As America and the Soviet Union race to build their nuclear stockpiles, two extraordinary heroes must form an uneasy alliance. These studies in... read full description
reviews
Jan 27, 2009
Laura
rated it: 
Picked up an ARC at a library conference and ripped through it on the plane home. I haven't read much (any?) Anderson, although I know of him, but I have read loads of Batman stories. Overall, it was a light, enjoyable read suitable for a plane or the beach but it didn't do anything really all that special. In fact, one can easily find elements straight from Golden Age, The New Frontier, and Watchmen and I felt a little disappointed at that. Still, if it falls in your hands, it's not a bad way
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Apr 12, 2011
Cara-Mae
rated it: 
I have to say that I was sorely disappointed by this cookie cutter approach to the iconic characters of Superman and Batman.
There was no depth to the characters whatsoever. As an avid superhero enthusiast, I was expecting a lot more from this novel.
I did enjoy the setting, but there was more attention to detail with brands of soda and the cost of things in that era than I felt were used in regards to the origin stories of our heroes, even when they reflected on how they More...
There was no depth to the characters whatsoever. As an avid superhero enthusiast, I was expecting a lot more from this novel.
I did enjoy the setting, but there was more attention to detail with brands of soda and the cost of things in that era than I felt were used in regards to the origin stories of our heroes, even when they reflected on how they More...
Aug 14, 2009
Amanda
rated it:
I'm not really sure why there's yet to be a successful novel written about Superman or Batman. I suppose it's that there's this preconceived idea of them and no novelist has ever found a way to incorporate that image and make it original at the same time. This book was pretty humdrum, with superficial Batman and Superman characteristics. It tells the tale of Batman and Superman crossing paths because of Lex Luthor's evil plan to take over the world. When they first meet, both are suspicious of e
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Aug 04, 2009
Aaron
rated it: 
Anderson brings fans of Superman and Batman back to the 1950s to present the story of the frist time they worked together. It is a time where the Cold War and the Communist Scare are primary on people's minds. Bruce Wayne is in the early years of his career when he is focusing on the corruption among Gotham City's government and the gangster lords. Clark Kent has just started up at the Daily Planet and is enjoying getting to know Lois Lane.
Lex Luther takes center stage as his various More...
Lex Luther takes center stage as his various More...
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Jul 24, 2009
Liza
rated it:
I had high hopes for this title because I thought it had such great appeal. After all, a vast portion of the world's population knows about Superman and Batman, and stories with clear-cut good v. evil themes do well.
It only took 20 pages, though, before Anderson said, "Clark knew he wasn't in Kansas anymore."
Bruce Wayne's introduction was also campy, introducing himself to Clark and Jimmy Olsen as "Wayne. Bruce Wayne," and then going on to talk abo More...
It only took 20 pages, though, before Anderson said, "Clark knew he wasn't in Kansas anymore."
Bruce Wayne's introduction was also campy, introducing himself to Clark and Jimmy Olsen as "Wayne. Bruce Wayne," and then going on to talk abo More...
May 13, 2009
Cheryl
rated it: 
Kevin J. Anderson brings readers a fun and exciting read with Enemies and Allies. This book takes and incorporates two of the best superheroes and pits them together to fight a mutual enemy...Lex Luther.
Lex Luther is constructing a nuclear reactor that could destroy the world. It seems that while building this reactor that he has discovered Superman's weakness to Kryptonite. The funny thing is that Lex doesn't know he possess in his hands the very thing that could bring down Superma More...
Lex Luther is constructing a nuclear reactor that could destroy the world. It seems that while building this reactor that he has discovered Superman's weakness to Kryptonite. The funny thing is that Lex doesn't know he possess in his hands the very thing that could bring down Superma More...
