Shankie's House of Guns & Spandex

Well, who hasn't read this, right? For me, it was one of the first books that I read of modern comics that really had Superman in it, and most of Batman I'd read up until then was mid-90's stuff, especially No Man's Land, where he's more of a loner, even when he's surrounded by people in his Batfamily, and he's generally less stable than here. Not to mention being the first time I'd really seen much of Captain Marvel, so it's stuck with me. Not to mention Lex Luthor being pretty much the way I remembered him being... it was our heroes that were different.

With the announcement of the animated version coming to DVD, I went back to this, and I gotta say, it's true about the first comics you read sticking with you. This wasn't, not really, but it had me looking at both of these guys in a different way, so it ranks up there. Back when my sub list was only four books, this was on it, and the series may have run into pitfalls here and there, but it's never really let me down too bad.

So, without further ado, the panels and pages of Superman/Batman: Public Enemies that stuck with me the most, and why.



( Onward? )

It's a shame more of Luthor's Presidency wasn't this entertaining, it really is. But in general, Superman's stories are more entertaining outside of his own book, and that's a damn shame. I still have yet to get caught up with recent developments in them, though, the New Krypton bit. Seems to have potential.

I'll be pulling Absolute Power out of the boxes next... it's possible I might have something to say about it, but I don't think I'll be as long-winded as this.

From 1958, or World's Finest Comics #94, by the team of Dick Sprang & Stan Kaye... "The Origin of the Superman-Batman" team, which was reprinted like seven times over the years, and is found nowadays in a few archives and collections like World's Finest Comics, Vol. 2 and The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told (not to be confused with Batman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told Vol. 1 & 2.) It's also analyzed in an essay about the role of male partnership and camaraderie in early comics, if you're interested.

The story is a good example; the plot centers on Superman finding a new partner and the profound betrayal Batman & Robin (especially Batman) go through.



Batman has the cutest sad faces, flashbacks about dressing up as Superman, but best of all? Sweet old-school Batmobile. Oh yeah.

( How could Superman reject us like that? )

The moral of the story? Batman will never give up on Superman's fidelity, because he'll always be true. :)

Okay, so most of the time I don't really follow Superman books. They're fine, and have their moments, but just not enough to really capture my attention more than once every few issues. This has been true for some time. I like old-school Superman. That's what I got into comics on, my gateway drug was John Byrne... and you know what they say about first loves. So I'm totally biased, just so you know. Also, there are spoilers for a book this week. End warnings.

This story? I so liked, I totally had to share right away. That might have something to do with it being written in the very early days of Superman's career; those are my favourite. Lois isn't even the girlfriend yet, which is best for everybody, really. It had moments where I was so impressed; where I thought "Why hasn't any other comic book done that before?"



Plus, Toyman. :D

( I'm not a detective, but I am a reporter. )

::applauds::

I love that. Clark is so cool. So are killer toy monkeys.