How’s this for an anniversary cover? Dan Mora gathers a fantastic array of characters who have appeared in this series and its equally engaging spin-offs over the past few years to invite us inside.
And behind the cover are two stories that aren’t trying to do anything other than entertain, and in that they succeed massively.
The first sees Superman and Batman pursuing JLA foe Dr Destiny into his Dreamstone after he enacts his latest plan to annoy the world.
Zatanna zaps her pals inside and the heroes rib one another over their night musings.
Now that’s a Supermobile.
Is Superman blind? One look at Catwoman and you know why Batman would fall for her.
Amidst a more serious set of dream doings, the heroes finally find Dr Destiny.
Mora returns to the book he kicked off with writer Mark Waid and produces possibly his most exciting art job yet, with every page an eye popping piece of Pop Art. Regular colourist Tamra Bonvillain adds to the thrills, especially when she rolls out the neons. And the calm letters of Steve Wands are a nice counterpoint to the madness around them.
As for Waid, his characterisations are, as always, spot on, getting to the heart of our heroes, while the Dream Dimension of it all is a clever way to bring in some of this series’ greatest hits.
For the second story, Waid is joined by artist Adrián Gutiérrez, who has also done a lot of World’s Finest work. And goodness me, Gutiérrez does a fantastic job as the Jimmy Olsen/Robin and Supergirl/Batgirl teams race across the world to find an ancient artefact. It all starts after a night on the town…
The thing they’re chasing is said to be in Egypt, and Jimmy is prepared.
As for the girls, they’re talking emotions.
The two pairs finally find the object, and bring it back to Superman and Batman in the Batcave, where its secret is revealed – painfully.
Supergirl is way over the top with her reactions throughout, even more bad-tempered than in previous appearances, but so far as DC continuity is concerned, this series is very soft canon.
I’ve avoided telling you the name of the mystery maguffin because you’ll then likely see the twist coming a mile off. I did, and I’m barely sentient, so let’s not risk spoiling it because there’s always a chance you’ll be surprised. As said shock centres on a familiar name here spelt in a vaguely Egyptian manner it doesn’t make much sense that no one recognised it, given they’re not just seeing it written down, like us, they’re hearing it too.
My main problem with the story is that until the Batcave scene it’s being related to Superman and Batman, and it’s not always obvious when we’re jumping between framing sequence and flashback. Gutiérrez could have used the classic round-edged frames to indicate a flashback, or our excellent colourist Luis Guerrero might have added a telling tone.
But as I said at the start, I really enjoyed both stories, and this one had such incidental delights as the implication that when he doesn’t have a criminal to bash, Batman just poses on rooftops.
Also there’s a rarely seen relic of Superman and Supergirl’s Silver Age. Plus, something very odd on a Batcave shelf. And Condiment King always cuts the mustard.
And points to Steve Wands for the terrific typeface given to, well, I can’t say.
World’s Finest #50 isn’t perfect, but it’s certain to put a big smile on your face – don’t miss it.
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 
You sent me running back to the book to see the sneaky think on a ledge in the Batcave, as well as to puzzle out the silver age Super callback. But it was absolutely a treat to revisit this story and savor it a little more.
As for Supergirl’s attitude, some people just get under her skin. And Robin and Jimmy are those people. I love it.
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