Batman/Superman #28 Review

(Bat)Man on the Moon

Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: Robson Rocha, Dexter Vines, Wade Von Grawbadger, Norm Rapmund, Blond and Rob
                    Leigh
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: January 13, 2016

Since when did Christmas fall on January 13th?  What, it's not Christmas?  Someone better tell DC Comics because in the middle of all this Truth Superman and Jim Gordon Batman nonsense, they have delivered a present for all the Man of Steel and Dark Knight fans out there.  A Batman/Superman book written by Tom Taylor featuring the meat and potatoes Batman and Superman!  That seems like what Eric would call a "walk up to the plate home run" and while that isn't a real saying, he may be right.  At the least it should be a fun little diversion during a dark time for both characters.  Well is it?  Let's find out...




The issue starts off in space with a little space walk, a big explosion and Superman saving the day. While I can't tell you the exact science that was on display here, I loved seeing Superman being Superman.

I keep realizing how much I don't like what's happened and still happening in the Truth story by how excited I become when we get a book with the old Man of Steel in it.  Seeing Superman fly in space and use his heat vision should be old hat, but nowadays it's close to a reason to stand up and cheer.  I just may do that right now.  Okay, that felt good.  The issue continues with Superman doing a little sleuthing, but when he finds a gigantic, dead alien on the moon, he heads to Gotham to get a real detective's help.

Unfortunately, Batman (and the whole GCPD) are a little tied up at the moment dealing with a crazy, big Clayface.  It's actually a nice change of pace that Karlo isn't pretending to be anyone else...just good old, pissed off Clayface.  His bitching and moaning is cut short by Batman, but it takes Superman to really end it.

This was the best scene of the issue, in my opinion.  Tom Taylor plays with the idea of superheroes staying out of each other's business, but also that Superman could easily end most of the DCU's threats with ease.  Seeing Batman's reaction was hilarious.

The fun continues when the two meet up in the Batcave, but it's Alfred stealing the show here.  I always love Tom Taylor's character interactions and this is a nice showcase of it.  He really gives Batman and Superman the feeling of being old friends here.  It doesn't last long enough, however, as they head off to the moon to check things out.

On the moon, Taylor shows the World's Greatest Detective may have to broaden his title as he easily sees past what Clark thought was an open and shut case to something more sinister.  I don't care that it appears to be a setup, Batman kicks ass here.  Speaking of setup, just wait until you see who is involved in all of this.  It's a character that old school fans will be happy to see back in all his glory.  It all points to a huge fight in the near future and I can't wait to see it go down.

The issue ends with Batman discovering something pretty cool, but Superman telling us exactly what it is.  I'm not so sure it isn't all one big setup, but I'm really hoping it isn't because it is so awesome.  It's also something very personal to Superman and I am very intrigued to see who Taylor is planning on bringing into the story.

This issue is very heavy on the setup.  It's the beginning of a crazy story so it is understandable, but that's okay because we get the real Batman and Superman!  Seriously, that's almost worth the full price of admission by itself.  I am intrigued by it all and want to see how Tom Taylor brings it all together.  My only real complaint is more of a question...why is Superman wearing a breathing mask in space at the end of the issue when he isn't wearing one in the beginning?  Strange.

Robson Rocha's art was a bit inconsistent here.  When it was good, it was great (like when we first see the alien on the moon), but it's mostly average.  It doesn't take anything away from the story, but I was hoping for a little more wow factor here.

Bits and Pieces:

Tom Taylor gives fans of Batman and Superman a nice little treat and hopefully it's the gift that keeps on giving.  The story involves a crazy mystery that may just be a setup for a huge showdown, but I want to be there when it happens.  Tom Taylor may just be giving fans a fun little diversion to get us to the return of the DC status quo, but that's exactly what I liked about it.

7.5/10