DC/Marvel; $7.99  

Batman and Deadpool are back together for the second one-shot in DC and Marvel’s two-issue crossover starring the Caped Crusader and the Merc with a Mouth. It starts with Batman on a case to find a very dangerous, powerful artifact that can change reality. Enter Deadpool with handy exposition and fourth wall breaks, and the team-up begins. The reality distorting weapon sends them through a trippy sequence, including a hotel lobby filled with Marvel/DC Easter eggs, before they finally meet the puppet master of their intercompany crossover. 

Like the Deadpool/Batman book, it’s clear that the creative team of writer Grant Morrison, artist Dan Mora, and colorist Alejandro Sánchez had a lot of fun crafting the book. Morrison is well known for his work in Batman comics, so his Dark Knight is spot on as the detective figures out what is happening and uses his defensive skills in a truly impressive way. But Morrison also nailed Wade Wilson’s personality and sense of humor with the right amount of jokes and penchant for gratuitous violence.  

Mora and Sánchez similarly captured the essence of both characters. There are pages with the shadowy drama of Batman and others with the energetic chaos of Deadpool. Since reality is being manipulated, the artists created multiple unique settings and interpreted characters from both companies very well.  

The back-up stories pair John Constantine and Doctor Strange, Nightwing and Laura Kinney/Wolverine, Harley Quinn and the Incredible Hulk, and Static and Ms. Marvel. The matchups work well, giving each one a defined tone that fits nicely with the characters. Stories go from a magical ego standoff to a bonding tale about being heroes. A goofy character annoys a grumpy one, and it ends with a sweet story about young heroes saving the neighborhood.  

–Amanda Sheriff