Martha?
Writer: Gene Luen Yang
Artist: Jos Lus, Ivan Reis
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 25, 2021
I love Gene Luen Yang, and while I think this opening Batman/Superman story is unique, it's starting to lose me a bit. Sure it has a lot of Silver Age fun in it, but it has a lot of Silver Age nonsense and convolution. So does this issue get things a bit more sorted out by the end? Let's find out...
The issue opens with Batman and Superman fighting off Auteur.IO in the Archive of Worlds. I am not a big fan of Auteur, but we get some information about what it is, and it all points directly to Lex Luthor. It may not be the most significant wow moment, but at least it's some information.
We then jump into the main story with our heroes back in Superman and Lois Lane's world, starting with them in the Batcave. Remember, this is a world without a Batman and Robin, so they are off-balance at first but get up to speed quick enough.
While this is going on, we get Jimmy Olsen getting attacked by hulked-out Alfred while our heroes team up to take down Wayne security robots. Luckily for Jimmy, Superman gives him an assist while Batman and Robin come face-to-face with Martha Wayne and this world's scaredy-cat Bruce Wayne. Things move at a fast pace here and they all escape, leaving Batman worse for wear, but ok.
The story takes a swerve down wonky street when we find out that Martha Wayne is involved in interdimensional smuggling, she turns frightened Bruce into a Bizarro (who later adds Two-Face to his deal), and Dr. Atom fights Superman with his Kryptonite.
The wackiness ends for a second when Batman reveals his identity to Martha, though that still doesn't make up for what she's done to her actual son! Oh well, there's no time to worry about that as Dr. Atom reveals he is another world's Lex Luthor and to prove it jumps, with our heroes right behind him, through the burn hole into our world to see the scene that started off the issue. Alrighty then!
This issue tied some things up, but I can't say I loved it. I don't even know if I liked it that much because it was so kooky. I love fun comics, and there is fun here, but the story is so convoluted at points that I just didn't end up enjoying myself. The art is excellent, but I am already looking forward to this arc ending.
Bits and Pieces:
I want to like this story, but it all gets more and more convoluted with each issue. It looks great, and I had fun with some of the moments, but overall, it was hard for me to enjoy. Your mileage may vary, but I am already looking forward to the next arc.
6.0/10
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