Batman/Superman [2019] #7 - DC Comics

BATMAN/SUPERMAN No. 7, April 2020

"The first chapter of a two-part epic featuring the work of artist Nick Derington”, Joshua Williamson’s script for Issue Seven of “Batman/Superman” must have pleased those within its 31,519 strong audience who were not fans of Brian Michael Bendis’ almost arbitrary destruction of Kandor within the covers of “The Man Of Steel” limited series. For whilst the Californian writer doesn’t go so far as to simply ignore, reverse or retcon the mass “murdering [of] the entire Kryptonian city", he does seemingly set General Zod on a course which might actually see the villain do some good for a change; “Our people deserved better than to meet an unceremonious slaughter by that mongrel Rogol Zaar.”

In fact, much of the ‘draw’ with the American author’s narrative surprisingly comes from this story’s rather enthralling role reversal of not only Robert Bernstein’s super-powered co-creation, but also that of Batman’s arch-nemesis, Ra's al Ghul, as well. Desperately determined to see his once proud race returned from beyond the grave, Dru-Zod’s motivations for invading “the Lost Temple of Quetzalcoatl” to reach the life-restoring properties of a Lazarus pit seem perfectly laudable. However, equally as admirable in their actions is the League of Assassins’ founder, who readily realises that the General’s grief may well be blinding the Kryptonian to the fact that “we don’t know what the Lazarus pits will do to the Kandorians.”

Stuck in between this marvellous mess of morals are the titular characters, who despite an action-packed start at the gravesite of Clay Ramsay, are predominantly haplessly held on the side-line as little more than interested witnesses to the Teutonic chess game playing out before their eyes. True, Batman manages to once again show his physical prowess against the Demon’s Head when the eco-terrorist foolishly surmises he’ll only be facing Superman at Stryker’s Island. Yet once this bout of fisticuffs is brought to a disappointingly quick end, the ‘dynamic duo’ become little more than observers who accompany Ghul on his quest to ensure the sanctity of “the lifeblood of my legacy.”

Adding an interesting extra dimension to the story-telling process are Derington’s layouts, which certainly provide plenty of pulse-pounding pace to the twenty-two page periodical. Whether it be the double-splash of a shattered Kandor falling beneath the ugly visage of Zaar, the Dark Knight trading blows with a synthetic-sabre wielding cult leader, or Zod hurling about the battered remnants of the League of Lazarus, the artist gives any perusing bibliophile plenty of dynamic detail to keep them hooked.

Writer: Joshua Williamson, Artist: Nick Derington, and Colorist: Dave McCaig