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The Greatest Stories Ever Told
Superman/Batman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told
Written by Edmond Hamilton, Jeph Loeb and others Art by Curt Swan, Ed McGuinness and othersCover by Alex Ross Collecting the best team-ups between the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight, from the pages of SUPERMAN #76, WORLD'S FINEST COMICS #142, 159, 176, 207, MAN OF STEEL #3, BATMAN & SUPERMAN: WORLD'S FINEST #7, SUPERMAN/BATMAN SECRET FILES 2003 and SUPERMAN/BATMAN ANNUAL #! Advance-solicited; on sale March 14 - 192 pg, FC, $19.99 US
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
3 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
John Byrne
2,954 books359 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
John Lindley Byrne is a British-born Canadian-American author and artist of comic books. Since the mid-1970s, Byrne has worked on nearly every major American superhero.
Byrne's better-known work has been on Marvel Comics' X-Men and Fantastic Four and the 1986 relaunch of DC Comics’ Superman franchise. Coming into the comics profession exclusively as a penciler, Byrne began co-plotting the X-Men comics during his tenure on them, and launched his writing career in earnest with Fantastic Four (where he also started inking his own pencils). During the 1990s he produced a number of creator-owned works, including Next Men and Danger Unlimited. He also wrote the first issues of Mike Mignola's Hellboy series and produced a number of Star Trek comics for IDW Publishing.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
John Lindley Byrne is a British-born Canadian-American author and artist of comic books. Since the mid-1970s, Byrne has worked on nearly every major American superhero.
Byrne's better-known work has been on Marvel Comics' X-Men and Fantastic Four and the 1986 relaunch of DC Comics’ Superman franchise. Coming into the comics profession exclusively as a penciler, Byrne began co-plotting the X-Men comics during his tenure on them, and launched his writing career in earnest with Fantastic Four (where he also started inking his own pencils). During the 1990s he produced a number of creator-owned works, including Next Men and Danger Unlimited. He also wrote the first issues of Mike Mignola's Hellboy series and produced a number of Star Trek comics for IDW Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 18, 2018
Usually I have a hard time reading older comics but I actually never got bored reading this. I loved seeing how Bruce and Clark came to know each other's secret identities and I loved seeing their partnership.
Bruce, the extreme loner, actually trusts Clark enough that he's welcome at the Batcave. Bruce and Dick are welcome at the Fortress of Solitude. I loved the issue where Clark kidnaps Bruce and they discuss the morality of Bruce wanting to kill the Joker for killing Jason Todd and crippling Barbara Gordon. The fact that even Alfred thought there would be no getting through to Bruce but Clark took his chances anyway. I love that his solution was to bring Bruce to Smallville, as well.
I will say the ending of one of the stories felt like a cop out. Here's Composite Superman who appears to have no trouble defeating Superman and Batman so of course his powers are drained and he gets amnesia so he can't charge up again. That was pretty meh.
I adored the last story! I was sure it was a retcon of the first one but they made it even better. Instead being stuck sharing a room with 2 beds, they're stuck in a single. That was hilarious! Seeing Clark and Bruce bicker before realizing they're Batman and Superman was great. I loved their banter and how petty they were being. Lois was a bit better in this version because there was less of a plot surrounding Bruce and Clark treating her like a trophy. There was some problematic language, including the use of the "r" word, but overall, I loved the story.
I totally recommend this to anyone wanting to know more about Batman and Superman's partnership.
Bruce, the extreme loner, actually trusts Clark enough that he's welcome at the Batcave. Bruce and Dick are welcome at the Fortress of Solitude. I loved the issue where Clark kidnaps Bruce and they discuss the morality of Bruce wanting to kill the Joker for killing Jason Todd and crippling Barbara Gordon. The fact that even Alfred thought there would be no getting through to Bruce but Clark took his chances anyway. I love that his solution was to bring Bruce to Smallville, as well.
