Batman/Superman, Volume 6: Universe's Finest

Batman/Superman (2013)

by Tom Taylor (Writer), Peter J. Tomasi (Writer), Frank Tieri (Writer)

In a tale from the early days of their partnership, the murder of an alien explorer brings the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight Detective to investigate on the moon! But there’s more to this traveler than meets the eye. Meanwhile, someone’s been watching the investigation from the shadows-none other than Lobo, come to collect a bounty that’s been placed on Batman’s head!

The World’s Finest must prepare the Earth for the final days of Superman and with time slipping away, they’ll need the help of their greatest allies in order to pull off one last-ditch attempt to save the Last Son of Krypton.

And finally, the rogues of Gotham and Metropolis team up to find an answer to the age-old question: Who’s tougher, Batman or Superman?

From critically acclaimed writers Tom Taylor (INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US), Peter J. Tomasi (SUPERMAN) and Frank Tieri (HARLEY QUINN AND HER GANG OF HARLEYS) who team up with artists including Robson Rocha (JUSTICE LEAGUE) and Doug Mahnke (GREEN LANTERN) comes the thrilling conclusion to the BATMAN/SUPERMAN series.

Collects: Batman/Superman #28-34 and Annual #3.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Batman, Superman, Superheroes, Fantasy

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 11, 2017

About the author

Once a professional juggler and fire eater, Tom Taylor is a #1 New York Times Bestselling, multi-award-winning comic book writer, playwright and screenwriter.

Well known for his work with DC Comics and Marvel, Taylor is the co-creator of NEVERLANDERS from Penguin Random House, SEVEN SECRETS from Boom Studios and the Aurealis-Award-winning graphic novel series THE DEEP. Taylor is also the Head Writer and Executive Producer of The Deep animated series, four seasons of which is broadcast in over 140 countries.

He is perhaps best known for the DC Comics series, DCEASED (Shadow Awards Winner), NIGHTWING (nominated for 5 Eisner Awards), SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL (GLAAD Award Nominee), INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, SUICIDE SQUAD, EARTH 2 and BATMAN/SUPERMAN as well as Marvel's FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN, ALL NEW WOLVERINE, X-MEN: RED, DARK AGES and SUPERIOR IRON MAN. Taylor is also the writer of many Star Wars series, which include STAR WARS: INVASION and STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES (Stan Lee Excelsior Award winner). Taylor has written for Marvel, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, Boom Studios, Wildstorm, 2000 AD and Gestalt Comics.

He can be followed on twitter @TomTaylorMade.

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

(B+) 78% | Good
Notes: Great to start, though later arcs don't meet the mark, one's incomplete, one loses spark: all worth it for its early parts.

[Jesse A · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Tom Taylor portion was fun. The rest was just bleh. More of the 85 million crossover things that happened.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the better volumes of the series, and it surprised me because it was a story set in space.

I've never been a huge fan of Superman and Batman teaming up. It just always felt strange to me that Superman would need a human to help him. The flip side of course is Batman is the world's greatest detective and a master tactician, so there is something there. However, I also never really thought Batman belonged in space.

This volume however was set in space and yet worked the Batman/Superman team up perfectly. Even the Green Lantern Corps and Lobo show up. The story did a great job of showing how Batman and Superman accentuate one another and can actually make a good team when the story is done right. The art was nice as well. Overall a nice finish to series that ran hot and cold.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Herein we get 3 separate tales, 2 of which take place long before Superman kicks it right before Rebirth.

Yay! for Tom Taylor. This may be the best story in the whole series. A giant dead alien crashes into the moon and leaves a message for Superman and Batman. The two hunt for the murderer while Lobo is contracted to kill Batman. There is some excellent storytelling going on here. How Tom Taylor hasn't been given a top tier book is beyond me. Put this guy on the Justice League because Bryan Hitch isn't doing much with it.

Next we have 2 issues of a crossover taking place across 4 titles so you only get a quarter of the story. Even though Peter Tomasi and Doug Mahnke provide the writing and art on the book, skip these and read them as part of the Final Days of Superman GN.

Finally we have a 3 part story that was never printed. Frank Tieri actually writes a winning story here. I've never really been much of a fan. Batman and Superman's rogues get in a pissing match about who's tougher Superman or Batman. They make a bet and switch nemeses. There's some fun to be had here even though the art goes downhill as the story progresses.

[James DeSantis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even Tom Taylor can't save this one.

What starts off as a pretty fun story about Superman and Batman teaming up and Lobo chasing them slowly becomes a tad boring by the end. However, the main issue (get it? Issues...okay) would be the messy death of superman storyline where only get a bit of it. You're missing HUGE junks of it between it all. On top of that we get a Frank Terri story which is just okay. Like...honestly I can see why it was never published.

Overall this is just not really worth it. Tom's story is solid on it's own but with the rest? It's pretty crappy. A 2 out of 5.

[Carolina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first story was great. 5 stars. However, the one about Superman dying was awfully confusing due to the million crossovers and the lack of a decent conclusion. The last one was fun though, 4 stars well deserved.

[John Yelverton · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was a dumb ending to a dumbed down reboot of one of the greatest graphic novel series of all time. I cannot tell you how glad I am that the "New 52" is finally over.

[Ryan Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the Tom Taylor three-parter. But the rest of it... uh, “banana muffin!”

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I... actually enjoyed this graphic novel. I thought I had read all of the Batman/Superman series from the New 52, so when I realized there was still one more I was... disappointed. I wasn't fan of the New 52 Superman (so much so that, even though Superman as a character is my favorite superhero, I have no interest in actually reading the New 52's standalone Superman series). What I saw of him in team-ups such as this one told me enough about this cockier, edgier Superman (who was with Wonder Woman!? What!?!?), to know that he wasn't the Man of Steel I knew and loved. I will give the writers some credit that, by the end of his run, he did feel more like Superman. Unfortunately, it took killing him off to make that happen. Two of the issues in this series I'd previously read in "The Final Days of Superman." But the others, which took place in the New 52's Superman and Batman's past were... I'm just going to say it, FUN. Yeah, I really enjoyed them. Even though this version of Superman wasn't the best, they managed to write him in a way--at least, in these two stories--that didn't feel quite so different from the traditional Big Blue. Superman and Batman's interactions were priceless ("banana muffin," LOL!), and you could really feel both a strong partnership and FRIENDSHIP between these two. And that's the best part of these team-ups: the fact that two people who are so fundamentally different--but who, deep down, have such similar moral codes and ethical goals--can still trust each other so completely. There are a lot of inherent foils, and, conversely, a lot of inherent bonding. In short, Superman and Batman is a dichotomy that just WORKS. My favorite story was definitely the last one, though, where baddies from each of Supes' and Bats' Rogue Galleries decide to swap heroes to see whose foes are tougher. And then both end up realizing (heroes and villains alike) that each are tougher than they look. Though, of course, the final panels showed Bruce and Clark debating over whose Rogues really were stronger. Men, amiright? Plus, there was a cameo from Nightwing and Robin! Honestly, this was kind of the perfect team-up story. In fact, considering that I wasn't a fan of this incarnation of Superman, this was a pretty decent way for me to finally say goodbye to the character. Even though I picked this up rather grudgingly, the end result was a solid read that actually had me chuckling at times and devouring each action-packed panel. What a pleasant surprise.

[Ben Truong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Batman/Superman: Universe's Finest picks up where the previous trade paperback left off and collects the last seven issues (Batman/Superman #28–34) of the 2013 on-going series and covers two stories: "Universe's Finest" and "The Final Days of Superman".

"Universe's Finest" is a three-issue storyline (Batman/Superman #28–30) that Clark Kent as Superman and Bruce Wayne as Batman teaming up together once again to go against Lobo with additional help with the Green Lantern Corps.

