REVIEW: Superman/Batman - The Search for Kryptonite

Written by Michael Green and penciled by Shane Davis, The Search for Kryptonite is a great standalone story for any fan of Bats or Supes. It originally appeared in 2008 in issues #44-49 of Superman/Batman and was reprinted in a collected edition a year later. The story is fairly simple - there's an unusually large amount of kryptonite on Earth, and Superman comes to the realization that in order for him to be what the world needs, he has to to rid the planet completely of it. He obviously can't do it alone, so Supes asks Batman for help in his search. But the task isn't as easy as the two men originally think, and there's plenty that stands in their way.
 

The idea is actually one that surprisingly hasn't been done until now. Why not rid the world of kryptonite? And who else would Superman ask but Batman, the one person he trusts the most (and with the resources) to do it? Michael Green's script is a fun read. It's an especially good book for casual comic book readers, as there's no real continuity here, just a good standalone story featuring the classic relationship and characteristics of the Dark Knight and Man of Steel. Green's use of the dual inner monologue balloons of Superman and Batman really shows the readers how much differently the two heroes think and react to the situation. There's a great balance of action and story, and it's paced very well. I usually find myself putting graphic novels down after a few pages but I found myself wanting to continue reading frequently.

Unfortunately, the story is wrapped up almost too easily. I won't spoil the details here, but the book's final conflict is a pretty big one, and it didn't take much for our heroes to solve, with some help from the new Toyman and a random cameo from...Power Girl?? Despite this, the story is still good as a whole and definitely worth the read. The last page of the book is an eye opener and will leave readers thinking....what if?

The art is what I liked most about this book. Shane Davis's work is excellent. Seeing the DC Direct action figures based on his work is what made me want to check this story out. He draws a great Superman, and I particularly enjoyed his renditions of kid-versions of the Justice League (that Superman begins to see after being exposed to magically affected white kryptonite).

THE GOOD: A good story starring Superman and Batman working together. What more do you need?

THE BAD: The final conflict is resolved too easily.

THE ART: Simply excellent. I love Shane Davis's Superman. The kid-versions of the Justice League is an added treat.

FINAL GRADE: A-

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