I guess I'll go ahead and admit to the fact that after reading this book I am now a Kevin J. Anderson fan. I really enjoyed reading his portrayal of Batman and Superman in this work which was set in the 1950's Cold War climate. I liked how the partnership of SM and BM was developed in the story and how the two were at times pitted against each other early in the story. I really hope that this is not the only book KJA plans on doing in regards to these two in this setting. All the loose ends were wrapped up in the end but the door was certainly left open for future stories.

This has been by far my favorite rendition of the Superman/Batman team up. Even though it is a novel about two very different comic book heroes within an older setting, KJA does a great job of introducing both of them to his readers in a way that allows them to retain thier uniqueness as heroes and at the same time interact to create an unlikely but likable partnership. It really is a great telling of the Batman and Superman stories that seems to bring us back to the way they were meant to be told.

In regards to his writing style - let me just say that I really like a book that can tell a detailed story using a lot of short chapters with quick-flowing and descriptive prose. The last book I read by KJA ("Last Days of Krypton") did the same thing and it seems that he is a master of this type of writing style. I've read in other reviews that he does the same thing in his other books. I have no desire to dive into his Dune works but I think I'll have to check out his "Saga of Seven Suns" series.

Kevin J Anderson did it again. After reading his masterpiece "Last son of Krypton" I knew I wanted to read his newest novel. Just as before, as soon as I started, I could not stop reading until the end.
It's the 1950s. Sputnik was orbiting the globe and Senator McCarthy was communicating with Lex Luthor. And two new heroes have emerged: Superman and Batman. Neither of them know much more about the other except what they hear by narrow-minded news articles and scraps of information. Is Batman for or against crime? Is Superman an alien or actually wearing a special suit designed by Luthorcorp?
Although this novel is marvelously written so that the events happen in the 50s, it could also have easily been set in modern times as well if you changed a few historical facts. That's what both my son and I enjoyed about it. Mr Anderson has a definite grasp of today's Superman and Batman and is able to write his story in such a way that today's heroes are dialoguing in the 50s generation where, in the real 50s, they were acting like "Superfriends".
This novel has echoes of the Bruce Wayne we'd find in "Batman Begins" and the Superman I'd still like to see in a future Superman film. I also felt that some of the storyline where Luthor attempts to "create" an alien invasion was a nod to the great graphic novel "Superman Birthright".
Some have said that this book was probably written for pre-teens or early teenagers. Perhaps it was. It was an easy read and didn't contain any adult language to object to that I remember. So, if it was intended to be written for a younger audience, then keep it up! That's the way I like it. The story captivated me the entire time. I wasn't bogged down by a lot of confusing characters to remember or detailed storylines that make it difficult to remember what you read 17 chapters back.
Thanks Mr Anderson. I thoroughly enjoyed "Last Son of Krypton" and this new book even topped the former story.
One last thought is that some historical facts were obviously changed to create this story. Mr Anderson does make mention of them on the last page as an authors note. I would think that if some teens read this novel perhaps it might spark their interest to go through some real history and find out a little more about the real Sputnik and the real Senator McCarthy. It would be a great way to learn a little about 1950s America. I don't mind that Mr Anderson alters history a bit. After all, this is the DC Universe. If this universe can virtually be destroyed and meshed into one universe as it was in "Crisis" stories, I don't see why they can't do whatever they want in the DC 50s universe.

When talking about books I find more often than not it's the little things that make a novel memorable. A particularly clever line or well written paragraph will stick with me far longer than the details of the plot, no matter how well crafted the story may be. In the case of Kevin J. Anderson's Enemies & Allies I couldn't help but chuckle at the line "My boyfriend won't look at me anymore. He didn't even notice my new $20 dollar hairdo." That sentence may seem out of place in a comic book novel but within the context of story it was that kind of detail that made the book brilliant. Throughout the story descriptions are peppered with brands, prices, and technology that take you back to the Cold War era Anderson has set the story in. You won't see the Batman or Superman you've come to know and love over the years when reading this book. Rather you'll be introduced to the charmingly naive Clark Kent, newly arrived in Metropolis. Batman is likewise still becoming comfortable in the cape and cowl. Villains and a comic book hero's obligation to fight them are timeless however and the novel doesn't fail to deliver an epic battle between our heroes and all around bad guy Lex Luthor. Featuring a host of other recognizable characters Enemies & Allies was a fun read casting two of DC's most popular superheroes in a new light.

Let's face facts here for a minute. There are no two iconic comic book characters more recognized than Batman and Superman. Well, okay, there are, but there are none who's back stories have remained so steadfast and true to the characters than these two.

Let's review- on the one hand we have Superman, survivor of the destroyed planet Krypton, sent here to earth by his parents to help us. On the other hand there is Batman, survivor of the murders of his parents, who grows up to become a vigilante, sworn to protect the citizens of Gotham City from the kind of evil that changed his own life.

There have of course, over the past 70 years, been countless comic books, television series, cartoons and films that have all put their own unique spin on the two characters. Many of these adventures have long since taken their place in history. But darn few of them can lay claim to being memorable touchstones within that history. And while we all have our own individual opinions of such touchstones, I would like to offer up Kevin Anderson's book, Enemies and Allies, as one of the most recent and best candidates.

