Subject Matter
Genres:
superhero
Character(s):
Superman; Doctor Helen Phelps; Terri Chung; Sheng Fan [Vandal Savage]; Ajhn (cameo); Crimson Avenger (in comic book); Iron Munro (in comic book)
Synopsis:
Superman continues walking across the country, visiting Ogden, Utah, where he rescues an archeologist who is about to be run over. She takes him back to her dig, which they are about to be evicted from. Batman summons Superman, and they reminisce about their first team-up in Bhutran before they became heroes against Vandal Savage. After that, they talk, with Batman giving Superman a pep talk. He also reveals he just bought the dig site from the owner so the dig can continue.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:
Miscellaneous
Pages:
20
Notes:
Story continued from the previous issue, and continues in the next issue.
This is not a co-writer situation, Roberson is working from Straczynski's plots; they gave him a rough outline that JMS had turned in for the remaining issues of the Grounded arc, which amounted to a sentence or two for each of the issues, spelling out in general terms where the issue would take place geographically, specific guest stars, etc.
Batman's references to "business with Magpie" and "share a room on the Varanian Princess" refer to two other "first meetings" between Superman and Batman. The former was in The Man of Steel (DC, 1986 series) #3 (November 1986) and the latter in Superman (DC, 1939 series) #76 (May-June 1952).
Bruce's mention of stopping in Smallville on his way across the country was shown in Superman / Batman Secret Files 2003 (DC, 2003 series) #[nn] (November 2003).
On page 14, the scene where Superman is lifting a green tank while someone in the foreground screams appears to be an homage to the cover of Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #1.