Can a hero who skulks in the shadows find a way to work with a boy scout that hasn’t quite learned to fly yet?  Should you care?  Read on to find out.

The official description from DC:

A new epic begins with the debut of this new, ongoing series! Don’t miss the first fateful meeting of Batman and Superman in The New 52!

If you’ve ever sat back and wondered what the first encounter between Batman and Superman must have been like in the New 52 then you’re in luck, because that’s exactly what we get here.  Seeing as it’s a pilot to a brand new arc there’s a good deal of questions raised as a moody but inviting atmosphere acquaints curious onlookers as it covers some narrative ground.

Greg Pak pens the inaugural encounter, and he does so with a certain level of style that simply ebbs and flows with class.  He effectively develops both of our protagonists to the point that they feel both new and disarmingly familiar.  The author gives them enough screen time to introduce these staple heroes to, perhaps, a new audience while beginning to draw lines of connection between them.  And that right there may be the drawback of this script, as a good deal of time is spent reintroducing these icons as an overabundance of text tramples over some already traversed territory.

The art by Jae Lee and Ben Oliver from the first page to the final panel delivers a moody and uncompromising vision of both Gotham and Metropolis. The depictions of both Batman and Superman have a dark feel that makes this book more akin to a Dark Knight’s world but thanks to the work of the colorists there’s enough there to make a believable evolution.  There is however a hefty amount of space left widely unused as the talents do what they can in order to sell the current concept.

I’ve had my misgivings about the DC relaunch, but I can honestly say I’m genuinely excited to continue this adventure.  Despite the first step being a tad bit rocky Batman/Superman #1 earns a recommendation.

3.5/5