“We Are Yesterday” Part Four
Writer: Mark Waid
Artists: Clayton Henry
Color Artist: Tamra Bonvillain
Letterer: Steve Wands
Review by Bryant Lucas
Time fractures and paradoxes collide in Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #39, as the Justice League battles their most temporal threat yet.
In this fourth chapter of the “We Are Yesterday” crossover event, the Justice League confronts the horrifying truth behind the mysterious Inferno organization: they are actually the original, time-displaced Legion of Doom. As Gorilla Grodd manipulates timelines and minds alike, heroes are scattered across past and present, triggering a series of surreal reunions and deadly confrontations. A young Robin appears out of place—and out of time—on the Watchtower, while Superman and Batman travel to the past to seek answers. But their mission is complicated by time bubbles, fear gas, and paradoxical stakes that threaten to unravel the fabric of reality itself. With battles raging in Metropolis and the Fortress of Solitude, the issue crescendos into a final, fiery crash-landing… somewhere—and somewhen—far from home.
Waid-ing Through Time
Mark Waid continues to prove that no one handles multiversal madness quite like him. This script balances emotional weight with classic superhero bombast. The reunion between Nightwing and Alfred is surprisingly heartfelt, grounding the cosmic stakes in character-driven sincerity. The humor—particularly Robin’s time-travel-induced confusion—feels sharp and well-placed, offering levity amidst the chaos. If there’s a minor flaw, it’s the sheer density of the plot. With so many characters, timelines, and twists in play, a reader not caught up on prior issues might find themselves feeling a bit… unstuck in time.
Clayton’s Temporal Flex
Clayton Henry delivers clean, kinetic visuals that never lose clarity, even in the most chaotic time-travel action sequences. His panel compositions are sleek, his characters expressive, and his storytelling sharp. A special shoutout must go to Tamra Bonvillain, whose coloring enhances the surrealism of time fractures and dreamlike hallucinations—particularly Superman’s vision of his own funeral. From neon tachyon storms to the crimson glow of Kryptonite-laced fear gas, the colors pop with purpose and atmosphere. This art team keeps the timeline jumping without ever losing the reader.
Conclusion
World’s Finest #39 is a thrilling penultimate chapter that balances superhero spectacle with heartfelt character beats. Waid’s writing continues to weave golden-age nostalgia with modern narrative precision, and Henry and Bonvillain are in perfect lockstep visually. While the time-hopping may occasionally get dense, the stakes, action, and emotional beats make this one of the strongest issues in the arc.
Final Verdict: It sticks the landing—even if our heroes don’t (yet).
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment
