BATMAN DAY

DC Comics is celebrating the 85th anniversary of its costumed superhero, Batman, with a day full of fun promotions on September 21, 2024. Here are some of the BATMAN DAY activities taking place this year:

COMIC BOOK SHOPS

One of my favorite Batman comic books ever is the one-shot special issue BATMAN/ELMER FUDD which was originally published in 2017. This story written by Tom King and illustrated by Lee Weeks pits a classic Looney Tunes character instead of hunting rabbits he is pursuing the Caped Crusader in a gritty, realistic setting instead of the cartoonish style people are used to seeing Elmer Fudd portrayed in. After a chance meeting with billionaire Bruce Wayne, Elmer Fudd's obsession quickly escalates into stalking Batman through the dark alleys and high-class social settings of Gotham City. 

I was geeked to have Lee Weeks autograph for me my first print edition of BATMAN/ELMER FUDD at Motor City Comic Con. If you missed out on the original release of BATMAN/ELMER FUDD, local comic book shops will be selling reprints of the comic book with two cover art variations. I like this comic so much I'm buying the Noir cover even though I already own the original issue.

For Batman Day, comic shops will also be stocking on shelves the first issue of the new series Batman The Long Halloween: The Last Halloween, a follow-up story to the popular Batman: The Long Halloween graphic novel and a facsimile reproduction of Detective Comics #27 which features the first appearance of Batman.

Some comic book shops will also be giving out FREE comic books for BATMAN DAY! DC Comics has printed three BATMAN DAY 2024 issues to be distributed to fans. One with some sections from the JOKER THE WORLD graphic novel, one tied to BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN and another one focused on an adventure with Batman's sidekicks. Available while supplies last at select locations!

Digital comic book readers should check out DC UNIVERSE INFINITE online subscription library which is celebrating Batman Day by offering a curated collection of Batman-centric content FREE to read, in front of its paywall. Use promo code BATMAN8530DAY for a 30-day free trial. Offer only valid in the USA.

Amazon also has several digital comics available for FREE for BATMAN DAY. These special issues include Batman: The World, Batman / Fortnite, Batman: Hust and Batman's Mystery Casebook. These are readable on an Amazon account via read.amazon.com. 

MOVIE THEATERS

A number of movie theaters are having special Batman screenings. For example, in Metro Detroit, Emagine Theatres will be hosting a Dark Knight trilogy movie marathon on BATMAN DAY. Select Emagine theatres will be offering tickets to all three films and a concession deal for only $25 per person.

The Batman Day Package is only $25 and will include tickets to each of the films, Batman Begins, Dark Knight, and Dark Knight Rises, an 85oz popcorn tub and small drink that can be refilled for no additional cost throughout the day. The following locations will be participating in Batman Day celebrations. Michigan: Emagine Canton, Emagine Novi, Emagine Rochester Hills, Emagine Birch Run, The Riviera Powered by Emagine

BATMAN BEGINS (2005) After witnessing his parent’s death, Bruce learns the art of fighting to confront injustice. When he returns to Gotham as Batman, he must stop a secret society that intends to destroy the city. Rated PG-13 

THE DARK KNIGHT (2008) When the menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, Batman must accept one of the greatest psychological and physical tests of his ability to fight injustice. Rated PG-13 

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2012) Eight years after the Joker’s reign of chaos, Batman is coerced out of exile with the assistance of the mysterious Selina Kyle in order to defend Gotham City from the vicious guerrilla terrorist Bane. Rated PG-13 

Film Schedule BATMAN BEGINS: 1:00pm DARK KNIGHT: 4:00pm DARK KNIGHT RISES: 7:15pm 

For BATMAN DAY, AMC Theatres will also be taking online preorders for the purchase of their popular sold-out Bat Signal light up popcorn buckets. If you want one get it now at movie chain's online shop. These are sure to sell out! Expect delivery in Spring or Summer of 2025.

DIECAST

If you are a fan of diecast cars like I am. BATMAN DAY is a good excuse to purchase some. Jada Toys has some great Batmobile models available on Amazon.com including the one from The Batman (2022), the Tumbler from the Dark Knight movies, the batmobile from Tim Burton's Batman, and the classic car from the 1960s era TV series. These look great displayed in a home office or game room.

Hot Wheels also has some great Batmobile diecast cars. I couldn't resist picking this one up for myself the other day. Gotta love the classic TV show version of the Batmobile!

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BATMOBILES ON DISPLAY IN THE MOTOR CITY

In addition to showcasing more than 800 classic cars and customized hotrods, the 2024 AUTORAMA that took place this weekend (March 1 - 3) included five generations of batmobiles and two batcycles on display. Holy Hotrods Batman! Featured were the original batmobile from the 1966-live action television series along with motorcycles ridden by Batman and Batgirl in the show as well as the cars the Dark Knight drove in the movies Batman Begins, Batman Returns, Batman Forever and Justice League.

1960 ERA BATMOBILE

From January 12, 1966 though March 14, 1968, the adventures of Gotham City's caped crusader and his boy wonder sidekick were broadcast across the country on the ABC network. Batman, played by Adam West, and Robin, played by Burt Ward, engaged in a variety of comic book style battles with epic villains during the television series 120 episodes that spanned over three years. And while the show was filled with great actors and actresses playing its heroes and villains, it was a car that may had the most memorable role. Everyone knows and loves the Batmobile from this Batman tv series!

The vehicle was custom made for the show. Prior to this tv show, Batman drove a simple non-descript red sedan in the comic books and an average looking Cadillac in the 1940s film serials.  Television producers though wanted to have the hero have his own unique tricked out hotrod that would wow audiences. So, they purchased a Lincoln Futura concept car that Ford wasn't planning on bringing into production and transformed it into a crime fighting weapon. The concept of Batman having a cool looking, techy, super car was born! 

Autorama provided for a close up view of a replica of the original Batmobile and Batcycles from the 1960s era tv series starring Adam West and Burt Ward. The vehicles have been autographed by a number of the cast from the show. With its double-bubble roof, fins and rocket engine this sure is a sweet ride! 

TIM BURTON-ERA BATMOBILE (1989 - 1992)

The batmobiles driven by Michael Keeton in the Tim Burton directed Batman movies was meant to have a gothic vibe and darker tone for the film compared to the campier Adam West ride. This batmobile was inspired by the vehicles of 1930s era salt-flat racers and the sliding canopies of fighter jets. The movie car was powered by a Chevrolet V-8 to give it some Motor City muscle! 

BATMAN FOREVER (1995)

The Batmobile driven by Val Kilmer in the Joel Schumacher directed film had more of a sci-fi inspiration to it compared to the one utilized by Burton. Designers took inspiration from under the sea in jelly fish and outer space with creatures from the film Alien to design this adaption of the Batmobile. There was an emphasis from the movie studio to lighten up the imagery of Batman to make the toys based on the film more appealing to kids. 

While this Batmobile didn't take design cues from prior makes and models of cars, it was built on a Corvette platform and utilizes a 345-horsepower Chevy 350 ZZ3 V-8 engine. While the body of this Batmobile may look like a toy, it is the real deal if you were to take it out on a race track. The vehicle on display at Autorama also sports Val Kilmer's autograph on its frame. 

BATMAN BEGINS (2005)

Director Chris Nolan wanted to have his Batman, Christian Bale, driving a vehicle that had more a real life military vehicle image to it. He envisioned a mashup of a Lamborghini with a Humvee.  In essence, Nolan wanted a super-fast tank. The batmobile that resulted became known as the Tumbler.

The Tumbler is equipped with 44-inch monster truck tires and a Chevy LS1, 5.7-liter V-8 engine. This movie car was so fast that a Mercedes camera-car could hardly keep up with it while filming scenes for the movie. The Batmobile Tumbler is a beast! 

JUSTICE LEAGUE (2017)

Ben Affleck's Batmobile in the Zack Snyder DC Comics inspired movies is a leaner version of the Tumbler. It looks more like a fast, futuristic armored car versus the Tumbler's tank-like appearance. While the Justice League version of the Batmobile doesn't have working machine guns and missile launchers, it does have a real life Ford F350 Raptor 700 horsepower truck engine in it. Vroom! Vroom!

Five generations of Gotham City batmobiles on display in the Motor City. Which batmobile is your favorite? I'm torn between the Tumbler and one that wasn't on display at Autorama, the muscle car driven by Robert Pattinson in 2022's The Batman which had more of the appearance of a hotrod versus a techy super car. Yet, I would be GEEKED to take any of these batmobiles for a spin and it was awesome to get a close up look at these five cars at the Autorama display.

This year was Autorama's 71st annual event in Detroit. For more information about Autorama or other hot rod shows held around the country, including Cincinatti, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis and Kansas City, visit autorama.com. Also check out @hotrodshows on Instagram and Twitter. 

JADA TOYS THE BATMAN BATMOBILE

Have you seen THE BATMAN movie starring Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader? I really enjoyed the film; though the star of the show for me was the new batmobile! This movie's batmobile is a suped up hotrod with more of a focus on it being a Motor City muscle car than a vehicle full of techy gadgets. This has to be my favorite batmobile yet from the comics, tv shows and movies, plus it has a great chase scene in THE BATMAN that gear heads and movie geeks are sure to equally appreciate.

So, I was excited to discover Jada Toys has created a 1:18 scale diecast replica of THE BATMAN batmobile. Officially licensed by DC Comics, this Hollywood Ride showcases movie accurate details of this crime fighting muscle car. Built with a diecast metal body and premium rubber wheels, this hotrod also includes opening doors and a detailed interior that matches the look of the real vehicle used for filming batmobile scenes in the movie. 

The 1:18 scale batmobile, think equivalent size to vintage style G.I. Joe and Star Wars toys from the '80s, also comes with a 3.75" diecast Batman who comes dressed in a cape and cowl and sports a bat insignia on his chest. A great looking figure that enhances displaying THE BATMAN Jada Toys 1:18 scale batmobile by having Batman stand next to it. Unfortunately, the included action figure doesn't have any articulation so it can't be poised to have it look like Batman is sitting behind the wheel driving the batmobile. One of the very few disappointments of this toy car. Another being that there aren't more details to view inside the front hood when flipping its moveable panels open. All in all though there is very little to be disappointed about when it comes to this diecast batmobile. 

The true highlights of this car that more than overcome any of its deficiencies are its spectacular lighting effects. In addition to impressive rear engine lighting effects, it also has working headlights, tail lights and lighting in the front grill, side markers, and embedded within the front hood. The lighting is powered by three replaceable watch style flat batteries and has an on/off switch on the undercarriage to conserve battery life. 

The 1:18 scale THE BATMAN Jada Toys batmobile earns a Geek Daddy nod of approval for being fun for either playing with or displaying. It is a nice size for a displayable decoration making this batmobile a great addition in a man cave, home office or game room. The lighting effects provide a super ambience to any recreational space. This is an eye catching movie vehicle replica that people who see it are sure to be geeked about.

For more information about this and other collectible figures and vehicles head over to jadatoys.com.

Breitling Jet Team To Fly At The Thunder Over Michigan Air Show

As a kid our house was located under the path that the jets performing at the annual Thunder Over Michigan Air Show at Ypsilanti's historic Willow Run Airport would fly their practice routines leading up to the event.  I used to run outside when hearing the jets approach and gaze up at them in fascination as they passed over.  My dad would also routinely take me to go see the show at Willow Run, which was the site of the world's largest bomber manufacturing plant built by Henry Ford and Charles Lindbergh during WWII, which was always a lot of fun.  It's been awhile since I've been to this airshow but with the Breitling Jet Team headlining this year's event taking place on August 20 - 21 it seems like a good time to go again.

Supported by Breitling, the independent Swiss watch company, the Breitling Jet Team is the largest professional civilian jet team in the world, flying seven L-39C Albatros Jets within just a few feet of each other at speeds up to 565mph in precision routines.  This is the team's first ever performance in Michigan and they will be heading back to Europe at the end of the year as they wrap up a two year tour of the United States and Canada.  So if you want to see these highly skilled fast flying aerial acrobats first hand you'll want to catch one of their final tour performances which also includes a September appearance at the Canadian International Air Show in Toronto and an appearance at San Francisco's Fleet Week in California during October.

The Breitling Jet Team promises to amaze the crowds at the Thunder Over Michigan Air Show with stunning acrobatic maneuvers including Apache Rolls, Barrel Rolls, Loops, and their awe inspiring Vertical Split.  Imitating the precision of a Breitling Chronometer, the flight team's rapid succession of aerobatic maneuvers and gravity defying moves strives to provide audiences with a seamlessly performed ballet in the sky.

In addition to the Breitling Jet Team, the Thunder Over Michigan Air Show will also include appearances and demonstrations by the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, U.S. Navy's F/A-18 Hornet, a Russian MiG-23, a Russian Mi-24 Hind "flying tank" helicopter gunship, and a U.S. Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin search & rescue helicopter, among other aircraft.  Also the Batcopter from the 1960s era Batman television shows that starred Adam West and Burt Ward will be on display at the airshow alongside a replica of the Batmobile from the TV show as well.

For more information about the Thunder Over Michigan 2016 Air Show taking place on Saturday, August 20th and Sunday, August 21st please visit yankeeairmuseum.org/airshow. Kids 15 years old and under are FREE!  Tickets purchased in advance of the show online for adults start at $35.

Batman V Superman Official Movie Replica Batmobile Remote Control Toy Giveaway

My kids have had a blast playing with the AIR HOGS Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice Official Movie Replica Remote Control Batmobile that Spin Master sent us for A Geek Daddy toy review; but I have to admit I've probably even had more fun than they have playing with this really great RC vehicle.  We've raced the batmobile indoors across our hardwood floors and carpet, took it for a spin around our back yard leaping it off our back patio, and took a trek through grass and mud at the local playground with it.  Not only can the vehicle dart around at a nice pace but it is very durable as it took several crashes into curbs, trees and other miscellaneous hazards without breaking while we were playing around with it. This is a toy that I see both myself and my kids enjoying for a lot of hours well after A Geek Daddy's wrapped up reviewing it.



The AIR HOGS Batman V. Superman Official Movie Replica Remote Control Batmobile gets A Geek Daddy nod of approval because it comes packaged with a sturdy remote control that does an excellent job syncing with the vehicle allowing kids to easily steer it, provides a USB rechargeable battery that holds a long charge so you don't have to constantly power it up or replace batteries, was durable enough to take all the abuse my 7 year old twins could throw at it and keep on going, and has a cool looking appearance to it that no matter what your age will let you enjoy pretending to be Batman racing through the streets of Gotham City.  Kids, or kids at heart, who are fans of comic books and super heroes will want to get their hands on this awesome RC Batmobile from Spin Master Toys.

Of course we want to share our enjoyment of this toy with our A Geek Daddy fans so I'm pleased to note that not only did Spin Master send us an AIR HOGS Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice Official Movie Replica Remote Control Batmobile to review for this blog but they also provided one for us to giveaway.  Who wants to take the Batmobile out for an adventure?!

Congrats to Seth from Akron, Ohio who won our Batmobile Giveaway

To be eligible for this giveaway just follow @Geekdad248 on Twitter and retweet our original contest tweet which is embedded below before April 3, 2016 @ 11:59 pm EST.  Must be a US  resident over the age of 18 to participate.  One entry per person and we'll randomly select someone from all eligible entries to receive an AIR HOGS Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice Official Movie Replica Remote Control Batmobile courtesy of Spin Master Toys and A Geek Daddy Blog.

Follow @Geekdad248 & RT by 4/3/16 for chance to win @SpinMaster #BatmanvsSuperman Replica RC Batmobile (US Only) pic.twitter.com/emVGPprIEw

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) March 24, 2016

Holy Pickled Herrings & Rhubarb Pie Batman this is an incredible giveaway! Don't hesitate to get your entry completed so you can hopefully be the lucky one who can tell all your friends "I'm Batman!" and show off your very own batmobile.

