Batman #655
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Andy Kubert
$2.99

Superman #654
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: Carlos Pacheco
$2.99

Kind of lost in the midst of all the Civil War/52/Brave New World/One Year Later summer controversy/hubbub/hot air is that two of the finest superhero scribes of our era recently started writing the two biggest titles in funnybooks: Grant Morrison began a (year-long?) tenure on Batman, and Kurt Busiek’s first issue of Superman was released.

It’s fairly obvious that both writers — also Paul Dini if you’ve been reading his superb work on Detective — were either asked by the powers that be or are making an effort to declutter these continuity-diseased characters and work with them at their core or “classic” roots; a self-concious effort to be un-self-concious, perhaps. Somewhat surprisingly (at least in Morrison’s case) both books are fairly traditional, straightforward, and incorporate an important aspect of Superman and Batman that’s been brushed aside over the years: their secret identities. And maybe not surprisingly, both books are a lot more fun and relaxed then they’ve been in quite some time.

Morrison’s fast-paced Batman sets the tone right from the start (the Joker is quickly foiled and gets a beating within 5-6 pages) and ends with a “Son of the Demon”-inspired bang. Also, Bruce Wayne becomes an international playboy again, and a Neal Adams-era Kirk Langstrom (was that era of Batman heavily inspired by Hammer films or what?) makes a manic appearance.

In Superman, Busiek successfully depicts the relentless stress in the titular character caused by trying to be two people in two places at once. Busiek has a tendency to get too cutesy and sentimental, but this first issue is a good, satisfying read nonetheless. If anything, the guy has a gift for compelling subplots and cliffhangers.

Both writers are aided by two of the most consistent superhero artists around: Andy Kubert and Carlos Pacheco. I would argue Kubert — whose noir-inspired art is thankfully looking more like his dad’s and less like Mark Silvestri — has a better handle on big, flashy setpieces, but Pacheco’s graceful, more subtle approach is just as, if not more, effective.

What’s perhaps most remarkable and refreshing is the sense that Morrison, Busiek, Kubert, and Pacheco had nothing but a good time creating these books. No pressure from continuity, no pressure from fans, no pressure from crossovers, no pressure from DC editorial. Whether they did or not, that’s what it reads like and that’s what matters. It’s just good storytellers telling good stories.

Batman #655 KFR Rating: B+
Superman #654 KFR Rating: B

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