Review by Ian Keogh
When first introduced in the 1940s the teamings of Batman and Superman featured two fundamentally positive heroes. Superman has essentially remained that way, but Batman has grown ever darker to the point where any form of alliance between the two has little credibility. Mark Waid solves that problem by either setting his World’s Finest in the past or on an alternate world. It doesn’t matter which, and if you’re the type who’ll be more concerned with figuring out who Robin is a lot of fun is going to pass you by.
Waid underlines what makes his version of a regular Batman and Superman team-up title different right from the start by showing the wider DC universe. Poison Ivy is teamed with Metallo, Penguin has access to warriors from Qward facilitated by Lex Luthor, and there’s a meaty role for the Doom Patrol.
It’s not just Waid who impresses. What it must be to have Dan Mora’s artistic talent. This is a virtuoso performance, with Mora’s pages not just dynamic with strong presentations of the primary characters all the way through, but he switches style slightly according to the period or personalities involved. It’s lighter and brighter in the past, while the sample page with the Doom Patrol could be Walter Simonson panels overlaid with Adam Hughes figures, and there are brief nods to other styles and artists throughout, all exemplary. It’s above and beyond the call of duty, but the basics are never neglected. Tamra Bonvillain’s colours add to the enjoyment, fundamentally bright, but never overwhelming.
The Devil Nezha is an ancient threat resurrected who increases the powers of assorted villains, rendering them more troublesome and not to be taken casually. The broad cast is employed in several locations putting together pieces of a puzzle, and along the way Waid throws in some great ideas. The Doom Patrol’s old foe General Immortus is only required for a cameo, so Waid asks what an ancient immortal man would be like if suffering from dementia.
There are a couple of respects in which The Devil Nezha disappoints. The cast is universally white, and the excuse of a green alien bit player doesn’t wash in 2023. The second misfire is with Nezha himself, who’s just too generic, and too similar to other DC universe threats, not least Neron from back in the day. Still, it’s what he represents that counts, and Waid builds everything to a cleverly concocted finale that also sets up Strange Visitor.
