Comics 411: Favorite Batman & Superman Team-Ups

I’m Steve Gustafson and thanks for stopping by. Don’t forget to check out 411mania’s Comic Book Review Roundtable, every Thursday! Read up on the best reviews and let us know what you’re reading as well. Click to read the latest Comic Book Review Roundtable! Detective Comics #1000, Spider-Man: Life Story #1, and more!

Now, on with the show!

Last week we discussed Which Marvel Comic Book Event Are We Most Looking Forward To?. Here’s what some of you had to say:

Travis Homewood: “If I had the disposable income to really get back into comics I would check out war of realms and the x books, once I get more info. The x books in particular have not been given enough of a preview. I need to at least get a base character list and some idea of the story.”

Adam: “Probably ready for some new Carnage action. After Carnage USA its been kinda missing. Looks like Carnage has had a run in with Knull which might be fun.”

s1rude: “It’s a toss-up between War of the Realms and Hickman’s X-Men, although I’m probably leaning toward the latter just because it’s the new, shiny thing and Aaron’s been building his epic for a long time now. But it’s also because as a big fan of all Hickman’s Marvel work, I think his kind of densely-plotted-with-a-fixed-endpoint storytelling could be exactly what the X-line needs. I’m actually highly confident both will be worthwhile, which is unusual for me with these types of projects.

Absolute Carnage, though? I get Marvel’s desire to turn the symbiotes into more than members of Spidey’s supporting cast, and I think I understand the appeal of Cates’ work, but it’s just not clicking for me. He has the same kind of “here’s a bunch of ridiculous shit you can only get in comics” approach we get from Aaron, but without any of the soul, if that makes sense. Anyway, that and a callback to 90s excess = not for me.”

I’m Tired: “I want to see this 3 Jokers event. I’ve been curious about this since DC first brought it up.”

Captain Mcgloo: “Hickman’s stuff is always interesting and most of the time it’s really good, (his avengers stuff kinda lost me) but I kinda just want a book about a team of mutants fighting for a world that hates and fears them.”

Carl Rood: “I’m a little confused. In War of Realms, why are the heroes all fighting a VILLAIN!? I’m pretty sure that’s not how Marvel crossovers work.”

D-Unit: “None, to be honest, I am still burned out on crossovers from the 90s”

San-X: “Hickman’s ff run as well as buildup to secret wars was good. So I will dabble in X-Men for him, even though recent X-Men stuff is not good.”

To read last week’s column go HERE! As always, thanks for the input!

This week we discuss…

Favorite Batman & Superman Team-Ups

DC Comics commemorated the 80th anniversary of Batman’s creation with the release of the special, oversized issue Detective Comics #1000, which we reviewed last week.

The DC Universe streaming channel celebrated by giving viewers 24-hour free access to select Batman content, which I took full advantage of. Watching some of the animated offerings that included Batman teaming with his buddy Superman got me thinking of some of my favorite adventures with this duo.

Let’s start at the beginning.

Superman #76 gave us “The Mightiest Team in the World!” At that time (1962), truer words were never spoken. Written by Edmond Hamilton with pencils by Curt Swan, both Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne book a vacation cruise on an overbooked ship and end up sharing a cabin. Only in comic books. It’s no surprise that when a crime occurs before departing that the two discover each others true identities. In another comic book happening, they book passage on the cruise ship for Batman and Superman as well. Oh, and Lois Lane gets a ticket too. It’s fun story that has them solving the crime while keeping their identities hidden. This was story that reflects the time it was written. You have heroes being heroes, the secret identity/Lois Lane plot is entertaining, and it’s a cool first meeting between the two.

Or was it?

Pick up World’s Finest #94 and the story was told in flashback and it turns out that Batman and Superman had met before their cruise! GASP! The villainous Lex Luthor escapes from prison (AGAIN) and he gets his bad guy gang back together. Only this time he makes up some liquid kryptonite to use against Superman. Batman and Robin meet up with Superman to map out a plan but Superman let’s them know their services are no longer needed since he has a new partner…Powerman. Powerman? Yes. Powerman. Batman and Robin shrug but keep focus on Luthor. Finally, the Dynamic Duo save the day, creating a shield from the dangerous kryptonite. And what happened to Powerman? Never fear. Superman revealed to Batman and Robin that Powerman was a remote controlled robot he created to keep them safe. This story was pure cheese but illustrated the friendship between the two. Superman is obviously aware of Batman’s limitations and determination. His use of Powerman was his way of protecting a friend.

We have to backtrack a little for Worlds Finest #71. Written by Alvin Schwartz with artwork by Curt Swan, this is Silver Age gold. Lois lane spies Clark Kent changing into Superman and, following her journalistic instincts, plans to tell the world. Good thing Bruce Wayne and his charge, Dick Grayson are visiting Metropolis. Doing the old switcheroo, Bruce volunteers to disguise himself as Clark and throw Lois off the trail. Being a buddy, Superman disguises himself as Batman. It all works out in the end and the status quo remains the same. Funny enough, I wouldn’t mind seeing this made into a movie. Just for the sheer ridiculousness of it all.

