A few years ago, Clark (Superman) Kent is alongside Bruce (Batman) Wayne, reporting on the latest Waynetech jet as piloted by Hal (Green Lantern) Jordan.
Above Africa, though, the plane runs into trouble, and Hal vanishes. Literally. Soon his abductor makes himself known.
Superman and Batman call in fellow Justice Leaguer Barry Allen, the Flash, who, having had previous dealings with Grodd, is well placed to help execute an assault on Gorilla City. The plan is that Superman and Flash run interference while Batman tracks down Hal. Unfortunately, Grodd, to supplement his Force of Mind powers, has a secret weapon.
And that takes us about halfway through another hugely enjoyable issue. As ever, Mark Waid gives us a well-wrought script, full of logical story and character moments, and little surprises. Old bits of DC trivia such as Hal’s refusal to wear his magic ring when in test pilot mode tickle my nostalgia nerve, and there’s no reason to think newer readers won’t enjoy it for what it reveals about Hal’s character.
And what’s better than one super-ape? Two! Outside of a wonderful issue of Scooby-Doo Team-Up, I can’t recall seeing Grodd and Titano in the same story; the former is his usual horrible self, while Titano gains poignancy via a reminder of his origin.
The teamwork between the heroes is tip-top, with friendship and trust on display throughout. And while that wins the day, this issue is just the beginning of a six-part story weaving in and out of World’s Finest and Justice League Unlimited. Because while Grodd is defeated in this untold tale of DC Past, Grodd of the present day has an idea which may spell Doom for the Justice League…
The slick stylings of Clayton Henry help the story sing – Superman, Batman, Flash and Hal (he never does suit up, but his fists prove useful) look fantastic. Grodd and Titano are marvellously threatening, and I can believe it takes four Leaguers to take them down. Facial expressions are great too, from the double take Bruce does on hearing of Hal’s ring habits to the exchange of looks as Clark and Barry ready to defend themselves from gun-toting gorillas. The only aspect of the art I’m not fond of is Bruce Wayne’s stubble; I’m not overly keen on an unshaven Batman, never mind his playboy self. Still, that’s a choice, Henry’s execution is undeniably first rate.
The same can be said for the colours of Tamra Bonvillain and letters of Steve Wands, they’re both at the top of their game and the book is the better for it.
Dan Mora will be drawing the extra-sized finale to We Are Yesterday, as well as six connecting covers, the first of which fits this issue perfectly. It’s an eye-catching image, and I look forward to seeing the rest of the series.
Waid promises that his multi-parter will lead to big things for the DC Universe, but even if it doesn’t, five more comics as good as this one will do me just fine.
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 
I stopped reading World’s Finest because Superman keeps getting the short end of the stick in this series. I read this issue to follow with the review and nothing has changed. Kryptonite, mind-control, body-swapped, these are things you do when you DO NOT WANT TO WRITE THE CHARACTER. If it was another writer, I could understand, but this is Mark Waid of all people. When is the last time Superman did anything dynamic in this series? Anyone know? Great review, though.
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If you read Waid’s weekly Action Comics story, Superman was portrayed exceptionally well. Clark has to be given handicaps when it’s a team or team up book because otherwise his costars would just be on the sidelines clapping as he solved everything himself.
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And hopefully Waid’s Superboy story in Action Comics will be just as much fun.
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Thanks, I’m still keeping my fingers crossed we get the big Superman moment you need… I mean, we know Mark Waid loves Superman. Here I would argue that Batman is actually less important to the story than Superman, he kicks a gorilla and that’s pretty much it.
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This would have been an amazing single issue even without that ending. Waid gets Barry exceptionally well. I’m just sorry there wasn’t room to show Barry and Hal are every but as close as Bruce and Clark and contrasts to how that closeness manifests would have been fun. Henry isn’t a favorite artist though but he’s far from unacceptable. There’s a slickness and smoothness to his figures that doesn’t appeal to me. I don’t regret reading any book I already like that has him drawing it and I’d never skip a book because of him. I just know I’d like the stories more with a different artist.
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I’m always delighted to see a Clayton, whether it’s Henry or Moore, slickness works for me.
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