I will say the ending of one of the stories felt like a cop out. Here's Composite Superman who appears to have no trouble defeating Superman and Batman so of course his powers are drained and he gets amnesia so he can't charge up again. That was pretty meh.
I adored the last story! I was sure it was a retcon of the first one but they made it even better. Instead being stuck sharing a room with 2 beds, they're stuck in a single. That was hilarious! Seeing Clark and Bruce bicker before realizing they're Batman and Superman was great. I loved their banter and how petty they were being. Lois was a bit better in this version because there was less of a plot surrounding Bruce and Clark treating her like a trophy. There was some problematic language, including the use of the "r" word, but overall, I loved the story.
I totally recommend this to anyone wanting to know more about Batman and Superman's partnership.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2009
This is sort of a perfect collection for this fandom because it ranges from way back in the day when Robin used to say things like "Holy Santa Clause" through the death of Jason, and ends with an awesome remix of the original story. Excellent if you have some minor understanding of the basic course of DC comics over the last fifty years, but maybe haven't been to the comic book shop in a while. And by that I mean, if you think Robin is named Dick Grayson, this is not for you. Otherwise it's perfect. Indeed, there's none of that irritating Infinite Crisis stuff we all hate so much.
November 23, 2024
This one is great!
It has a nice compilation/variety of tales from over the decades. I enjoyed it.
Happy Reading, everybody!
It has a nice compilation/variety of tales from over the decades. I enjoyed it.
Happy Reading, everybody!
March 23, 2016
I think your view of Superman/Batman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told is going to depend on what era of the stories of Superman and Batman you enjoy. For the most part these collections are a bit of a nostalgia trip, so if you find yourself liking simpler, more kid friendly stories, the Edmund Hamilton stories from this collection are right up your alley. However, after Crisis on Infinite Earths DC decided to go more gritty, highlighting the differences between the methods Superman and Batman employ while battling their foes, and this is highlighted by the inclusion of Man of Steel #3, which is part of John Byrne's brilliant re-introduction of Superman post-Crisis, and of course should be included in this collection. There isn't anything here that's really groundbreaking, but it is a fun ride and for the most part a different take on the Superman/Batman relationship than I am expecting from the forthcoming Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice film.
February 17, 2022
I like to "know my roots" so to speak, when it comes to comics and I have been sorely lacking when it comes to the DC universe. I've said it other places, but I'll make the note here as well, when I was younger, I couldn't stand DC comics. I had this perception that they sucked and that the heroes were rip offs of Marvel characters. I'm not entirely sure what put this into my head. Maybe it was Wizard magazine, or simply the fact that I found Marvel comics first, but I generally avoided DC comics unless there was a particularly heralded storyline (Watchmen, Dark Knight Returns).
Anyway, I've always liked Batman, but in general, I've always seen Superman as a big blue boy scout and he, as a hero, kind of bores me. This particular TPB found it's way into my hands after a trip to a yard sale uncovered a gigantic stack of DC comics which I was able to acquire for $100. I've read a few of these "Greatest Stories Ever Told" collections and the name is an obvious misnomer, but it is a really good intro to the character team up. I like to think of this as a 101 class on the subject.
If you have no interest in golden/silver age comics, then much of this is going to be a waste for you. You won't care for most of the art and most of the stories will be too silly. If you do enjoy silver age comics, then I encourage you to pick this up as well as others in the overall DC "Greatest Stories" collection.
Anyway, I've always liked Batman, but in general, I've always seen Superman as a big blue boy scout and he, as a hero, kind of bores me. This particular TPB found it's way into my hands after a trip to a yard sale uncovered a gigantic stack of DC comics which I was able to acquire for $100. I've read a few of these "Greatest Stories Ever Told" collections and the name is an obvious misnomer, but it is a really good intro to the character team up. I like to think of this as a 101 class on the subject.
If you have no interest in golden/silver age comics, then much of this is going to be a waste for you. You won't care for most of the art and most of the stories will be too silly. If you do enjoy silver age comics, then I encourage you to pick this up as well as others in the overall DC "Greatest Stories" collection.
August 20, 2025
Pretty good collection of Batman and Superman stories and of course; love the cover art by Alex Ross (as always).
The best ones for me were the stories where Batman and Superman face a hoax alien threat in “The Superman-Batman Split”; and “A Better World” where Superman tries to help Batman’s feelings of guilt after Jason Todd’s death.
It was great reading these classic issues of the two characters first interactions and how their friendship changed over years of comics history.
Would recommend this book!
The best ones for me were the stories where Batman and Superman face a hoax alien threat in “The Superman-Batman Split”; and “A Better World” where Superman tries to help Batman’s feelings of guilt after Jason Todd’s death.
It was great reading these classic issues of the two characters first interactions and how their friendship changed over years of comics history.
Would recommend this book!
July 9, 2018
This collection of Superman / Batman team up stories is mostly filled with silver age tales that barely make sense (Perry White & Commissioner Gordon become bad guys by accidentally inhaling mysterious alien gas inside the Fortress of Solitude), but they're still entertaining. My favorite was the last, and most modern, story: Stop Me If You've Heard This One writren by Joe Kelly.
July 31, 2020
My pop culture education has a huge hole in the superheroes category, and i was tired of being ignorant, so I started with this. I'll try some Marvel comics too. It was interesting seeing Superman/Batman becoming more sophisticated through the years. Overall, this isn't really my kind of thing, but at least I know about it now.
September 20, 2017
it was a amazing book my rating was 5/5. one of the parts was really weird and confusing. I won't give away any spoilers, but it starts on page 31.
March 6, 2018
A truly solid collection here. There were a few I don't recall reading.
June 6, 2023
Not the greatest stories, as the title claims. However, it's still a fun read plus the cover is amazingly done by Alex Ross.
December 3, 2023
This was a good publication looking at some great stories, whether new or old.
January 11, 2024
Some good stories in here, especially the first few.
June 4, 2016
Superman and Batman, two of the most enduring names in Superhero fiction and the two most teamed up.
This book collects eleven stories featuring these characters.
We have the must-include, "The Mightiest Team in the World" from 1952 which features the first meeting of Superman and Batman on board a cruisliner. The villain's nothing to write home about but this is a fun story.
"Superman and Batman's Greatest Foes" from 1957 has Superman and Batman v. Lex Luthor and the Joker. It's a fun, very packed 12 page story.
The next two stories, "The Composite Superman" (featuring a villain who is Half Superman and Half Batman) and "The Cape and Cowl Crooks" (featuring the duo battling a team of villains with similar powers.) are okay, but could probably be easily substituted for any other early-to-mid-1960s World's Finest story, and one of them probably should have been given that their plots seemed somewhat similar.
"The Superman-Batman Split" has Superman and Batman fighting against each other as Superman stands with one alien hunting down a criminal, and Batman sides with a criminal who has another side of the story. Batgirl, Supergirl, Robin, and Jimmy Olsen are drawn into the fight, though it doesn't turn out to be necessary because Superman and Batman are acting silver age. The Art of Neal Adams is a real highlight here. I'd read this in a Black and White showcase and this is one case where the color does make a difference.
Then we have 1971's, "A Matter of Life and Death" which has Clark Kent trying to hire a hitman to kill Superman. The story ends up involving magic and Doctor Light. It's interesting and a little confusing. Not really sure it belongs in a, "Greatest Stories" book.
The first post-crisis story is 1986's, "One Night in Gotham" which records Superman's efforts to bring Batman in and how they two end up teaming up instead. The story is important and belongs here and sets up so much of the conflict between the two characters in the modern era
Follow that is, "A Better World," a story that definitely doesn't belong. Set after the death of Jason Todd and Superman's killing of some aliens in space, he and Batman have a heart to heart. This type of story can be done right, but this story just feels like a filler.
Ditto for the two page story, "When Clark Met Bruce," a somewhat pointless story that imagines a young Clark Kent seeing Bruce Wayne in a limo and deciding he was probably too rich to want to come over and play ball. The only thing significant about the story is that Comic superteam Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale collaborated on it. This continue's a trend of having a story each collection that's only there because of the creators.
Finally, there's "Stop Me If You've Heard This One," a fairly recent tale from the Superman/Batman Annual that imagines the two's meeting on a modern cruise liner.The 40 page story is a blast. The secret identities are played a bit broadly (particularly Wayne's rich guy smugness.) but the story is a blast filled with alternate selves, interdimensional mind-twisting. This is a really fun story and despite its more recent vintage, it still fits nicely.
Overall, this book is enjoyable. While there are some weak tales, this book manages to capture the essence of this great team up and provide some fairly interesting stories featuring them.
This book collects eleven stories featuring these characters.
We have the must-include, "The Mightiest Team in the World" from 1952 which features the first meeting of Superman and Batman on board a cruisliner. The villain's nothing to write home about but this is a fun story.
"Superman and Batman's Greatest Foes" from 1957 has Superman and Batman v. Lex Luthor and the Joker. It's a fun, very packed 12 page story.
The next two stories, "The Composite Superman" (featuring a villain who is Half Superman and Half Batman) and "The Cape and Cowl Crooks" (featuring the duo battling a team of villains with similar powers.) are okay, but could probably be easily substituted for any other early-to-mid-1960s World's Finest story, and one of them probably should have been given that their plots seemed somewhat similar.
"The Superman-Batman Split" has Superman and Batman fighting against each other as Superman stands with one alien hunting down a criminal, and Batman sides with a criminal who has another side of the story. Batgirl, Supergirl, Robin, and Jimmy Olsen are drawn into the fight, though it doesn't turn out to be necessary because Superman and Batman are acting silver age. The Art of Neal Adams is a real highlight here. I'd read this in a Black and White showcase and this is one case where the color does make a difference.
Then we have 1971's, "A Matter of Life and Death" which has Clark Kent trying to hire a hitman to kill Superman. The story ends up involving magic and Doctor Light. It's interesting and a little confusing. Not really sure it belongs in a, "Greatest Stories" book.
The first post-crisis story is 1986's, "One Night in Gotham" which records Superman's efforts to bring Batman in and how they two end up teaming up instead. The story is important and belongs here and sets up so much of the conflict between the two characters in the modern era
Follow that is, "A Better World," a story that definitely doesn't belong. Set after the death of Jason Todd and Superman's killing of some aliens in space, he and Batman have a heart to heart. This type of story can be done right, but this story just feels like a filler.
Ditto for the two page story, "When Clark Met Bruce," a somewhat pointless story that imagines a young Clark Kent seeing Bruce Wayne in a limo and deciding he was probably too rich to want to come over and play ball. The only thing significant about the story is that Comic superteam Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale collaborated on it. This continue's a trend of having a story each collection that's only there because of the creators.
Finally, there's "Stop Me If You've Heard This One," a fairly recent tale from the Superman/Batman Annual that imagines the two's meeting on a modern cruise liner.The 40 page story is a blast. The secret identities are played a bit broadly (particularly Wayne's rich guy smugness.) but the story is a blast filled with alternate selves, interdimensional mind-twisting. This is a really fun story and despite its more recent vintage, it still fits nicely.
Overall, this book is enjoyable. While there are some weak tales, this book manages to capture the essence of this great team up and provide some fairly interesting stories featuring them.
October 27, 2015
This is a great collection of defining stories of The World's Finest team of Superman and Batman. There are three stories that I had never read before and hadn't seen collected anywhere else. Two of the three stand out.
The first one is "The Cape and Cowl Crooks", by Edmond Hamilton from World's Finest Comics 159, August 1966. The story falls between the first and second season of the Batman television series. The Daily Planet editor Perry White is doing a feature on the duo; and, along with Commissioner Gordon, gets access to the Fortress of Solitude and the Batcave and all their secrets. Suddenly a pair of new rogues emerge - Anti-Superman and Anti-Batman.
