Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Batman Superman #2
DC Comics
Pak & Lee
This title is a rare case where I am enjoying the book despite the lack of information. Pak has thrown together numerous versions of Batman and Superman into one dimension and he's given little inclination if any are the true versions or any inkling of an explanation and, yet, it works well. The comic book is a good look at a super-hero mystery with plenty of action. This is shaping up to be a good series.
Greg Pak is the type of writer that dabbles into a lot of areas. He's done epics, like Planet Hulk, comedy as with Hercules and historical looks as seen with Magneto's Testament. This appears to be Pak scratching his science fiction itch. Basically, two sets of Batmen and Supermen are appearing in the same place, potentially all four are out of their time element. Brawls ensue with some while more investigative methods apply for others.
In this issue Pak begins to introduce the greater cast but not in familiar roles. This kind of shake up is interesting because some of it are elements pulled directly from the DCU just prior to the re-boot of 2011. This might turn some readers off but I like that this older DCU isn't totally forgotten. To some this might be an indication that this comic is out of continuity, which I don't believe to be the case.
Jae Lee has a soft touch on art and it's fantastic. His art is not to everyone's taste as he brings an element of shading that tends to gloss over the details. However, his art is imaginative and extremely refreshing when compared to many other super hero titles. His layouts aren't nearly as breakthrough from some of his other work but this comic is much more of the straightforward storytelling variety so these layouts are probably more appropriate. Either way Lee excels on art in a big way.
Let's face it; we've seen plenty of stories where super heroes are lost in another time dimension or stories where they meet up with alternate versions of themselves. This is nothing new. However, Pak is injecting new ideas and energy in this story type that makes the story engaging and entertaining. I am finding this story to be highly enjoyable. I can't help but wonder if this is the next sprawling epic on the scale of Planet Hulk that comes out of nowhere to be a big hit. Either way Pak and Lee have my attention. I am eager to see where this goes.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
