There are those that make an argument that the two biggest superhero characters, in terms of popularity and influence, are Superman and Batman. It’s a good argument. Although Superman wasn’t strictly the first “comic strip hero” (characters like Lee Falk’s The Phantom debuted before him) he was the first bona fide super hero with powers to die for. He couldn’t really “fly” in his first outings, but bounding buildings seems close enough so we’ll leave it at that. It’s probably fair to say that al...

This wasn’t all that engaging. The most interesting parts are the parts where Bruce and Clark interact and discuss the parallels between their origin stories. The most moving part was the scene where Bruce and Clark both wake from nightmares about losing their parents. The story felt a little too drawn out, as though it could have been told more efficiently with 50 less pages. The coloring also made it difficult to follow at times. I just think it needed some darker colors and more contrast so e...

So I really enjoy stories that focus on characterization, which we see here in the comparison and contrast of Superman/Batman and Luthor/Joker. Gotham and Metropolis mix, and there's a lot of detail on how each hero traditionally works and what sets them apart. The ending was expected, but I still enjoyed it (I'm a sucker for a happy ending).I think this could have used some editing, though - there were points when the artwork was confusing, and there were lots of side characters that I got mixe...

This book's plot is just okay. But that's not the point. This book is more of an analysis on the similarities and differences between Batman and Superman and their respective arch-rivals. The cons: I really wasn't invested in the main mystery - specifically the subplot about Oliver Monks and Byron Wylie. Those villains were very bland to me. Also, though I know this book is specifically a love letter to the golden age comics, I did not like how campy the writing was. This is more of a personal p...

The four main characters are reduced to shouting "nu pogodi! Luthor" or "Batman!" and vice versa when the other foils their plan. Rather than have Superman deal with the Joker and Batman with Luthor, Superman goes to Gotham to stop Luthor and Batman goes to Metropolis to try and deal with Joker. Upon finding out how Luthor is buying up properties and pushing people out of their homes, Batman is like "whelp, nothing I can do about that, better head to Metropolis", as if he's not a billionaire. Ju...

There were parts of this book that I liked and some not so much. I found the story hard to follow in places and did not get much of a sense of this being a team-up book rather it felt like two separate stories running parallel. There were some good standalone moments though that made picking this volume up worthwhile.

When I realized this was a modern (kind of) take on Batman and Superman first-time team up, I couldn’t let this one pass. From the mind of the great Dave Gibbons, and the pencils of Steve Rude, World’s Finest attempts to be a blend between golden age storytelling, vintage art, and the maturity and wit from the take on comic books in the late 80s. Lex Luthor and the Joker have join forces in order to obtain a series of Orphanage properties in both, Gotham and Metropolis, which will make Batman an...

I'd read this previously and am happy to report that it holds up pretty well. Gibbons' script is a little off at times, and the plot's definitely loose. But Gibbons excels in the small moments, such as meetings between Perry White and Jim Gordon, Jimmy Olsen and Barbara Gordon (in wheelchair, sans any references to Batgirl or not-yet-existing Oracle), or Lois Lane and Alfred Pennyworth. The grudging admiration and professionalism displayed between Superman and Batman is excellently portrayed, an...

I suppose this does count as World’s Finest in the sense where fine means “it’s okay” - basically this is world’s most satisfactory but not stellar. It’s never bad, but a bit lightweight and I don’t think Gibbons is ever in charge of a story worth tellingI’m reminded of Gibbons’ most notorious writing experience: the time he took Rogue Trooper from being one of the most elegantly simple stories in 2000AD (future war with two insane sides at war, one lone soldier and his three dead friends to tal...

Steve Rude’s art is amazing as always, Dave Gibbons is a surprisingly good writer as well, however, this is the period where Clark and Bruce “didn’t agree with each other’s methods” and were always at odds. You can tell that Gibbons really isn’t about that and that it was probably an editorial mandate, but it brings the book down for me. Clark and Bruce’s relationship is always more interesting when they’re friends. Gibbons also incorporates a lot of on the nose parallelism. Not just between Sup...

The juxtaposition between Superman and Batman is a really fun concept to explore as they switched cities when Joker went on a ‘holiday’ in Metropolis, Lex heading up a business investment in Gotham. However, I think it would have been more interesting if Superman had a go at Joker and Batman had one at Lex, really shake things up. I also, so very sorry Steve Rude and Karl Kesel, did not like the art or colouring style choices at all. But overall, I really liked the story and the friendship betwe...

On the surface, there are stories that look like they ought to be good. World’s Finest is one such example given that it looks for all the world like the ultimate cross between the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight. With them dealing with the machinations of each other’s big baddie and swapping towns for the middle act, there’d seem to be plenty to love. That isn’t quite the case though thanks to a plot line that is at once thin and convoluted involving an orphanage that, outside of connecting th...

You get TWO stars for The Dude's art alone, another because it is a CLASSIC kind of comic book superhero story by Dave Gibbons, and a fourth because it works so well. Sure the layout and panel composition is so out there but that works with The Dude, he makes it work. The sub plot of the weird orphanage guy and crime kids is what loses a star. Bright, colorful and yet moody in spots. Great book.

A Superman/Batman team-up Grand Opus, in the best possible style for these two heroes. Other graphic novels pretend to greatness, with their hype and guaranteed deaths of major characters. This one DELIVERS, delivers powerfully, and delivers with grace.

This is kind of the antithesis of Watchmen and Dark Knight Returns. Reconstruction instead of Deconstruction. Done by two master's, this is a nice analysis of why the polarity of Superman and Batman works so well.

Gorgeous art and a classic story with Superman and Batman

It may mean another short power cut… Very reminiscent of the Batman/Superman Movie from the early 2000s, back when I was in high school …

In some ways I feel like Gibbons (writer) dropped the ball on this one. The story has too many stops and starts, with too much "behind-the-scenes" plot really hindering the surface level plot. It seems an odd choice to have the book focus around two of the all-time greatest villains, Lex Luthor and the Joker, BUT then have the real villain be a nasty behind-the-scenes guy who is fronted by a different villain who turns out to be not so bad. Just that quick villain rundown is convoluted!The indiv...

MEHHHHH.Too old for my tastes and almost comically bland.Batman saving kids in broad daylight...yawn.That cheesy ending as well. Sigh.

The draw here is the art, opposed to the story. Gibbons's storytelling suffers from a lack of focus and direction. There's almost no point other than having Superman and Batman switch cities while fighting Luther and Joker. Steve Rude's art on the other hand is fantastic. I love the classic look he brings to the book. He makes Batman's original costume actually look good. And I'm always drawn to the look of Fleischer's Superman.