DC Comics reviews 3/25/20 – Detective Comics #1021, Suicide Squad #4

Batman Superman #8

Batman Superman’s two part saga featuring Ra’s al Ghul and General Zod ends in strong and surprising fashion while serving as a reminder that good stories don’t need to be six issues or more.

Writer Joshua Williamson seemed to have a lot of fun putting Zod against Ra’s with the lives of Kandor at stake. Using the Lazarus Pits have become a bit of a cheat, but this fixes a needless decision by Brian Michael Bendis to sacrifice the survivors of Kandor to make Rogol Zaar a credible villain. Williamson impresses here with his comprehension of DC continuity from Zod’s tenure with the Suicide Squad and other uses of the Lazarus Pit by the principal characters. And he even works in a nice gag on Zod.

Nick Derrington’s art captures that Silver Age flair and fits in well with this story’s more fantastical elements. Derrington stages some fun showcases of Zod vs. Batman,

Ra’s vs Superman and other unexpected matchups. Dave McCaig’s colors are sharp and do a terrific job of highlighting the action.

This was another fun issue in a title that hasn’t disappointed and I’m looking forward to what Williamson has in store next.

Rating: 9 out of 10