Superman: Speeding Bullets

Title:	Superman: Speeding Bullets
Contributors:	J. M. DeMatties Eduardo Barreto
Publisher:	DC
Issue #:	1
Year:	2005 - 2006
Pages:	32 Pages
Age Rating:	13+ (Violence, Gore, Adult Themes)
Story Grade:	A
Art Grade:	A

It's a Bird... It's a plane... No... It's Batman. This is a tried and true "what if?" story that tells what would have happened if Kal-El had crashed outside of Gotham City and was found by the Wayne's, instead of the Kent's of Kansas. The question that this graphic novel answers is what if Kal-El was Bruce Wayne, the Wayne's deciding to not have a child of their own after finding the alien baby.

A good friend of mine, Casey Ocupe, of Northwest Comic Fest, loaned me a copy of this book. Not being a reader of Batman or Superman, I took it begrudgingly, but am I glad I did as this is a fantastic story from start to end.

Because of one change of events, who found Kal-El after he crash landed on Earth, elements of Gotham and Metropolis merge. Lex Luthor owns the daily planet and he fires Lois Lane and Perry White, both of whom are hired by Bruce Wayne to run and write for his paper. Lex makes a move on Gotham.

Ultimately this story comes down to the question of nature versus nurture. Does the wholesome man of good become the avenging Dark Night or can he overcome the pain of losing his parents and retain the goodness deep inside of him? It is a riveting story that asks the question, "Could Superman ever become Batman, even for one day?"

The artwork is a dark and dreamy mix of film-noir mixed with classic comic styles. Barreto brings a real style to this book and it works well with the story being told. I am now a lifelong fan of Barreto's artwork.

I want to thank Casey for loaning me this book. It was a fantastic experience worthy of the A grade I have given it.

Until next time... Think about what one difference in your life you would have liked and how it might have changed so many other things as well.