"The Final Days of Superman" are two issues (Batman/Superman #31–32) in the eight-issue cross-series storyline, which focuses on Post-Flashpoint Superman and his death and eventual replacement of the Pre-Flashpoint Superman.

Tom Taylor (Batman/Superman #28–30) and Peter Tomasi (Batman/Superman #31–32) penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written moderately well. "Universe's Finest" is a nice concluding story for the duo. While "The Final Days of Superman" were just interconnecting stories of a larger crossover series and suffers from the context of the greater storyline, which made the trade paperback felt mediocre.

Robson Rocha (Batman/Superman #28–30) and Doug Mahnke (Batman/Superman #31–32) penciled the trade paperback. For the most part, the penciling was well done and their styles complemented each other rather nicely.

Overall, this Batman/Superman series was mediocre – at best. There were no breathtaking stories or none that I could remember, but mostly middle-of-the-road stories with a mixed and uneven talents in the penciling talent – it wasn't the best series nor the worst – just mediocre.

All in all, Batman/Superman: Universe's Finest is a mediocre continuation to an equally mediocre series.

[Cale · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is quite a collection to finish off the series with. The first four issues return to the more traditional Superman and Batman versions, and manage to make them shine even in a story that takes place in outer space. Batman is the Detective and Superman is the moral center in this mystery about a murdered alien and her mysterious message. The dialogue is perfectly in character for each, and the mystery goes unexpected places (even bringing in a suitable stellar crossover character for a bit). I'd rate that series 4 stars.
Unfortunately, it's followed up by two issues that are part of the Final Days of Superman. They're not bad in and of themselves (seeing Batman and Superman interact with the Great Ten is a highlight), but they're pieces of a different story and there's not enough here to judge the overall content of that. It doesn't even fit with the timeline of the rest of the collection, which is annoying.
The last issues were never published individually - they are two issues and an annual making up one large story about Superman and Batman villains switching targets. It's a decent story that has its moments, and a lot of action, but the resolution is a bit weak. And the art's not as vibrant as the other issues in the collection.
All told, I'd round the overall quality of this collection to 3 stars. The two stories that are complete here are both enjoyable, but the inclusion of the crossover issues dings the overall quality.

[Benjamin Kimble · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book there are three stories. The first one is Written by Tom Taylor with art by Robson Rocha. This was a highlight for this series and it was a fun run around space with Batman and Superman teaming up in their slightly younger years. There’s nothing super deep but Taylor really understands Superman in a way that the previous writers in the series really didn’t. Of course being Tom Taylor he has his really strong character moments that I loved. The next is two parts of a much larger final days of Superman story written by Peter J. Tomasi with art by Doug Mahnke. I like Mahnke’s style for both the characters and it works really well for a team up book. But the story was disjointed because it’s only two parts, and they aren’t even subsequent parts. They were good, Tomasi understands both of the characters on a very deep level, but it didn’t engage me as much. The final story is written by Frank Tieri. It involves the rogues gallery of each hero making a bet and switching to defeat the other hero. The premise is fine and the set up issue in a villain bar was pretty good. But each issue gave us diminishing returns. The dialogue became increasingly corny and the situations less and less believable. The also got progressively worse to the point where it felt like they just wanted to reach page count and get paid, which never produces good art. Overall being the end of the New 52 Batman/Superman title, it feels fitting.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Universe's Finest serves as the concluding saga in the team-ups between New 52 Batman and Superman. Although, in this case, it's more of a tributary than an actual end to the story. The first arc is a 3-parter about investigating the death of an alien astronaut with Lobo coming for a bounty on Batman's head. The next issues are crossovers that lead in the final Superman comic. And the last arc features rogues from both heroes teaming up to capture the leads, in an attempt to determine who's truly the greater superhero.

