Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 2024 Annual review

I’ve been looking forward to this one since it was announced – a bunch of World’s Finest-adjacent characters in their own stories.

First we have Mr Mxyzptlk, Bat-Mite and their Just-Us League of Imps meeting at the Fifth Dimensional Hall of Just-Us. Mxy has an agenda to discuss but no one is listening.

I just love this kind of thing, light-hearted fluff taking the mickey out of the DC Universe. Artist Edwin Galmon’s cartooning suits Mark Waid and Cullen Bunn’s jokiness splendidly… and then we come to the final three pages, which get terribly serious, underlined by Lee Loughridge taking over as colourist from Galmon. The skilled lettering comes from Steve Wands, who sticks around for the whole book. We’re told the story will continue in World’s Finest #25 – I’m sure it’ll be good, the mystery villain looks to be an old Legion of Super-Heroes favourite – but I wasn’t half enjoying the pure silliness of proceedings.

Travis Mercer’s art is the star of the show in the Metamorpho short written by Dennis Culver. Rex’s shapeshifting is shown with rare power.

The regular folk look terrific too, especially Java (OK, regular-ish). Andrew Dalhouse’s colours are a riot of fun. The story turns on that old trope of a long lost relative, but it does see Rex forced to face an uncomfortable truth. If Culver plans to follow up on what happens here, great. If not, I’m simply sad for Rex.

The secret origin of Bumblebee proves to be the same as that of most other tech-based heroes – she’s a genius with a soldering iron and access to materials. Mentored by her Aunt Birdie, who tweaks prosthetics for local kids, Karen Beecher comes up with her wings and a spy bee to get evidence that an electronics store is making shoddy goods. The name of the shop is Bucklin, and characters talk about it as if it’s something we should recognise, like Roxxon or Luthorcorp. It turns out to be owned by Simon Stagg, but Stephanie Williams’ story is a little too calm, a designed-to-inspire YA entry – there’s no oomph. The nearest we get to action is Karen flying away from a couple of workers in overalls. Artist Rosi Kämpe draws that well. She draws everything well, I just wish she had something more engaging to draw. This story is fine, but oh so polite. Even Jordi Bellaire’s colouring is uncharacteristically bland.

And finally, it’s the original Challengers of the Unknown. After a quick recap of their origin – plane crash, survived, decided to have adventures, no mean retailers – they have a reality-bending encounter with a supercollider. As well as Ace, Rocky, Red and an unpleasantly bearded Prof we he have traditional fifth Chall June and villainous robot turned pal Ultivac. Also on hand is a scientist named Dr Elias, who may be the same Dr Elias from New 52 Flash. It doesn’t matter, he’s just a prop.

The main points of interest are the Challs trying very hard to make a catchphrase happen…

… and June becoming a more legit Chall than ever before. I rather liked this ernest effort from writer Christopher Cantwell and would love to see where he might take the team. And Jorge Fornes produces blisteringly beautiful art… seriously, wait until you see the pages in which our heroes, heroine and rustbucket go beyond the unknown! Kudos, too, to the aforementioned Loughridge for exploding his box of colours on our behalf. More please.

So what’s the final score? The Imps story lost impetus. Metamorpho left me melancholy. Bumblebee needed more buzz. And the Challengers unknowingly saved the day with a story packed with energy and character.

World’s Finest legend Dan Mora brings us another dynamic cover image featuring your three favourite heroes together – make the most of ‘em as they show up for just one panel inside.

I’d love to know what you thought of this issue.