DC Comics reviews 4/19/22 – Nightwing, The Flash #781
Batman Superman: World’s Finest #2
If there were any concerns, the second issue proved all of the classic Silver Age fun of the first issue wasn’t a fluke. Writer Mark Waid and artist Dan Mora are headlining another can’t miss title for DC with Batman Superman: World’s Finest.
With Superman dying of radiation poisoning, it’s up to Chief and the Doom Patrol to help out. Waid writes the characters as a longtime fan and doesn’t drastically alter their personalities or backstory for the sake of his story. And he thankfully doesn’t write a uber gruff Batman. Waid’s take on the character actually smiles in context and has more of an ego. The mind measuring discussion with Batman and Chief is a fun highlight.
Another is the arrival of Supergirl, Superman’s only option for a sidekick/junior partner. Waid teases more fun by having Robin and Supergirl irritated with each other from a previous mission.
They’re off to travel through time (a Silver Age staple) to learn how a group was able to defeat The Devil Nezha. Nezha’s got other operatives keeping the major heroes occupied — this feels like an exciting tease of team-ups with The Flash, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern — but Batman and Superman go to stop Felix Faust as he’s targeting a young boy.
Mora’s artwork is so lively and energetic that it conjures up that magical feel of reading classic comics before grim and gritty became the mandate. Tamra Bonvillain’s colors are a perfect complement to Mora’s style as she provides bright, bold hues that further convey this sense of hope and light. Letterer Aditya Bidikar really seems to have fun with the sound effects, spellcasting and the special emphasis on certain words.
Batman Superman World’s Finest is pure fun. It’s a fun ride from start to finish and the only knock is it’s way too quick a read. I’d sign up yesterday for a Waid/Mora vintage style Justice League book. For now, it’s fine to sit back and enjoy one of the best titles DC is putting out each month.
Rating: 10 out of 10