Both main stories take place at an unspecified time before the final Superman story, serving as a tributary to the legacy of these team-ups. The first one has a nice air of mystery and drama that plays into their roles. And the second main story is more of a gift to hard-core fans of both heroes in the Neverending argument of who's the best. The crossover comics are little forgettable due to the lack of proper placement, but still worth reading on their own. Truly, Universe's Finest shows how far their dynamics in partnership played out since the beginning. What started as an uneasy partnership, with inner conflicts and clashing personas, now leads to a system if trust and complimentary foil in how they work. This volume ends on a bright note, which, after all the duo have been through, it's worth it.

[Scott Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thankfully there were large parts of this collection that had little to do with the "Death of the New 52 Superman" storyline. I read that whole thing. Done it. Finished. This volume does have several completely disconnected issues that only tie in to other books in other collections that were part of that series, but it wasn't the full volume.

The first, three-issue story deals with Superman and Batman meeting up with a couple of giant aliens, an imprisoned daxamite, and Lobo. The story involves a murder mystery in space and Batman saying the words "banana muffin" only slightly ironically. Fun story.

The next few issues were all incoherent individually because they were random chapters in the massive "Death of the New 52 Superman" story, and given that that's truly over, with that timeline being slowly erased by Rebirth, I found it even more annoying.

The last issues are a tongue-in-cheek tweaking of the idea of various heroes' "rogues galleries." In this case, after meeting up in a bar, a bunch of Superman and Batman badies decide to switch enemies as a way of proving whose hero is better. It wasn't Kingdom Come or Watchmen or anything, but it was lots of fun.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's just about as fun as it is (1) surprising , (2) not expecting you to read other books to understand what's going on, and (3) showing the warm regard between the two protagonists.

Some of the beats I feel I've seen before. And the "Go read Superman & Wonder Woman" stuff? No, just put it in the book.

But otherwise pretty good.

Why does Batman keep calling Superman "Clark" in public? (Does Rebirth Batman actually really know pre-New 52 Superman? I think the relationship is much weirder than they let on.)

[John H · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best part of this series was the interaction between Superman and Batman, and this volume does a good job with that. Having issues 31 & 32 here was a little wonky because they are part of an 8 issue arc not contained here. I would recommend reading those in the Final Days of Superman book.

[Will Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

First few issues are a fun space murder mystery with Lobo (one of my favorite characters). Then two random issues from Final Days of Superman that don't make sense out of context. Then the last couple are an overdone story of Bats' and Supes' rogues switching to take the other on in a bet and the rogues lose.

[SarahKat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty good. I liked the first 2 stories the most. The last one where the rogues galleries of Batman and Superman take on the "other" hero was fun. I enjoyoed the banter between Batman and Superman as always.

I'm not following Superman's story line so the few that were directly related to that were good, but I hate not knowing everything leading up to that point.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very much a mixed bag, with the first set of stories involving Lobo being the best of the volume. Due to the nature of the stories collated it felt disjointed and at times puzzling. Truly for the completionist only

[Samuel Osito · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super solid read overall. Some spectacular art throughout, several great stories that don’t take themselves too seriously. Well written and well paced, and a fitting conclusion to this era of the Batman/Superman title.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun read, aside from the fact the Superman is gonna die...

[Colin Parfitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is almost very good, the first story is ok, and the final Bat villains vs Super villains is fun, but the disjointed part of Final Days of Superman midway through throws the flow completely.

[Nicolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth the price of admission for the space story, but the Final Days crossover issues make no sense out of context and the last arc was pretty dull.

[Kurt Vosper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Supes and Bats together — doesn’t get much better for this DC fan. This book contains some excellent art and some good story telling. Worth your time and money.

[starksreactor · Rating 3 out of 5]

hoping the 2020 run is a lot better .

[Aidan]

Tommy T got that planting and pay off game locked.

[Scott Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

They saved the best for last. This is exactly what I hoped for from this series.

[Dante:) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.1/5 the beginning was interesting but the later half was as interesting

[Raj Aich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two stories, one good, one okish. 3.5

[Jacob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Public library copy.

I like chapters or parts more than the whole on account this book collects different titles by different talent/creators.