You can purchase this toy at Amazon, Toys R Us, Walmart or directly through the Spin Master online store.


FTC DISCLOSURE / DISCLAIMER:  A Geek Daddy Blog will be responsible for selecting the winner of this contest and providing for delivery of the prize by the U.S. Postal Service.  By participating in this contest you waive any liability towards A Geek Daddy Blog or its publisher that may arise from your involvement with this promotion.  Winner must be following the twitter account @Geekdad248 at the time winner is randomly drawn to be eligible and so he or she can be notified.  Must reply to DM within 48 hours of notification or a new winner will be selected. Must be a US  resident over 18 years old. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. It is a big package so no P.O. Boxes allowed. A Geek Daddy Blog did not receive any financial compensation but did receive for free the same item that is being awarded to one of our readers for this contest.  A Geek Daddy Blog is hosting this contest as a benefit to our readers. Any opinions in this post are my own.

Air Hogs Remote Control Batmobile

** A Geek Daddy received the featured product for free **

While Batman and Superman may be dueling it out in Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justicee one thing these two caped crusaders must be able to agree upon is that the batmobile in the movie is pretty darn cool!  You don't need to be a billionaire playboy with a secret super hero identity to have some fun with the batmobile though thanks to Spin Master Toys.  Spin Master's AIR HOGS Batman vs Superman Official Movie Replica Remote Control Batmobile puts you in control of this amazing vehicle from the blockbuster film.

It's a bird, it's a plane...it's the Batmobile?!  This RC toy worked great indoors and outdoors; flying across our hardwood floors and carpet inside while racing down the sidewalk and through the dirt outdoors as well.  It even soared off our patio flying onto the grass and kept on going giving Superman a run for his money when it comes to flying.



While the toy is recommended for 8+ my seven year old twins were both able to easily steer it having fun imagining racing around the streets of Gotham City as Batman.  While many remote control toys now use apps on smart phones to control the RC vehicles, I appreciated that this Air Hogs version comes with its own sturdy controller that provides a nice connection for guiding the batmobile. While the car is fairly easy to guide we still had our fair share of collisions with curbs, trees, chairs and a variety of other hazards while playing around with it plus a few flips and crashes from attempted jumps so it is nice that this toy is very durably built.  The Air Hogs RC Batmobile took all the abuse my kids gave it and just kept on going .. .now that really is value for your dollar!  As a parent who has seen a fair share of easily broken toys disappoint his kids,  I was truly impressed by the quality of this remote control vehicle.

The Batmobile's authentic Batman vs Superman movie design features incredible brushed metal  detail.  It also features four really bright front mounted LED headlights that directionally track wherever you steer the batmobile.



The backside of the batmobile features a rear LED that glows red to portray the vehicle's after-burner from the movie.

The 2.4 GHz remote control works from a decent distance away from the batmobile and only requires 2AA batteries.  The batmobile itself is powered by a USB rechargeable battery so it is easy to power up by plugging it into a computer or an electrical wall socket convertor.  YES! I love it when you don't have to keep replacing batteries in a toy!

If you know a kid, or kid at heart, that is a fan of comic books and super heroes you will absolutely want to check out the AIR HOGS Batman vs Superman Official Movie Replica Remote Control Batmobile.  Our family has genuinely had a great experience and lots of fun playing with this toy.  This RC Batmobile will be a toy that we'll be playing with long after doing this review.

Tech Manual will explain how Batman's gadgets work in "Dawn of Justice"

Though I know it's make believe, I've always been interested in how tech, gadgets and vehicles would work within their fictional comic book, novel and movie universes.  I have a shelf filled with books, blueprints and posters that contain concept art, layouts, schematics and drawings for the gadgets, vehicles and weapons used in some of my favorite Sci-Fi movies.  So it would probably be an understatement to say I was geeked to find out that DC Comics is publishing a book tied to the upcoming Warner Brothers's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice that promises to be a Tech Manual for the cool props that we'll be seeing in the movie. Batman is all about his gadgets and you know he will have an all new bat-suit, bat-mobile, bat-wing, and enough other tools and weapons to fill up a book, but the publisher also promises to have other interesting tidbits included as well including info on some of the Kryptonian tech used by Superman and the Amazonian weapons used by Wonder Woman.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice: Tech Manual is scheduled to be released on March 22, 2016 with a retail price of $39.95.  Check out the official synopsis of the book:

Batman’s tech has been reimagined and reinvigorated in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the new blockbuster from director Zack Snyder releasing in March 2016. This book takes an exclusive, in-depth look at Batman’s arsenal, vehicles, Batsuits, and the iconic Batcave. The new Batmobile design is explored from first concept sketch, through detailed blueprints, all the way to the physical construction of the vehicle itself.

"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Tech Manual" is a definitive guide to the weaponry and props created for the movie. It closely examines the Utility Belt, the Batwing, grappling hook and batarang. Everything in the Batcave is explored down to the construction of the set and the graphics from Bruce Wayne’s mainframe. This official volume also goes deeper in to the world of "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," showcasing Superman’s Kryptonian suit and Wonder Woman’s iconic weaponry.

The official companion book to the new movie, "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Tech Manual," features interviews with concept artists, the film’s weapon’s master, the mechanic for the Batmobile, and Zack Snyder himself.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice arrives in theaters across the United States on March 25, 2016 a few days after the Tech Manual hits store shelves.  Fearing the actions of a god-like Super Hero left unchecked, Gotham City's own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis' most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.  And with Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it's ever known before.

Celebrate Batman's 75th Birthday with a Warner Brothers Studio VIP Tour

Wow! wish I could afford to fly the family out to LA for a trip to check out this special exhibit Warner Brothers Studio is putting on for Batman's 75th anniversary.  For a limited time, visitors to the WB studios in Burbank California, can participate in a Batman themed VIP tour that whisks you around the back lot sets to show you familiar sights you've seen in the Batman movies and than through a special exhibit where you can get a close up look at the vehicles, props, and costumes that appeared on the silver screen.  During the 2 hour 15 minute tour, expert tour guides will accompany you as they show you iconic locations from the Batman films and lead you through a newly-transformed Studio Tour museum that has its entire ground floor dedicated to the Caped Crusader.  The tours consist of 12 people per group that leaves every 15 minutes from the start off point so you have to reserve a date and time slot to go so you are assured a semi-private encounter through the "Batcave" exhibit as you wander through it.  You can reserve a time slot and purchase tickets online.  It costs $54 per person for the #WBBatmanTour.  If you have younger children, you should note too that children must be 8 years or older to participate in the tour.

Six iconic Batsuits will be on display including the original version worn by Michael Keaton in Batman and the final Christian Bale costume from The Dark Knight Rises. The cowls from all the Batman movies are also on display. You’ll get see a wide range of authentic costumes including those worn by Poison Ivy, The Riddler, Mr Freeze and Catwoman as well as some infamous prop weapons such as the Joker’s cards, Two-Face’s coin, Penguin’s umbrella and Bane’s bomb. A selection of the Dark Knight’s most iconic vehicles are also showcased – with the Bathammer, Bat-Pod and Tumbler taking center stage. The Bat-Signal, used to call Bruce Wayne’s alter ego at a time of need, will be on display and you’ll get the chance to operate the famous prop yourself and get a photo op.

CLICK HERE for more information about the Warner Brothers Studios Batman Exhibit.

 

BATMAN VERSUS SUPERMAN

The movie BATMAN VERSUS SUPERMAN which is currently filming in my hometown of Detroit released some teaser pictures today to promote the film.  Director Zach Snyder tweeted 2 images that show images of the batmobile ... and BATMAN!

This is an exciting sneak peek because it shows that the upcoming film is moving towards adapting a look and feel from the pages of the Batman comic books.  The Batmobile looks similar to the one portrayed in ink and the batsuit appears more like the "costume" illustrated in comic books versus the "body armor" look of past films.

