REVIEW: Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #24

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #24 brings the threat level up to maximum as Darkseid is added to the equation. At the same time, where does David’s, now Magog, story go from here knowing the events of Kingdom Come? This issue reveals all the answers.

Dan Mora puts Batman and Superman in the position they fear the most – when they can’t save everyone. This cover is also very telling because it looks like Batman and Superman are able to get back to their own Earth but at an unimaginable cost. The typeface matching the color of the engulfing, apocalyptic flames is a cool touch as well. I sure will miss Mora drawing their Kingdom Come counterparts on the cover.

With the Return to Kingdom Come story wrapping up, these may be the last Kingdom Come-centric variants we may see for a while. Dave Wilkins creates a cool high-definition-like variant featuring Superman and Batman of Earth-22. With Alex Ross’ original art as a reference, Wilkins creates a classic World’s Finest juxtaposition with both the heroes and their respective cities.

Mahmud Asrar illustrates a variant of the whole Justice League of Earth-22. The Brian Hitch influence is right here with the style and handling of one of the Eradicator’s co-creators. This is one of those covers that makes you wish we could get a true Kingdom Come prequel series featuring the Justice League of that Earth. While the page feels cluttered with heroes, there are actually only eight identifiable ones. Simplicity also proves to be the best approach only a sunset sky as the background using only three tones of color.

Another great variant is available by Sweeney Boo.

Darkseid has arrived to claim the anti-life equation from Gog. As was revealed in the last issue, the source of Gog’s power to control life is in fact what Darkseid has always been searching for. While Batman and his Earth-22 doppelganger work to regroup with Magog and the rest of Earth-22’s Justice League, the two Supermen and the more powerful members try to hold off Darkseid.

But Darkseid’s might appears too great as he pushes past them all and to Gog. In the struggle, it all comes down to David and the decisions he makes. Acting as Magog, he kills Gog so that Darkseid may never have his power and conquer the multiverse. Of course, killing for any reason is no excuse for real justice according to the Justice League. Magog stands by what he did, saying that he made the world a safer place and won against Darkseid. But at this point, there are still several pages in the issue left and the true ending of David’s story post-Kingdom Come has yet to be revealed. Batman and Superman also have to return home for the next adventure.

Mark Waid had to have been planning a return to his famous work of Kingdom Come within the pages of this series when it first started. When David was introduced in issue #6 it was confirmed as his story began. Now, we finally get some closure with David, Boy Thunder, Magog, or whatever you want to call him. This entire story has been nonstop action since Batman and Superman’s arrival on Earth-22 with some matchups that some fans have been dying to see. Who hasn’t wondered if the older Superman of Kingdom Come could beat his younger self? Naturally exploring Kingdom Come also involves the theme of superheroes and justice and just where the line is drawn. It’s stories like that that make superhero stories so discussion-worthy. Letters are done by Steve Wands.

Mora, with colors by Tamra Bonvillain, creates some of the hardest Darkseid panels to come out of DC as he takes on an entire Justice League, which is actually usually the norm for the New God of Apokolips. It all shows you how mad Superman usually is when he actually manages to hurt him. Kingdom Come is also revisited in significant detail in this issue and it’s always a treat to see it redrawn and imagined. This arc also had to feature the most DC heroes in single panels.

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #24 makes an explosive arc even more so with what feels like a Crisis event in a single issue. It’s wild that Waid has managed to revisit his most famous work with a focus on Magog of all character, and with that, David Sikela’s story is complete.