Breezy, page-turning fun with an excellent premise that really should have been a lot better than it was. Kevin J. Anderson is a fantastic writer and his epic space opera "The Last Days of Krypton" was beautifully crafted, creating rich beautiful space-landscapes and never talking down to its audience. Unfortunately, 'Enemies and Allies' while clearly full of ideas and energy, reads as a supermarket thriller - chapters breeze by in a flash leaving the reader yearning for longer prose and more meticulous description; it appears as though Anderson may have been told to water down the book. Bruce Wayne (rather awkwardly) refers to his love of the Ian Fleming James Bond novels throughout the book (even going as far as to pretend he's drinking a Vesper Martini), but this book is the exact opposite of the kind of thoughtful, haunting prose Fleming excelled at.Despite the rather specific timeframe, the book's plot couldn't be more basic - Lex Luthor makes a death ray and teams up with an evil General to start World War III. It's trying to be James Bond, but it's struggling to meet Walker, Texas Ranger.Nevertheless, it's wrong to say the book isn't enjoyable. Despite the Cold War setting, the characterisations of Batman and Superman are spot-on representations of their modern incarnations (even if it's a dynamic we've seen a hundred times before) and while it lacks any of the innovation or scrutiny of other prose novels featuring the characters (anything by Dennis O'Neill is a godsend), it would serve as a good introduction for younger readers. Overall, a fun piece of fluff that's certainly worth the read - but it could have been so much more. A hybrid universe of Superman and Batman by a great author like Anderson seems like a great concept, and it is, but the execution is lacking. The first half of the book replicates the same origins stories of Batman and Superman told again and again, without making it anymore interesting. The interactions between the two heroes is quite entertaining but sparse until the second half of the book. By the point the book actually gets good there's only 75 pages left, just enough for a short climax and typical wrap up.If you love Superman and Batman to the point where you're immune to being bored by them, then check this out. For me, this book was just gimmick and filler.
What do You think about Enemies & Allies (2009)?
A good back story to possible The Dark Knight vs Superman.
—bluebubblegum
