How do two of DC’s most famous heroes deal with one another in some of their first encounters?
Written by Mark WaidCover by Dan Mora
Illustrated by Dan Mora
Colored by Tamra Bonvillain
Lettered by Aditya BidikarThe Dark Knight. The Man of Steel. They are the two finest superheroes that the world has ever known…and they’re together again in an epic new series from the legendary talents of Mark Waid and Dan Mora!
In the not-too-distant past, Superman’s powers are super-charged from a devastating chemical attack by the villain Metallo…and the only ally that the ultra-powerful Man of Tomorrow can turn to in this turbulent hour is Gotham’s own dark vengeance: the Batman. A nearly fatal burst of power drives Bruce Wayne to his own extreme measures to help his friend…enlisting none other than the Doom Patrol for aid.
It’s the world’s greatest superheroes from the world’s greatest comic book talent in an epic comic book experience that kicks off the next big events in the DCU. Get ready, it’s time to soar.
How can a writer make a story about two of the most famous heroes in DC Comics without the influence of current continuity? By using flashbacks. However, it is not merely the use of a flashback-centric story that makes Mark Waid’s writing on “Batman/Superman: World’s Finest” #1 rather intriguing. There are a multitude of other fun pieces to the first issue of this team up book. How successful does Waid appear to be in these endeavors?
On the whole, the effort appears to be successful, along with rather fun. Batman and Superman, along with their supporting cast and rogues galleries, are seen as part of a larger world, and one that is used to integrate with even more groups. The focus is primarily on Superman, but the use of Robin and various other elements to the Batman mythos helps to keep it from being a purely Batman-centric story.
Interestingly, the elements connected to Batman (barring Robin) are exclusively related to the Caped Crusader’s villains, while the focus is broader for Superman. The overall effect seems to indicate that Batman is far more defined by his villains, especially in Superman’s eyes, than Superman is defined by his own. By contrast, Superman is shown with not only his villains, but also with Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane and others from the Daily Planet, indicating that he is as much defined by his positive relationships as his negative ones, and therefore making him out to be a nicer, more personable hero (though no less effective than Batman). Still, Batman is not without his relatable characters, with the antics around Robin being a major, albeit low-key, source of comedy.
Waid’s choices of villains are also rather notable. Batman’s foes seem to be more physical, at least in terms of the challenge, if not the actual physical ability of the villains. On the other hand, villains’ influence on Superman is more psychological, having him tricked or attacked on a neurological level rather than beaten with raw force alone, due to the impracticality of using strength alone against the Kryptonian. It takes the combination of brains from Batman (to help Superman) and brawn or speed from Superman (to help Batman) for them to work together effectively, with the team ups in both the main story and the nested flashback leaning on the elements that they are theoretically weaker in relative to one another.
The use of the Doom Patrol (as noted in the solicitation) is rather unusual, but not unwelcome. Waid integrates this team rather well, showcasing the stranger aspects of the DC Universe and making this book not just about the eponymous “World’s Finest” duo, but also about their place in the wider universe they inhabit, along with those people they might call for help when they are not enough to face a foe.
Dan Mora has proven time and again, from “Klaus” to “Once & Future” and beyond, that he is a good choice for action-focused books when it comes to artwork. In this role, “Batman/Superman: World’s Finest” #1 is no exception. Mora’s illustrations are as dynamic as they are expressive, with action feeling extremely raw and fast-paced, befitting this group of heroes. The attention to detail helps make each hit seem as though it were real, from the blows themselves to the facial expressions associated. It is hard not to cheer when Superman is flying around and dealing with criminals, such is his sheer speed and posture.
Continued belowAt the same time, Mora’s facial expressions in general are very lively and realistic, from shock to horror to annoyance to joy and more. In all, these expressions help these heroes and villains, not to mention those who fall into neither camp, feel all the more real. Even borderline skeletons seem to have an expressiveness to them, triumphant or angry or any combination of other emotions. This focus on the faces of the characters makes it all the more notable when those expressions are not visible. For instance, when Batman is attacking someone, but his cowl shrouds his mouth, he seems less human and more of a force of justice in and of itself. The mysterious villain of the piece is far more imposing because there is barely anything seen of them at all save for possible demonic features, adding to the mystery as well as a foreboding atmosphere in spite of the bright light of a day in Metropolis.
Also from “Once & Future,” Tamra Bonvillain complements Mora perfectly on colors. Various palettes fit well into different areas of the world, from a dark, dour one for Gotham City, and a brighter approach for Metropolis. Elements tainted by outside forces are given unnatural tints, particularly a harsh red, making it feel not just warm, but oppressively hot. That coloration is enough to make even Superman seem like less of a “Boy Scout” and more dangerous force to be reckoned with.
Aditya Bidikar’s letters are a definite highlight as well. From the smooth curves of humans speaking to a harsh, straight line in the words of more robotic tones of voice, it is easy to tell who is talking, along with the tone of their voice. Most notably is when a loud noise occurs. The letters essentially take up the entire background and are colored in such a way that they indicate the source of the sound, without needing to say anything about it up front, such as a sonic boom from someone approaching at an extremely high velocity.
Final Verdict: 8.0– Fun artwork and an intriguing story lead to a highly entertaining first issue.
