Superman and Batman join forces

Comic-book superhero action heats up this month at DC Comics with what could be one of the best clashes of the year — "Superman and Batman vs. Aliens and Predators."

This two-part miniseries hit comic stores on Jan. 8.

Batman and Superman make up what has, at times, been called the world's finest superhero team. Meanwhile, Aliens and Predators are among the most cold and vicious monsters ever conceived in science fiction.

The basic story is that Batman discovers that the two alien races of monsters have been on Earth for centuries already, though hidden, and are now almost ready to strike at the human population.

Both Batman and Superman have had previous battles with Aliens and Predators individually, but never both monsters at once, or in the high numbers they may have amassed on Earth now.

How will the Aliens and Predators match up to Superman's power level? When the Man of Steel fought them before, he was weakened by a red sun in one encounter and by an alien fever in another. Either way, they will have some secret in store, and at the least the sheer high numbers of the Aliens will present a challenge.

Each issue will sell for $5.99; the second issue will be out on Feb. 14.

• In other DC Comics news, it once again looks as if death has no permanent meaning in comic books. One of this year's issues of the new "Justice Society of America" will focus on the resurrection of the "Earth Two" Superman, who supposedly died in last year's "Infinite Crisis" series.

This Superman died while fighting Superboy Prime, who was out to remake the universe to his liking.

With this second Man of Steel — same as in the late 1970s — and Superboy Prime sitting in a special prison, what's really changed after last year's "Crisis"?

And, looking back at decades of DC Comics history proves that one of Superman's unlisted superpowers is his immortality, or power to return from the dead.

• The "Action Comics Annual" for 2007 debuts on Jan. 31 and looks to be a collection of obscure Superman tales. For example, "Clark Kent's Big Brother" is one story in that issue, and "Mystery of the Blue Sun" is another. There will also be "Superman's 10 Most Wanted," the deadliest forms of Kryptonite, criminals from Krypton, etc.

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E-mail: lynn@desnews.com