BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLDS FINEST #48 (DC COMICS)
No matter what universe they have versions in, Superman and Batman have been connected as a dominant pairing.
They have earned the moniker of “World’s Finest” for a reason. The pair represents what is means being a superhero. On another Earth, this is not the case.
Earth-3 is home to another dangerous pair. Ultraman and Owlman are the evil versions of the Finest. Anything they’re involved with can’t be anything good.
BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD’S FINEST #48 by Mark Waid, Marcus To, Tamra Bonvillain & Steve Wands (DC COMICS) takes a trip to the evil side.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening now.
BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD’S FINEST #48 by Mark Waid, Marcus To, Tamra Bonvillain & Steve Wands (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Waid unveils a frightening tale of opportunity with this chapter. The opening sequence with Owlman’s “origin” is twisted enough to set the pace for the chapter. Jumping 20 years into the future allows readers to see a vision of domination flood the streets. The writing is crystal clear for new readers this isn’t the heroes fans know. For seasoned readers, it brings out the distorted versions and their seedy goals. The handling of Talon’s death is as cold and disturbing as one might imagine. It sets the second half of the book full speed ahead.
Readers watch as the pair tries implementing their will on some other notable faces. Waid weaves a heavy amount of tension as the talks go sideways fast. There is no honor amongst thieves here. The fight rolls over to another corner of the DCU in their search for power. The writing throws in a huge surprise in dealing with another threat. It is a fun twist into the overall scheme of things. Once the fight concludes, there’s one more reveal waiting in the wings. The final page raises some questions, leaving the audience in wait till next time.
To and Bonvillain being with a new version of an iconic tragedy. The mannerisms young Bruce Wayne shows here sends shivers down spines. It is a cold-blooded move reflective of this world. Once the time jump occurs, a full page image shows Ultraman at work. This spins into a fatal encounter with another hero as the target. Readers watch as the pair soars in the sky discussing business. Another dark vision is the handling of Talon’s “death”. The imagery speaks volumes before moving into uneasy territory.
The near full shot of the first opposition conveys a worrisome feel. There is no shortage of the weight involved in this business dealing. Fans don’t wait long for action to commence. If anyone ever wanted to see Superman and Batman hold nothing back, this is what they want. The fight concludes with a doomful image before jumping into another fight. Readers get more of the same as the conflict escalates. It’s a pretty direct presentation that will please. This moves to a surprising ending. The full image teases a few directions as there’s more going on here than meets the eye.
FINAL GRADE: 8.6
The emergence of Ultraman and Owlman spells doom for the World’s Finest in an intriguing arc debut. Waid holds nothing back as the evil pair goes into business. To and Bonvillain provide a healthy balance of action and drama with the art. The series tells superhero stories like no one else. Time to buckle in and enjoy another classic ride.
Let me know your thoughts on BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD’S FINEST #48 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
