Batman/Superman: World's Finest (2022-) #1: 2024 Annual

by Mark Waid, Edwin Galmon (inker), Rosi Kämpe (inker)

It’s the world’s finest annual! As the battle against Magog rages on Earth-22, Batman and Superman discover a surprising secret by way of the 5th dimension! Meanwhile, Metamorpho’s story picks up after the events of the Elementary arc as our hero journeys deep within an ancient tomb that may have a hidden, deadly connection to his secret origin! Plus, Batman recruits the Challengers of the Unknown for a top-secret mission, and a special, sizzling story stars the Teen Titans’ most buzzworthy member, Bumblebee! It’s a world tour of the World’s Finest in this first-ever series annual, curated by World’s Finest architect Mark Waid!

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Batman, Superman, Graphic Novels Comics, Superheroes

48 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2024

About the author

Mark Waid is an American comic book writer widely known for shaping modern superhero storytelling through influential runs on major characters at both DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Raised in Alabama, he developed an early fascination with comic books, particularly classic stories featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose imaginative scope and sense of legacy would later inform his own writing. He first entered the comics industry during the mid 1980s as an editor and writer for the fan magazine Amazing Heroes, before publishing his first professional comic story in Action Comics. Soon afterward he joined DC Comics as an editor, contributing to numerous titles and helping shape projects across the company. After leaving editorial work to focus on writing, Waid gained widespread recognition with his long run on The Flash, where he expanded the mythology of the character and co-created the youthful speedster Impulse. His reputation grew further with the celebrated graphic novel Kingdom Come, created with artist Alex Ross, which imagined a future DC Universe shaped by generational conflict among superheroes. Over the years he has written many prominent series, including Captain America, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Superman: Birthright, bringing a balance of optimism, character depth, and respect for comic book history to each project. Waid has also collaborated with notable artists and writers on major ensemble titles such as Justice League and Avengers, while contributing ideas that helped clarify complex continuity within shared superhero universes. Beyond mainstream superhero work, he has supported creator owned projects and experimental publishing models, including the acclaimed series Irredeemable and Incorruptible, which explored moral ambiguity within the superhero genre. He later took on editorial leadership roles at Boom Studios, guiding creative direction while continuing to write extensively. In subsequent years he expanded his involvement in publishing and digital storytelling, helping launch online comics initiatives and advocating for new distribution methods for creators. His work has earned numerous industry awards, including Eisner and Harvey honors, reflecting both critical acclaim and enduring popularity among readers. Throughout his career Waid has remained a passionate student of comic book history, drawing on decades of storytelling tradition while continually encouraging innovation within the medium. His influence extends across generations of readers and creators, and his stories continue to shape the evolving language of superhero comics around the world today through enduring characters imaginative narratives and thoughtful reinventions of familiar myths within popular culture and modern graphic storytelling traditions.

Reviews

[Gordon · Rating 2 out of 5]

2½⭐

[Roland Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great series of asides building on this Waid-verse reality. I really hope we see more of these side characters in this context. This is so much better than the main DC reality at the moment

[Paxton Holley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad.

[RubiGiráldez RubiGiráldez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Solo me ha entusiasmado la historieta con los Challengers of the Unknown que realmente creo que merece un nuevo intento con ese enfoque tan particular, intenso y turbio. Por lo demás... todo muy desaprovechado para lo que esta redefinición del Universo DC por parte de Waid y Mora ha dejado establecido.

[Jay Salamon · Rating 5 out of 5]

it’s mark, so five stars.

It was a bit all over the place though. I’m sure mark will wrap it up well. He always does. Dc is really getting better again after all these years. Thanks again, mark.

[Raymond Paquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little silly. The Mite story was over the top.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

4

[Andy Waldron · Rating 3 out of 5]

that bumblebee backup story sucked ass

[Francisco Fuster · Rating 3 out of 5]

neat