Written by Bryan Q. Miller
Art by Jamal Igle; Marc Deering; Carrie Strachan; & Saida Temofonte
Cover Art by Mico Suayan & Carrie Strachan
SUMMARY:
Published for December 2012 by DC Comics, this untitled chapter of the Detective storyline begins with Oliver & Chloe’s evening interrupted by Bruno Manheim’s attempted jailbreak. At the prison, Superman clashes with Batman. Green Arrow arrives to trade shots with Barbara Gordon’s Nightwing. Superman finds out that Batman is after Manheim’s inside info re: who killed Bruce Wayne’s parents.
Aiding Batman, Superman confers with both Manheim and Lois Lane re: the elusive Joe Chill. At their base dubbed ‘Leviathan,’ Batman & Nightwing observe Superman’s makeshift Bat-signal from Metropolis. Oliver confronts Lex Luthor re: his alleged e-mail harassment, which takes an unusual twist. Batman confronts a decrepit Chill. The World’s Finest Duo face a villainous team-up amidst their stakeout of Chill’s Suicide Slum hideout.
REVIEW:
Superb entertainment! At 44 pages (including special features and obligatory ads), this comic is a fun-packed read. Not only is Smallville’s version of Batman (more like, Batman Beyond) refreshingly credible, there’s a welcome sense of unpredictability, thanks to writer Bryan Q. Miller. Supported by strong visuals (including a spot-on cover image), this issue does solid work recreating the TV cast’s likenesses.
Added bonuses are the inclusion of fresh re-imaginings of Barbara Gordon; Joe Chill; and even Luthor’s henchman, Otis, from Christopher Reeve’s first two Superman films. Ultimately, this issue delivers on the ‘great’ what-if re: Batman’s existence in the Smallville universe.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Illustrated by images from this comic, there is a Season 3 (for Episodes 12-22) guide. Images of artist Cat Staggs’ three digital covers are provided, as are artist Chris Cross’ concept sketches for the Barbara Gordon version of Nightwing. The single-page “DC Comics All Access” column hypes their 2012 New York Comic Con schedule.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
