“Bizarro World Tour” Part Two
Writer: Mark Waid
Artists: Adrián Gutiérrez
Color Artist: Matt Herms
Letterer: Steve Wands
Review by Sharna Jahangir
Hello World’s Worst Detective. We continue our adventure into Bizzaro land in Mark Waid’s “Bizarro World Tour Part Two.” The World’s Finest family meet up with Bizarro and Bizarro Batman. Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #42 is filled with humor, I let out a few laughs after the first few pages.
The Story yrotS ehT
World’s Finest #42 – “Bizarro World Tour: Part Two” doesn’t just continue the story Mark Waid began; it masterfully elevates it, delivering a great issue. This chapter is a deep dive into the wonderfully twisted logic of Bizarro-World. I adore the space-adventure feel to this issue as well. They’re definitely NOT on Earth.
The sheer delight of this issue lies in its commitment to the bit. The conversion to Bizarro-land is not just a visual gag but a full-scale linguistic and logical workout. To add to the enjoyment of reading this issue, there are verbal-puzzles to solve where “Am worst crime-fighting duo ever!” is a boast and disaster is the ultimate goal. The creative team’s dedication to this inverted reality is impeccable, creating a consistent and hilarious environment where every panel offers a new surprise.
I literally burst out laughing at the role reversal of Bizarro Robin and Bizarro Joker, because if anyone deserves the crowbar, it’s the Joker. A bit of cathartic justice to my ears.
Yet, for all its zany antics, this story possesses a surprising and poignant seriousness. The central narrative flip, where a spreading “disease” of sanity and normality is seen as a devastating plague from the Bizarro perspective, has me thinking. It transforms a simple premise into a social commentary. The issue argues that enforcing conformity, of curing what makes a person unique and different, is a form of mental illness. What we see as a “cure,” Bizarro-World rightly recognizes as a loss of identity, a terrifying homogenization that strips away the very essence of its citizens. To make everyone ‘normal’, to take away what makes each person interesting, and individualistic is not good. This is an important message to share. One thing I love about comics is that they often convey a good message for the readers.
The Art trA rhT
Adrián Gutiérrez and Matt Herms really make it seem like I’m reading the old World’s Finest comics! I can hear sounds similar to Adam West’s Batman television episodes. I’m not sure if it’s the silliness of the world, but I feel the vibrant palette in this issue really brings out that nostalgic, charming feeling of the older comics. The combined effect of the artist and colorist is synergistic. As I read, I could practically hear the sound effects. My mind filled in the POWs!, and WHAMs! in bold, blocky letters. The tone and silliness of the world, amplified by these specific artistic choices, triggered a sense-memory so strong I could almost hear the campy, trumpet-heavy theme music and the hammy vocal performances from Adam West’s Batman television series. It captures that specific feeling of four-color fun, where the stakes feel high but the atmosphere remains joyous and free of cynicism.
Conclusion
For Bizzaro lovers, Space-Adventure lovers, and any World Finest fans, this is a great addition to read! I’m enjoying Robin’s involvement, and he adds a grounding touch as both Superman and Batman play the responsible adults. The villain is a classic, and he’s doing an immense amount of damage. Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #42 is definitely a must-read!
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #42
