Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #45: The Odd Couple

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #45 – written by Mark Waid, with art by Adrián Gutiérrez, additional inking and finishes by Norm Rapmund, colors by Tamra Bonvillain, and lettered by Steve Wands – continues to be one of the most fun series on shelves today, capturing the zaniness of the Silver Age while delivering modern storytelling and visuals. This issue delivers one of its most entertaining pairings yet: Lex Luthor and The Joker. After 45 issues featuring the World’s Finest duo, it was only a matter of time before their archenemies teamed up. The creative team wastes no time getting the most out of this chaotic combination that results. One of the standout strengths of the issue is its sense of movement. Lex and Joker are opposites, and everything from the art to the lettering sells that idea. 

Gutiérrez absolutely nails the sense of movement in the two villains, capturing their characterisations in such effective ways. Norm Rapmund’s finishes to the inks add a new dimension to Tamra Bonvillain’s stellar colors. Her color palette always brings a unique dimension and energy to each page, and Rapmund’s contributions sharpen the visuals in a way that really fits with this story. Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #45 contains so many memorable moments, such as Bruce and Clark watching football together in the Batcave, to Joker sabotaging Lex’s original plans in the most Joker way possible. A major highlight of this issue is the appearance of Hawkman, whose inclusion fits naturally into the story and is such a great fit for this book, even if Lex dismissively labels him a B-list hero. However, it is the climax and closing that is the absolute star of this issue. Early into Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, Waid and company introduced a Batman/Superman fusion, so it is only fair that their archenemies fuse as well. The results are terrifying and a total blast.