DC Finest: Super Friends: The Fury of the Super Foes

by E. Nelson Bridwell, Ramona Fradon (Artist)

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics

512 pages, Paperback

Published November 4, 2025

About the author

Edward Nelson Bridwell was a writer for Mad magazine (writing the now-famous catchphrase, "What you mean...we?" in a 1958 parody of The Lone Ranger in Mad) and various comic books published by DC Comics. One of the writers for the Batman comic strip and Super Friends, he also wrote The Inferior Five, among other comics. He has been called "DC's self-appointed continuity cop."

Reviews

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I approach 40, I sometimes feel an intense urge to revisit a time when superheroes weren’t gritty or psychologically complex, but unabashedly simple and campy fun. If you’re reading this review, you probably already know what you’re getting into. These are children’s stories with about as much depth as a paper towel – but if you’re anything like me, that’s not a flaw. That’s the appeal. I can’t honestly give this more than three stars because of how basic it is, but I still found it highly enjoyable. The art is charming, the tone is joyful, and reading it brought me genuine comfort. This may not live up to the “Finest” label in the title, but it’s undeniably fun.

There’s also an interesting bit of fan debate over whether these stories were ever meant to be in DC continuity. Reading them for the first time, it’s clear to me that E. Nelson Bridwell (famously a continuity expert) made a real effort to weave them into the wider DC Universe. There are numerous references to then-current events and introductions of characters Bridwell would later use in unquestionably in-continuity titles. Knowing that adds an extra layer of enjoyment: somewhere, sometime in the pre-Crisis DC timeline, these delightfully wacky adventures technically happened alongside more “serious” Batman and Superman stories – even if they were later erased from the official record.

If nothing else, 'The Fury of the Super Foes' is a reminder that superhero comics don’t always need to be heavy to be worthwhile. Sometimes, silly is enough.

[Wilfredo Liangco · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's really something about the super friends that gives me joy, something more than nostalgia. The stories in this collection are highly enjoyable, the art is fantastic, and they really capture the essence of the tv show. Highly recommended!

[Matt Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing in this was better than expected and the art is peak. Just a fun collection overall can’t go wrong with this one. Covers 1976-1979. 9/10

[Erik J · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's just something wonderful about old all-ages comics. I love the innocence and basic storytelling that lets you step in and out when you just need a light read.

Loved the cartoon (didn't watch it as a kid but much later when I was an adult) and the art is very faithful to the show. It has that very timeless feel as to what you imagine comic artwork to look like.

I was very surprised about how much page time the Wonder Twins got and that was nice to see. Also the various international heroes that appear throughout are fun and it's nice to see what the Global Guardians were like before they were folded into main continuity.

All in all, one of my fave reads the last while.

Overall - 5/5