REVIEW: ‘Batman/Superman,’ Issue #7

Batman/Superman #7 is published by DC Comics, written by Joshua Williamson, with art by Nick Derington, colors by Dave McCaig, and letters by John J. Hill. Having put their new crime predicting algorithm to work, the World’s Finest have been making strides in rebuilding their sense of accomplishment in the wake of their failure against the Batman Who Laughs. But when the information directs them to the remains of the former Kryptonite Man, they quickly find themselves drawn into a larger conflict than they were expecting.

This issue is a tricky one to talk about. With a good portion of the book dedicated to catching up with readers and establishing the current state of characters, it could be called a bit slow to get going. And that would be fair. However, the early moments are needed to establish story elements that many readers might not be aware of. I know I wasn’t.

Once the story does get moving, however, Williamson does a good job utilizing his cast. Many characters in this book have a lot of history together, and it shows. This is best highlighted in the interactions between Ra’s and Batman. While being arch-nemesis, these men are also, literally, family. This complicated history comes through these characters wonderfully.

While the character writing is done to a delightful standard there are elements of the plot I feel are shaky at best. Zod’s plot is one of those story concepts that sound good when you first hear it but comes apart upon further inspection. However, I did appreciate that Zod’s motives in this issue are at least heroic in intent. As he had parted company with Superman on fairly good terms it was nice to see him not just randomly returned to hand wringing villainy. Of course, the intention is only half of a plot, and what Zod attempts to do in Batman/Superman #7 is certainly ill advised at best.

The thing that makes the plot for this story hardest for me is its ending. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I won’t, but if you are someone who needs a semblance of logic in the events that fill your comics you might struggle with the big cliffhanger finale here. Characters are brought in with what seems like intrinsic knowledge of things they flat out have no way of knowing. Let alone utilizing their circumstances in the manner they do. For some, my complaints here will come across as nitpicking, and I suppose that’s fair.

Batman/Superman #7 introduces a new artist/colorist duo to the team in Derington and McCaig. Their work here combines to give a solid presentation. While I feel like there is a little less of that dynamic punch to the panels that grabbed me in the previous issue, the new art look is still a solid showing. I’m looking forward to seeing how they present the action that this month’s ending promises. Hopefully, it will get some of that energy back into the panels of this book.

When all is said and done Batman/Superman #7 is a solid start to a story. A couple of shaky narrative moments are counterbalanced by strong character portrayals. A perfectly fine piece of superhero storytelling.

Batman/Superman #7 is available on February 26th wherever comics are sold.