I am still catching up on the comics from last week which included Batman/Superman World's Finest #34. Waid has been using a great formula for the book. He has a done-in-one rest issue between his arcs. And with the Eclipso story behind us, we get this fun story with a new pair of World's Finest duos - Batgirl and Jimmy Olsen as well as Ace and Krypto. Much like the Supergirl/Robin issue in the first year, it is fun to see Waid handle other members of the Bat/Super family, giving them the spotlight.
It's a simple plot. Batman, Superman, and Robin have gone missing. The pets seem to sense that something is awry and so find their human friends to save the day. The fun is seeing Batgirl have to contend with a flirty Jimmy and a super-powered dog. Babs is the 'straight man' here, responding to the insanity around her.
The art is by Fran Galan. His work is new to me. There is an energy and style here that reminds me of Dan Brereton. This is no small compliment. I love Brereton. So this issue shines artwise for me. I wouldn't mind seeing Galan doing more Batgirl stuff in the future.
Some good bits here. Robin name drops Takron-Galtos, the prison planet that is still around in the Legion continuity. Seeing our gang focusing on universal justice and not just Earth justice is fun too. And Robin proves to be the wisest, noting that eyes usually come in pairs.
Is Galtar new? You never know with Waid. He might have had one appearance in the past somewhere. He is new to me.
And is it me? Or have there been a lot of Legion references in DC Comics lately??
Cut to the present and we learn that Batman and Superman have been missing for weeks.
Batgirl has been taking triple shifts to keep Gotham safe. But she isn't alone.
It is always cool to see Ace.
Galan really shines with Batgirl throughout the book. Perhaps it is the Thrillkiller Elseworlds that make me see some Brereton here.
Waid also seems to have a ball writing Jimmy. We see that he dreams of Wonder Woman. We hear about his trophy collection. And we learn he owes Krypto a bunch of favors.
It is such a fun scene. I may have actually giggled. This is the Jimmy I like to read, just a little bit weird and silly.
I love Jimmy as he tries to woo Batgirl a little. First he says 'you can call me Mr. Action' and then he tries the world worst like to try and woo. Batgirl is just not buying it. She recognizes just how bad Jimmy is at all that.
There was a second eye!!
I like the idea of using Arkham as a sort of nexus. And I like that Waid didn't succumb to the temptation of throwing every Batman villain into this tale.
I do like the teamwork between this new World's Finest. Batgirl and Ace will deal with the riff raff. The super-powered team will take on Galtar.
The fact that Galtar says he is facing off against Krypto ... again ... makes me think there is an old story out there where the two have faced off. Ok comic historians, help me out!
I also like how he calls Krypto, Superman's familiar. A perfect word choice for a wizard to use.
With Superman and Batman free and with Jimmy able to literally wrap things up, the fight is over quick.
I'm glad Jimmy got to have part of the fun.
Nothing left but the wrap up. Superman flies Galtar back to Takron Galtos. Batman hops into the Batmobile. Jimmy will be flown home by Krypto. And Batgirl has to wonder about all the weirdness.
Great end joke about Streaky. Her exasperation over a super-cat being out there was a great exclamation point on the whole proceedings. Babs just isn't used to the insanity.
I love these done-in-ones as Waid gets that they are meant to be a bit of relief between the hardcore stories, a moment of levity often. He also seems to understand all the characters, giving me a pitch perfect Babs and Jimmy here, just like he gives me a pitch perfect Kara and Dick, Clark and Bruce.
Nice issue to end the year on. A little light on plot but heavy on fun and characterization.
Overall grade: B+
2 comments:
I’m also behind on my books, so thanks for the reminder. I think Galtar is actually new. Anyway, always good to see Krypto, though Bathound was scarier than usually… and where was his cape? I did miss the dogs having a chat.
The art was mostly good, it reminded me of the original endpapers we used to get on British Christmas annuals. Superman’s face was a bit weird, though, when he, Batman and Robin returned. I did love Krypto dangling Jimmy by his Elastic Lad shorts.
I gotta say I enjoyed this issue a lot less than you. Art is secondary to me to writing but I did not like how off model Robin seemed especially. I also don't like Bereton so I guess our difference of opinion makes sense. Usually it wouldn't affect my enjoyment as much as here but this is the second Waid story in a row that feels rushed with important details glossed over. This is not the Bronze age where things (like the heroes in space against a no name villain) should be completely unexplained.
And Babs here is me when it comes to modern depictions of animals with Kryptonian powers. Waid doesn't do the current thing where the animals lack the super brains of the Silver Age though. That trope really creeps me out because I can't help but think of what a mindless animal would do if it had an impulse and had heat vision or super strength. Ugh.
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