what I expected at all from the art.
But that said... this was still a really good read. There were some parts that were confusing which, I'm guessing, had more to do with me not being familiar with the continuity at the time of publication. But this book had time travel, parallel universes, Bizarro, Mxy... plus a really great Robin/Superboy adventure (which was also sad because apparently that Superboy dies???)
(I clearly have a lot more to read from this era of comics, and, to be honest, I'm looking forward to the ride. The stories are surprisingly really, REALLY good.)
All of the above, plus a heart-wrenching short story in the end about a friend of Superman's who died of cancer when he was a teenager. I mean... wow, this book may have been deceptive, but it packed a punch!
(You have been warned.)
In all truth, this is a really good book with a rather surprisingly intense Superman/Batman adventure. HOWEVER... it was not what I expected. The art style is a bit more... I don't want to say cartoonish, as that seems to undermine it, but it was definitely not what I think of when I think standard comic art. As such, I was expecting a lighter read--
Cut to Batman and Superman raised by supervillains from the future. And now they're evil despots. And Superman DECAPITATES WONDER WOMAN USING HER LASSO OF TRUTH!!! Yeah, not what I expected at all from the art.
But that said... this was still a really good read. There were some parts that were confusing which, I'm guessing, had more to do with me not being familiar with the continuity at the time of publication. But this book had time travel, parallel universes, Bizarro, Mxy... plus a really great Robin/Superboy adventure (which was also sad because apparently that Superboy dies???)
(I clearly have a lot more to read from this era of comics, and, to be honest, I'm looking forward to the ride. The stories are surprisingly really, REALLY good.)
All of the above, plus a heart-wrenching short story in the end about a friend of Superman's who died of cancer when he was a teenager. I mean... wow, this book may have been deceptive, but it packed a punch!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2020
This book is the stuff of dreams for a 18 year old me. Alternate realities, parallel dimensions, time hopping. The first half of this book was very satisfying. The second half has some issues which they don't bother addressing by the end of this book.
Spoiler territory from here on out.
I did not get how Lois died and why it was never explained how superman and batman ended up killing one of the team members of maximum march. How in the hell did bat-mite end up inside joker. The first half has a definitive start and end. the second half expects us to add the dots but its hard to add the dots when it doesn't make sense where the line is starting from.
Overall i did not regret buying this volume. First graphic novel I have read in a long time. Hoping to find the prior volume to this somewhere in my country.
Spoiler territory from here on out.
I did not get how Lois died and why it was never explained how superman and batman ended up killing one of the team members of maximum march. How in the hell did bat-mite end up inside joker. The first half has a definitive start and end. the second half expects us to add the dots but its hard to add the dots when it doesn't make sense where the line is starting from.
Overall i did not regret buying this volume. First graphic novel I have read in a long time. Hoping to find the prior volume to this somewhere in my country.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2020
No single issue of any comic ever has hit me as hard as “Sam’s story” does every single time I read it, and I’m so glad it was collected in the absolute format. The rest of the book is great multiverse jumping superhero popcorn fun....but let’s be honest the real star of this volume is Sam Loeb who would have been a phenomenal writer in his own right had he lived past the far young age he did.
I won’t be able to go into detail about Sam’s story for anyone who hasn’t read this yet, but rest assured Sam Loeb’s influence is inescapable in the final pages of this volume and his legacy is firmly cemented in this beautiful absolute edition of Superman/Batman.
A great book on its own, but all the more powerful for how human the final story in this collection feels.
I won’t be able to go into detail about Sam’s story for anyone who hasn’t read this yet, but rest assured Sam Loeb’s influence is inescapable in the final pages of this volume and his legacy is firmly cemented in this beautiful absolute edition of Superman/Batman.
A great book on its own, but all the more powerful for how human the final story in this collection feels.
Read
November 12, 2020The two major arcs in this volume deal with alternate universes and go on too long. Part of the problem, as with the first collection, is that Loeb’s narration and dialogue don't mesh well. Many pages are excessively busy, to the detriment of storytelling. It doesn't help that both stories are unnecessarily convoluted (especially the second one). So, my favorite parts of this book are the final issue written by Loeb’s late son and the achingly beautiful Superman tribute to him at the end. I’ve read the latter several times before and it always makes me cry.
