Batman/Superman #32
“The Final Days of Superman: Omen of Death,” Part 5
Pencis: Doug Mahnke
Inker: Jaime Mendoza, Christian Alamy, Livesay & Tom Nguyen
Colors: Wil Quintana
Letters: Rob Leigh
Cover: Yanick Maquette & Nathan Fairbairn
Assistant editor: Andrew Marino
Group editor: Eddie Berganza
Peter J. Tomasi pens the latest issue in the “Final Days of Superman” saga. Batman/Superman #32 reveals Part 5 of the overarching story. Devoted readers of the Batman/Superman title, however, have missed Parts 3 and 4. This creates a dramatically disjointed story, and readers are left guessing.
Superman is still afflicted with the Kryptonian cancer ravaging his body. It seems Superman and Wonder Woman have rekindled their relationship – and with Batman in tow, the trio sets out to right an apparent wrong contained within the pages of Part 3 or 4.
The writing continues to promote the “super-friends” mystique. The verbal banter is well done and a welcomed hallmark of the Batman/Superman title.
The art in the issue is pleasing to the eye and moves the story forward in exciting ways. The lines are crisp and the colors are vibrant. The issue features lots of characters and they are easily distinguished and their powers are compellingly rendered.
With strong writing and art, Batman/Superman #32 must be a solid entry into the “Final Days of Superman” storyline. However, the story is completely devoid of continuity for Batman/Superman readers. Only by reading the issue several times did I piece together what I may have missed in other parts of the story.
The majority of the issue centers around a conflict between The Great Ten and our heroes. Apparently, a being who looks like Superman violated Chinese sovereignty and committed some atrocity. The Great Ten welcome the heroes at the border of Chinese air space ready to protect their nation from outside threat. The battle is big – and takes up many panels. Only after it ends, do readers “catch up” on why they are fighting in the first place.
Again, Batman/Superman readers are left to wonder.
This is the theme of Batman/Superman #32. If one follows the “Final Days of Superman” cross-over, Part 5 may be incredibly important. To readers who follow the Batman/Superman title, it is difficult to follow. On its own, Batman/Superman #32 looks good, reads well, and contains incredible action. As part of the Batman/Superman continuity, it is incredibly difficult to read with any understanding.
With that said, it is difficult to assign a score to this issue. As a single issue, it is very good overall. As one who looks forward to a streamlined story between issues in a title, it was very disappointing and difficult to read.
I’ll split the difference here and score it:
