Superman / Batman #63 - DC

This issue is also a 1 issue story. We're thrown into a world where Grodd has taken over. He's gradually manipulated his way into every living being brain, and killed off all the super-heroes. Well, all that is except for Superman and Batman. Superman he's chased off by infusing the atmosphere with Kryptonite. Batman has remained hidden from his mental prodding, and does his best to help the citizens of Gotham . . whether they ask for it or not. Basically, this is a true dictatorship. Grodd runs everything. But, occasionally . . usually a child . . with have a stray thought of freedom, to which Grodd will send in his 'goons' to 'fix' the problem. That's when the Batman strikes. He knows he can't save them, but . . he tries to give them a few more hours or days together. This has been Bruce's existence for who knows how long. Everything proceeds along 'normally' . . in a manner of speaking, until one day Alfred has a heart-attack. During the moments when he's trying to save his friends life his mental shields slip. Grodd has now found him. But Bruce hasn't just been trying to stick his finger in the dam this whole time, he's also been searching for a way for Superman to return to Earth. In this final battle, when Grodd has Batman right where he wants him . . Bruce finds out that Superman has indeed received the encoded messages he's been sending him, and has taken the anti-dote for the atmosphere. He shows up at the final second and together they take Grodd down. This is when Bruce realizes that more than removing Grodd's power, the people of Earth needed a symbol of hope. Superman is that symbol. His arrival alone has done more than Batman's been able to accomplish in years. Then we find out . . this has all been a computer simulation. "Just running some old simulations. Just think of it as a story, Alfred. One of many. As you say . . every possible eventuality. Past, present and future." That was a unique twist that I wasn't expecting. Michael Green and Mike Johnson are doing a great job with this book. I really like the things they've done in the last year or so. I'm not thrilled with Rafael Albuquerque's art, but . . at least it's better than the stuff he did for Blue Beetle. Actually . . it's ok. I just don't know that it fits this book exactly right. But, since this is one of my favorite books . . I'll live with it.