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Batman/Superman: World's Finest (2022)
Batman/Superman: World's Finest, Vol. 8: 20,000 Leagues
The World’s Finest heroes dive deeper — Adventure awaits in Volume 8!
Batman/Superman World’s Finest, Vol. 8: 20,000 Leagues continues the Eisner-nominated series from superstar writer Mark Waid and acclaimed artist Adrian Gutierrez. Collecting issues #35–37 and #40–43, this volume delivers another thrilling arc of high-stakes action, dynamic team-ups, and classic superhero storytelling. Following the critical and commercial success of Volumes 1–7, this latest installment further cements World’s Finest as one of DC’s most consistently celebrated titles. This collection is perfect for longtime fans and new readers alike.
Batman/Superman World’s Finest, Vol. 8: 20,000 Leagues continues the Eisner-nominated series from superstar writer Mark Waid and acclaimed artist Adrian Gutierrez. Collecting issues #35–37 and #40–43, this volume delivers another thrilling arc of high-stakes action, dynamic team-ups, and classic superhero storytelling. Following the critical and commercial success of Volumes 1–7, this latest installment further cements World’s Finest as one of DC’s most consistently celebrated titles. This collection is perfect for longtime fans and new readers alike.
208 pages, Paperback
First published March 10, 2026
About the author
Mark Waid
3,258 books1,336 followersMark 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 20, 2026
If a never read another Bizarro story it will be too soon. I cannot stand the new Bizarros. I don’t understand people’s interest.
March 22, 2026
3.6 stars
Review of advance copy
Unfortunately, it feels like World's Finest has finally plateaued and settled on being more in the okay / good territory than great. Nothing egregious, nothing great. I am finding this series hard to review as the stories are not particularly memorable anymore and rely on the in-the-moment feelings and experience of reading light hearted fluff rather than creating something that will stay with you later. It does continue to be an easy read, though, and Waid still has the occasional moment that will make you smile. Still, it is a pretty big accomplishment to be eight volumes deep and still delivering to some degree.
July 2, 2026
I was not expecting much from this book, so it was a very pleasant surprise that I enjoyed it all the way through. It contains two story arc and good standalone story in between them.
A virus spreading through the continent of Atlantis, threatens to start a civil war. With Aquaman spreading his time between the surface and his kingdom his subjects wonder if he has their best interests at heart. However the biggest reason for the war might be Superman?
The team-up i never knew I needed between Perry White and Commissioner Gordon. The debate crime, newspapers and monster attacks with an Internet "reporter" or host.
Bizzaro world is in trouble. It is turning normal? What's wrong with that? The Bizzaroes hate it, but they might have much bigger problems to deal with. Luckily Batman, Superman, and Robin are on hand to fix it. Whether they want to or not.
A very enjoyable book. Great use of all the characters. I think this has been one of the better volumes of the series. The book finishes with a big variant cover gallery.
A virus spreading through the continent of Atlantis, threatens to start a civil war. With Aquaman spreading his time between the surface and his kingdom his subjects wonder if he has their best interests at heart. However the biggest reason for the war might be Superman?
The team-up i never knew I needed between Perry White and Commissioner Gordon. The debate crime, newspapers and monster attacks with an Internet "reporter" or host.
Bizzaro world is in trouble. It is turning normal? What's wrong with that? The Bizzaroes hate it, but they might have much bigger problems to deal with. Luckily Batman, Superman, and Robin are on hand to fix it. Whether they want to or not.
A very enjoyable book. Great use of all the characters. I think this has been one of the better volumes of the series. The book finishes with a big variant cover gallery.
June 14, 2026
2.5 stars, rounded up to 3.
That might seem like an unfairly low rating, but I did not enjoy this.
I prefer the smaller scale stories that focus on Batman, Robin, and Superman, I simply do not care about the wider DC universe and haven't for a long time.
I love the way Mark Waid writes the characters, I am completely bored by the story. I have never cared about Aquaman, and I openly hate anything to do with the Bizarro World.