One do you get when you add one part Batman to one part Superman? World’s Finest Comics #142 and the Composite Superman, of course! Or maybe not. Joseph Meach is a disgruntled museum custodian for the Superman Museum. In yet another comic book science moment, Joe is struck by lightning in front of the Legion of Super-Heroes exhibit and gets the powers of each Legion member. And he looks like a mix of Superman and Batman. Wanting to do something with his new abilities, he tries to blackmail Superman and Batman to let him join them or he’ll go public with their secret identities. Good thing his powers fade or we could have had a movie called Batman v Superman v Composite Superman. The Composite Superman has made a number of appearances over the years, some better than others. His creation is thanks to the strong ties between the two heroes. I can only think of a handful of other “composite” types roaming the comic book world but this one is probably the most famous. Or infamous.

Next up is Superman: The Man of Steel #3. In 1986, DC let John Byrne do some tweaking and updating to the Superman mythos. In doing so, many of the early, carefree adventures between Batman and Superman were wiped out. No more smiles and silly misunderstandings. Instead, we got mistrust, squinted glares, and suspicion galore. Byrne gave us One Night in Gotham, a story that showed Superman confront Batman, who he sees as a dangerous vigilante. Batman, trying to capture the villainous Magpie, tells Superman if he gets too close, a signal will be activated that will trigger a bomb and kill a person somewhere in the city. Superman tries to help Batman in his search but gets an icy reception from the Dark Knight. Batman eventually tells Superman that the endangered person is Batman himself and Superman gives him a warning before taking off. There are some subtle hints at respect but both eye each other in a new way that hadn’t been shown before.

I decided to open this up to Elseworld teamups as well, since I love Superman & Batman: Generations. It takes Superman and Batman and follows them through a single timeline, showing them advance, age, and, eventually, be replaced by their progeny. The story begins in 1939, at the start of the Golden Age of superheroes. Superman and Batman meet for the first time (AGAIN), at the Metropolis World’s Fair, where they have some initial suspicions of each other. They team up to fight, and defeat, the Ultra-Humanite. It set the stage for a wonderfully entertaining tale that follows the two through the years, showing their friendship, strengths, and respect for one another. This series is a definite read and it not only shows Batman and Superman in a new light, but the entire DC universe as well. Perhaps my favorite work by Byrne for its sheer epic nature and his understanding of what makes a good Batman and Superman team-up work.

One of my personal favorites is Superman/Batman/Wonder Woman: Trinity. Another person who “got it” was Matt Wagner. Back in 2003, Wagner put together a really cool min-series and the different encounters between the three heroes. Batman’s foe Ra’s al Ghul recruits Bizarro and the Amazon warrior Artemis to join him and his plan to create chaos. This, of course, brings together our three heroes. I’ll say now that the characterization and back-and-forth dialogue between them is spot-on. Each has their own way of doing things and their own quirks. It showcases a Wonder Woman that could easily hold her own on the cinematic screen. I know I’m throwing this around a lot but find this one and add it to the collection. It has, perhaps, my favorite “scene” of all time, as Batman is overcome by Wonder Woman’s enchantments after coming out of her pool. No, really, magic is at work. He gives her a kiss and gets a hard punch to bring him back to his senses. The best part is the interaction between Superman and Batman as they’re leaving. Simple and perfect.

While an important cog in a much bigger story in Kingdom Come, the Mark Waid and Alex Ross classic needs to be mentioned. We’re introduced to an older Bruce Wayne and a changed Superman. Instead of a physical battle, they two engage each other through wits and allies. While this isn’t a Batman/Superman team-up, their underlying relationship guides the story along. Their friendship is tested, their differences brought to a head. Through a trial by fire, readers are reminded that their resolve will bend but never break. While this book has a number of strong points and examples to rave about, it’s also a good example of how Batman and Superman are viewed among the superhero order.

The Superman/Batman monthly could be considered a cheat but since I make the rules, I’m throwing this out there. Superman/Batman was a monthly that launched back in 2003. It explored the many aspects of the Batman and Superman camaraderie, both positive and negative. Jeph Loeb, the original series writer, introduced a cool dual-narrator style to highlight the opposing viewpoints of our heroes.

Batman and Superman are intertwined with one another. Each acting as a representative of fighting for good, using a different method. Same spectrum, opposite ends. They act as a checks and balances for one another and although they might disagree, they come together for the greater good.

Now it’s your turn. What Batman and Superman team-ups stand out to you?

That’s all the time I have. Check out our Comic Book Reviews tomorrow and see you next week!