Batman/Superman World's Finest #49 came out last week, the finale of a quick two-parter sending our heroes to Earth-3. The first part really threw out a lot of ideas that I thought could be mined. But this one came and went quickly setting up next issue's anniversary fiftieth issue.
Mark Waid is joined by writer Mark Russell on this story. I wonder why that happened. Waid has been writing a lot of titles and took over Flash during DCKO. So perhaps he needed a little script help? The other thought I had was that this was some sort of backdoor pilot for Russell. I can imagine a Earth-3 mini-series by him with villains as heroes and heroes as villains. Regardless, this is a bit of a sprint to the finish which sort of left me feeling a little bit empty after the full joy of part one.
Marcus To is on art and gets to play in the sandbox, bringing in a bunch of characters from the DCU into the story including a team of 'heroes', classic DC villains flipped on Earth 3. I had to grab this variant by Nathan Szerdy with Kara and Dick out for burgers and perhaps dishing a bit about the other date we see in the shadows.
I loved the last issue as we got to see the other 'syndicates' on Earth-3. So I hope that Waid (and/or Russell) gets to explore this world again some time.
Last issue ended with the reveal that for some reason our title heroes were captured in Will Magnus's labs. This issue starts with how they ended up there.
Turns out a very very classic looking Brainiac flying a very classic Brainiac saucer (hooray Silver Age!) was looking through a universal rift in hopes of gaining further knowledge. When our heroes show up to stop him, the robot pushes them through.
I say all along, Waid walks the tight rope of classic and new. But this is pure unadulterated classic Brainiac being pumped into my veins and I love it.
Even though they looked knocked out, our heroes were awake in their chains, albeit still nursing their injuries.
Two interesting things here I liked.
Batman saying he felt like 'nine miles of bad road' is a great line. I don't think the current 'gritty' Batman would ever sound so vulnerable.
I also like that the sun on Earth-3 is different, not allowing Superman to recharge quickly. Yes, it is a way to depower Superman for this storyline. But it could make a little sense given here Ultraman gets his power from Green K, not yellow sunlight.
Before the Crime Syndicate can get their hands on Batma and Superman, they are rescued by a sort of mutated Riddler.
You might remember the Riddler was dumped in an acid bath last issue. Turns out the toxic waste dumps into the river so the Riddler was able to survive. Funny that Earth-3's pollution standards are lousy.
But I did like the 'dear god' from Batman when he hears how his doppelganger was willing to kill the villain.
We get these glimpses of how different the world is from the one we know.
We then meet the Riddler's colleagues, a sort of rebel force of 'heroes', people we know as villains normally. Mad Hatter! Silver Banshee! The Toyman (called Winslow despite the Jack B. Nimble costume)!
How do the 'heroes' know they can trust the World's Finest? Batman is blunt. They aren't killing them. Love that line, especially in the aftermath of the prior 'dear god' response.
The plan is simple and heroic. Have the 'heroes' fight the Crime Syndicate as a decoy so Batman and Superman can fly into space and through the closing rift.
We already know Ultraman, Owlman, and Superwoman will kill without a second thought. So how is sending Catwoman and Toyman a good idea? It'll be bloodbath not a decoy. I guess it would be a sacrifice for the greater good ... of Earth 0.
Love To's take on this motley group of rebels.
But when he hears the screams, the weakened Superman joins the fight. He is powerful enough to save the heroes and take out Ultraman and is about to hit Superwoman when she tells him she is pregnant. I love Superman's expression.
I can only hope that that nugget is explored later. Could their be an evil Jon Kent out there on Earth 3?
The fight ends with a deus ex machina. Silver Banshee cuts loose with her scream, incapacitating the Syndicate allowing Superman to fly off.
Maybe she should have done that earlier?
But that's that.
Our heroes fly though the rift back to their world.
This whole back half of the story just feels rushed and maybe didn't live up to the excellence of the first part. Maybe I am being too harsh. It is a fine story with fine moments. But maybe I was expecting more.
Overall grade: B-
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