Gorilla Grodd has done the unthinkable. He has brought the Legion of Doom to the present. Under the guise of “Inferno”, the group has been running wild. This has led to issues with the Justice League & the death of Air Wave.
Their latest actions have now caused a timeline displacement. Heroes of the past are in the present. What does this mean for the World’s Finest?
BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD’S FINEST #39 by Mark Waid, Clayton Henry, Tamra Bonvillain & Steve Wands continues the “We Are Yesterday” crossover.
Let’s take a closer look to see where events stand now.
BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD’S FINEST #39 by Mark Waid, Clayton Henry, Tamra Bonvillain & Steve Wands (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Handling the factors of time travel are never easy. Waid juggles many moving parts as the heroes try figuring out what’s happened. The writing plays up the moments with great, awkward interactions. Nightwing and Dick Grayson Robin set the pace early in this chapter. It also sways events into the cold reality at hand. Readers see what Grodd’s actions have truly caused and the trouble they are resonating.
As the action starts unfolding, Waid brings out the best of the classic confrontations. Superman challenging Scarecrow’s fear gas is a prime example. It also unveils a unique look at events. Readers watch as time blurs with iconic events being seen for “the first time”. Even with the reveals, none hit harder than the present Dynamic Duo seeing a much missed family member. Waid’s writing floods with emotion as their moment is quickly brought back to reality. Once here, the close ushers in another changing point. It leaves readers at a crossroads to where things go from here. Another solid chapter in this event.
Henry and Bonvillain open with an “emotional” reunion …of sorts. It’s followed up by a recap of past memories via near full page. With the time jumping, the art brings out the finest from the confusing interactions. The facial reactions of the past heroes talking with Superwoman reflect this. Even with the great action panels, one moment steals the spotlight away.
The other panels are upstaged by the Bat Family reunion. There’s plenty of responses from characters readers will hone in on. It’s a bittersweet moment which lets the brooding heroes guard down. Even if fleeting, it’s a solid change of pace. This leads back to the present and closing stages. The final pages detour any preconceived notions of where things are heading. There’s a great amount of mystery built in from the art.
OVERALL GRADE: 8.3
Dueling time-displacements lead to some fun and bittersweet moments as the heroes try stopping the Legion. Waid’s writing balances the action with steady drama. Henry and Bonvillain unveil the true reflections of broken time with the art. It’s an issue with something for everyone.
Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #39. Thanks for reading!