“Shadows Fall” Part Two
Writer: Mark Waid
Artists: Adrián Gutiérrez
Color Artist: Tamra Bonvillain
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Review by Bryant Lucas
It’s all hands on deck, as the Justice Society join the fray against Eclipso in this month’s Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #32.
Eclipso has returned, but this time he means business. Having infected both Batman and Superman, the evil shadow demon has not only destroyed the Justice League’s satellite but also trapped the League in a diamond prison on Earth. Meanwhile, a panicked Robin monitors the Bat-Computer for any sign of Batman when a possessed Dark Knight and Man of Steel backhand the Boy Wonder aside. Terrified to see his mentor and friend under Eclipso’s control, Robin reaches out to the Justice Society for help.
The Silver Age Meets the Golden Age
One of the best parts of Mark Waid’s World’s Finest run has been the freedom he’s been allotted. Because the series is set in the distant past, Waid can pretty much tell whatever story he wants. He has access to pretty much the full scope of DC’s roster. He’s made good use of this back bench in the past with the Teen Titans. However, this is the first time that he’s used the Justice Society. Granted, these characters are somewhat polarizing among fans. Some feel that these Golden Age heroes are “outdated” and “cheesy”. While I disagree with this sentiment, it’s worth noting that World’s Finest is a throwback to the Silver Age of comics. Accordingly, the Justice Society characters work well here, as the team’s ethos matches the vibe of the book.
Good on Gutiérrez
Adrián Gutiérrez’s pencils for this issue are fantastic. The issue is fast paced, bouncing around from scene to scene, as heroes cope with the crisis at hand. Gutiérrez captures the urgency of the situation, as his artwork feels kinetic and alive. And while his style is somewhat different from the great Dan Mora’s work, Tamra Bonvillain’s coloring creates a feeling of continuity between the two. Overall, Gutiérrez has been my favorite penciller for World’s Finest after Mora. And if Mora doesn’t return to this title, I’m hoping that Gutiérrez stays on permanently. He’s got the chops for this book, and that’s saying something considering the talent of his predecessor.
Conclusion
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #32 is another in a long line of simply good issues. World’s Finest isn’t breaking new ground. It may not be the most thought-provoking title on the market right now. But it’s a ton of fun. The tone and tenor of its storytelling is just fantastic, and sometimes, that’s all anyone can ask of a comic book.
Final Verdict: It’s good. There’s not much more to it than that.
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment