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Superman/Batman: Torment by Alan Burnett, Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs
01/07/2008 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
pub: Titan/DC comics. 160 page graphic novel. Price: £ 8.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-84576-741-9. Buy Superman/Batman: Torment in the USA - or Buy Superman/Batman: Torment in the UK  check out website: www.titanbooks.comand www.dccomics.com
This book reprints the 'Torment' story from last year's Superman/Batman # 37-42. Superman runs foul of Desaad who literally mindwipes him to become a pawn for his master, Darkseid. After bashing around Luthor and the Scarecrow and with the aid of Barda's motherbox, the Batman is in hot pursuit.
Not quite to Apokolips but some place quite close to the source wall. One slight problem, a brainwashed Superman is more than a match for him and Bekka, Orion's wife, has to restore him to health, neatly sorting out some of his own previous injury scars at the same time. Batman also finds himself falling in love with her, finding it hard to resist when he discovers that's one of her powers. Together, they work to defeat Darkseid with Batman hoping the result will also free the Man of Steel.
If anything, this is more a Batman tale than a full team-up. With Superman being waylaid, this also shows his vulnerability to mind games rather graphically. The fact that he knows little about what is happening until the end nearly turns him into an outsider. There is also an under-current that things are falling apart in the realm of the New Gods even without seeing any other stories about them.
I often feel matching these two super-heroes up as an uneven balancing act even in its recent incarnation. Against Darkseid or even his minions, they are both at a disadvantage making for a rather interesting tale. Nguyen's artwork is rather on the solid side but this tends to give it a more Kirbisique feel even if Darkseid doesn't give quite the air of menace presence.
Certainly, it's more effective off-Earth than in Metropolis or Gotham City. Interestingly, the back section shows layouts for the covers and a study sheet of Bekka showing a more moderate tone suggesting he worked to the reality. Writer Alan Burnett paces the story well and makes for an interesting read.
GF Willmetts
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