With all the riffs on The Man of Steel and The Dark Knight, what they come up with is Anti-Superman and Anti-Batman. It's hilarious, wacky fun. The reveal is a bit complicated.
The other story that stands out is "The Superman-Batman Split!" by Cary Bates and Neal Adams from Worlds Finest Comics 176, June 1968. An alien posing as an actor learns Clark Kent's identity as Superman and enlists The Man of Steel's help to elude assassins. Meanwhile, in the Batcave, alien law-enforcement from the same home planet claim the alien an imposter and a wanted fugitive. Batman summons Supergirl; Superman drafts Batgirl. Robin and Jimmy Olsen solve the puzzle, but are put out of commission until the dilemma is solved by the World's Finest duo. It's almost mindful of that Star Trek episode, "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield".
It would have been nice if the covers from the issues had been included along with the stories.
If you are looking for something as a primer for the upcoming World's Finest film, this is the book to pick up.
The first one is "The Cape and Cowl Crooks", by Edmond Hamilton from World's Finest Comics 159, August 1966. The story falls between the first and second season of the Batman television series. The Daily Planet editor Perry White is doing a feature on the duo; and, along with Commissioner Gordon, gets access to the Fortress of Solitude and the Batcave and all their secrets. Suddenly a pair of new rogues emerge - Anti-Superman and Anti-Batman.
With all the riffs on The Man of Steel and The Dark Knight, what they come up with is Anti-Superman and Anti-Batman. It's hilarious, wacky fun. The reveal is a bit complicated.
The other story that stands out is "The Superman-Batman Split!" by Cary Bates and Neal Adams from Worlds Finest Comics 176, June 1968. An alien posing as an actor learns Clark Kent's identity as Superman and enlists The Man of Steel's help to elude assassins. Meanwhile, in the Batcave, alien law-enforcement from the same home planet claim the alien an imposter and a wanted fugitive. Batman summons Supergirl; Superman drafts Batgirl. Robin and Jimmy Olsen solve the puzzle, but are put out of commission until the dilemma is solved by the World's Finest duo. It's almost mindful of that Star Trek episode, "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield".
It would have been nice if the covers from the issues had been included along with the stories.
If you are looking for something as a primer for the upcoming World's Finest film, this is the book to pick up.
September 7, 2008
Really? The greatest? Most of these seem to involve Batman and Superman having to face down villains who somehow have—gasp!—the powers of Batman and Superman combined! (Um. Not that Batman really has any powers…) They are mostly pretty boring. There’s also one where Lex Luthor and the Joker team up to commit the horrendous crime…of stealing. My stars! Man, comics used to be tame.
It would also be nice if someone, at some point, could figure out a way to draw Clark and Bruce so that out of costume, they don't look exactly alike.
However, there were two stories in this collection that I did enjoy. The first is the first ever canonical meeting of Batman and Superman, in which they each decide to go on a cruise and, due to the cruiseline’s error, end up having to share a cabin. (Seriously.) The second is a recent retelling of that first meeting, with the addition of flashier art and some alternate universe shenanigans. And also Clark and Bruce in bed together. *snerk*
All right, so not the greatest, but those two were pretty darn fun.
It would also be nice if someone, at some point, could figure out a way to draw Clark and Bruce so that out of costume, they don't look exactly alike.
However, there were two stories in this collection that I did enjoy. The first is the first ever canonical meeting of Batman and Superman, in which they each decide to go on a cruise and, due to the cruiseline’s error, end up having to share a cabin. (Seriously.) The second is a recent retelling of that first meeting, with the addition of flashier art and some alternate universe shenanigans. And also Clark and Bruce in bed together. *snerk*
All right, so not the greatest, but those two were pretty darn fun.
