Title: Superman & Batman Versus Aliens & Predator
Genre: Graphic Novel
Pages: 110 pages
Origin: read on during August 2012
Nod Rating: 2 nods out of 5
Only comics can bring about such bizarre and incongruous titles. When first flicking through a catalogue of graphic novels, the Worm was immediately caught to this particular one. A self-proclaimed Batman fan (as will be seen in a few weeks time with a forthcoming book review related to the Dark Knight), the addition of other characters only offers two possible conclusions: the most fantastic comic book ever created, or another failure based on trying to cash in on various markets. Let’s be straight: this is not the most fantastic comic ever created. But for a comic printed to make a quick buck, it is not all so bad. And allow the Worm to explain why.
Originally a two part comic series released in 2007, the story is set in the Andes and finds Clark Kent (and the ever, unfortunately, inseparable Lois Lane) on location for a report. Soon enough Kent is transformed into Superman and is buddied up with Batman, who are attempting to solve a riddle of dead bodies and “unusual activity” near a volcano. This “unusual activity” is soon found to be a group of Predators and various Aliens who have been stranded on the Earth for many years, ever since crash landing at some point during the last ice age. Our two heroes squabble over how to deal with this threat: Superman wants to save them before the nations of the world unite to nuke the area; whilst Batman believes annihilation is only way to safeguard the planet.
Such a plot outline might possess enough power to send many of you to sleep. But there is enough action within the series to keep the reader on their toes, including Batman grappling with a group of Predators who wish to cook him, and a weakened Superman (as per usual) going fisticuffs with an Alien. The very cheek and confusion of putting these characters together is enough to sustain interest. However, the element that keeps this particular book from falling into the pit of the 1 nodder damned is the art-work. Beautifully drawn, it is in bold contrast to the actual storyline. Olivetti shows a great talent, and one that would be better served beyond the confines of this cash-in idea.
This particular mini-series follows in a line of other titles (including Aliens versus Predator, Batman vs. Predator, Superman vs. Aliens, and pretty much any other superhero you can imagination coming up against bizarre aliens created in 1980s action movies starring the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger). It would be naïve to think that comic book publishers would stop printing such weak titles; however, with some tweaking of the storyline and the continuing employment of such artists, perhaps the worst abuses of these titles can be eradicated.
Buy it here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Superman-Batman-Aliens-Predator-Graphic/dp/1401213286/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347721335&sr=8-1
