DC Comics readers know that 2019 has been anointed by the company the “Year of the Villain.” The moniker only half refers to Lex Luthor’s machinations over in Justice League and how those plans spread out into the rest of the DC Universe. The other half of the “Year of the Villain,” though, is the plans of the Batman Who Laughs following his own self-titled mini. It’s odd, then, that Batman/Superman #2 doesn’t carry any “Year of the Villain” branding when this is the title most central to that part of the story.

In this issue, Batman and Superman continue their fight against the corrupted Shazam and lose, leading them to regroup in the Fortress of Solitude. Superman devises an insane new plan, which they put into motion. Meanwhile, the corrupted Commissioner Gordon schemes behind the heroes’ backs.

Writer Joshua Williamson clearly has a complicated plot in mind for the first arc of this series, and it’s hard to judge its success at this early stage. Still, Williamson mostly handles the voices of the two main characters well. The book is a fast read, and Williamson is smart to include references to a larger community in which this story is taking place.

About half of the book is focused on Superman and Batman’s battle with Shazam, and it’s here that the art by David Marquez really shines. Marquez was born to draw Superman in flight. Each punch and kick has a weight to it that you can almost feel through the page, due in no small part to the coloring by Alejandro Sanchez. John J. Hill’s lettering is solid, though at times Shazam’s evil font is difficult to read.

The second issue of Batman/Superman is a quick read, zooming from one set piece to another like Batman stealing his nemesis’ plane. Fans of widescreen, brainless superhero action could do worse than to pick up this book.

Grade: B+