Review: Batman #36

Batman #36 came out last week and frankly I am so blown away by the issue that I wasn't sure if I could honestly review the book. Writer Tom King has been on something of a creative hot streak with his work on Batman, Mister Miracle, and even a brilliant issue of the Kamandi Challenge.

Now I'll admit I don't read Batman but the appearance of Superman drew me in.

To be blunt, this is one of the best comics I have read in a long long time.

You see, the Superman/Batman friendship has been rough for the last 30 years, probably since Frank Miller destroyed it in The Dark Knight Returns. Since then we have had a bristling relationship, a Batman with a kryptonite ring and paranoia, a movie based on the two fighting. And, perhaps even worse, are stories which make them best buddies again, ignoring the last 30 years of rift. I have been looking for some issue, some creator, some story to explain this friendship to me again, to make me understand it, to bring them together while recognizing their differences and the three decades of anger.

This issue does just that. They want to be friends. They respect each other. They're in awe of each other. But they don't know how to reach out. They don't know how to discuss their feelings. They don't want to impose a friendship on the other.

Seriously, I wanted to scan the whole issue to showcase it. Every page is just perfection. And Clay Mann on art is also perfect. The whole layout of the issue, mirrored pages and two running stories of each hero explaining their feelings about the other hero is just spectacular. Just stupendous.

What are you waiting for ... if you are a fan of Superman or Batman or both, run out and buy this issue.

Just a few moments...

First off, this is Clark and Lois talking about his feelings about Bruce. It is also Bruce and Selina talking about Clark. Bruce didn't call Clark to say he was engaged. Clark knows Bruce is engaged. Neither wants to call the other. Lois and Selina are confused ... and they should be.

We hear Clark talk about Bruce's history and how somehow Bruce was able to wrestle all the pain of losing his parents into hope. Meanwhile, Bruce is amazed that Clark who is entirely alone could somehow become a symbol of hope.

Batman and Superman as two sides of the same coin?

As a story involving Dr. X draws the two together, we hear them talk about the other more.

Batman is amazed that Superman with all his powers and with every choice available still became an inspiration. Superman is a better man.

And there is Superman, saying he is amazed that Bruce chooses to be Batman. Everyone wants to be Batman. Batman is a better man.

This page just encapsulates it all so perfectly.

And then this almost insecurity that each feels about the other.

You can almost hear Superman stammering when he says the lack of the phone call means Bruce doesn't want to be friends. Maybe they aren't friends.

Meanwhile, Bruce is just so amazed by Superman, feels so insignificant next to him, that he can't believe Superman would want to be friends.

It is such an easy way to explain their alliance and their bristling. It isn't that they hate each other. It's that they don't feel adequate in comparison to the other. It is utter respect.

And that is sheer genius.

But then we have a little bit of levity after such an emotional issue.

The two couples arrive at the hotel Dr. X is holed up in. They both get off the elevator, a ridiculous scene. I love that Superman talks about not needing to break a window to fly in when the elevator works.

After a awkward moment of silence (after an issue of semi-awkward masculine emotional output), Lois and Selina finally extend pleasantries.

Ultimately the two 'team up', each spouting the others catchphrase and bashing the villain.

There is so much to love here. There are revelations and conversations which are magical. The interplay between the couples, clearly equals and partners, is sparkly.

Enough gushing. Go buy the issue.

Overall grade: A++