Superman & Batman vs Aliens & Predators (Schultz/Olivetti, 2007)

I just couldn't resist the temptation of picking up a comic featuring 4 pop culture characters in one story. Superman & Batman vs Aliens and Predator is an apt title for a one-shot where 2 of DC's greatest take on 2 of Dark Horse's (the comic company that has the rights to the comics representing these two extraterristrials in published format). As far as storytelling and writing goes, its nothing extraordinary and probably a little too short to have any real meat (about a 100 pages or so), but that never stops it from being guilty pleasure. Predators are sighted in both Gotham city and Metropolis and Earth's mightiest heroes head off to the Andes which they track to be the source of where these creatures might be originating from.

A serviceable, though very interesting backstory, about how the Predators crash landed during the ice age and stayed underground till a present day volcanic eruption brought them to the surface, fills us up. They apparently also had alien pods to use as prey in teaching their young how to hunt and that covers the entire arc of how these 4 end up at the same place. Both Batman and Superman want to help these creatures get out of Earth alive, but a secret organization (think MIB without the cool jokes) want them exterminated. As quick and fun as it is to read (and it is a lot of fun), the real draw here is the majestic art work. Penciller Ariel Olivetti illustrates each panel with beauty and grace. Superman looks divine, Batman ruthless and the creatures aptly barbaric. Any page could be used as a poster up on the wall. With such good art and some quick witted writing (though no major developments), this is overall the stuff of fanboy fantasy, one that I can see myself reading over and over again.

Rating: 3.5/5

P.S. Take a look at the artwork below.