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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Was it the giant rubber ducky? I have no clue what it’s in reference too if it is. That aside, this was a great book whose both stories rode as much on characterizations as plot. That’s been the key to the best issues too. And does anyone else want an issue of a Babs-Jimmy date? Where it goes as well as the Kara-Dick date went bad? I’m also wondering if how well the second date went ever led to one moment of awkwardness once Dick realized he didn’t need someone from the stars when what really lit his heart was already on Earth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The silver age callback is what the statue eventually turned into. And yep, the giant duckie in the Batcave… which I can only guess is a callback to BATMAN RETURNS, as Danny Devito’s Penguin rode around Gotham in a vehicle shaped like a rubber duck.
LikeLike
I have to add that the clue about the statue’s origin was easier to read for us. The hyphen would have had you split the word into two with different emphasis on each part when spoken. Plus, I don’t think the hero the Supers were on a team with used the word in question very much and had maybe two villains from there very intermittently at the timeframe WF is set in so it would be easy to not make the connection.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good point, it is doubtful the Caped Crusader and Boy Wonder ever met a Durlan.
LikeLike
Yes indeed, the drang.
Has the Thought Beast from Krypton ever had a thought that didn’t involve chomping down on Superman, Boy or Girl?
LikeLike
Oh and what is the callback? I was inaugurated into the Super world with Swan art and art by all his predecessors underwhelmed me so much in comparison that I never set out to read any reprints that weren’t in a book I was already getting for a different reason. There were no 100 page giant Superman books that I can recall.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There were a few, 245, 252 (the famous Neal Adams ‘flying heroes’ cover), 272, 278 and 284.
LikeLike
I don’t think at this stage Dick was much noticing Batgirl, and given how human Kara is, I’m not sure he’d think of her as an alien. Really, this Dick should be on crimefighting dates with Bat Hyphen Girl, or Flamebird or whoever she is this week… what was that name Greg Rucka or someone saddled her with (looks it up)? Hawkfire! Oh dear.
LikeLike
If we’re lucky, one of the dozens of continuity resets undid that garbage.
LikeLike
Poor Dick and Jimmy, they’re such nice boys.
LikeLike
It seems to me in 2026 it’s really special to have one creator on a book for 50 issues, and the fact it is Waid on a title that plays around in the Silver/Bronze ages makes it even more of a big deal milestone. Not every issue has been a gem but this title has provided many very good and a couple possibly even classic ones. I look forward to what Waid has in store and hope this keeps going. – Brian
LikeLiked by 2 people
Amen, Waid really enjoys having his own playground for the bits of DCU lore that interest him.
LikeLike