“Eclipso is a shadowy being, and mystically speaking, the most effective way to dispel darkness is to…burn it out!”
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #31 not only saw the return of Eclipso and the destruction of the Justice League’s satellite base, but also the introduction of new series artist Adrian Gutierrez. Now, in this second chapter of Shadows Fall, the Justice League is captured, Batman and Superman are under Eclipso’s control, and Mark Waid and Gutierrez weave a story in which Robin turns to his Justice Society allies. What is their mission? Free the Boy Wonder leaders from magical corruption to prevent the entire world from falling into darkness.
Anyone familiar with Wide understands that he has an old-school affinity for popular DC heroes. His affinity with teams such as the JSA and the Legion of Super-Heroes is particularly well-known, with the most recent example being Mon-El’s immediate reappearance in a parallel run of Action Comics. . The JSA’s presence in this issue is as engaging as you’d expect, with an emphasis on Wade’s clear favorites Jay Garrick, Spectre, and Doctor Fate as they try to stop the magically tainted world’s finest. and steals the spotlight with its mission to liberate the world’s finest. Justice League.
Gutierrez quickly becomes the star of the show with an energetic and dynamic art style that complements the fast pace of the story. His action sequences represent a marriage between Jorge Jimenez and pre-series artist Dan Mora, and they feel both fresher and more consistent than many art switches typically do. But Gutierrez truly excels in his use of close-ups to show some unique panel perspectives that are simple and effective. It expresses the movement and tension of those scenes in a unique way.
Batcave Surprise, courtesy of DC Comics.
What further complements Gutierrez’s work is that, despite the shadowy aesthetic of this arc’s premise, Tamra Bonvillain’s diverse and frequently eye-catching characters, and sometimes even the panels themselves, jump off the page. It is a color that attracts attention. Alongside that, Mark Waid’s script also feels more attuned to Gutierrez’s art style compared to previous fill-in artists, and captures the energy the DC veteran brought to JLA in the late ’90s. is modernized. Of particular note is the fact that the series frequently uses characters that lean toward a more jumbled narrative. This element is still present here, but it’s significantly less jumbled and more focused than previous arcs.
Story-wise, it continues the high-stakes trend of villain-of-the-week stories without losing the sense of scale that this series so often brings. Repeated end-of-the-world scenarios often cause the series to lose its sense of scale, but the upbeat campiness that has become a Wade staple, as noted by Eclipso’s appearances in other books. It focuses on setting the future, which is comedy, and doesn’t cut corners. Key elements such as an unpredictable villain plot further push the series’ modernized Silver Age feel.
In summary, World’s Finest #32 is another visually stunning addition to the DC lore, boasting an action-packed team-up story that barely misses a beat. This series continues to be one of the most enjoyable superhero comics on the stands, thanks to the sheer unapologetic explosion that the creators always seem to have in this sandbox of books. And while it’s clear that Wade is focusing on the upcoming Justice League Unlimited series with Dan Mora, looking at the way he uses the characters, World’s Finest is a sister title. There is no doubt that it will continue to be of great value.
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #32 engulfs our heroes in darkness
Batman/Superman: World’s Best #32
It’s another visually stunning addition to the DC saga, boasting an action-packed team-up story that barely misses a beat and brings out the best in its creativity.
JSA is a welcome addition to the rotating roster of guest stars and is handled very well.
Gutierrez’s art remains consistent with Mora’s, while maintaining an eye-catching, unique freshness appropriate for this new era.
Wade’s script is packed with action and witty dialogue, drawing on the best of his past work while building for the future.
Despite having so many characters, the book still feels balanced and cohesive.
Wade’s comic flair meshes incredibly well with Gutierrez’s energetic style, never losing visual or narrative focus.
