Batman Superman #5 Review

The Toymaster puts Batman in a life and death game match.

This is a new arc only 4 issues in and the art signifies it. Brett Booth takes over from Jae Lee for the first story in the current New 52 timeline.

And most of the pages are doublespread, making it awkward to read!

The story is a little too action packed and the plot may leave your head scratching but it is an enjoyable read. 

SPOILERS FOLLOW.....................

So, it's Hiro as the toymaker again. Only this time he's the 'toymaster'.


Where is Winslow Scott?

Anyway, I enjoyed Hiro in the previous Superman Batman title. But this Hiro came off a little, what can I say, too high strung. While he is still a fan of the duo, he's now into video games instead of actual toys.

And he doesn't even make them? Big part of Hiro's appeal was that he was an expert with anything mechanical! And here, he uses a girl (who turns out to be plot device) for that.

First, we see him using a faux Metallo to fight Batman but is beaten. Then his (I mean, her ) nanobots infect every person on Earth for a mega game (didn't get this, but sounded more awesome when I read it) and both Batman and Superman are affected by those, leaving them more impulsive and angry.

But that is the last we see of Superman. This turns into a Batman comic as he meets up with Nightwing, who is being controlled by Hiro.

Their fight moves to Hiro's room and we finally learn that the girl was being used by Mongul (yes, that Mongul), who having been defeated previously, has come back for revenge.

And then he shoots Batman with a laser gun.

SPOILERS END..........................

Greg Park, despite some questionable characterization for the Toymaker. and Brett already make a brilliant start and the action flows so smoothly it's hard to believe this is the first issue from this combo on this title.

We get some great action pieces and while the plot is a little hard to get in the first reading, it moves very fast.

Obviously Batman fans will be drooling over this. Nightwing is there also. But readers will find Superman's relevance here minimal.

But the cliffhanger has left me wanting more and that's always a good thing.

So, I give it 8.0 out of 10

+Great art
+Title characters spot on
+Brilliant cliffhanger

-Some questionable characterization