Interestingly enough, Anderson starts his story in the 1950's. The fifties, for those of us old enough to remember, was a time when iPODS and microwave ovens had yet to be created. People flew in prop driven airplanes, had to rely on phones that used rotary dials and there were but three main channels to choose from for televised entertainment.

Now starting the story in that time period is challenge enough for even the most seasoned writer, but it's a challenge that Anderson embraces. Batman remains the Dark Knight and Superman remains the red and blue outfitted `boy scout' we have all grown to admire. As the story unfolds, we meet the rest of the cast, including Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen and Jim Gordon, all in lesser, but important roles throughout the story as well as some formidable bad guys, who, as always, are after the usual power and greed.

Our two heroes first meet in this story and don't trust each other at first. But over time, they come to realize that despite their differences, the best way to defeat their enemies is to adjust to and accept each others chosen path of crime fighting and become allies. This story is a remarkable work that not only long time fans can enjoy, but it's a great starting point for a generation of young fans who have grown up on Christian (The Dark Knight) Bale and Tom (Smallville) Welling. Hopefully Anderson will return for a sequel or two.

"Enemies & Allies" is a great addition to the legend of Superman, and now Batman as well. It would appear that Kevin J. Anderson has found yet another series in which to add to wonderfully.

It was nice to see the story take place in the old "Glory Days" of the super-heroes in question. A nice blend of the cultural, as well as governmental mistakes of the fifties with a small hint of modern day social boo-boos as well. Not to mention UFO madness.

The characters were fun and filled with the personality that readers of Superman and Batman have come to expect. Yet they could also give the feel of compassion and misery when faced with peril.

Like "The Last Days of Krypton", (a "Superman" must-read), the storyline was a tribute to the Superman history and I look forward to reading more of Kevin's visions of the most powerful man in the universe as well as the "Dark Knight".

Well done Mr. Anderson!

If you are a Kevin Anderson fan I don't think you will be disappointed. And if not, I still don't think you'll be disappointed. I liked the action and the ties to places and events during that time period. It had a good balance between all the characters (Superman, Batman, Lex Luthor, Lois and others). I'm not a reader of the Superman or Batman comics but I thought the premise was pretty good. Also I like this explanation of how Lex became a super villain. I also liked the way the story gave me the feel of the old Superman tv series. A lot of fun.

This novel is incredible! I am not a reader of comics, however I've become a big fan of Superman and Batman from the movies, and from friends who have been experts. So I,ve always wondered what it would be like for the two heroes to meet and work together. I do not have to wonder any longer! This novel by Kevin Anderson satisfies that desire. He gives equal time to both main characters, and adds some dimensions to them I have not thought of before. He also provides some awesome supporting characters such as Lois Lane and Lex Luthor. There are some added dimensions to Lex that give greater insight into his evil mind! The pace of the novel is superfast hence the title of my review. I can only hope Kevin Anderson has more Superman and Batman stories up his sleeve!

I really liked Enemies & Allies. I liked it because I love Superman and I like Batman. So, having them in the same book was great! Before I read Kevin J. Anderson's :The last days of krypton and Enemies & Alllies I didn't like to read. Now I can't wait to get my hands on another Superman novel! P.S I don't read graphic novels. I only read regular novels.

When I was a kid, I used to do chores for a neighbor so she would give me a dime which I would always spend on the latest World's Finest comic. I was a little wary of this book when I first spotted it in a book store. After all, I'd been reading stories of this fabled team for a lot longer than many folks have been alive. Well, I want to tell you that this is a great re-telling of a familiar story done in such a way that it's new again. They don't part as total friends, Lex Luthor is the bad guy, Lois is one tough broad, and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not read the last sentence until you've read the rest of the book.

Enemies and Allies is a re-imagining of the first meeting of comic books icons Batman and Superman. The action takes placed in the 1950's which mirrors their first funnybook meeting in 1952. The era is exploited for its plot potential as cold war paranoia, UFO hysteria and the emerging military-industrial complex are components of greedy businessman Lex Luthor's plot to achieve global domination or at least clear a huge profit foe LuthorCorp.
Since the mid 1980's there have been multiple retelling of Batman and Superman's first encounter and they all seem to invariably follow a pattern. The two heroes meet by coming into conflict, a fight ensues but they are eventually forced to work together and then they finally become allies based on grudging respect. This novel follows that template but never feels clichéd due to its fast paced, high stakes plot and the well realized milleau of mid-twentieth century America.
Although the novel is set in the fifties its important to note that the take on Batman is definitely modern as opposed to his comic book persona at the time. There are no fisticuffs atop giant props or battles of wits with villains who plot crimes based on birds or holiday. He's mostly relegated to uncovering corporate espionage and taking action as Bruce Wayne.
Superman's supporting cast are all present and accounted for and their characterizations seem straight from the radio and TV shows of the period. Clark Kent and Lois Lane's personalities seem infused with the more modern versions of the characters. On the other hand other than Alfred getting in a few bon-mots and helping out with some spot welding, Batman's supporting cast aren't represented outside of a few cameo appearances. Since the story's antagonist is Superman's arch-rival, the balance of the novel seems shifted towards Superman.
That aside, this novel features two well known characters in a compelling plot with a well realized setting. No great philosophical questions are asked or answered and there's no grand insight into the human condition. This is pure superhero adventure and as such, I'd recommend it to anyone looking for light diversion.