Batman / Superman: World’s Finest 2025 Annual #1: Grodd Rising

The second annual for Batman / Superman: World’s Finest takes a big swing and makes contact. Aside from the cover that is by Dan Mora and Mark Waid co-plotting this issue, Batman / Superman: World’s Finest 2025 Annual #1 feels like a step away from what readers have grown to expect from World’s Finest. However, once readers settle in and start reading, they will see that the tone, energy, and playfulness that the series is known for is still present. Plus, the annual continues the crossover between World’s Finest and Justice League Unlimited, which finds Grodd enlisting the help of the rest of the Legion of Doom. Chris Cantwell is a skilled writer and extremely adaptable. It helps that it is co-plotted with Waid, but Cantwell is a fine choice for this issue. His writing feels fresh without a shift in style or tone. Dan McDaid’s art style is also a great match for World’s Finest. McDaid has a distinct style that uses playful proportions that feels like a classic Justice League story. Mora’s work on World’s Finest and JLU is precise, iconic, and leaves room for the colors to bring things up a notch. McDaid and John Kalisz achieve something similar in this issue. It feels entirely unique and exciting while staying true to the series’ tone.

The issue also features a story titled, “That’s the Way of the World,” which presents readers with John Stewart’s World’s Finest origin. Morgan Hampton does an excellent job of condensing a fan-favorite character’s beginnings into about half an issue. One thing that Hampton does extremely well is making this world feel lived in. Stewart has already met Hal Jordan and knows about the Lanterns. Clayton Henry’s art does a lot of heavy lifting to get the reader from point A to B without feeling rushed or choppy. Neeraj Menon’s coloring here also does a wonderful job strengthening Henry’s art. As a whole, the annual has two different artists and colorists, but the visuals work so well together in the two sections. And of course, it is well worth pointing out that Steve Wands lettered the entire annual. Wands’ work on World’s Finest has ensured that whoever is writing, drawing, or coloring on the series things feel cohesive and finished.