Writer: Tom King
Artist: Clay Mann
Inks: Seth Mann
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Colours: Jordie Bellaire
Cover by: Mikel Janin
Publisher by: DC Comics
I’ve you’ve followed my writing, you’ve learned that I have absolutely LOVED Tom King’s Batman run. So getting an opportunity to read King’s take on DC’s other two greatest icons in this storyarc was an exciting prospect. In the first two parts of this story, Bruce Wayne introduces Clark Kent and Lois Lane to his fiancee- Selina Kyle. Next month that will continue with Wonder Woman, but let’s talk this issue.
Joined by artist Clay Mann and color artist Jordie Bellaire, King takes an unconventional approach- Lois and Clark go on a double date with Bruce and Selina. They arrive to the Gotham County fair on “superhero night” and find themselves swapping costumes. What follows is banter and bonding, ending in a friendly bet between the two heroes.
First of all, when the only negative I can think of is the final page, you know it was a great issue. King writes Superman and Batman as if he’s been writing them for decades. Honestly, after this issue, I want King to write a Catwoman/Lois team-up arc or miniseries. These two women are my favorite new comics besties (Ivy and Harley look out!). I only wish the King had left the last page ambiguous, but it’s such a minor complaint.
Mann and Bellaire clearly have a lot of fun on the art. Mann’s line art was pitch perfect. There are looks between the characters, sight gags, and moments that felt like reality, not a comic book. Bellaire’s colors sell the setting, with lights and colors in the background that make it all feel remarkably real.
In all, it’s a stellar issue, and perhaps my favorite single issue of this series this year.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Tony Thornley is a Mormon geek dad, blogger, Spider-Man and Superman aficionado, amateur novelist and all around awesome guy. He was born and raised in Utah and has been reading comics since age five. His first comic series was GI Joe and he was doomed from there. You can follow him on Twitter @brawl2099.
