I recently had the opportunity to check out Bruce Wayne: Not Super from DC Comics. The story is from Stuart Gibbs and the artwork is from Berat Pekmezci, and it is obviously about Batman.
The middle-grade graphic novel follows a teenage Cape Crusader going to school with every other DC character. Heroes and villains all going to school together is a funny concept that I think is pulled off well here.
What’s the joke about Batman? He’s just a rich kid with no powers, so what happens when he goes to a prep school with Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Arrow, etc.? Bruce has to come to grip with having no powers and how that affects his daily interactions with his classmates.
Bruce’s alienation at being powerless directly conflicts with his goal of being a vigilante hero for Gotham City. His camaraderie with Dick Grayson (Robin) helps him work through his feelings on wanting to be Ratman Badgerman Ferretman Batman.
Aging adult characters down to young teens can come with their own difficulties, but I think Pekmezci nailed it. The artwork is very good throughout this book.
It may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but I really dig these “Elseworlds” stories that place the heroes in completely weird situations. And, what’s weirder than a middle/high school full of super-powered kids!
Clearly, I wasn’t the intended audience for this book, but I think those kids will have a great time reading this.
Thank you Netgalley and DC Entertainment for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
You can pick up this book here.
