Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #12: One Bad Date

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #12 is just what I needed this week. Life can get busy, so it’s always a delight when a comic book is just pure fun. Batman/Superman: World’s Finest has remained one of my favorite current series since its initial release last year. You can’t go wrong with Mark Waid writing Batman or Superman, so Waid writing World’s Finest is the cherry on top. Issue #12 is a story between arcs, so the stakes aren’t super high. The last issue that was between arcs dealt with Batman and Superman going back in time to rescue a time displaced Robin who is working for a traveling circus. The issue was so much fun. This issue doesn’t deal with something complicated like time travel, but it does deal with something trickier: dating.

The structure of the issue follows both Robin and Supergirl separately recounting their disastrous date to Batman and Superman respectively. Early on, we see Robin sketching his original Nightwing costume on a tablet, telling Batman that he is thinking about changing his identity. The idea that a date went so bad that you want to take on a new identity is something that I think a lot of people can relate to but maybe not as literal as Robin. I actually laughed out loud when Batman said, “I’m not letting you change your identity over one bad date.”

So much of the story is told through the faces and body language of Robin and Supergirl. The date is so awkward and really is one of those dates that are doomed from the start. For one, Robin wears his costume to the restaurant, which in turn forces Supergirl to do the same. It is such a funny image seeing two super-teens sitting in the middle of a busy restaurant. I cringed for Robin multiple times. The two just seem so uncomfortable and uneasy, so it was fun seeing them jump into action doing what they do best to stop a catastrophe outside of the restaurant.

I loved Tamra Bonvillain’s coloring in this issue, especially her use of greens, blues, and purples. She has such a unique style that always captures my attention. In addition to Bonvillain, three talented artists contribute to the issue. The pencils are by Emanuela Lupacchino with inks by Wade Von Grawbadger and Norm Rapmund. Lupacchino’s art really is fantastic and perfect for this issue. She does such a great job conveying emotion through body language and faces. Wade Von Grawbadger and Norm Rapmund are both talented inkers and really round out the book. I felt that their inking contributions really complimented Bonvillain’s colors.