It’s just another day in the DC Universe. The Justice League of America have helped Adam Strange defend the planet Rann from a bigger-than-usual threat.
‘Two’ would be Batman, already on Earth and ready to pair up with the Man of Steel when there’s a big problem. And one is coming, with Ra’s al Ghul having broken Poison Ivy out of Arkham Asylum.
And Pamela Isley isn’t the only member of his new gang.
A week later, in Gotham, Batman and Robin are trying to stop an unusually killy Killer Moth.
While the self-proclaimed anti-Batman proves not the biggest threat, the sudden appearance of a batch of alien bees is a cause for concern.
Superman’s been tackling similar attacks all over the world and, sadly, hasn’t got to Gotham in time to stop Robin falling to what turns out to be theoretical ‘mirror science’ coming true.
Batman knows who’s behind the robotic bees, courtesy of daughter of Ra’s, Talia, having dropped by the scene the way she does – a bit of information, a kiss to keep Batman’s interest, and gone.
So Superman is able to track down the Queen Bee, longtime JLA foe, and confront her. Unfortunately, she’s not what she appears to be.
And there’s more, as writer Mark Waid and creative colleagues begin a new World’s Finest adventure, set as ever in a plastic DCU past that incorporates all the best bits. If I had to put a date on it publishing wise, it’s somewhere between late 1983 and mid-1984 – Tokamak has debuted in Firestorm, but Dick isn’t yet Nightwing. Then again, Dick never wore this Robin costume, and who cares, let’s just enjoy the fun.
And it says something about modern comics that a threatened apocalypse sits at the lighter end of the reading spectrum. Waid gives us a very plausible set up, Ra’s and Ivy make sense together, Zazzala fits the theme nicely, while Ocean Master and Tokamak are plausible plug-ins.
I do enjoy that as well as the main business, we get a mini-adventure with Killer Moth (presumably not big enough in the insect stakes to be offered Pestilence by Ra’s), while the aftermath of a JLA team-up with Adam Strange is a happy puff of Silver Age nostalgia. It’s also good to see Mera here, and Kid Flash. Talia, I could do without, though, she’s so obvious with her femme fatale bit that she makes Batman look stupid.
The pencil art by Adrian Gutiérrez as as great as ever – exciting layouts, dynamic effects, convincing emotions, all finished off by inker Vincent Cifuentes, with cherries on top provided by colour artist Luis Gerrero and letterer Steve Wands. Amidst a bunch of great visuals, I especially like the way Superman has Zazzala all wrapped up in his cape. And Superman being slapped in the kisser by robot bees is all kinds of splendid.
The one titchy quibble is that we have Mera contact our heroes…
… implying Aquaman is off with the JLA. But he’s nowhere on page one. Maybe he’s down the shops.
I love the film poster style cover from Dan Mora; it’s odd, I’m sure he’s done the ‘Superman zooming up towards the logo’ thing previously on this series, but I can’t see it. His Talia is so gorgeous it may well justify her inclusion in the issue.
All in all, a thoroughly entertaining issue, I look forward to seeing how the story continues.
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 