Writer: Gene Luen Yang
Art: Ivan Reis, Danny Miki, Sabine Rich, and Saida Temofonte
Publisher: DC Comics
Price:$3.99
Release Date: April 26th, 2021
On an Earth where SUPERMAN’S rocket never touched down, the Caped Crusader and his Boy Wonder uncover a chasm between alternate dimensions. What they discover is a realm where Martha Wayne is alive, and Bruce Wayne never became BATMAN! Moreover, a bizarre flying man has materialized from the crevice who’s faster than a locomotive and can leap tall buildings in a single bound. I wonder who that could be? Let’s dive into BATMAN/ SUPERMAN #17 by Gene Luen Yang and Ivan Reis to see what happens as these two worlds collide and the true creators of this parallel upheaval are unearthed.
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THE WRONG EARTH
Have you ever read THE WRONG EARTH by Tom Peyer and AHOY Comics? If you have, this issue of BATMAN/ SUPERMAN #17 should resonate. The concept of THE WRONG EARTH is two BATMAN-like characters swap realities while each plays out their role a bit differently on their new backdrop. You should definitely check it out! My point: Gene Luen Yang is pulling at those very same plot strings. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to knock the plot or say Yang’s stealing anything from Peyer. I’m merely trying to draw a connection for fans of DC COMICS and AHOY COMICSq to meet and expand each other’s horizons towards series I think they will both like. Plus, Yang’s plot and story are different. It’s simply the premise that’s familiar.
WORLDS COLLIDE
As for this story, readers get two quintessential takes of prominent DC heroes in their Golden Age. BATMAN/ SUPERMAN has found a way to connect the past to the present in a creative way that takes readers through a classic joyride with an updated feel. BATMAN is the detective long-time fans remember with the definitive sidekick to boot. SUPERMAN is the straight-laced, overly polite, Boy Scout that could do no wrong and would never hurt a fly. However, the genius of Yang comes into play as he has these two worlds colliding.
Think about it: when people reminisce about the classic SUPERMAN or BATMAN comics/ TV Shows, they never talk about them together. The focus is always on them separately. Yang takes both worlds and puts them together in such a clever tapestry that I highly recommend to every DC fan. Yang amplifies the characteristics of SUPERMAN and BATMAN in a tasteful way while putting a clever and updated spin that makes this story feel new, modern, and exciting at the same time. Plus, the detective and more suspenseful elements of the issue are strategically placed in ways that hook the reader and draw them deeper into the story.
ART
Now, the story is certainly wildly intriguing. However, it’s Ivan Reis, Danny Miki, Sabine Rich that set BATMAN/ SUPERMAN head and shoulders above the rest this week. The film design of each panel mixed with the intricate adaptations of some of your favorite classic villains will leave readers stunned and practically gawking at each page.
As I stated in my last review of BATMAN/ SUPERMAN, Reis provides so much detail into the minutiae of film strips. From burnt pages to the thousands of small film panels surrounding the Auteur.10, the detail is immense. Furthermore, the colors, along with the inks, are so rich and vibrant providing depth and definition to the characters and their surroundings. Occasionally, I found a few of the pages a bit too cluttered with word balloons. Yet, if they were ignored, I’d be missing key elements of the story. Sometimes, it’s hard to fit in everything and hit the page count.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Holy Rusted Metal BATMAN! This issue and series appear to be a home run hit. The classic vibes mixed with some incredibly dramatic illustrations helped capture the conflict and story so well. Ultimately, the art is how a reader interacts with the story and provides the tone for the comic. If it’s a vintage feel you want to be mixed with a distinct style that reminds you of the allure that made comics so special in your youth, you have to pick BATMAN/ SUPERMAN #17 up today! And, ask your shop for the last issue or order it by clicking HERE! If you enjoy a good mystery mixed with some action, this is right up your alley. And at the end of the day, I think every BATMAN or SUPERMAN fan will find something to love about this series. Pick this up, add it to your pull list, and let me know what you think. God bless!