The current story arc of Superman/Batman is titled “Absolute Power.” The premise of Absolute Power goes like this: Three folks from the 31st century have gone back in time to change events. They take Clark from the corn field in Smallville, treat his parents rather poorly, and raise him as their own child. Along the same lines, they appear at the scene of the murder of Bruce’s parents, avenge their deaths on the spot and take a non-revenge-needing Bruce home with them, raising him and Clark as brothers, of sorts. Then they instill in their adopted sons their core values: arrogance, ambition, and fun-loving, remorseless ruthlessness. Clark and Bruce are full grown world leaders, who still don the tights to go out and kick some good-guy butt, all the while thinking they are doing the right thing. Let this be a lesson to all of you parents out there - especially those who would steal your children so that you could raise them up to reign over the planet.

Naturally, things go sour. After a cool encounter with a disgruntled Green Arrow, the boys have to deal with an unexpected attack by an unexpected, sexily done foe. The results are, well…unexpected. Now comes problems with the space/time/dimensional continuum because each time things go wrong someone (ones) in the future has to tinker with the past. Of course, past-tinkering is a skill few can harness, and we seem to be dealing with amateurs here. Although, to their credit they are dealing with a continuum messed up by some sort of mega-nuclear explosion. Thus, things go from bad to way-bad as Supes and Bats are hurled from one possible reality to the next. If you recall any of the writings by Jeph Loeb, then you know that he loves to involve every character he can pull out of a comic book encyclopedia: Enter everyone. I mean, in each reality we get to encounter heroes and villains, the likes of which we haven’t seen in decades. It is really fun, a bit silly, but fun all the same.

Issue #16 (we’re already to 16 folks!) is the third installment along this story arc. It is a wild ride featuring Kamandi and Jonah Hex. Crazy, right? But it works. There is also an appearance of Darkseid, who wields logic and truth rather than Omega beams. Most cool is the reappearance of the elder Superman, who seems to be maniacally/benevolently involved behind the scenes. It all adds up to an insane twist which will leave you knowing…that a resolution is near at hand. Some twists are just so bold that their outcomes just can’t stick. Still, reading it is so fun, you will only want more.

My complaints about the story are this: If you had a parent, as I am 90% sure you did, would you call them “Cosmic King?” I mean Supes and Bats, even while reminiscing, refer to their parents by their “hero” names: “Martian Manhunter? Can I have a glass of water?” You know? I mean, it sounds funny, right? Also, if they were the richest men on earth, living in penthouses, eating at fine restaurants, and having the whole world – anything they want – at their fingertips, why would they don their respective suits to go out and fight crime? And, though raised totally different from their original lives, they wear their original suits. Shouldn’t they wear matching suits, or something; or even no suits at all? Oh, well. These problems are minute compared to nuclear side-effects on pandeminsional existences.

The art in this book should be mentioned. I know that an artist might feel pressured following a stint by Michael Turner, but Turner is overrated, and the art in this book is excellent. Carlos Pacheco might also have as much fame if he caused a big fat legal stir, or perhaps drew teaser-type, long legged, almost-up-the-skirt, enormous-breasted pictures of women. But, this is not the Pacheco way. His style is clean, fluid, and clear. The scenes involving Kamandi are particularly excellent. Pacheco is an outstanding artist, and when the inks work right (all of issue #14, and the first half of #16) Jesus Merino renders each frame near poster-quality. Well done, guys.

Superman/Batman #16 is a must read for all comic fans, regardless of your preference for the DC or Marvel Universe. This stuff is great! Every week is a nail-biter waiting for that next month’s book. Keep the story coming Jeph, we can’t wait to get more. ("Catwoman: When in Rome" is excellent, by the way.)

Note: You must be following the Superman/Batman monthly to call yourself a man (unless of course you are larger than me.)

Note: Michael Turner is a good artist, but all of his young girls look like Mary Kate or Ashley, and his style seems so teeny-bopper, boy-bandish, that it gets annoying after a while. Except – His work on the covers of Identity Crisis was excellent. No one draws a better Hawkman!