“Day for Night, Part One” Part Two
Writer: Mark Waid
Artists: Marcus To
Color Artist: Tamra Bonvillain
Letterer: Steve Wands
Review by Sharna Jahangir
Mark Waid and Marcus To deliver a gripping multiversal adventure that turns the hero-villain dynamic on its head, proving that courage can flourish even in the darkest realities. In this second part of “Day for Night,” Superman and Batman find themselves stranded on Earth-3; a twisted parallel world where heroes are villains and vice versa. Captured by their evil counterparts, Ultraman and Owlman, the duo must escape and find a way back home. They receive unexpected help from Earth-3’s Riddler, who leads a small resistance of heroic versions of classic Batman rogues, including the Mad Hatter, Toyman, and Catwoman. As Superman grows weaker under this world’s alien sun, the team races against time to locate the shrinking multiversal portal created by Brainiac. Meanwhile, Ultraman and Owlman hunt them relentlessly. The issue balances action with character moments, exploring how even in a world where evil rules, some individuals choose to fight for what’s right—no matter the cost. An excellent perspective of another universe that mirror’s our original heroes.
The Story
We continue the arc with a propulsive, character-driven multiverse thriller. Mark Waid understands that the appeal of an Earth-3 story isn’t just watching heroes fight evil twins. An interesting moral mirror held up to our protagonists. Here, Superman and Batman are physically weakened and outnumbered, forced to rely on the unlikeliest of allies: this world’s Riddler.
Waid’s greatest strength is his ear for voice. Earth-3’s Riddler—scarred, driven, and unexpectedly heroic—steals every panel he occupies. His backstory, delivered in a single gut-punch of a page, recontextualizes the character without over-explaining. The issue also wisely keeps Batman and Superman’s dynamic front and center; their whispered strategy session while chained up is classic World’s Finest chemistry.
The pacing is relentless but never chaotic. Waid balances a prison break, a race against a collapsing portal, and a confrontation with Ultraman and Owlman without losing emotional grounding. The supporting cast of heroic rogues—Scarecrow, Toyman, Catwoman—feels genuinely motivated rather than convenient. If there’s a criticism, it’s that the evil counterparts remain slightly one-note, but that’s almost the point. This issue isn’t about them; it’s about what happens when good people are dropped into a world designed to crush them. By the final pages, Waid has earned both the action beats and the quieter farewell. A strong middle chapter that leaves you hungry for more.
The Art
Marcus To delivers some of his finest work here, balancing gritty desperation with classic superhero dynamism. His character acting is exceptional. Earth-3 Riddler’s scarred face conveys years of pain in a single glance, while Superman’s gradual physical exhaustion reads clearly in his posture and clenched jaw. The action sequences carry weight; when Ultraman strikes, the impact feels brutal thanks to the artist. To also excels at layouts, using jagged, asymmetrical panels during the prison break to heighten chaos, then settling into steady horizontals for the quieter character beats.
Tamra Bonvillain’s colours are a secret weapon to this issue. Earth-3 is rendered in sickly, desaturated tones: faded yellows, murky greens, cold shadows; colors that immediately signal this isn’t our world. While they pop out as traditional comic colors, the slight differences make us, the reader, aware that something is awry. When Superman’s heat vision flares, it’s almost painfully bright against the gloom, a reminder of what he’s losing. The contrast between the warm, desperate glow of the Riddler’s hideout and the cold sterility of Ultraman’s lair tells the story visually.
Steve Wands’ lettering deserves special mention. His sound effects are integrated into the art rather than slapped on top, a “THWAM” echoes the panel shape, and the Kryptonian battle cries feel weighty. Dialogue balloons are placed with surgical precision, never obscuring To’s expressive faces. Wands also uses subtle size shifts to convey Superman’s weakening state. Together, this creative team isn’t just illustrating a script. They’re building an atmosphere. A masterclass in visual storytelling.
Conclusion
Seriously enjoying this arc! I love when the crime syndicate is involved, it’s such a slapping juxtaposition to Batman and Superman. And sadly, they are closer to the morals of the real world and the real people in power. Our billionaires are evil. Excited to see what’s next and how the story folds.