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May 23, 2009
Cathy
rated it:
As a big KJA fan, I was disappointed. It was just too lightweight. At page 200 nothing had even happened yet! Most of the book was background and skirmishes that set up the "big conflict" that never really happened. Yes, Batman and Superman finally met. I enjoyed that they were suspicious of each others' actions and motives, it made a lot of sense. But there is very little action or substance to the book, it was like cotton candy. The only thing that makes sense to me is if it is the s
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May 01, 2009
Bridget
rated it:
Superman is an alien from the planet Krypton. His parents knew that their planet would be destroyed so they sent him in a space craft hoping their son would make it to Earth and live a good life. Superman learns that he has special powers. He has X-Ray vision, super strength, he can even fly. Being the good man that his human parents raised him to be, he uses these powers to help humanity.
Batman became an orphan at a young age. His parents were gunned down in an alley right bef More...
Sep 02, 2009
Adam
rated it:
Superman and Batman are far more than just comic characters. They are icons, modern myths. They have been through so many incarnations in so many media that people who have never picked up a comic book can tell you who they are. And in those many incarnations, both characters have developed great depth, so I find it odd that Anderson's book does very little to plumb those depths.
That's not to say this isn't an enjoyable story, but know what you're getting when you pick it up. Great More...
That's not to say this isn't an enjoyable story, but know what you're getting when you pick it up. Great More...
May 12, 2009
Prester
rated it:
This book is a great addition to the legend of Superman, and now Batman as well. It would appear that Kevin J. Anderson has found yet another series in which to add to wonderfully.
It was nice to see the story take place in the old “Glory Days” of the super-heroes in question. A nice blend of the cultural, as well as governmental mistakes of the fifties with a small hint of modern day social boo-boos as well. Not to mention UFO madness.
The characters were fun and filled wi More...
It was nice to see the story take place in the old “Glory Days” of the super-heroes in question. A nice blend of the cultural, as well as governmental mistakes of the fifties with a small hint of modern day social boo-boos as well. Not to mention UFO madness.
The characters were fun and filled wi More...
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Jul 20, 2009
Forrest
rated it:
A fun, if fairly shallow little story that takes the tale of Superman meeting Batman and working with each other for the first time and tries to spruce it up a bit. It ended up reading rather like an episode of that old Superman show that had Teri Hatcher and Dean Cain in it. Not bad, just rather basic. Each chapter was a few pages long, which I'm guessing was done to create a feeling of fast paced movement like the actual comics have.
I also found myself unsure of the time period More...
I also found myself unsure of the time period More...
Sep 04, 2011
Jessie
rated it:
When I saw this at library, I had to pick it up. The writing was uninspiring, but the plot was entertaining enough to keep me reading. Anderson writes the characters as their Golden Age selves, which means if you're looking for a more contemporary, more serious take on Superman and Batman, this isn't the tie-in novel you're looking for.
For an alleged "crossover," Anderson heavily favors the Superman cast. Batman's main contribution to the plot is <spoiler> saving Sup More...
For an alleged "crossover," Anderson heavily favors the Superman cast. Batman's main contribution to the plot is <spoiler> saving Sup More...
Feb 13, 2011
Russell
rated it:
I've always been a fan of Superman so when I stumbled across this book in the library, I decided to give it a chance. And I wasn't disappointed. I thought that there was a bit too much narrative in the beginning and not enough dialogue, but once I got past that part, the story became a page-turner.
It had elements that I love in a story, such as corporate espionage, likeable characters, detestable villains, and a tight plot that made this a page-turner.
Those that are used to s More...
It had elements that I love in a story, such as corporate espionage, likeable characters, detestable villains, and a tight plot that made this a page-turner.
Those that are used to s More...
Jul 05, 2009
RL
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jun 11, 2009
Russ
rated it:
A solid novel from Kevin Anderson, but nothing spectacular. Set in the 1950s, it explores the first meeting of Batman and Superman and looks at the beginnings of their relationship. I really enjoyed their interaction and even the flashbacks and explorations of the origins of those two super heroes. That part worked really well.
As a novel, though, I felt that the "threat" in this book and the tension and the conflict never really took off. There was never a point in this boo More...
As a novel, though, I felt that the "threat" in this book and the tension and the conflict never really took off. There was never a point in this boo More...
