DC Comics 11/2/21 – Batman #116, Dark Knights of Steel #1

Batman Superman Authority Special #1

Superman and The Authority have been leaving Earth seemingly for months now. Despite that tricky continuity problem, this team up with Batman is a fun use of Superman’s version of the Outsiders before their permanent trek to Warworld.

A clan of Al Ghuls has conquered their Earth in the Multiverse and Batman learns they’re coming to Earth Zero. Before they strike, Batman wants to take a proactive approach — enter Superman and The Authority.

Writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson has a very solid handle on The Authority dynamic. The team already feels like they’ve been in action for years instead of months. Manchester Black and Midnighter already seem like they will provide great comedy moments.

Kennedy also avoids making Batman the spam character that defeats everyone he encounters. Johnson also makes sure to incorporate some current events to give a better time frame for his departure.

The art is an…interesting mix. Rain Beredo, Jonathan Glapion, Trevor Hairsine and Scott Hanna tackle the Earth Zero segments while Ben Templesmith handles the bookend chapters. This doesn’t lead to the smoothest artist transition as Templesmith’s art is very unique. Hairsine’s art is rarely the most polished and clean, but he’s a master at setting the mood and properly building tension.

This special proved another worthwhile glimpse at Superman’s new team. With Warworld dead ahead, that arc is set to begin, but Johnson raised the possibility of The Authority traveling to other earths on multiverse-spanning missions. That sounds like a great premise once the Warworld arc is over.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10