Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #28 review

With a story as bizarre and cartoonish as this one, it can be easy to lose track of a sense of pathos or dramatic tension. I talked about that a bit the past few issues with their action sequences and how they sometimes lacked clearly defined stakes despite the spectacle. If all you’re shooting for is slapstick comedy like the Looney Tunes style antics that the fifth-dimensional imps evoke then that’s fine, but Mark Waid has always tried to put a deeper emotional meaning behind what he writes. This issue seems to finally make that turn and introduce the emotion needed to make the whole story far more poignant.

Pivotal to that tone shift is Dick Grayson. While Jimmy Olsen is brimming with overconfidence in his newfound powers, it’s Robin who serves as the straight man. This setup allows the story to have its cake and eat it too as he struggles to keep everyone safe while the two near-omnipotent beings duke it out above with skyscrapers and giant pies as weapons. The danger might be absurd, but it’s still very real. It’s his resilience in the face of seemingly incomprehensible power that allow Dick’s bravery to stand out. Despite being teased early on for not having powers, that only makes his actions all the more admirable.

None of that would hit quite as hard if it weren’t for Mora’s incredible as always art. Along with Tamra Bonvillain’s vibrant, highly saturated colors, he brings the ludicrous to life. While it never loses its comedically cartoonish style, their art is able to sell just how terrifying it would be to have to face up against an enemy like Doom-Mite. His design especially works really well. It reminds me a lot of Judge Doom from the end of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? in the way his crazed appearance is both silly and horrific.

While everyone is fighting outside, Batman, Superman, and Bat-Mite are still hopping through dimensions trying to return home. Much of this little detour acts as a way to add in some fan-service and references to other storylines. With the sixth dimension being a place where all time exists at once, we get glimpses of classic scenes from stories like Batman: Year One as well as more recent events such as Chip Zdarsky’s current run on Batman. It’s certainly less intrusive than past arcs’ attempts to tie into “current” stories, though still doesn’t feel entirely natural. I’m actually a little surprised there was no editor’s blurb saying “for more, check out Batman #125!” or something similar.

What this leads up to is, in my opinion, the highlight of the issue. While trapped in the first dimension, Batman confronts Bat-Mite about his lack of seriousness. It puts a stark contrast between Bat-Mite’s childlike wonder and the reality of Batman putting his life on the line everyday. More than that, it’s held with a level of tact and maturity reminiscent of a father teaching his son a difficult lesson about what life is. It humanizes Batman in such a way that allows you to relate to him as a person, while still keeping elements of levity that make these stories fun. In many ways this confluence of differing approaches to superheroes is the thesis statement of the entire arc if not the series as a whole.

Recommended If

• You want more exciting action between hyper-dimensional beings
• Low stakes personal conflict is just as important as giant fights
• Comedy, action, and drama make a great combo

Overall

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #28 is able to weave emotion and introspection into what was already an exciting and bombastic story. The cartoonish action continues just as before, but now with an added level of character-driven drama. Once again World’s Finest is able to stand above its peers as one of the best series coming out of DC right now.

Score: 8.5/10

DISCLAIMER: DC Comics provided Batman News with a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review.

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