DCU Comic Book Reviews

WORLD'S FINEST #4

Batman and Superman

March 2010

Written by Sterling Gates

Pencils by Phil Noto

Inks by Phil Noto

Covers by Phil Noto

Synopsis

In Gotham City, a giant Batman/Superman robot built by Mr. Freeze and the Toyman and powered by the Kryptonite Man is terrorizing the city and holding Batgirl and Supergirl hostage.  Batman calls in Superman for help.  Batman is able to free Batgirl. Superman gets too close and is hit with kryptonite.  However, he is able to get the jaws of the robot open to allow Batman to enter.  Elsewhere, Batgirl and Robin locate Toyman where they learn the robot was designed to destroy New Krypton.  When Batgirl grabs him, he drops the self-destruct sequence.  Meanwhile, Batman locates Supergirl.  He also finds Kryptonite Man, who is in pain as the robot uses him to power itself.  Suddenly, Superman punches through the robot’s shell.  He then tosses Kryptonite Man off the side before flying Batman away. The robot blows up harmlessly in space.  On the ground, Batman and Superman check on Toyman and realize it was only a robot.  Later, Toyman wants to know if General Lane is impressed with his work.  Lane wants him to create something to destroy every Kryptonian on Earth and New Krypton. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

“A giant Superman/Batman robot.  That might be the stupidest thing I ever heard.”

This was another solid issue in this short mini-series. The ending made not only this issue, but the entire mini-series.  The events leading up to the ending were fairly predictable.  We knew there would be scenes with Batman and Superman working together and you just knew that there would be some remark about Bruce.  You also knew that all of the rescues would take place and the giant robot would be defeated.  Despite the predictability, this was a fun issue, a joy to read.  It had a great tone and a swift pace, never lingering too long on a scene, just pushing the plot through to the logical conclusion of the story.  However, then we get the final panel with Toyman and Sam Lane.  It not only tied up the events in this particularly story, but it also sets the stage for whatever may come in the upcoming War Of The Supermen.  I will be curious to see if it does play a role or if is just a throwaway moment that the writers have no intention of following up on.  Given the fact that Gates is also the writer of the Supergirl title and working closely with James Robinson, I am thinking this plot twist may indeed become important later. 

My only complaint:  why is it a Superman/Batman robot?  What does Batman have to do with New Krypton, its final destination?  I can understand Superman, given what he represents for New Krypton, but Batman?