Art by: Dan Mora
Colors by: Tamra Bonvillain
Letters by: Steve Wands
Cover art by: Dan Mora
Cover price: $3.99
Release date: February 20, 2024
Batman / Superman: World's Finest #24 brings the visit to Kingdom Come when the World's Finest from two Earths must come together to stop Darkseid before he rips the Anti-Life Equation from Gog's mind.
Is Batman / Superman: World's Finest #24 Good?
Well, it all comes down to this. Batman / Superman: World's Finest #24 marks the finale of the return to the story arc that (arguably) put Mark Waid on the map, and I'm happy to report that Waid and Mora (mostly) stick the landing.
When last we left the World's Finest, Superman and Batman fought alongside Earth-22's World's Finest against Gog before he could send his Earth's heroes on a suicide mission against Darkseid. The fight ends with Gog trapped and David aka Thunderman aka Magog mostly on the World's Finest's side. Unfortunately, Darkseid arrived when he caught the whiff of a piece of the Anti-Life equation in Gog's mind.
Now, the World's Finest from two worlds and a small collection of Earth-22 heroes do their best to hold Darkseid back from ripping the piece of Anti-Life Equation from Gog's mind to no avail. Batman repeatedly orders David to get reinforcements, but he ignores the order until it's too late to save Gog from Darkseid's clutches. Desperate to save the day, David kills Gog rather than let Darkseid get his prize. Darkseid leaves when there's nothing left to gain. David celebrates, but his allies are devastated that David crossed the uncrossable line.
The issue ends with the Spectre arriving to show everyone what could be or will be before sending Batman and Superman back home.
Whether or not you feel this issue ends on a high note or a so-so-note greatly depends on your expectations. In technical terms, this issue, much like the series, is the most well-written and well-drawn series in DC's lineup. I doubt anyone would argue much against that assessment. But now, we get down to that X-Factor (apologies to you Marvel readers) in terms of generating excitement and memorable moments that get people talking.
What's great about Batman / Superman: World's Finest #24? On a technical level, this issue can't get any finer. Waid and Mora are equally in top form for what you'd want out of a superhero comic. As for that X-Factor concerning how the story ends, I believe Waid chose the best possible of all paths. Darkseid is "defeated," Gog is defeated, and Kingdom Come will still happen how you might expect, but there's enough of a twist to set up what happens AFTER Kingdom Come to give the classic story a fresh coat of paint.
What's not so great about Batman / Superman: World's Finest #24? Darkseid felt overpowered and underused at the same time. When two Superman from two Earths go all out against Darkseid, the Lord of Apokalips barely flinches, but Darkseid leaves after David unceremoniously robs Darkseid of his prize. In short, Darkseid felt like a mindless plot device meant to push David to cross a line.
How's the art? Somebody tell DC to put Dan Mora under contract with an appropriate page rate for the rest of his life. Please and thank you.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Bits and Pieces:
Batman / Superman: World's Finest #24 almost sticks the landing with a multiversal battle against Darkseid that leaves one character damaged for a very long time, another dead, and hope for one Earth after its greatest challenge arrives in the future. Fans of Kingdom Come will have a lot to like in this issue, fans of great superhero art will love this issue, and DC fans finally have a comic worth looking forward to.
9/10
