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Title: (Almost) The World's Finest
Team
Writer: Mark Millar
Penciller: Mike Manley
Inker: Terry Austin
Colorist: Marie Severin
Letter: Lois Buhalis
Cover Art: Rick Burchett & Terry Austin
Summary:
The
Mad Hatter has kidnapped Bruce Wayne demanding Batman's cowl! Can Superman and
Batgirl(?) save him?
Description:
The
story opens with the Mad Hatter holding Bruce Wayne at gunpoint, announcing on a
pirate TV broadcast that Wayne dies if Batman's cowl isn't delivered by
midnight. Where's the rest of the Gotham's Knights Nightwing is too far
away to help, and Robin has already been defeated by the Hatter. Robin has also
disappeared after his defeat. Commissioner Gordon lights the Bat-signal,
unknowing that the Hatter already has Batman in his grasp. Instead of Batman
arriving on the GCPD rooftop, Superman shows us ready to help.
Meanwhile, Batgirl is beating up the Mad Hatter's
henchmen , who are planting mind control hats. Superman arrives on the scene. He
wants to help, but he's pretty much useless. The thugs know he won't let anyone
die, they aren't sure how far Batgirl would go to get information. The thugs
don't cough up any info, all thanks to Superman. Batgirl takes Superman to shake
down another underworld figure, reminding him to "Think Gotham." In
response, Superman carries the thug high into the path of an oncoming plane and
tells him to spill it before the flight comes through. The tactics scare the
thug, but does no good, as he knows nothing. Superman then realizes that Gotham
is completely different then Metropolis, and he'll have to change the way he
thinks if he's to save Bruce.
Superman and Batgirl are at a dead end, when a
they realize that Bruce is in the last place they'd look in Gotham -- GCPD! The
Hatter, however, has ordered a mind-controlled Robin to attack the city in the
Batwing to slow down Supes. While Supes saves Robin, Batgirl takes care of the
Hatter. She destroys his mind-controlling hat-wear but he is able to escape down
the sewers with Batgirl in behind him. After losing the Hatter in the lead-lined
sewers, Superman decides to give him what he wants: Batman's cowl, This causes
The Mad Hatter to slowly come out of hiding. As Superman returns to Metropolis,
Batman reminds Robin & Batgirl that Supes's presence has made Gotham City
seem a little bit "brighter".
Review:
A
real good tale, with killer Manley art to boot. Millar is able to give us a very
plausible team-up. There's no convoluted reason for Batgirl and Superman to team
up. They have to save Bruce, and will do so. There's no world wide threat. Just
Bruce Wayne missing. The art by Manley is beautiful! It's great to see his work
here time to time. Overall, an awesome story with great art makes this one of
the many highlights of this great series.
Rating: 
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