Warning! Spoilers ahead for Action Comics #1033!
In Action Comics #1033, Batman and Superman show that they have opposing priorities when it comes to threats. Although Superman and Batman paired together are DC's most iconic tag team, the two heroes are nothing alike. Their personalities are the complete opposite of each other. Superman is full of hope and sees the best in people, whereas Batman is brooding and doesn't trust anyone. But when they unite their differences, often they make a great team to defeat whatever threat they face.
Recently, in Action Comics, a ship full of ancient Kryptonian refugees landed. However, they aren't normal Kryptonians at all, they were born and raised on Warworld. They have been sent by a newly-reformed Mongul who threatens to be more powerful than any previous version in DC's history. Along with Superman's discovery of the refugees, an extremely powerful energy source known as Genesis was discovered in the ship's wreckage near Atlantis. Naturally, as soon as the U.S. was informed about Genesis they went to claim it for themselves. Now, after the events of this issue, war between the two nations of Atlantis and the U.S. is almost certain.
In Action Comics #1033 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Daniel Sampere, and Adriano Lucas, Superman shows that his interest lies on Warworld, whereas Batman is more interested in stopping the U.S. and Atlantis from going to war. In this issue, the Man of Steel gathers the Justice League with the interest of gathering them all to head to Warworld. However, things take a turn as Batman showcases the importance of preventing the new Earth-bound war from happening. Strangely, Aquaman seems to be more than fine with the two nations going to war. Nevertheless, Superman is infuriated by the Justice League's lack of perspective, when it's clear to him that Mongul is where their focus should lie.
Superman, being more of a cosmic hero, will always be thinking of the bigger picture. Obviously, an all-out war between Atlantis and the U.S. isn't desirable and Superman knows that. But Warworld Rising has made it clear that the war on Earth is just a distraction caused by Mongul while he readies to take on Superman. On the other hand, Batman is a grounded hero, so his reaction to care more for the earthly matter is natural. He will always look to solve problems on Earth before he looks up into the sky and thinks to tackle someone like Mongul.
Superman storms out of his meeting with the Justice League, claiming that his family won't allow lives to be lost over a rock. He seeks to quickly end the earthly feud with Superboy and Supergirl. In the end, it's obvious to readers that Mongul is the true threat and Genesis' presence is a distraction. Even Superman, who was ready to fly up into space, has been forced to deal with the petty squabbling between Atlantis and the U.S. This is happening all while Mongul's Warzoons break out of their Atlantean prisons and storm into the Fortress of Solitude, nearly killing Thao-La's acquaintances. The next stages of Mongul's plans for Superman and his family are just beginning and the Man of Steel needs to leave the Earth-bound problems to Batman if he's to stop this new, ultimate version of the villain. Action Comics #1033 is available in comic book stores and on digital platforms now.