I've come the conclusion that Loeb is far better at quiet character studies than outsize superheroics. And when he tries to do alternate universe/timey-wimey stories? Yikes.
I've come the conclusion that Loeb is far better at quiet character studies than outsize superheroics. And when he tries to do alternate universe/timey-wimey stories? Yikes.
July 22, 2023
It was good, took me longer to get through than volume 1.
Absolutely loved all the cameos.
At times it felt a bit hard to follow. Too many new characters and moving parts.
Hard to understand ending and what happened to the Joker. Maybe if I was a bit more well read in the DC universe, I would understand more. But as a newbie it was definitely a bit confusing.
At the end of the book there was a comic about Superboy and Robin. Robin was telling a story about Superboy because he died. I'm not sure if and when Superboy died and if it had anything to do with this series.
Enjoyed reading but have many questions. I guess that would be the best way to sum it all up.
Absolutely loved all the cameos.
At times it felt a bit hard to follow. Too many new characters and moving parts.
Hard to understand ending and what happened to the Joker. Maybe if I was a bit more well read in the DC universe, I would understand more. But as a newbie it was definitely a bit confusing.
At the end of the book there was a comic about Superboy and Robin. Robin was telling a story about Superboy because he died. I'm not sure if and when Superboy died and if it had anything to do with this series.
Enjoyed reading but have many questions. I guess that would be the best way to sum it all up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2022
I was bummed to realize this volume is full of time travel and multiverse shenanigans. I really hate those plot hooks above most because they always confuse the hell out of me and this time was no different!
I couldn’t follow this story at all and I’ll give Loeb the benefit of the doubt that it was mostly my fault… So I didn’t really have fun reading it, but I did enjoy the art! I loved the look of the book and dug McGuinness’ style throughout. There’s also a really touching story at the end related to Loeb’s son who sadly passed away…
Bit of a mixed bag for me, but worth checking out.
I couldn’t follow this story at all and I’ll give Loeb the benefit of the doubt that it was mostly my fault… So I didn’t really have fun reading it, but I did enjoy the art! I loved the look of the book and dug McGuinness’ style throughout. There’s also a really touching story at the end related to Loeb’s son who sadly passed away…
Bit of a mixed bag for me, but worth checking out.
June 1, 2019
I think I'm fatigued w/ JL's works. Some of the artwork in the book was awesome & slap them in another book I would have absolutely loved. But, this is getting common in JLs work. Reiteration of lot of stuff. Not a bad read. But, definitely not the best work. Some bits in the book dragged a lot. But, I'm sure he had a ton of fun & there is a nice plot somewhere in the mess. Decent read: 2.5/5!
February 12, 2024
The first story arc (“Absolute Power”) is very solid, and well worth the read, but the remainder of the volume is largely unfocused, devolving ultimately into an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink mess. (There are perfectly understandable reasons for this, but it feels unseemly to discuss them here; you’d have to read the whole volume itself to grasp why.)
June 19, 2017
This was a pretty confusing story for those of us that aren't hard core fans of Supes and the Bat. With all the alternate worlds and silly side stories I found this more than a little overwhelming, but it was still enjoyable enough once I actually sat down and concentrated.
May 18, 2017
awesome read
July 26, 2020
14-18, Absolute Power, ☆☆☆☆
19, Supergirl: The Girl of Steel, ☆☆☆☆☆
20-25, With A Vengeance, ☆☆☆☆
26, Superboy & Robin: The Boys are Back in Town, ☆☆☆☆
19, Supergirl: The Girl of Steel, ☆☆☆☆☆
20-25, With A Vengeance, ☆☆☆☆
26, Superboy & Robin: The Boys are Back in Town, ☆☆☆☆
August 23, 2022
i was gonna give this 3 stars but the last issue elevated it
December 5, 2022
"Sam's Story" at the end of this volume was the best.
March 18, 2024
Very good
I especially liked the last 2 stories. The one about Sam Loeb hit close to home. Pick it up today. Such great tales.
I especially liked the last 2 stories. The one about Sam Loeb hit close to home. Pick it up today. Such great tales.
