Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #19
Kevin Rossi
Recap
The origin of the World’s Finest Team concludes! What, of all things, could tie the Riddler and the Phantom Zone together—and what secrets will the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel learn about one another that will define their friendship? All this, and a lead-in to an upcoming event set in the present day!
Review
It is safe to say that Batman/Superman: World’s Finest is consistently one of the best titles from DC on shelves. The series has managed to consistently deliver the best of Batman and Superman with fun action and stellar art. Travis Moore returns to art duties to finish off this two-issue arc that shows readers how Batman and Superman first came to form a friendship. Mark Waid does such a great job writing younger versions of these heroes. It is subtle and restrained but Waid has such a great hold of these characters’ voices that it feels natural and really all you need. Moore’s take on the classic inspired versions of Batman and Superman’s suits also really sells the idea that we are seeing younger versions. Moore’s art in this issue is a standout along with Tamra Bonvillain’s incredible as always coloring. Moore does some interesting things with the panel layout to convey motion. There are so many instances that feature such great posing and movement on top of fantastic emotion in faces, which is something that can make or break a comic.
Waid’s writing is sharp as always. The first chunk of the issue splits the narrative between Jax-Ur fighting with Superman and revealing how he escaped the Phantom Zone and his overall plan. At the same time, Batman and Alfred are telepathically communicating about the current situation. The two scenes are intertwined to deliver a single, streamlined explanation of the whole situation. It just feels so clever and moves the plot fluidly. This really worked well because this is only a two-issue arc but it doesn’t feel rushed or half-baked. The end of the issue includes an epilogue hinting at something that will crossover to Action Comics in 2024 as well as a mention that the next arc will find Batman and Superman journeying into the world of Kingdom Come. Something that works so well about this series is Waid’s ability to weave things into current continuity while dipping its toes into something like Kingdom Come without feeling tethered to either.
Final Thoughts
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #19 concludes a really fun arc that reveals Batman and Superman’s first adventure. Waid is clearly having a blast writing this series which in turn gives its artists so much to work with.
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #19: Teamwork
- Writing - 9/109/10
- Storyline - 9/109/10
- Art - 9/109/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 9/109/10