January 25, 2015
Tenhle komiks v prvé řadě klame názvem a v knihovně odrazoval i ošklivý cover (sorry Rossi). Pokud tohle mají být ty nej příběhy Báti a Supíka, tak potěš koště. On je to ale spíš výběr, který mapuje (asi) klíčové příběhy této dvojice - první setkání, první týmovku Jokera a Luthora, první setkání po rebootu, moderní remake prvního setkání atp. Prostě takovej myšmaš, za kterej jsem byl rád, protože DC nečtu a jinak bych se k tomu nedostal.
Největším zážitkem pro mě byly příběhy z padesátek - ty byly tak blbý, až to byly skvělý a u scény, kdy náhodou zjistí svoje tajné identity jsem se řezal smíchy. S postupem času jsou příběhy víc vážně a spadají do průměrné kategorie - není to špatné, ale zároveň nic světoborného. Snad až na ten poslední od Kellyho, kterej byl dost zmatečnej, mě bavily všechny.
Pokud bych hodnotil jen kvalitu příběhů, tak dám 3*. Čtvrtou přidávám za celkovou exkurzi do komiksového historie, za kterou jsem byl jako neDCčkář vděčný a za kouzlo těch padesátkových pitomin. Docela teď lituju, že jsem si nepůjčil staré Batmany.
Největším zážitkem pro mě byly příběhy z padesátek - ty byly tak blbý, až to byly skvělý a u scény, kdy náhodou zjistí svoje tajné identity jsem se řezal smíchy. S postupem času jsou příběhy víc vážně a spadají do průměrné kategorie - není to špatné, ale zároveň nic světoborného. Snad až na ten poslední od Kellyho, kterej byl dost zmatečnej, mě bavily všechny.
Pokud bych hodnotil jen kvalitu příběhů, tak dám 3*. Čtvrtou přidávám za celkovou exkurzi do komiksového historie, za kterou jsem byl jako neDCčkář vděčný a za kouzlo těch padesátkových pitomin. Docela teď lituju, že jsem si nepůjčil staré Batmany.
April 4, 2014
This is a grab bag of stories from the different “ages” of comics, and the storytelling and art definitely reflect that.
It made me really appreciate the more adult/serious tones of more modern comics. While the older stories definitely have their merits, the original meeting between Batman and Superman is full of little details that kept me from really enjoying it beyond its historical significance. The way Lois is treated and the kiddie book explanations throughout were annoying, yet I appreciate how the story planted the seed for the great stories that followed.
On the other side of the scale, the more modern version of the first meeting was really complex and required a broader knowledge of the DC world at that point in time that might have made it more difficult for the average/casual reader to really enjoy.
In the end, I really enjoyed seeing how Batman and Superman have evolved, but that was pretty much the best I can say about this book.
It made me really appreciate the more adult/serious tones of more modern comics. While the older stories definitely have their merits, the original meeting between Batman and Superman is full of little details that kept me from really enjoying it beyond its historical significance. The way Lois is treated and the kiddie book explanations throughout were annoying, yet I appreciate how the story planted the seed for the great stories that followed.
On the other side of the scale, the more modern version of the first meeting was really complex and required a broader knowledge of the DC world at that point in time that might have made it more difficult for the average/casual reader to really enjoy.
In the end, I really enjoyed seeing how Batman and Superman have evolved, but that was pretty much the best I can say about this book.
February 5, 2025
Some of this is pretty good, but a lot of it is not "the greatest stories ever told". I think the world's finest stories should be in here with things like composite superman, and I liked the story about the actor who wanted to fool batman and superman from the 70s. Even byrnes crossover with the dark knight in man of steel series made sense to be featured here. But the ed mcguinness one did not deserve to be here. That shit was bad bad bad. Its not even close to the best story McGuiness did on superman/batman. The len wein written story was also lacking in my opinion. So yes, some of these are really great, but there's a lot to be desired here
December 4, 2007
so far this book has been good its about superman and batman an a litle action of robin fighting crime and solving cases at any time.
December 9, 2011
Not a huge fan of superman. This book does nothing to fix that.
July 31, 2012
Not really a graphic novel ... really just a collection of stories that included both Superman and Batman.
May 14, 2017
Great overview of their comic book relationship over the years.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews