Customer Reviews

Superman/Batman Vol. 4: Vengeance

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Yes, it's silly. Yes, it's a little confusing. But yes, I loved this book. In time I have learned to relax and love MXYZPTLK, and here he has our two boys in total confusion. Batzarro (who I loved), Bizarro #1, Supergirls, Maximums, boom tubes, alternate earths, and an absolutely hilarious episode with the Batman Beyond character and Bizarro. Jeph Loeb had SO much fun writing all of this and poking fun at the industry, while still managing to include some heartbreaking moments too (Batzarro's death). What is not to love?? Relax, take a deep breath, buy it, and enjoy.

I'm not quite sure why so many people have a problem with this story. Sure it's crazy, but considering the main "villains" involved, it should be nothing else. I don't think a lot of people really "get" this story, which is so crazy...it works.

There's a ton of characters involved, and some twists to old favorites. I loved The Maximums as an Avengers parody, great stuff there. Bizzaro and Batzarro are great as unlikely heroes, although after awhile it can be a chore reading their text. It was cool to see Loeb handle them just as he does Supes and Bats though.

Overall this is a fun read, if you take it too seriously, you'll end up jaded like the other people who've written reviews on it. It looks very likely that Loeb and McGuinness just wanted to have a good time with their last S/B arc. It's nice to have some comics left these days that don't take themselves so seriously. It's also worth noting that this arc again builds on the relationship between Superman and Batman, which Loeb is great at. I recommend it, don't listen to the hate.

Up until this storyarc, I pretty much enjoyed Jeph Loeb's run on the high selling Superman/Batman series, but sadly, Loeb's final arc on the title is just loaded with plot holes and hard to understand. Vengeance finds a group called the Maximums hunting down Superman and Batman because they believe the two iconic heroes murdered one of their own. Naturally, this is not the case, and soon enough Bizarro is on the scene, along with "Batzarro" (I kid you not), the Joker, and Mr. Mxyzptlk. What happens next in Vengeance is incredibly hard to follow as Loeb appears to shift things into high gear, but things never take off. His renditions of Supes and Bats are more wooden here than ever before, and the story inconsistencies and additional appearances out of nowhere just boggle the mind. Ed McGuinness, who teamed with Loeb when Superman/Batman launched, returns to lend his pencil work with Dexter Vines on inks, may be too cartoony for some, but it's undoubtedly the highlight of this TPB. This ended up being Loeb's last arc on the title before taking work once again with Marvel, so hopefully the otherwise talented and celebrated writer has had his batteries recharged.

A bizarre cross-universe game between Mxyzptlk and the Joker, it seems. Batman and Superman are harassed and kept off balance by an Ultimate Marvel Universe satire, and two Bizarros, including a Batman.

In the end, this appears to all be a plot to free Bat-Mite and release Darkseid from the Source Wall, as well as get Batman and Superman to be more trusting.

They get to through in a Batwoman, a Superwoman, and a Supermen and Batman through the ages. Lots of fun for the artists, presumably.

Somewhat incomprehensible and whacky.

While I really enjoyed Superman / Batman volumes 1 - 3, Volume 4: Vengeance was a complete letdown.

First off, the story didn't really make any sense; it was all over the place, moving back and forth between different worlds/times with varying characters and motives. While it's somewhat difficult to follow, there are some good surprise cameo appearances.

Second, the overall premise of this arc is just odd and ties back to a storyline in Superman that wasn't even that good (see: Emperor Joker). The basic plot is just out-there.

The real disappointment, especially after the events in volume 1 and 2, is that stories occurring these later volumes have no overall effect on the Universe; what was once a starting ground for stories (the downfall of President Luthor, the re-introduction of Supergirl, has now become a series of random, pointless stories with no repercussions.

Unless you are a giant Loeb, Superman or Batman fan (or if you don't mind Bizzaro speak, en mass), I would pass on this.

Don't get me wrong: Jeph Loeb, chief writer on DC's terrific "Superman/Batman" series, has done outstanding work with these two players -- the rock solid foundation of the DC Universe ... but VENGEANCE -- by its bitter anticlimax -- feels very much like a conglomeration of ideas instead of one masterful story from start to finish.

Loeb begins with a Super-opening: Superman and Batman appear from a Boom Tube (don't ask, you've just gotta know what one is to really appreciate what happens here)and kill a superhero called Skyscraper who presumably murdered Lois Lane; incensed and out for vengeance, the Maximums -- this world's Justice League -- vow to hunt the Man of Steel and the World's Greatest Detective to the ends of whatever universe they inhabit in order to have their revenge ... and right there -- at least for me -- is where this story FELT like it wasn't going to be quite right: superheroes represent the best any world has to offer, and these Maximums want vengeance. They want blood. They want to kill Batman and Superman for taking one of their comrades away. Honestly, right there, I was wondering if this was a tale for me.

Not too many pages later, I'm struggling to get through the mental and verbal gibberish of not only Bizarro but Batzarro, and I'm thinking, "Geez, Jeph Loeb really needs some time off."

VENGEANCE isn't a total loss. Loeb's a great writer with a fantastic imagination and an uncanny ability to seal himself inside the minds of these two superheroes to show the reader what makes them tick, and only from his learned hands can you find so many wonderful moments in an otherwise forgettable story. There's not only two worlds at play here; there are, quite possibly, dozens, as Supermen, Batmen, Supergirls, Batboys, and the like show up from earnest supporting appearances. Granted, it may not make a whole lot of sense, but even THAT makes sense once you find out which dastardly villains are behind this whole world-hopping, mind-blowing affair.

Yes, it's worth a read, and, yes, it's arguably worth forgetting. Remember the little moments along the way, and keep your fingers crossed for Loeb to appear in top form again real, real soon!

Lately I've been disappointed more often than not by the newer graphic novels and compendiums that have hit the store shelves but in the case of Vengeance I have to say this is really good stuff. Jeff Loeb introduces an all new team of superheroes called the Maximums that seem oddly familiar. The team is an extremely blatant homage to the Avengers/Ultimates including a mythical Viking, a super soldier, a giant man named skyscraper and so on and so forth. The team even includes doppelgangers of Spider Man and Wolverine. This is not an Avengers rip off but a playful imitation of Marvel's super team and it's pretty clear that this is likely a one time appearance for the Maximums. Late in the story there is a nod to fans of The Ultimates when the Maximums are merged into a single being called The `Ultimate' Warrior (or is it a nod to fans of the worst pro-wrestler ever). Meanwhile Batman and Superman are merged into a single being called the Composite Superman and believe me I'm old enough to remember the original Composite Superman. It's these kinds of nods and winks running through the story that made it so enjoyable.

Vengeance is a pretty wild tale, featuring parallel universes filled with piles of alternate versions of Superman, Batman and Supergirl as well as an all new Bizarro take on Batman named Batzarro. Batzarro may actually be the single best part of the entire story. Jeff Loeb was particularly meticulous in making sure that every single phrase spoken by Bizarro and Batzarro are indeed in reverse of their meaning and it becomes rather enjoyable to try and decode their actual intent. Despite the craziness of the story (which includes The Joker and Mr. Mxyzptlk) the author manages to keep it from becoming muddled and incoherent which is often the result in stories with this many characters and swerves. Mr. Loeb also does a good job of tying the story in with previous story arc's including `Public Enemies' and `Absolute Power'.

I am a big fan of Ed McGuinness's illustrations. His art is rather cartoonish but that doesn't bother me. As always he manages to produce very clean and consistent images. I have to confess that I'm extremely surprised that Vengeance isn't getting better reviews since I found it to be a very enjoyable read.

I loved the first two arcs of the Superman/Batman series - they were superb. The first of those, "Public Enemies", was made by the same team that created this, but its hard to believe by reading it. Loeb weaves a ridiculous plot that doesn't really do anything except introduce a variety of characters into an absurd storyline. The only redeeming feature of this whole thing is the artwork by McGuiness, which was excellent as usual. But it doesn't make it worth wasting time with this silly piece.

These books have definitely taken a down turn since the first few. Will try the next one, but if they confine like this, it will probably be my last.

Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness always deliver this kind of high octane, over the top, action movie-like adventure. This trade is the same kind of thing but sadly this collection was a little harder to get a grip on. First there was Bizarro and all his speak. In little doses its clever. Here it was way too much. Secondly the vast number of characters, especially new ones was overwhelming. I understand that readers are in the dark almost as much as the main characters but this wasn't easy to get into and enjoy. McGuinness' work is dynamic as usual especially his designs for the new characters. Overall this is just an okay book that is better to look at than read.