Batman/Superman: World's Finest #3
- Writer
- Mark Waid
- Artist
- Dan Mora
- Letterer
- Aditya Bidikar
- Cover Artist
- Dan Mora
- Publisher
- DC Comics
- Price
- 3.99
- Release Date
- 2022-05-17
- Colorist
- Tamra Bonvillain
Originally an anthology series featuring superheroes from the then DC Comics universe of 1941, World's Finest was an oversized title that later banked on the popularity of its characters, Superman and Batman, to create a crossover title for the ages. It ran intermittently, sometimes for decades, sometimes as an animated feature, or sometimes in different permutations, but always conveyed the same measure of fun as the campiness allowed it to be. The latest iteration takes the duo of superheroes on a globetrotting journey against the newly risen spirit of the devil Nezha, who has already made a preemptive strike on Superman and the other heroes in a bid to remove the thorns before his rule. Written by Mark Waid, with artwork from Dan Mora and Tamra Bonvillain and letters by Aditya Bidikar, Batman/Superman: World's Finest #3 moves at breakneck speed without much headway into the plot.
Batman/Superman: World's Finest #3 takes the story to the fiery pits of hell and back, where the damned await the souls of the heroes. Batman and Superman arrive at Fawcett, near Philadelphia, to save Billy Batson from the wicked sorcerer, Felix Faust. Suddenly, Faust binds the heroes and takes them to the underworld. Meanwhile, Supergirl and Robin have traveled back in time to ancient China to seek the help of the noble House of Ji, four heroes who defeated Nezha in their lifetime. Upon seeing the sword of Nezha in Robin's hand, the Ji warriors immediately attack the modern-day superheroes. Back in the current timeline, the Doom Patrol visit one of their oldest enemies deep within the Mont Blanc mountains in Switzerland.
Industry veteran Mark Waid sets the tale in the colorful past of the World's Finest, a time when Batman and Superman have just begun to acknowledge their budding friendship, with Robin towing along for the ride. Batman/Superman: World's Finest #3 opens smack dab in the middle of the action, allowing the reader to effortlessly transition into the tale while enjoying a cool moment in the duo's chemistry. To compensate for the sheer amount of storytelling, the narrative is split into three pathways, each following a team of heroes who keep trying to close the gap between them and the well-hidden mystery. With each narrative having its own roadblock, these moments of crisis only make the story more intriguing and allow the action to drive the story forward. Communication is key, both for conveying plot points and thwarting bad guys, as Mark Waid bounces off information through dialogue, creating a riveting tale.
The artwork of Batman/Superman: World's Finest #3 is a gorgeous blend of dynamic line work and vibrant colors, showcasing Batman and Robin at their acrobatic best as the Els look larger than life. Dan Mora produces panel after panel of exquisite comic book art where the paneling often makes the characters stand out amongst the crowd and the landscape in the background, instilling a sense of animated energy with the exasperated movement. The colors of Tamra Bonvillain's work, in conjunction with Mora's crisp lines, allow the panels to breathe, with colorful pages decorating the book in its entirety. From the lush green ricefields of ancient China to the freezing subzero temperatures of the Swiss Alps, the alternating warm and cool tones leave the book an enjoyable experience.
Batman/Superman: World's Finest #3 moves at breakneck speed as the world is torn apart by a new evil that has declared war upon the earth's defenders. The story keeps the suspense under wraps quite well, with each narrative progressing in its own direction. However, with a lot happening on the pages, it becomes rather hard to follow as the events and details get murkier. It's refreshing to have Batman rely on others for assistance, whether it's the Doom Patrol or Superman himself, and it makes the book more interesting to read. Batman/Superman: World's Finest #3 ends on the surprising heel of one of Batman's oldest allies and the superhero community as a whole, spelling new doom for the World's Finest.
