Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #39 review

Akash and I continue our crossover review for Part Four of the “We Are Yesterday” crossover event between our titles. As always, my comments will be in blue, while Akash’s comments will be in purple.

Right away this issue’s opening does a good job of quickly establishing the kind of story you should expect. Right away it’s clear that something isn’t quite right with the way Batman is reacting to seeing Dick as Robin in the present. This scene doesn’t last long, but creates just enough confusion to put you on the back foot and ready for the time shenanigans that soon follow.

Confusion is the best way to put it as our heroes are thrown into time travel shenanigans, with the World’s Finest heroes ending up in the middle of Grodd’s plan and the current heroes ending up in the past. However, this does leave this issue’s plot feeling a bit detached from the overall narrative. Still, it was refreshing to see Batman smile in glee which is so rare these days it’s tragic.

I don’t know if I want to call it a “break” per se, but there definitely seems to be a bit of a pause in the narrative momentum. However, I don’t actually necessarily see that as a bad thing. The asides are often my favorite part of World’s Finest, and I don’t mind taking an issue just for some fun.

When the heroes from the present are sent to the past and the heroes from the past are sent to the present, the former is the one far more concerned with “the plot” and fixing the timeline, while the latter is more focused on fish out of water hijinks and some low-stakes fights.

On one hand, I can see that. It is a rather fun time with plenty of callbacks to things that would appeal to older fans that is World’s Finest‘s trademark at this point. But since this is part 4 of 6 of a crossover, this whole issue reminds me of the first part of ‘We are Yesterday.’ Intriguing as a standalone, but could be cut out from this story to no big loss.

There’s certainly something to be said for efficient use of time in an event like this, but honestly Mark Waid doesn’t seem too concerned with rushing to the meat of the story. We already talked about how part 1 had almost nothing to do with it, and part 2 was mostly exposition and recap. I wonder if there’s just not enough there to fill out 6 whole issues so we might as well enjoy smelling the roses with diversions.

Fair enough. Which of these moments were your favorite? Personally, I liked Bruce and Dick’s reaction to seeing Alfred alive again. It was a truly emotional scene, where for once Superman has to be the logical one in a rare inversion of roles. This only worked because Alfred’s death hasn’t been reversed in the modern day yet. Its almost as if seeing a character we knew and loved but has since passed on was capable of producing a strong emotional reaction for some reason. 

In other words, stop treating deaths like the common cold!

I thought it was a nice moment, though I didn’t quite react to the level that Bruce did. You’re right that it hasn’t been reversed (yet) in continuity, but DC loves Elseworlds and stories set in the past enough that we still see Alfred plenty.

Like DC vs Vampires World War V, where he’s an ineffectual Green Lantern…

I think I gravitated more towards the other half of the comic where we see the World’s Finest team dealing with the present. The moments of their bewilderment at the things that have changed like seeing Lois with powers and mention of Jon/other Robin were fun, as was the fight that ensued later with Sinestro and Scarecrow.

Yup, seeing Clark with an expression that I can only describe as “having a broken brain” was pretty priceless.

It’s also a bit a reminder that, despite the reputation, comics status quo does actually change over time. I’m sure super Lois is temporary, but I don’t see us going back to Dick Grayson as Robin any time soon (especially not when DC can have their cake and eat it too with series like this).

Yeah some things do end up sticking. However, that’s the thing about this issue. There’s really nothing else to it, except for a few moments. I’m struggling to think about anything plot relevant that happened this issue and I’m drawing a blank.

No, nothing important happens, but it’s a fun enough diversion that at least ties into the whole “time travel” thing.

For instance, the fight was well drawn by Clayton Henry (whose work I think improved over the first part) and done in such a way that utilized everyone’s abilities for a dynamic action sequence. I also appreciate that they included Batman in a fight with heavy hitters like Superman and Sinestro without overstating his abilities. Modern comics can often go a bit far with how strong he’s able to be.

They are also both past versions of the characters.

True, but still, I think I prefer when Batman is able to help without being able to 1v1 cosmic gods. It takes a bit more creativity, but is more interesting.

But yeah, the art is actually really good, though once again a lot of credit goes to colorist Tamra Bonvillain for maintaining the standard feel of “World’s Finest”.

Recommended If

• You’re up for a light-hearted break from the main plot of the crossover
• Time travel shenanigans are fun
• You’ve enjoyed the usual style of adventure and action found in World’s Finest

Overall

Akash: While the time travel shenanigans of this issue led to some fun and emotional moments, World’s Finest #39 screams “we need 6 issues for the trade.” It is a decent issue in its own right, but it shouldn’t have been here. Score: 6.5/10

Jackson: Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #39 feels like a diversion from the larger crossover plot after only a few issues, but it’s still an entertaining one. The heroes from the past and present swapping timelines leads to some fun encounters with characters who either don’t exist yet or, more sadly, have passed away. The fight towards the end, while similarly superfluous to the plot of the issue, is well drawn and choreographed to make for an exciting team up sequence. Score: 7.5/10

Score: 7/10

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