SUPERMAN / BATMAN #1 – ANNUAL – JOE KELLY – ED MCGUINNESS COVER – 2006

SUPERMAN / BATMAN #1 – ANNUAL – JOE KELLY – ED MCGUINNESS COVER – 2006

DECEMBER 2006

CHARACTERS – Superman, Batman, Deathstroke, Ultraman, Owlman, Lois Lane, Superwoman, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Bart Allen, Beast Boy, Deadpool, Kon-El, Savior

STORYLINE – Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One

This whole story happens before the Batman/Superman teamups, and this is Slade’s first try in the Deathstroke costume. This Deathstroke has a resemblance to and acts like the Marvel Comics character Deadpool and makes a few references to him.

The story opens up with Slade being hired to kill Bruce Wayne. He mentions a “costume” that he wants to try out. We later find out that he is referring to his Deathstroke outfit. Meanwhile, Superman and Batman are in Metropolis, battling alternate versions of themselves–and some other Justice Leaguers–that seemed to have arrived there via inter-dimensional rift. They send them back to their dimension, and have a lovely chat about their secret identities. Batman says that he is looking through every college yearbook, and that HE WILL FIND that chin. Superman compliments Batman on the lead-lined cowl.

Moments (pages) later we see Clark Kent and Lois Lane, preparing to go on a short cruise for an article about the cruiseship. Later we find out, just by coincidence, that Bruce Wayne is on the same cruise. A computer error puts Clark and Bruce in the same room. At dinnertime that night, we see Slade drop two pills (presumably poisoned) into Bruce Wayne’s Martini. However, before he can drink it, the glass explodes from a nanosecond blast of heat vision from across the room (winkwink), so short that nobody can see it. Later that night, we see a very awkward scene involving Clark and Bruce sharing a bed.

Then, the night is shattered by a scream. They both start making excuses so they can go out and “suit up” without the other one noticing. Then, Bruce takes the offensive, trying to shoot Clark with a tranquilizer dart. Naturally, it bounces off, and something clicks in Wayne’s head–the chin. At this point, Deadpool jumps in (but DC won’t admit it is him because Deadpool is a Marvel character). He jumps in front of a window, behind which is Slade, with a gun. He shoots Deadpool.

PUBLISHER – DC COMICS

WRITER – Joe Kelly

INTERIOR ART – Ed McGuinness, Ryan Ottley, Sean Murphy, Carlo Barberi

COVER ART – Ed McGuinness

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST