The oddball Luthor/Joker team-up concludes, with the merged villains facing an equally merged Superman/Batman, backed up by a coterie of Justice Leaguers.
Last issue ended with the Thanagarian Absorbascon having beamed the knowledge of our heroes’ secret identities into the minds of everyone on Earth.
The blended Batman and Superman, nicknamed Fusion, manages to save Alfred, then pays a visit to Lois Lane who, when this story is set, didn’t know Superman and Clark are one and the same.
As for the joint operation by Joker and Luthor, going by Merger, they’re hiding out as they pursue their plan.
Luthor and Joker are formidable on their worst day, but with all the knowledge in the world at their command, well, it’s no wonder Fusion is grateful for back-up.
Hawkman and Hawkgirl know the Absorbascon inside out, Atom is a top physicist and, elsewhere, chemistry is covered by the Flash, while Green Lantern is pretty handsome – surely Merger has no chance?
As it turns out, and rather predictably, the villains are undone as much by infighting as they are by the heroes… but the heroes are pretty impressive.
Writer Mark Waid has come up with a fun romp here, even though the stakes never feel that high; we know the good guys will snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, reversing any damage done.
Niggle-wise, as last month there’s a lack of clarity in the back and forth balloons of Joker and Lex in fused form, in contrast to the differently coloured narrative boxes of Superman and Batman; it makes no sense.
What does make sense is Batman’s response after Hawkman undoes the damage caused by the villain-controlled Absorbascon.
That’s a nice nod to the Identity Crisis maxi-series, which had members of the Bronze Age Justice League editing villains’ memories with alarming regularity.
Also, ‘throw it into the sun’ is Superman’s answer to many problems, and I love it.
Adrián Guttiérez keeps the action flowing with his dynamic layouts, ably inked by Vincente Cifuentes. The Merger sequences sizzle, while the quiet drama of Fusion’s talk with Lois works. We get a powerful, huge Hawkman here, while it’s a delight to see Atom in the classic costume as opposed to the recent abomination. And how cute is Barry Allen when he’s concentrating?
Tamra Bonvillain’s colouring is outstanding, at times lending the book a neon look, while Steve Wands aces the emphases in the dialogue and generally keeps the words looking spiffy.
Dan Mora’s nicely balanced cover is perfect, and I like the blurb’s nod to classic World’s Finest villain Composite Superman, who really should have popped up to further complicate things. Next time, I bet.
Solidly entertaining, this issue continues the new World’s Finest run of successes, with a sharp script and eye-popping art. What more could you ask?
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 
Anj here.
Completely missed the Identity Crisis riff. Amazing!!
The powers of the Absorbascon were too easily increased. The insanity is all wrapped up a bit too easily. But still, standard fun.
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The Lois scene was great and I don’t remember the real reveal hitting so hard emotionally.
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