December 12, 2016
There is a great deal of contrary creativity in these stories that rely on alternate realities due to time travel. In the normal universe, Superman and Batman are heroes, selflessly always working to aid people and protect them from crime and injustice. In the opening story, Superman and Batman are ruthless tyrants, ruling the world with an iron fist.
This is due to three people from the future Legion of Super Heroes coming back in time to when Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne were children. These three raised Bruce and Clark to be powerful personalities, but with no regard for others. They tolerate no dissent, when people that would have been members of the Justice League stand up against their policies, Superman does not hesitate to vaporize them using his heat vision. His simple philosophy is “Obey or die.” Fortunately, history has a way of righting itself over time, so there are forces that operate to modify the alternate reality into one more familiar to the reader.
Many of the characters in the DC stable appear at some point in this collection, even Bizarro #1 and his counterpart Batzarro are part of the otherwise bizarre action. In one section the Joker, Bat-Mite and Mister Mxyzptlk are aligned to create havoc in the lives of Superman and Batman. There are several Supergirls and a Robin and Superboy that seem incapable of getting along or carrying out simple missions against the forces of darkness.
Comic book heroes are like humans, different life events at critical points can have a dramatic effect on our life. In this case the alternate universe is based on Clark’s parents not being the saintly Kents and the wealthy Bruce Wayne being raised by brutal people from the future. The inclusion of many other DC characters turns this into a story with many twists that all eventually push the universe of Superman and Batman back into its normal track. Getting there is a very entertaining read.
This is due to three people from the future Legion of Super Heroes coming back in time to when Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne were children. These three raised Bruce and Clark to be powerful personalities, but with no regard for others. They tolerate no dissent, when people that would have been members of the Justice League stand up against their policies, Superman does not hesitate to vaporize them using his heat vision. His simple philosophy is “Obey or die.” Fortunately, history has a way of righting itself over time, so there are forces that operate to modify the alternate reality into one more familiar to the reader.
Many of the characters in the DC stable appear at some point in this collection, even Bizarro #1 and his counterpart Batzarro are part of the otherwise bizarre action. In one section the Joker, Bat-Mite and Mister Mxyzptlk are aligned to create havoc in the lives of Superman and Batman. There are several Supergirls and a Robin and Superboy that seem incapable of getting along or carrying out simple missions against the forces of darkness.
Comic book heroes are like humans, different life events at critical points can have a dramatic effect on our life. In this case the alternate universe is based on Clark’s parents not being the saintly Kents and the wealthy Bruce Wayne being raised by brutal people from the future. The inclusion of many other DC characters turns this into a story with many twists that all eventually push the universe of Superman and Batman back into its normal track. Getting there is a very entertaining read.
July 4, 2015
This dual collection of Batman stories is interesting but very strange. The first part has it where the Legion of Supervillains attempt to fix the future by turning Batman and Superman into villains. But eventually others attempt to rectify this awful turn. It become a really chaotic yet a very impressive story.
The second part involves a multitude of universes out to mess up Batman and Superman. This was totally weird and we have the silliest of villains and heroes involved in this story. The only redeeming part of this story was the ending which was done as a tribute to Jeph Loeb's dead son.
The first part I give a C+, the second maybe an F.
D+
The second part involves a multitude of universes out to mess up Batman and Superman. This was totally weird and we have the silliest of villains and heroes involved in this story. The only redeeming part of this story was the ending which was done as a tribute to Jeph Loeb's dead son.
The first part I give a C+, the second maybe an F.
D+
January 9, 2016
The first storyline was okay and I liked the single episodes on supergirl and Sam's story. But the second major storyline "With a Vengeance" was really rather confusing. I was able to follow it eventually, but the flipping back and forth between alternate universes was annoying. I like my storylines more linear. And to have the whole thing end up as basically a chess game between joker and another character was annoying at the pointlessness of it all.
The last story of Robin and Superboy was also kind of pointless as well. They got tricked into a gauntlet of giant robot toys. Then it was all a test, kind of?
The last story of Robin and Superboy was also kind of pointless as well. They got tricked into a gauntlet of giant robot toys. Then it was all a test, kind of?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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