Nanopolis
Superman/Batman had been published irregularly, sometimes skipping a month and then shipping twice a month at other times. Since it wasn't connected to anything going on in World of New Krypton, I decided to isolate this 3-part story arc that was released in the course of 2 months. With Superman on New Krypton and Bruce Wayne presumed dead after Final Crisis, a monthly Superman/Batman team-up in the present day was no longer practical. This series would become more and more disconnected from the other Superman books, eventually focusing on villains and supporting characters, or on other time periods.
Superman/Batman #57
Superman is shrunk down to a microscopic level by the Prankster. Answering a distress call, Batman learns the Man of Steel is now struggling against the Pranksters Nanobots in a miniature civilization. From Superman's perspective, he's been trapped there for months but it's only been a few minutes. Batman discovers time is moving at an accelerated rate at that size, so Superman's power is running out. Seeing no other alternative, Batman asks John Henry Irons to shrink him down with the Prankster's machine so he can rescue his friend.
Superman/Batman #58
While trying to find Superman in this microscopic world, Batman is captured by sentient organisms. Although it was only a few hours ago in our time, in their time the Prankster's Nanobots invaded centuries ago and crushed their civilization, reducing them to wandering self-described nomads. These Nanomads believe Batman is a prophesied messiah to save them from the Nanobots. Meanwhile, Superman's powers are fading and he's captured by the Nanobots who want to siphon his energy. Batman arrives to late, as Superman has been turned into a raging, hulking monster.
Superman/Batman #59
Batman restores Superman back to his normal self, they defeat the Nanobots and find a way to signal to Robin and John Henry Irons to bring them back. While that only takes a few minutes, in this microscopic time that gives them a few weeks to help rebuild the civilization that was devastated by the Prankster. The liberated world they leave behind remembers them as almost mythical heroes.
Overall, this story meandered like it was just trying to set up scenes like Batman fighting a Hulked-out Superman. The resolution was incoherent, again serving only to move players from one point to another. This story could have fit into continuity almost anywhere except for the present, and it reads like a story kept in the drawer to be used as filler when convenient. Stories like this without much gravity or effect on continuity would become normal for the rest of this series' run.
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