This week: Team-up between the great heroes of the two worlds ends with Batman/Superman: The World’s Best #43.
Note: The review below contains spoilers. If you need quick spoiler purchase/pass recommendations for the manga in question, please see the bottom of the article for the final verdict.
Batman/Superman: The World’s Best #43
Author: Mark Waid
Artist: Adrián Gutiérrez & Sean Izaakse
Colorist: Matt Harms
Letter: Steve Ones
Cover Artist: Danmora
The main reason I enjoy reading Batman/Superman is the best in the world. It is the ability to make the anthology of writer Mark Wade’s story very appealing. All new adventures put a smile on my face, and the series’ current storyline, “Bizarro World Tour,” is no exception. Wade has an innate understanding of the characters he wrote, especially Superman and Batman. These heroes are set next to their distorted counterparts in a world designed to be the exact opposite of a normal DCU.
Waid does this very well so you can’t help but feel attached to the wood brutes of Bizarro #1 and Batzarro. Infected with the alien intelligence virus that destroyed their world, they are forced to work with their counterparts to embrace their new intelligence to give their world a better chance. Robin’s role here also shines, acting as an outsider who sees what even Superman and Batman can’t. He stands out for the same reasons he does in main universe. As a light in the darkness, it fills humans with both darkness and aliens. It leads to an outstanding moment between Bataro, Batman and Robin.
Even in another reality, the idea of hope for salakking salsing is still present with their counterparts, although in its own distorted form. Bizarro #1 and Batzarro do not hide from that truth and instead accept who they really are and accept their normality, so they choose to become normal again after their very normal. In a way, Wade tells all his readers that there’s nothing wrong with being you, and is seen as strange by others. Tell me, it will go home in all the right places.
The story comes visually thanks to artists Adrián Gutiérrez and Sean Izaakse, along with the colours of Steve Ones. Together, they sell strange worlds in ways that feel absurd and grounded. The gadgets, set pieces, and the whole world building across these three issues are some of the most original things I’ve seen in a long time. The art explodes with the energy of a Saturday morning cartoon, bright, exaggerated and embarrassingly fun, but is balanced with powerful layouts and dynamic character work that add weight to the story. Gutiérrez, Izaakse, and Wands create a world as fascinating as it is strange.
It is also worth recognizing how consistently strong the Batman/Superman: The world’s best strength is. It belongs to No. 43 and maintaining this level of quality is a feat in itself. Through its execution, the series provided a story that never shunned from being creative, goofy or deeply influenced. It overlaps heartfelt moments between eccentric or dangerous adventures, showing exactly why Superman, Batman and Robin endure as icons. In a market where many superhero comics are dark, dense or more self-esteem, the best in the world is something that reminds us of the joy and imagination that attracted people to these heroes in the first place. Waid, Gutiérrez, Izaakse, and Wands are goofy and heartfelt, not afraid to embrace spectacle at once. That’s exactly why it works.
Waid and his collaborators have turned what could have been a simple gimmick into a celebration of both the absurdity and the centre of a superhero comic. “Bizarro World Tour” is proof of why the best in the world is one of the most fun and reliable books on the stand. With BatMonday coming this Saturday, we’re happy to know that this is one of the latest issues ready for pickup.
Final Verdict: Purchase
round up
For the story set in Great Depression, I was hoping that Batman’s opening section: The Second Knight #1 would focus on one of America’s darkest times on a harsh but grounded look. Needless to say, writer Dan Jurgens had other plans. Eventually I realized that someone was dragging the clocktower, tied up inside the bell, literally ringing and dying. And that’s just the beginning as we were thrown into the sadistic murder of Gotham of a new serial killer. Meanwhile, Lois Lane will make his debut in his first Night Universe. Think of me as crazy. The first knight is already outstanding when he first fell, and this continuation feels as easy as a way to acquire its success, but I don’t read it that way at all. Instead, it feels like a natural expansion of the world. Most of it comes from Mike Perkins’ incredible artwork. Here is a two-page spread that will adore Batman fans. For those looking for a more noir-esque Batman piece, they will explode. I can’t wait to see what the next issue has.
The art of Absolute Flash was probably the main reason why I stuck with this series for a long time. To be fair, the focus on Wally was also a highlight. It was a joy to see him in front and center in the absolute universe. That being said, I would lie if I said I wasn’t slowly beginning to feel the burns. The series has thrown us a lot of storytelling, but without that real expansion, I sometimes feel like I’m tied up by suspense without any reward. Thankfully, this week’s absolute flash #7 gives the feeling that things are finally beginning to pick up. Another obvious obvious thing is dropped here. It’s something I’m really interested in how the next chapter unfolds. The idea of Flash’s rogue gallery stepping into the role of the Allies is a fun and unexpected twist, enough to excite where the series is heading next. I have faith in writer Jeff Lemia and artist Travis Moore. That’s why I’m happy to see the next crazy idea they come up with. With the opening page alone, the new Gods #10 issue feels like something worth owning. Writers Ram V and artists Evan Cagle, Francesco Segara and Pai Paa know how to provide almost emotional gut punches and take us through flashbacks of young Celifans. Looking at our world through the eyes of someone who is essentially an almighty God left me with a real sense of emptiness. It’s fantastic with the last panel that appears to be depressed with one hand with a gun, and the other TV remote, as he watches the aftermath of the world and its current state. Apokolips is very close, but so far I can’t wait to see what this series has next.
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