REVIEW: Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #50

It’s crazy to think that it’s been a little more than four years since this series started. Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #50 celebrates the milestone with 10 more pages than usual with two stories in one. These stories don’t scream celebration, rather one is more reflective piece of our heroes and the series thus far while the other is the fun one-shot that was already planned for this interlude issue. Still, this issue is worth picking up for the occasion. 

Dan Mora makes his triumphant return as artist for story one of this issue and a World’s Finest issue is never complete without a cover by him. This is the true celebration of the series –a spread cover with all the characters Batman and Superman have encountered since this series began in 2022. The Imps, the Doom Patrol, the Superbat fusion, and Metamorpho are all call backs to stories and issues in themselves. It’s the kind of cover a reader of the series since issue one will see and just thing about how far the series has come since then. 

Mora also gives us another celebrity guest star variant cover, a tradition of this series since issue one. This one features musician, comedian, and polka enthusiast Weird Al Yankovic. Superman is so happy to be there, and Batman is clearly hiding the fact that he is amused. Depending on what your favorite Weird Al song is, this may be the type of image you can hear by looking at it. 

All-Star Superman artist Frank Quitely’s variant is an example of minimalism working. With how much his and Grant Morrison’s Superman story has been reprinted, it’s safe to say that Quitely’s Superman is like Alex Ross’ Superman in terms of comic significance. Quitely always had a knack for a more realistic portrayal of superhero costumes yet keeping the old=style spandex elements. 

Other great variants are available from Mark Spears, Rod Reis, Adrian Gutierrez, Rahzzah, Salvador Larroca, and Vasco Georgiev. 

Story one of two sees Superman and Batman on the trail of the dream-based villain Dr. Destiny causing a global wave on insomnia. They take the Dreamstone to Zatanna, who can transport them directly into it to go after Dr. Destiny (the stone is often his source of power or where he hides). It’s not the most chaotic place every, but the dream world is full villains and people they have encountered in the past like Nezha, Eclipso, the Doom Patrol, Metamorpho, and even Boy Thunder. All the while, Clark and Bruce seemingly slip into a confrontational yet reflective back-and-forth about responsibility and redemption. Of course, this is as Dr. Destiny’s influence over them grows stronger by the second as they close in on him. 

The second story focuses on the supporting cast of Robin, Jimmy, Supergirl, and Batgirl as they compete to find an ancient Egyptian Statue. It’s Supergirl and Batgirl against Robin and Jimmy in a race to find it using all the resources and skills at their disposal. Their search does indeed take them to the deserts of Egypt. But every treasure or mummy tomb has its secrets and sometimes traps that are there for a reason. 

Rather than a grand anniversary story, Mark Waid gives us the two-in-one treatment. Though the first story does have some anniversary-style elements. There are some good moments like Superman and Batman talking about who can truly be redeemed and their responsibility as heroes. Meanwhile, the other story takes what works so well in previous one-shot stories, the chemistry between the supporting characters, and give it its own feature. However, the payoff towards the end makes it worth it. Letters are by Steve Wands. 

Dan Mora’s art is the reason to get this issue, especially as fans of this series. Every panel in the Dreamland is a character and call back to a previous story from the last four years. There are also some great visuals like the Supermobile based on the old Batmobile, Kingdom Come cameos, wild nightmare designs, and panel shattering action when it matters. Colors are by Tamra Bonvillain. Adrian Gutierrez illustrates the second story and like the first one, there’s at least a worthy payoff here given what starts as yet another quest for a vague artifact. Colors here were by Luis Guerrero. 

(7/10) Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #50 celebrates the series with visuals rather than stories with ones that could stand one their own. Still, it’s nice to be treated a special two-in-one interlude issue.