Batman/Superman #9 Review


Has the wait for First Contact Part 3 been worth it? Read on to find out.

The official description from DC Comics:

 “First Contact” continues from last month’s explosive WORLD’S FINEST #20 as Batman, Superman, Huntress and Power Girl battle a massive new threat to the DC Universe! As Kaizan Gamorra unleashes the means to take down Superman, an unbelievable discovery is made that will have major repercussions in 2014!

Batman Superman #9 variantI have been loving Batman/Superman since it started last year but the delay of this issue has really annoyed me over recent weeks. You know a crossover has been handled poorly when the final part is released before the penultimate part and this only adds to DC’s scheduling problems following the delay in Forever Evil related issues. Now I do sympathise as it can’t be good for DC themselves but at the end of the day these sort of avoidable problems do annoy fans and ultimately take away from the overall story.

Greg Pak gives us a interest continuation to this crossover as though it’s not as captivating as the first two parts it does do a great job of developing the story and the events of the final part. The interaction between Huntress and Superman as well as Powergirl and Batman had to be the most enjoyable parts of this script with the characteristic and differences between worlds being noticeable. I also found Batman and Superman’s memories of the first arc to be a neat addition and with Toymaster also making an appearance everything from the series so far felt connected. Despite this the issue didn’t feel worth the wait and was probably the worst of the crossover.

I’ve always had mixed views when it comes to Jae Lee‘s art and after reading this issue I can say that these haven’t changed. Lee’s art may be beautiful with his covers being some of the best in the business. I do however find his interiors to be rather jarring at times with the overuse of flowing movement and hair being very unappealing to this fanboy. Despite that there’s a lot that I love about Lee’s art as despite his fabulous covers he also produces amazing layouts that are extremely exciting. He also gives powerful facial expressions and exhilarating action proving that though there’s a lot I dislike about his art there’s also a lot I love.

Batman/Superman #9 has finally arrived though sadly despite being a decent read it didn’t feel quite worth the long wait. It’ll now take the reading of First Contact in a oner to determine whether it’s a story I want to remember or forget. It still however gets a recommendation.

OUR RATING
6.5
  • + Interesting developments from Greg Pak.
  • + Exciting art from Jae Lee.
  • - Part 4 was out weeks ago.
  • - Didn't feel worth the wait.

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