If you can't wait until May 6, 2016 release of BATMAN VERSUS SUPERMAN at movie theaters to get your superhero fix than you can pick up an edition of the graphic novel BATMAN/SUPERMAN:CROSS WORLD that was recently published by DC COMICS.  This graphic novel compiles issues 1-4 of the monthly comic book Batman/Superman plus throws in the Darkseid one-shot comic from DC Comics 2013 Villain's Month.  The comic book is supposed to portray the Dark Knight's first meeting with Superman in the New 52 universe.  The New 52 is the 2011 relaunch of DC Comics where its entire ongoing monthly superhero books were cancelled and 52 new series debuted that erased all of DC Comics past history and started its franchises over again from scratch.  The goal of this transformation has been to make DC's characters more modern and relatable to current times with the goal of enticing new readers.

I have to say though that I just haven't been impressed by many of the New 52 stories that I've read so far, and this includes BATMAN/SUPERMAN.  It seems the creative team at DC is just trying too hard and the stories from my perspective are too over the top trying to tie-in and merge super heroe stories with supernatural elements and sci-fi characteristics in a manner that seems forced and contrived rather than cool and creative.

BATMAN/SUPERMAN: VOLUME 1 "CROSS WORLD" introduces readers to a time when Batman and Superman didn't know each other and had an adversarial relationship with a storyline that travels across the DC Multiverse.  In this story arc Batman and Superman first confront each other and than are transported to the alternate dimension of Earth 2 where they encounter different incarnations of themselves.  I just found this intradiminsional story line tied to their first meeting very confusing.  I was constantly confused over which version of the character was being portrayed, which timeline was being referred to, and essentially who was who throughout the book.  Than Wonder Woman flew into the picture on a pegasus out of the blue and I just lost interest all together in the story from the cheesiness.

One interesting aspect of of the comic book was that Earth 2 versions of the Dark Knight and The Man of Steel have been friends since they were children while in the regular universe they are just meeting each other and are adversaries as adults.  The book does a nice job of delving into this Earth 2 relationship but not enough about the regular universe version's initial meetings.  While the New 52 is supposed to up the comic books to new fans by letting them read stories without the burden of extensive back stories on the characters it seemed you really needed to know the back stories of both the regular universe and Earth 2 universe characters to stay in the plot of this story.

If you enjoy the New 52 JUSTICE LEAGUE comic books, I'd recommend picking up BATMAN/SUPERMAN but otherwise I'd give it a pass.  

On another note though, if you haven't read BATMAN ETERNAL yet I'd highly recommend you pick up that comic book. BATMAN ETERNAL is part of a year long celebration of Batman's 75th anniversary that is a weekly published book by DC COMICS.  The artwork and stories from the first 5 issues so far is exceptional. It is one of the best comic books I've read in years.  You'd think that DC that with so many issues to publish on a weekly timeline that they might cut corners but so far everything about this series has been first rate! The story involves a detective from Detroit taking a job with the Gotham PD.  On his first night on the job, Commissioner Gordon is set up and a crime boss from the past reappears to try and rebuild his empire of vice.

What is nice about BATMAN ETERNAL is that while the story has fantastical elements to it, it also has a gritty realistic approach to its story telling.  Commissioner Gordon is set-up when he allegedly shoots an unarmed man and causes a subway crash.  The villain who sets this up is a mob boss who corrupts the Mayor and Commissioner Gordon and turns the police against the Caped Crusader.  Than the mob boss turns his sights on the Penguin who has moved into power in the seedy gambling/prostitution/drug side of Gotham.  We aren't looking at alternate universes and mystical powers in this series but rather a vigilante taking on crime in a dangerous world filled with mobsters, villains with superpowers, and bad guys with high tech devices.  

Throughout the year run of this comic book it is promised that a long list of villains, sidekicks, and friends will appear in the pages of BATMAN ETERNAL.  Will we see some Batman/Superman sequences?  You'll have to pick up the issues to find out each week at your local comic book store or digital outlet. I recommend you check it out!

DISCLAIMER:  I received a complimentary digital pdf of BATMAN/SUPERMAN VOLUME 1 "CROSS WORLD" from the publisher to review.  I was not mandated to write a positive review to receive the digital copy.  The views and opinions in this post are my own.