Superman/Batman # 48

Superman and Batman duke it out with a Kryptonite-infused Doomsday clone in Smallville as their mission to gather up all the Kryptonite in the world goes horribly wrong.

This is a heavy-handed issue in so many ways, even to the point of being overbearing. The government has created Kryptonite weapons to take out the man of steel and Superman is deeply offended by that, almost to the verge of tears. The internal monologue of Superman and Batman, (which is the device modern writers use as a form of narration), makes both men look rather emotional and impulsive. The US government and Amanda Waller are made to look like villains for daring to stockpile a substance that is deadly to our beloved Superman. The fight between Superman and the Doomsday clone is an orgy of destruction, better suited for the Hulk rather than a DC character who normally uses his wits to defeat his foes.

There are parts of the story which are exciting but like a B-movie action-thriller, nothing much really stands out and much of it is forgotten in a few minutes. The creative team clearly wants this issue to touch the reader, with its references to Superman's youth and his sense of betrayal but all the explosions make it hard to connect with the story.

The ending to the battle just seems contrived, as does the government's willingness to suddenly surrender and hand over all its Kryptonite to Superman. What gives Superman the right to demand that Kryptonite in the first place? Is he entitled to take away the only things that could help ordinary people to defend themselves against him?

Incidentally, over in ACTION COMICS, we just had an army of Phantom Zone criminals running rampant all over Metropolis. Where was the government's Kryptonite arsenal then?

The art is detailed and powerful but that detail comes with a price. All those lines just make the art look ---- dirty. The story would have been much easier to follow if they kept all the scratchiness to a minimum. A smoother tone would have made this comic easier on the eyes.