Review: Batman/Superman World's Finest #37

World's Finest #37 came out last week, wrapping up the underwater adventure that writer Mark Waid and artist Adrian Gutierrez have sent our heroes into. 

I will start with the most amazing thing about this story ... perhaps the most amazing thing that Mark Waid has ever done. He made Ronal both sympathetic and interesting.

The story itself, the Floronic Man using 'magic plants' to pit the twin cities of Atlantis against each other, is a bit of a stretch. I still don't know why he simply couldn't harvest these plants on the downlow. Or replant these plants somewhere else and create his own crop. And the wrap-up to the story is sort of a secondary part of the tale which seems more about the burden of leadership and how it can strain relationships. Whether it is Aquaman who is accused as an absent leader or Ronal who is so consumed by leadership that he has lost himself, being a leader is difficult.

The art by Adrian Gutierrez remains fun and energetic. I am amazed at how he continued to remind me this is an undersea story by adding bubbles and wave lines throughout. 

But overall, I feel this story was a little stretched out when comparing to other arc in this title. Still fun!

On to the story.

We ended last issue with Lori Lemaris and Superman in a passionate liplock.

But Superman quickly pulls away and reminds Lori she is married.

This makes it seem Superman is more surprised than what we saw last issue. 

Glad Superman recognizes he is crossing a line here.

Of course Ronal sees it all.

I always chuckle when someone says 'it's not what you think' when caught red-handed.

What was it?

But poor Lori. She looks completely ashamed.

In another curious moment from last issue, the Floronic Man took over Swamp Thing's body. It seemed like a little bit too much power for a C-lister like Woodrue.

Thankfully it is short-lived. Swamp Thing repels him.

Batman wanted Woodrue to stay in Swamp Thing so he could remain localized in that form. I don't know how that is different from Woodrue being in his own body.

With Ronal's army routed by Aquaman's last issue and with his wife kissing her old boyfriend, Ronal heads off to sulk.

I did like this moment where Aquaman finds him and talks about the strain of leadership. Here Aquaman reminds Ronal of all the good he has done acting as a king despite putting his whole life on hold. 

Ronal needs a little work/life balance though. He has put all his own ambition and passions on the backburner while leading. Ronal is a great leader ... but he needs to find time for himself.

You can see some sort of 'two sides of a coin' story here. Aquaman has been the exact opposite, spending his time with the JLA instead of being on the throne. This might be a little self-therapy. 

United, Aquaman and Ronal and Mera and Lori use 'magic weapons' to 'drain the magic' out of the Floronic Man making him susceptible to Superman's freeze breath.

Quick and easy.

Too quick? Too easy?

With the villain gone, we get to the real meat of the story.

Ronal has been so consumed by his role that he has basically ignored Lori. He is no longer acting like the man she loved.

She kissed Superman in a moment of weakness. Superman did not kiss back.

She is mortified.

Is this justification? Maybe she should have said something before?

But trust me ... marriages aren't easy.

They then use their telepathy. She shows Ronal what she thinks of him, what she feels for him. 

It opens his eyes.

I liked this artistic flourish of having their loving embrace as solid silhouettes rather than fully rendered figures.

And then this nice moment. If both Aquaman and Ronal are struggling why not share the burden. 

Can you imagine! I felt bad for Ronal! I was rooting for him! I was happy for him! Words I never thought I'd say.

So overall a fun issue with good character moments even if the super-hero plot felt almost extraneous. Love the bubble effects and ben-day dots and all the other stuff Gutierrez used to spice up the proceedings.

Overall grade: B