Bullet Review: Batman/Superman #3

Batman/Superman #3 came out last week.

Given the Supergirl angle of this storyline of the 'Secret Six', the heroes infected by The Batman Who Laughs evil, I have felt a bit compelled to read. But this series is just the sort of dark take on the DCU that doesn't grab me.

This issue has Superman trying to fool the Batman Who Laughs into revealing his plans and his agents. But this plan involves something which seems a little silly to me, more on that later. It also seems like DC is doubling down on having the best of the best succumb to the darkness. I suppose that is considered even more shocking. But to me it means that the best can't fight off evil. And I don't like that.

Writer Josh Williamson has a good handle on Batman's voice. But the plot seems a bit off for me.

David Marquez's art is just luscious, bringing this book up a notch in my mind. It really is beautiful to look at.

That said, the wonky font in red on top of black word balloons makes the dialogue of the Batman Who Laughs nearly unreadable. It is just painful.

On to the book.

We start out with Batman admitting that his planning contingencies to battle his friends and other heroes is a betrayal of trust.

No kidding.

I did like the fact that Batman owns his sin.

Meanwhile, Superman has dosed himself with Joker venom in hopes of fooling the Batman Who Laughs that he is infected. He breaks that Batman out and they head to the Hall of Justice. There is a grinning Superman blasting heat vision while saying 'burn'

So my biggest question is this ... can Superman be poisoned by Joker Venom? He does seem affected by this.

And I can't hear Superman say 'burn' without thinking of this moment.

You never want to be compared to this moment because you will always come in second to this moment.

The Batman Who Laughs finally reveals his plan.

His Secret Six will kill every living thing in the known universe. And then he brings up Lara to boot.

Is that really a plan? Kill every single thing? And does he really think 6 individuals can destroy a universe of living things?

Honestly, look at the font and word coloring and tell me that works for the reader.

Hearing this, the addled Superman nearly loses his mind and almost attacks the Batman Who Laughs.

Luckily a couple of things happen.

First off, it turns out Superman never freed the Batman Who Laughs, it was all holographic gimmickry. Second, Batman injects Superman with Kryptonite to weaken him so he can regain control of the Joker venom mania.

As for the villain, he didn't reveal his Secret Six. But our heroes will learn soon enough.

Okay, the hologram feint was a good one.

But then we meet the first of the fallen ... James Gordon. The good man in Gotham, of course.

And Gordon goes right for the jugular, cursing Batman for bringing villains to the city and for killing Robins.

This kind of makes me sad.

Gordon unleashes that bunny-eared Batman armor suit. Superman shows up. And Batman knocks out Gordon.

Look a Pieta reference!

Reminded me of this ... also not a good thing.

But then it gets worse. At the Fortress, the two meet the next of the fallen. Blue Beetle.

I hope we see how these folks got infected. And I hope that they get cured and aren't scarred by this experience.

But I am really a bit tired of these sorts of stories.

Poor Jaime.

It really is beautifully drawn.

Overall grade: C

Posted in: Reviews