REVIEW: ‘Batman/Superman: World’s Finest’ Issue 39

Batman/Superman World’s Finest Issue 39 is published by DC Comics. Written by Mark Waid, art by Clayton Henry, colors by Tamra Bonvillain, and letters by Steve Wands.

This is part of the “We Are Yesterday” crossover. The Batman and Superman of both eras switch places, appearing in different periods in time.

The issue starts immediately where the previous chapter of the crossover ended. Robin has landed in another timeline, the present-day timeline. But there isn’t time to gather themselves, as the consequences instantly take effect. The Batman, Superman, and Robin of the World’s Finest world swap places with Batman, Superman, and Nightwing of the Justice League Unlimited. It takes an adjustment period to figure out who is where matching the heroes’ discombobulation. But both are called into action very soon.

The pace is rapid on both sides under very different circumstances. In the present, there are members of the Legion of Doom to contend with, whilst those in the past have to find their way home. Batman/Superman World’s Finest Issue 39 isn’t easy to follow, but its plot is frantic and fun. However, it’s still annoying that the story hasn’t continued where Justice League Unlimited Issue 6 ended. The outcome of the encounter is still unknown, multiple chapters later.

The characters get surprises at both ends. Those from the World’s Finest can see their future and where they end up. For Superman, it is his family that’s the biggest reveal. But Robin actually meets his future self in Nightwing. It is Dick Grayson that drives so much of the temporal trickery. For those in the past, they come face to face with loved ones who are no longer around, leading to heartbreaking dialogue. The confusion and chaos are captured brilliantly in a comic centered mainly around two versions of three heroes. The dialogue takes the story in its stride, accepting the time-traveling circumstances and having fun exploring them.

The art tries to help make sense of the time swap. The easiest way of doing that is through Grayson. One set of Batman and Superman has Young Robin, the others have Nightwing. Otherwise, it would be much harder to get them apart. Henry does an exceptional job of showing how shell-shocked the heroes are in Batman/Superman World’s Finest Issue 39. The wide eyes and open mouths are hysterical and cartoony, matching the feel of the comic.

Other details show the various points in time. This includes putting characters in the right places, from Superwoman to Black Canary. The Justice League watchtower itself shifts entirely. The Batcave is classic. There is a phenomenal fight between Sinestro and Scarecrow, splitting the trio in a terrific comic book fight.

The colors are gloriously vibrant. Only Tim Drake still sports the Robin costume, so it is rare to see all of those bright colors on display, and it draws a smile seeing it compared to the much darker Nightwing uniform. The vibrancy is everywhere, from the heroes to the villains. Colors are important to DC Comics as they showcase Lantern Corps insignia and warn of dangerous Kryptonite or Scarecrow’s fear gas. The lettering is consistent and easy to read.

Batman/Superman World’s Finest Issue 39 shuffles the story. The exhilarating and entertaining pace of the World’s Finest books bleeds into the main timeline, altogether transplanting the heroes into the modern world. It leads to an excellent plot that is warm and exciting in its tone. Don’t worry too much about the laws of time or paradoxes, the comic doesn’t either.

The crossover is still scruffy regarding moving forward, and the time travel elements certainly don’t make it easier to follow. It will return to that point with the Justice League Unlimited and the Legion of Doom. It feels like an eternity since we were last there.

Batman/Superman World’s Finest Issue 39 is available where comics are sold.