Every once in a while we need to be reminded of what makes the ideal comic book. We has readers can nitpick every little detail and not give the subject full credit where credit is due. Especially in the case of comic books, where readers have a long history or continuity to choose from, a reviewer can become bitter or jaded regarding ideas presented compared to what has been done before.

In the case of the “Supergirl from Krypton” story arc from Superman/Batman issues 8-13 now represented in this glorious hardcover, Jeph Loeb has a tough assignment. He already writes characters with huge histories attached and does it impeccably (i.e. Superman and Batman). He then has to take a character that has a long history, has already seen life, death, rebirth and alternate reality, and yet again recreate for an audience old and new. Jeph Loeb goes back to basics. His Supergirl is the cousin of stalwart Superman. She hails from Krypton, making her one of the most powerful beings ever. That is where Loeb really shines in his storytelling. Superman wants to protect her, Batman doesn’t trust her, Wonder Woman needs to train her and Darkseid wants her for his own! The dynamic involved in solving these conflicts is what sets this book above others.

An impressive aspect is the amount of detail given to every character developed throughout the storyline, and yet while longtime fans will cheer at certain details or added appearances, the story is written in such a way that readers don’t need to have an extensive knowledge of characters like Mister Miracle or Big Barda to understand the tale. They will receive the perfect amount of information needed to drive the story forward and just may leave them wanting more. Jeph Loeb also does something that I hope teaches other writers a lesson: If you want to use a major character(s), please do your homework! Don’t just take a character because he or she would be cool to add name value to and then do whatever you want with them without respecting their heritage. In the forward to the book, Loeb acknowledges needing help with Darkseid and the Apokolips mythos. He obtains that help and the story benefits from it.

Michael Turner’s art is perfect! As clichéd as it sounds, every panel is a visual tour de force. A particular detail to note is that he is a genius at individual character design. Many artists, even acclaimed ones, have many similarities in their character builds, be it facial design or body type. Michael Turner appears to have really thought out his character designs. His Supergirl looks young, uncertain, waif-like. His Wonder Woman is tall, built, powerful yet also sensual. Neither Supergirl nor Wonder Woman have the same body type and Turner reflects this. Same applies towards his Superman and Batman. His Batman is finely honed, but nowhere near as muscular as his Superman which is the way it should be. It’s nice to see individuality even in a single artist’s work.

Every once in a while a masterpiece comes along that can appease longtime readers and also help introduce comics to new readers. This second volume of Superman/Batman fits that bill perfectly.