Waid crafts two stories for this issue. The first is a pretty fun team-up of our title characters. One of the things that people have asked in the past is how Superman and Batman could be friends when they methods are so different. In the first issue, Waid plays up the differences to a hundred, a level that has been in continuity in the past but no longer. It is fun to see Waid have them arguing with each other.
But it is the second story that is the big win here. We go to the back-up World's Finest teams, Supergirl/Batgirl and Jimmy Olsen/Robin pairs in an old-fashioned contest to see which team is better. Waid has made the Kara/Dick relationship crackle in this else-when book. We have seen Jimmy team up with Babs here as well. So fun seeing them mix and match here, first racing each other then teaming up. This is a super-fun story.
Throw in some deep DC cuts in both and you have a win.
The first story is drawn by the masterful Dan Mora who gets to stretch his Ditko muscles in a crazy dream world. Whether it is insane action or crazy page layouts, Mora understood the mission. Regular title artist Adrian Gutierrez draws the second story and shines with his usual sound effect flourishes. Yes, I like his Supergirl, always a bonus.
On to the fun!
In side the gem is a dream world where thoughts become reality.
The differences between the heroes keep being brought up and amplified as they bicker. Superman calls Batman a know-it-all. Batman says everyone loves Superman.
The plot is simple. Dr. Destiny has induced insomnia in everyone, leading to a world on the brink. When the League returned from a space mission and tracked down Destiny, he retreated into his Dreamstone. The only way to end the effect is to get to Destiny and drag him back to reality. Enter Zatanna to zap the heroes into the gem.
Mora draws every character great. Whenever I see him draw a character I wish he was on their monthly. Add Zatanna to the mix.
We know classically that the lack of sleep can even effect Kryptonians.
I love that Superman, S-shielded up the Batman '66 car here. Pretty fun. And I didn't know that Superman was a car guy either.
You get a glimpse at the fun pages Mora creates throughout the story.
But the heroes differences start to flare a bit. They run into a dream-state Catwoman. Superman can't understand why Batman could ever be with a criminal. Batman says he has to rank the evils. Killers need to be stopped first.
As for Catwoman, I wish Mora was drawing her monthly now. Meow indeed.
In this dream world, Batman is able to mutate himself so he and Supes can trade some blows, all while Dr. Destiny watches gleefully. Destiny wants them to kill each other in this world.
But Superman's strong vow against killing finally breaks through the haze.
I love the end panel, the heroes shaking hands and talking how they are the World's Finest Team.
No mistaking that panel.
Hurray Predator!
It is a fine if somewhat simple story. But I love how Waid acknowledges, perhaps for the first time in this book, that these two are quite different and could have been only grudgingly friends.
We start in the Batcave where the sidekicks are telling the World's Finest team about a conundrum.
Earlier, Supergirl and Batgirl decide to have an old fashioned contest against Robin and Jimmy to see who can find some hidden treasure. The objective is given to them, unknowingly, by Batman.
I love how Robin plays his boss to get some quest.
Jimmy starts out by retelling how he got info on the statue by commanding the Daily Planet staff to do the research for him.
All a lie. Because Superman was there as Clark and knows that Jimmy was laughed at and had to do his own research.
I like young Jimmy being brash and playing up his authority. Very Jimmy somehow.
Very fun given Babs life as a librarian.
Both teams get leads that take them to Egypt.
Here was the best moment.
Babs can't help but notice that Dick gets under Kara's skin and asks why. Supergirl talks about Robin's brash nature, running into danger even though he could get harmed. She acts irked but I think we have seen she likes it. Like maybe she doth protesteth too much.
Just as good is Babs saying she likes Jimmy because he is so ordinary. A hot galoot.
I love when Waid writes these characters.
But with the flashback over, we see both teams arrived at the statue at the same time. And they brought the statue back to the Batcave.
Jimmy removes a dagger stuck in the statue which revives it into a Durlan. It all comes together. The statue was called Dhur-La. The pharaoh was supposedly met an outsider from the stars. A Durlan! Hello Legion!
But this one is upset after being mystically frozed for centuries. It turns into a Kryptonian dragon, a drang! Deep cut! And explains the 'Sturm Und Drang' title - which is a musical type typically related to emotional unrest (the characters feelings?) but also has drang in the title!
So close to a dranj!
I loved the playful banter between the four sidekicks. I loved the veiled romantic feelings the Supergirl and Batgirl professed in that scene. I love Robin being described as a 'red cape' he shakes at the bull of the world. And the art is frenzied, energetic and fun.
I hope Waid writes these characters more and more in this book.
Not a bad anniversary issue!
Overall grade: A
1 comment:
What a fun comic! And yes, a drang. Wonder if the drangs ever met the Vrangs?
I dunno about Superman being into engines but I do remember some fella named Jordan Elliot tinkering with a Buick something or other.
Great review!
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