DCU Comic Book Reviews

WORLD'S FINEST #3

Supergirl and Batgirl

February 2010

Written by Sterling Gates

Pencils by Ramon Bachs

Inks by Rodney Ramos

Covers by Phil Noto

Synopsis

In Metropolis, Supergirl receives a call from Oracle requesting help Batgirl, who was trying to determine why Victor Fries (aka Mr. Freeze) and Dr. Russell Abernathy (aka Kryptonite Man) have gone missing.  Elsewhere, Batgirl and Catwoman are at the bottom of Gotham River, tied in cargo container that is slowly filling with water.  They had been captured by the Toyman when Batgirl discovered Mr. Freeze was working with the Toyman.  Catwoman was there seeking a bounty placed on the head of the Kryptonite Man.  Now, Supergirl rescues Batgirl and Catwoman.  With Batgirl, they decide to investigate the Toyman’s warehouse.  They are attacked by dozens of Toyman’s toys.  Meanwhile, Toyman tells Mr. Freeze they need to move now.  With Kryptonite Man powering the machine, a large Superman/Batman robot comes to life.  As it does, Batgirl calls for a code black.  Oracle hears it and calls for Batman, who decides to signal for Superman. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

The overall storyline that has been hinted at in the first two issues finally kicks into high gear with this issue.  This is both a good thing and a bad thing.  It is good because with only four issues to work with, Gates needed to do more with the overall plot in order for the finale not to feel rushed.  By having the robot alive and well in this issue, the fight next issue would be shorter as the pages there would need to be used to do what was done here (if you can make sense of that sentence).  Anyway, the bad part of that is that it takes away from the Supergirl/Batgirl team-up.  This pairing of Stephanie and Kara was pretty awesome, featuring two teenagers who bond pretty quickly.  There are no disagreements or fights or ego problems, just tow heroes going about there business.  It is refreshing to see and I liked the way Gate handled it.  It was fun and exciting; I would have loved to have more of them working together.

I have to credit Gates for writing a good scene between Oracle and Supergirl.  It comes across very naturally with two women who have interacted before.  You get the sense they know each other, which comes across if you hadn’t read a comic that featured both of them. Also, later in the issue, Gates brings up the time that Supergirl spent training with Batman.  Of course, it doesn’t quite work on Batgirl’s side since she always had a contentious relationship with him, but sometimes when someone dies, your memories are of the good times rather than the bad times.  Plus, Stephanie used to be Robin, and during that brief time she must’ve gotten some training and wisdom from Batman.

What was the point of including Catwoman?  I suppose in a way here appearance dovetails back to the first issue as she mentions the Penguin’s bounty on the Kryptonite Man (perhaps to get him back for the auction?).  Thinking about it, there might be some kind of payoff in the final issue, dealing with the identity of the highest bidder perhaps or maybe some comes back to help the heroes save the day.  If not, then her small role here was wasted, as it added nothing to the overall plot or story, except for some comedy bits. 

Why is there a note on Supergirl’s desk to call Tim (Drake, aka Red Robin)?  Well, assuming it is him.  I don’t recall that she knows any other Tim.  Anyway, I also amused to note the computer was built by the LexCorp company.  She is also reading Pinocchio, which she mentions later before she destroys Toyboy.