BATMAN/SUPERMAN #1
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: David Marquez
Colorist: Alejandro Sanchez
Letterer: John J. Hill
Publisher: DC Comics
Rating: 9/10
After months of waiting it's finally here. Being a huge Joshua Williamson fan, to say I was excited would be putting it mildly. I absolutely love the way he writes Batman, so when it was announced he was launching this book I thought it was a perfect match. Not to mention the fact that I've been waiting for a good book starring the World's Finest. Add David Marquez on art and what's not to love. Thrown in the Batman Who Laughs and you have one of the most epic and must read stories at DC Comics being published today.
This story picks up after the events of THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS mini-series by Scott Snyder and Jock. But don't worry if you haven't read it, it's not necessary to enjoy the pure awesomeness that is BATMAN/SUPERMAN. Although if you do want more background on the events that are taking place, the HC of BWL comes out this week as well.
From the opening pages, it's clear that this isn't gonna be your usual Batman/Superman tale. Williamson use his talent for writing great horror stories as he throws us for a loop by tricking us into thinking we're in our universe when really we're getting a glimpse into the BWL's past. We see what he did to that world's Superman and it's down right terrifying. Then we get back to Earth 0, the Earth we all know and love. The dynamic between two of the greatest superheroes in the world is the most enjoyable it's ever been. The inner dialogue is where Williamson shines. He has the perfect handle on these two.
Realizing that the Batman Who Laughs is plotting something sinister, our two heroes race off to stop him. Enter the Bat-Who Laughs- Cave, a twisted version complete with torture chambers. It's here that they're met by one of BWL's "Robin's", but we find out it's Billy Batson. Who turns into a dark, twisted version of Shazam! Who else will our heroes face off against? What other twisted versions will we see?
Williamson has brought about one of the most intriguing stories to ever hit a DC book. This is the book that he has wanted to write for years and you can feel the love and enthusiasm radiate from every page.
Partnering with David Marquez was a stroke of brilliance. Having worked exclusively at Marvel for years, it was shocking, to say the least, when he was announced on the book Every page and panel is stunning. His BWL is horrific and creepy in the best ways possible. There has never been a Batman/Superman book that has been this jaw-droppingly beautiful.
With this being hailed as one of DC's most important books, you can't afford to sleep on it.