Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #29 – Mark Waid, Writer; Dan Mora, Artist; Tamra Bonvillain, Colorist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: This issue brings the epic imp battle to a close, as the powerful Doom-Mite has descended on Earth, defeated an all-powerful Jimmy Olsen, and successfully turned Batman into a puppet. Waid and Mora have done an excellent job of taking these inherently hilarious characters and showing just how dangerous they would be untethered from any sense of morality – something also done very well in the “Whatever Happened To The Man of Tomorrow” and “Emperor Joker” stories. With Batman incapacitated, it falls to Superman to face off against the cosmic villain – challenging him to a one-on-one fight despite his personal vulnerability to magic. This works really nicely as a grittier Superman spotlight, with the Kryptonian taking some serious hits and getting back up. Some of this reminds me a little more of Captain America’s characterization, another character Waid writes exceptionally.
While Superman is standing his ground and puppet Batman is finding his own strategy to stay in the battle, it falls to a newly re-empowered Mxy to travel the world to find magical powerhouses who can play a role in taking down Doom-Mite. This is a great opportunity for Waid to dig up some obscure magical heroes and villains who may not have been used in years, as well as to show some hidden layers of the Mites. Bat-Mite may be a jokey character, but he’s powered by a real love for Batman and a desire to be a hero. Mxy may be a troll, but he’s ultimately a rather sad man under it who appreciates the chance to make a difference. The ending calls back to one of my favorite obscure DC stories from the 1990s, but with a more earnest approach that gives a great send-off to the mites as they head back to their own dimension. Next up, more Wonder Woman as Waid continues to deliver an excellent tribute to the DCU of the past.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
