Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #41
Kevin Rossi
Recap
Up is down, left is right, and red is green — but danger is still danger as Batman and Superman awaken on Bizarro World with no idea how they got there — or why they're being hunted by one of the most dangerous beings in the universe! Even if they survive, can they find their way home from a backward planet in time to save their friends from danger?
Review
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #41 – written by Mark Waid, drawn by Adrián Gutiérrez, colored by Matt Herms, and lettered by Steve Wands – feels like a large departure from its previous arc, which was a time-traveling crossover with Justice League Unlimited. While the crossover launched Justice League Unlimited into new territory that may change the face of the DC universe, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest is headed to places readers haven’t seen in the series yet – Bizarro World. Waid’s writing in this issue is brilliantly paced and also balances tension with some good fun. It is always impressive how skilled and talented a writer Waid is. His understanding of these characters and their histories is unmatched. There isn’t a writer working today who could balance the aftermath of the World’s Finest/Justice League Unlimited without losing momentum.
The highlight of the issue is the art and coloring. Gutiérrez and Herms seem to be firing on all cylinders and make an incredible team. Herms’ vibrant coloring perfectly complements Gutiérrez’s expressive and unique style. While Dan Mora and Tamra Bonvillain originally set the visual language for the series, this artistic pairing feels especially fitting for an arc taking place in Bizarro World. Gutiérrez and Herms are not the bizarro Mora and Bonvillain, but the two teams are clearly delivering some of the most unique visuals on shelves today. The character designs are fantastic and feel fresh, fun, and bursting with personality. Batman and Superman haven’t looked this good in action in several issues. Everything from the designs to panel layouts feels both distinct and entirely appropriate for the story’s setting.
Final Thoughts
Batman/Superman: World's Finest #41 kicks off an exciting arc that feels like the complete opposite of where Justice League Unlimited is heading. The creative team, especially Adrián Gutiérrez and Matt Herms, is knocking it out of the park and delivering some of the best art from this series so far, which is saying a lot. Mark Waid nearly flawlessly continues to show that he is the right person for this series, consistently delivering some of the funnest issues featuring Batman and Superman in recent years.
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #41: How Bizarre
- Writing - 8/108/10
- Storyline - 8/108/10
- Art - 8/108/10
- Color - 8/108/10
- Cover Art - 8/108/10