Feb 16, 2010
Bill
rated it:
Enemies and Allies sets forth a comic book thriller set in the early 1950s, creating a weird time frame with both Batman and Superman just a couple of years into their superhero gigs (even though both origins are one or two decades earlier, respectively). They're both still figuring out how to make their own lives work when they both stumble upon a plot involving Lex Luthor, a rogue Communist general, Area 51, unbelievably advanced technology, and, they each believe, the other vigilante. This ma
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Oct 30, 2009
Kit
rated it:
I really enjoyed this for what it was, which was fairly mindless distraction reading. The short chapters zip by, with handy bat or "S" logos on the front of each to let you know whose storyline you're following. I loved the idea of setting Superman and Batman's introduction to each other and to the world as superheroes in the height of the Cold War. None of the other characters have much depth, which is a shame in the case of Lois Lane, since we're in her POV for part of the time. The
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Jun 10, 2009
Chris
rated it:
I had been searching for this book since it came out early May. But alas, the bookstores here did not carry it then. It took me at least a week more before I chanced upon it while it was on bargain.
Thanks to my lofty expectations, I felt that this book fell short. I have to hand it to Kevin Anderson to fit in interesting tidbits of popular culture in the 50's into the novel -- things like the Sputnik, the great comet blast in Russia, Area 51, alien movies, etc. But other than that, i More...
Thanks to my lofty expectations, I felt that this book fell short. I have to hand it to Kevin Anderson to fit in interesting tidbits of popular culture in the 50's into the novel -- things like the Sputnik, the great comet blast in Russia, Area 51, alien movies, etc. But other than that, i More...
Dec 01, 2010
Brian
rated it: 
For the most part, "Enemies & Allies" is a unique tale of the unexpected uniting of Batman and Superman as reluctant allies. It takes place in an era that encompasses the Cold War, the space race with the USSR and the growing intrigue following the events at Groom Lake. The mix of real world events of the 1950's and superhero lore makes for a potentially gripping narrative. For the most part, the combination works masterfully and keeps the reader at attention. The final conflict betwee
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Jul 01, 2010
Nathan
rated it:
It's the 1950s, communist tensions are at play, Lex Luthor is a successful business magnate and Bruce Wayne is an aimless philanthropic playboy. Clark Kent ends up on the "Dear Jane" column of the Daily Planet but trouble is afoot. Superman, Luthor and Batman are all going to meet each other - but who can trust whom? Will good triumph over evil, or will the world be wiped out when evil's schemes don't quite go according to plan?
Well, you'll have to read to find out :-)
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Well, you'll have to read to find out :-)
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May 19, 2009
Eric
rated it:
At various times in this book Lex Luthor is referred to as the bald man, the bald genius, the bald entrepreneur, and the bald industrialist. The poor guy, he can't escape his pate. And he can't escape the combined fury of Superman and Batman. The two superheroes hook up to put Mr. Clean in the electric chair.
Coda: Batman drives his batmobile for the first time in this book. "Bruce started the ignition process," writes the author, "atomic batteries to power, turbines to More...
Coda: Batman drives his batmobile for the first time in this book. "Bruce started the ignition process," writes the author, "atomic batteries to power, turbines to More...
May 14, 2009
Jerry
rated it:
A very entertaining read. I was surprised to find it hard to put down, considering the genre, these stories tend to sound the same. However, the author made a very smart decision in placing this story in the 50's, a time when the world was truly on the brink of destruction. Our heroes, Superman & Batman, seemed to fit flawlessly within this period and even our villians, billionaire capitolist Lex Luthor & his communist Russian counterpart blended very well with the factual events & true conflict
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Aug 15, 2011
Todd
rated it:
I found this book in the Clearance section of Half Price Books and I thought for $2 I would give it a try. I haven't ever read a superhero story that wasn't in comic book form. And since I am a big Batman fan I thought it could be a fun read. Anderson's style is easy to read and I got through the book very quickly for me. But I thought the story was a bit slow. I loved how the author changed the history a bit and even made it mirror our own true history. But that is where the liking ended.
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Nov 28, 2010
Daniel
rated it:
While I enjoyed the 1950s setting and the retro, New Frontier-y feel it created, I wasn't totally sold on the rest of the book. The plot was a laughable pre-Crisis-style mash-up of the plot of every James Bond movie and The Incredibles. Also, the constant insertion of real people as a way to show this "really happened"--Bruce Wayne partying with Eleanor Roosevelt and Marilyn Monroe; Lex Luthor meeting with Senator McCarthy; Superman meeting President Eisenhower--felt forced.
