Superman-Batman book Enemies and Allies out in paperback

"Enemies and Allies" by Kevin J. Anderson

The Kevin J. Anderson book featuring a Superman-Batman team-up, “Enemies and Allies,” is released in paperback today. I believe that’s an Alex Ross cover on the paperback edition.

I interviewed Anderson for The Oklahoman when the hardcover edition of the book came out in 2009.

Anderson sets the first meeting of Superman and Batman in the 1950s, at the height of the Cold War.

“It seemed unlikely to set a story in the modern day, and say that Batman and Superman have never heard of each other before,” Anderson said. “It felt more in keeping with the spirit of the universe if we set it back in a more nostalgic time. And of course the ’50s is the time we all remember from George Reeves as Clark Kent and Superman, and Noel Neill as Lois Lane, and that was the flavor I wanted to pick up on.”

Ultimately, the 1950s setting became interwoven completely with the story.

“It became not just window dressing, but the ’50s setting and everybody’s attitudes about the Cold War, the paranoia about flying saucers, and all of these details became integral to the plot rather than just little backdrops,” Anderson said.

- Matt Price