mark waid

BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD'S FINEST 2025 ANNUAL #1 (DC COMICS)

What is old is new again. That is the early indication of events circling the Justice League. Gorilla Grodd has been revealed as the catalyst of their latest problems.

His manipulations of Air Wave led to a breakdown in the JL’s latest initiative. This became the tip of an evil iceberg. Grodd’s allies in this endeavor have been revealed to be the Legion of Doom!

BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD'S FINEST 2025 ANNUAL #1 by Mark Waid, Christopher Cantwell, Dan McDaid, John Kalisz, Morgan Hampton, Clayton Henry, Neeraj Menon, and Steve Wands breaks down how their involvement spans more time than one may think.

Let’s continue to break down the “We Are Yesterday” crossover!

BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD'S FINEST 2025 ANNUAL #1 by Mark Waid, Christopher Cantwell, Dan McDaid, John Kalisz, Morgan Hampton, Clayton Henry, Neeraj Menon, and Steve Wands (DC COMICS)

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

The writing bring out the most unlikely of scenarios. Readers watch as Grodd breaks down each member with pin-point accuracy. Grodd’s insulting of the fellow villains leads to entertaining exchanges. The back and forth between Grodd and Luthor fully illustrates the egos involved. Once cooler heads prevail, the story starts taking its’ final form.

Seeing the classic Legion vs. JL lineups match-up becomes a true treat for fans. The writing indicates how combustible this team truly is. Grodd’s quarterbacking attempts to keep others in check. This ultimately leads into a strong finish. Readers watch as the picture becomes into focus as to how two time periods mesh. It also tips off a new wrinkle in Grodd’s plans. Events are capped off with a solid cliffhanger as a result. This is textbook superhero storytelling.

McDaid and Kalisz kick off events with Grodd’s analyzing the Legion at hand. The full page grid image reveals much and one character’s steals the scene. A two page spread illustrates a frightening picture to the legion. Their reactions are priceless leading into their fight against the league.

The fight at the Flash Museum starts with a strong near full shot of Superman and Bizzaro. Pacing keeps events moving right along into another classic fight. Joker on fear toxin warrants a wild full page image. Other members get their page time in before leading back to Grodd. His scheming comes to fruition and showcases his overconfidence. Events conclude with a very mysterious final panel. Even with prep time, Batman is gonna have a tough time explaining this image.

Hampton, Henry, and Menon construct a superb story about John Stewart. The flashback sequences reinforce his drive into becoming a hero. Turning tragedy into triumph rings through each page. Events conclude with the full emergence of a legendary hero. It ends events in the past by building towards a bright future.

OVERALL GRADE: 8.8

The Legion of Doom’s venture into the future starts with a chaotic & entertaining start. Seeing Grodd’s schemes come into light shines in the writing. McDaid and company craft classic superhero confrontations with the art. The final panel tips off more paradoxes in the mix which is never a bad thing in this crossover.

Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD'S FINEST 2025 ANNUAL #1. Thanks for reading!

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #6 (DC COMICS)

The Legion of Doom has returned! Gorilla Grodd revealed himself as part of the Inferno group. Their attacks have rocked the Justice League.

In “Batman/Superman:World Finest”, readers witnessed the early seeds of this onslaught. Now it’s time to see the fruits of that labor take shape.

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #6 by Mark Waid, Travis Moore, Tamra Bonvillain, and Dave Sharpe continues the “We Are Yesterday” storyline.

Let’s take a deeper dive into the DC Comics Crossover event.

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #6 by Mark Waid, Travis Moore, Tamra Bonvillain, and Dave Sharpe (DC Comics)

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

Waid reveals many secrets that have been building since the first chapter of JLU. The synergy with “Absolute Power” fallout cannot be denied throughout the DCU. In this case, the explanation behind Grodd’s attack comes into focus. It leads into a terrifying start for the famous Flash rogue. Readers see a glimpse of what Grodd can do with his new powers. The result is devastating for the unknowing pawn in his game.

The storyline with Air Wave has been such a mystery since emerging in “Absolute Power”. Waid plays the long game with setting up the drama. Seeing how Grodd manipulates the young hero is brutal and tragic. It is equally intense with how he manipulates his partners as well. Readers can’t help but be blown away once all the smoke clears. The fallout brings down the house as drastic measures are taken. This leads into a solid cliffhanger. With so many moving parts, nothing is lost in shuffle. As far as heroes and time, that’s another story.

Moore steps in for art duties with Bonvillain. The opening pages of Grodd’s prison escape light an explosive start. The full page shot of the League in action with Grodd narration foreshadows much. Seeing Grodd use his new powers shows the scary reach he now has. This pushes towards the slow burn build on a young hero’s mind.

Opening with Superman talking with Air Wave, the art teases optimism. After some brief action, Grodd makes his entrance. The reactions of both speak volumes to the readers. Grodd’s deceptive caring & Raid’s unknowing possession makes for a dire combination. Moore throws in a full page breakdown of where events are heading. This leads into the show-stopping close. Readers watch as Wave makes a valiant stand. It spirals into a larger fight and more surprising response. A final full page sends events into the unknown which fans won’t want to escape.

OVERALL GRADE: 9.4

The saga of Air Wave comes front and center with “We Are Yesterday” taking shape. Waid’s writing guides readers through the dark masquerade. Moore and Bonvillain construct the misleading maze a young hero walks. The results push events into a past readers won’t want to forget!

Let me know your thoughts on JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #6 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!