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May 08, 2011
Madigan
rated it:
Anderson takes us back to Superman and Batman's roots in this action-packed novel set in the late 1950's. I must confess, I haven't read very much of the original DC Comics, always having been a little better acquainted with the Marvel stories. I couldn't help but picture Christopher Reeve though, especially in those scenes where Clark is a nervous bumbler.
I felt Anderson ably rounded out the character of Superman, portraying him as a shy charmer with a big heart. Superman's loneliness More...
I felt Anderson ably rounded out the character of Superman, portraying him as a shy charmer with a big heart. Superman's loneliness More...
Feb 10, 2011
Danie
rated it:
Media tie ins can be good, bad, or okay. This one bordered between good and okay.
Basically what Anderson wrote was a novel length story much like those that were in the comic books around when Superman debuted.
It's set during the Cold War, around the time that Joe McCarthy was persecuting people, Khrushchev banging his shoe and Sputnik was still up in the sky, all he did was add in the fact that Superman can pluck boats from the water and Batman is skulking around a Gotham Ci More...
Basically what Anderson wrote was a novel length story much like those that were in the comic books around when Superman debuted.
It's set during the Cold War, around the time that Joe McCarthy was persecuting people, Khrushchev banging his shoe and Sputnik was still up in the sky, all he did was add in the fact that Superman can pluck boats from the water and Batman is skulking around a Gotham Ci More...
Oct 11, 2010
Rosalia
rated it:
I listened to this book on audiobook in the car. I started on my way home from vacation and finished it up while stuck in traffic going to work. I ripped the cds to my ipod and just as an fyi the cd tracks are not labled in any useful kind of way so make sure you label them before you actually let it rip so you don't have to do it twice like I did because I couldn't figure out which tracks were from which disc.
As far as the story goes, both Batman and Superman were basically their More...
As far as the story goes, both Batman and Superman were basically their More...
Feb 25, 2011
Bryan
rated it:
4.5 stars! This novel never strives to be more than it was intended to be, but within that capacity it actually succeeds in achieving greatness!
So what makes a novel great? This is not an exhaustive list, but here are some suggestions:
- it should examine some aspect of human existence and the struggles one makes to sustain oneself and become more than just the sum of a set of parts...
(Kind of like the green kryptonite and how it affects Superman, right?)
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So what makes a novel great? This is not an exhaustive list, but here are some suggestions:
- it should examine some aspect of human existence and the struggles one makes to sustain oneself and become more than just the sum of a set of parts...
(Kind of like the green kryptonite and how it affects Superman, right?)
More...
Nov 02, 2009
Sarah
rated it:
Enemies and Allies is a new Batman, Superman novel by Kevin J. Anderson. I was sent a copy to review it's a book I would have read just as eagerly on my own. I grew up on Batman and Superman and not just the TV reruns and the comics but old radio plays and Fleischer shorts. So coming to book in full fangirl mode, it's hard to write an even handed review.
Enemies and Allies has the feel of the 1990s animated versions of Batman and Superman and some nods to The Batman Superman movie (19 More...
Enemies and Allies has the feel of the 1990s animated versions of Batman and Superman and some nods to The Batman Superman movie (19 More...
Dec 15, 2009
Colleen
rated it:
I was hoping for more from this after Last Days of Krypton, but it's not a bad book. New Frontier already covered this 1950s McCarthy Golden Age period perfectly and really to follow that up, an author has to be prepared to bring an A game (which doesn't really happen here).
Hokey at times, and book is overly reliant on James Bond when it comes to Batman. But I liked how he did his Lois Lane. Overall, I was entertained and this book was a pleasant way to kill an afternoon (incredibly More...
Hokey at times, and book is overly reliant on James Bond when it comes to Batman. But I liked how he did his Lois Lane. Overall, I was entertained and this book was a pleasant way to kill an afternoon (incredibly More...
