Written by Mark Waid.
Art by Dan Mora; Tamra Bonvillain; & Aditya Bidikar.
Collection Cover Art by Dan Mora.
SUMMARY:
Released by DC Comics in 2023, this 160-page hardcover reprints 2022’s Batman/Superman: World’s Finest # 1-5 and material from Detective Comics # 1050 (its cover isn’t included).
Though the exact DC continuity is murky, this ‘flashback’ tale is set in the early days of the World’s Finest team-ups. With Poison Ivy & Metallo attacking The Daily Planet, Batman & Dick Grayson’s Robin are unable to stop Metallo from poisoning a defenseless Man of Steel with a syringe containing multiple different pieces of red kryptonite.
Teaming with Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and the original Doom Patrol, the Dynamic Duo are able to contain a gravely injured and ultra-volatile Superman. Emergency intervention by Dr. Niles Caulder and Negative Man at the Doom Patrol’s mansion is subsequently necessary to save Superman’s life.
Batman and Superman are then advised by Caulder’s Doom Patrol that they have been targeted by an ancient immortal sorcerer, Nezha, who has somehow escaped eternal imprisonment. Between Elasti-Girl, Negative Man, and Robotman, they reveal Nezha’s purported origin from more than a millennium ago, which involves his cursed blade. Afterwards, the heroes split into teams.
The Doom Patrol seeks out word on Nezha’s lost Tomb in Mont Blanc, Switzlerand, where their perennial foe, General Immortus, may (or may not) have the necessary answers. Amidst a time-traveling mission to China of 1579 B.C., teenagers Supergirl & Robin allude to an awkward first date they had shared. Consisting of a team of magical Chinese super-heroes, Nezha’s ancient enemies might reveal the only possible means of thwarting the sorcerer a second time.
Near Philadelphia, Superman & Batman must save a terrorized Billy Batson from Felix Faust. It becomes readily apparent that Nezha is amplifying the heroes’ current foes as pawns to try and destroy them. Nezha’s corruption expands, as he resorts to mind-controlling Justice Leaguers and Teen Titans as well. Appearances include: Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern; Wonder Woman; Barry Allen’s Flash; Black Canary; Martian Manhunter; Firestorm; Wally West’s Kid Flash; Donna Troy’s Wonder Girl; and Red Tornado.
Already bearing mixed news, Supergirl is unable to save Robin from plummeting somewhere into the timestream amidst their return to the present-day. It is now desperation time against Nezha, as the combined firepower of Superman, Supergirl (guilt-ridden over losing Robin), Batman, and the Doom Patrol is no match against this magical adversary’s onslaught. An ultimate sacrifice is seemingly the last option, but the question is: who will do so? Cliffhangers further linger, as to the unresolved fates of Robin and Wonder Woman.
Notes: This title is also available digitally. Presumably, DC Comics will release it in trade paperback form in the future. Despite their presence on the collection’s cover, the following do not appear in this book: Catwoman; Commissioner Gordon; Bane; Scarecrow; the Joker; Brainiac; and Darkseid. Lex Luthor only makes a brief cameo in a hallucination.
REVIEW:
Writer Mark Waid conjures up a timeless and entertaining ode to Silver Age DC nostalgia. Not only is Waid absolutely on his storytelling game, his unpredictable plot twists should keep readers engaged from start to finish.
Among this books’ gems is a welcome opportunity of catching the original Doom Patrol in all its glory. The same applies to a rare chance for this underrated trio (along with Niles Caulder) to interact with DC’s mainstream icons with worthwhile depth. Waid further demonstrates his knack for making a variety of characters simultaneously shine by distinguishing their familiar personalities spot-on. Suffice to say, Waid’s snappy dialogue ensures that these characters are neither interchangeable nor simply talking cardboard. They all serve specific plot functions as he intended them.
Aside from Waid, this book’s art squad also deserves kudos for supplying terrific visuals ideally matching this storyline’s adventurous tone. For all Batman and Superman fans, World’s Finest, Volume 1: The Devil Nezha concocts a first-class treat for DC fans. Definitely recommended!
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
In a full-page format, each of Dan Mora’s five covers and then an additional replica darkened in blue precedes its story. As full pages, there is a twenty-page variant cover gallery. Issue # 1 consists of these artists: 1. Jim Lee, Scott Williams, & Alex Sinclair; 2. Stanley “Artgerm” Lau; 3. Jason Fabok & Brad Anderson; 4. Evan “Doc” Shaner; 5. & 6. Chip Zdarsky; and 7. Lee Weeks & Brad Anderson). Issue # 2 has these artists: 1. Tim Sale & Dave Stewart; 2. Pete Woods; and 3. Jorge Jimenez & Alejandro Sanchez).
For Issue # 3, the artists are: 1. Lucio Parillo; 2. Rafael Sarmento; and 3. Jorge Corona & Matt Herms. Issue # 4 has artists: 1. Derrick Chew; 2. Freddie E. Williams II; 3. Riley Rossmo & Ivan Plascenia; and 4. Dan Mora. Finally, the fifth issue has these artists 1. Francesco Mattina; 2. Pete Woods; and 3. Alexander Lozano.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars
