This Valentine’s Day made me think of the best issues of Batman and really Superman (in Batman)! The never ending question is why is Superman interested in Lois Lane? Slightly less concerning, until Batman proposes to her, why does Batman like Catwoman? Both are answered at the same time and reveal all of the characters in two issues! The Super Friends arc is by Tom King and Clay Mann. It is collected in the trade paperback, Batman Vol. 5: Rules of Engagement (2018) which collects Batman #33-37 (2017-2018) and annual #2 (2018). King started his arc with Volume 3 with DC Rebirth and finished with City of Bane in Batman #85 (2020). He is currently working with Clay Mann on Batman/Catwoman Black Label title. Catwoman accepted Batman’s proposal in Batman #32 (2017) at the conclusion of The War of Jokes & Riddles. The cover by Clay Mann has Batman holding his line before Superman flying above the Daily Planet. The first page is a splash of Superman flying above a train headed to tracks that have fallen, impressive.
Superman is talking on his phone connection that he doesn’t worry about “his” call. Lois is at the Daily Planet and says he should call him. She’s multi-tasking taking some insurance information on the railroad. Superman is flying with two fists as he says he is engaged. Superman flies to stop the train. Lois casually pins the information, split panels, as we see Superman holding the train. Then, we get another splash of Batman also speaking about not needing to call him. I like the parallel. Both heroes are stubborn and prideful. Catwoman is speaking as she knocks around two gunmen in hockey masks. Her Catwoman is sleek with red-tinted goggles. Batman is on a rooftop trying to say Gordon is his friend. Catwoman kicking three men in silhouette responds that Gordon doesn’t know his name and then Batman admists that Alfred is his friend as he peers down at three gunmen. Close-up of the guns, AK-47’s, as Batman shatters the rooftop window. Catwoman kicks a door as they argue that Bruce pays Alfred. Batman slams down on the gunmen with one pierced by several Batarangs.
Catwoman tells Batman to call him. She ends with a right cross at a man in hockey mask. Of course, even at top condition, they would be a bit out of breath. At a parking garage, Lois is telling Clark that she would like to meet her. She says that her investigation into Catwoman has informed Lois that Catwoman is good at “finding what people try to hide.” Lois hints that Catwoman may already know his identity. On a gantry Catwoman explains that she knows Clark is Superman as Batman has a person dangling from the gantry. Clark lowers his glasses and his x-ray vision, glowing eyes, very cool image, I hope Mann draws a Superman special. Superman flies with Lois and they both go over each other’s origin. Their conclusion is that Batman should be a killer and Superman should take over the world, but they don’t, both turning to hope. There is admiration in both heroes. It’s a clever pairing of the two heroes while Catwoman and Lois don’t let them rest on their excuses.
Batman #37 opens with a geeky guy in a Wonder Twin outfit saying that they need to dress up for Super Hero Night at the Gotham Couny Fair. Lois in a stunning flower dress finds the situation amusing, Clark with a red sweater checking his glasses, Bruce in a suit unimpressed and Selena just watches in her black dress. They leave and Lois says that they do have superhero costumes. She also suggests that they switch costumes! Selena agrees. Bruce in a changing room gets Superman’s cape handed over a stall. Um, Lois checks Catwoman’s costume. Clark looks at Batman’s uniform. Catwoman, in Lois’ dress, just leans over to the ticket guy and meows, he admits them in. In a splash page, we have Bruce as Superman, Selena, and then Lois as Catwoman and Clark. Closeup as they eat corn dogs. This is a very ordinary scene, a carnival, but made fun with actual superheroes. They go to a high striker with a carnival worker dressed as Lobo with the hammer, it would be easy for Bruce to ring the bell every time! They head to the tunnel love and Lois realizes that Bruce doesn’t wash his outfit like Clark, to the disgust of Selena. At the end of the ride, Clark and Lois have enjoyed the ride, they need stability in their life of adventure, Bruce and Selena are kissing, the couple just needs some passion like their superhero life.
Later, Bruce and Clark are hitting baseballs which are not a challenge from the machine. Selena has a giant pink cat stuffie talking with Lois who takes out a hip flash which they share drinks. They talk about the appeal of Bruce and Clark. Bruce and Clark are competing against each other. Lois and Selena talk about their fathers and then deaths, Lois says her reply to her maker is meow and they collapse laughing, best friends in strange situations. A man dressed as the question snatches Lois purse, uh-oh. Lois and Selena’s faces just react at what is going to happen. Bruce and Clark casually scan the thief and Bruce tosses a baseball from a game. It does not go well for the thief. Clark and Bruce complain about competing while Selena has fun on the Red Tornado ferris wheel. Bruce admits that when he falls, Selena catches me, exactly what she said of Bruce. Selena mentions that Clark is “so Kansas.” Batman realizes that Clark confides in Lois because of his loneliness. They discuss this over ice cream cones. The dialogue is so on the mark. The night ends and clothes are exchanged, Superman at the pitching mound faces Batman at bat. I don't think there is competition for Superman, he doesn't need to prove anything, his personality is more modest. This is the most fun of two iconic characters, really four, and really more character interaction than action.
Five Batarangs and Kryptonite Crystals out of Five!
#Batman, #Superman, #SuperFriends, #TomKing, #ClayMann, #Selena, #Lois
No comments:
Post a Comment