REVIEW: Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #55
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #55 brings us a brand new story arc, one that brings several plagues to the world as our trio (Robin included) try to stop ‘The Four Harbingers of the Apocalypse’.
But before we get into the issue itself let’s take a look at the covers. The main cover is by Dan Mora and perfectly captures the context of the issue without giving anything away. Mora’s art is always a joy to see and I really love the positioning in this cover, it almost feels like a movie poster.
Taurin Clarke’s variant is another great one and due to the colouring, has a real cosmic vibe to it. I love the composition of the cover too as we see Ra’s Al Ghul lurking in the background, much like the actual events of the issue. I also love the detail and how the blurred objects add a real effect to the piece.
Adrián Gutiérrez & Luis Guerrero’s variant is probably my favourite of the bunch. Once again we see the feature of Ra’s Al Ghul lurking in the background, but this time more prominently as we see Batman and Superman running towards the reader. I really love the sketched effect to this piece, the sharp lines really make it pop, as does the dull background colouring in comparions to Batman and Superman’s costumes.
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #55 opens with a new story arc as Poison Ivy escapes Arkham Asylum. We learn here that she disappeared hours before anyone noticed, which means she could be anywhere and its up to Batman and Robin to track her down. Ivy has been invited to meet with Ra’s Al Ghul and together, alongside three villains form a team, that team is called ‘The Four Harbingers of the Apocalypse’.
As Batman and Robin fight Van Cleer in the streets of Gotham after he takes a group of innocents hostage, they are interrupted by two who come to their aid, these both are partners of Batman in some sort of way – first Superman and then Talia Al Ghul, who comes to warn them of her father’s plan. Superman along with him brings a swarm of bees, but just as they get the upper hand, they soon realise that the bees weren’t actually the problem, it’s what they brought with them as Robin falls ill to a virus which then spreads further across the city. It’s now up to Batman and Superman to figure out what’s going on and also to find a cure, but as they inch closer they find that the bees were just the first step in an overarching plan. Now two other Harbingers unleash chaos on Earth and with them attacking simultaneously, Batman and Superman have to come to terms with their biggest fear – they can’t save everyone.
The interior art is by Adrián Gutiérrez, inks by Vicente Cifuentes, colours by Luis Guerrero and letters by Steve Wands and it is glorious. Their art perfectly captures the tone of the issue and I really love the way this team bring these characters to life. With so much action and chaos involved in one issue, they handle every moment perfectly well and that really added to my enjoyment of the issue.
(7/10) Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #55 brings us a great opening for a new story-arc and I’m really looking forward to seeing how they tackle so much in one go, especially as there’s only two of them and four Harbingers.