Because of those two factors it's hard for me to give this any kind of objective review, but I acknowledge I knew what I was in for based on the last few volumes. I guess this series just isn't for me.
That might seem like an unfairly low rating, but I did not enjoy this.
I prefer the smaller scale stories that focus on Batman, Robin, and Superman, I simply do not care about the wider DC universe and haven't for a long time.
I love the way Mark Waid writes the characters, I am completely bored by the story. I have never cared about Aquaman, and I openly hate anything to do with the Bizarro World.
Because of those two factors it's hard for me to give this any kind of objective review, but I acknowledge I knew what I was in for based on the last few volumes. I guess this series just isn't for me.
April 22, 2026
The storyline with Aquaman featured a unique mixture of enemies and allies.
The other stores were just OK.
All in all, this probably evens out to about 3.5 stars.
The other stores were just OK.
All in all, this probably evens out to about 3.5 stars.
March 16, 2026
Walking the line between kids and fanboy call backs.
Love the Bizarro World Tour, which feels like a been take on the Bizarros.
Love the Bizarro World Tour, which feels like a been take on the Bizarros.
June 15, 2026
A clear improvement over the last volume, seeing Aquaman and the Bizarro World pop up was a great. The start of the Bizarro World mini arc with Robin running around scared looks straight out of a horror movie. Dan M is a fantastic artist.
March 29, 2026
It seems like this series has decided to go down the bombastic and narratively-familiar route. While Adrian Gutierrez's artwork works great for these stories, I find myself unimpressed by Mark Waid's stories nowadays. These could get so much better if an entire volume was dedicated to one story, but no. Now we get multiple short storyarcs, making them all feel so superficial, managing just a meh out of me. Not sure how much longer this series can survive before coming to an end.
June 13, 2026
I read these as single issues, and it's the two storylines before and after the We Are Yesterday crossover. The first storyline takes place in Atlantis, while the second has Bats and Supes on Bizarro World.
I find both stories to be charming in an old-school, Silver-Ageish way, although updated with modern art. That is particularly the case with the Bizarro story, as trying to work out the meaning of all the backwards statements and things that the Bizarros do, feels most like reading a 1950s comic. And then Waid applies some logic, like how gravity works in Bizarro universe, to produce square things. A great, modern updating of old Superman Bizarro comics then, and a more thorough exploration of Bizarro than other Bizarro modern updates, as can be found in Morrison's All Star Supes.
The Atlantis story uniquely has the Floronic Man threatening Atlantis and a neighbouring underwater kingdom with a zombie-causing algal bloom. I think that's smart. Aquaman leads Atlantis forces to keep the corrupted neighbouring sea-people from destroying Atlantis. And there's magic involved, which places Clark at a disadvantage, and Swamp Thing shows up, but for once he's not the deus ex machina that wins the day. Oh, and Lori Lemaris features! which is why it feels like updating the Silver Age again. It’s Bats and Supes playing in Aquaman's world though, in the past, and it feels good retro.
I find it hard not to be charmed by all these Silver Age throwbacks, updated with modern art and storytelling. It's good to spend time with Clark and Bruce in these situations, and I find these two stories to be memorable.
I find both stories to be charming in an old-school, Silver-Ageish way, although updated with modern art. That is particularly the case with the Bizarro story, as trying to work out the meaning of all the backwards statements and things that the Bizarros do, feels most like reading a 1950s comic. And then Waid applies some logic, like how gravity works in Bizarro universe, to produce square things. A great, modern updating of old Superman Bizarro comics then, and a more thorough exploration of Bizarro than other Bizarro modern updates, as can be found in Morrison's All Star Supes.
The Atlantis story uniquely has the Floronic Man threatening Atlantis and a neighbouring underwater kingdom with a zombie-causing algal bloom. I think that's smart. Aquaman leads Atlantis forces to keep the corrupted neighbouring sea-people from destroying Atlantis. And there's magic involved, which places Clark at a disadvantage, and Swamp Thing shows up, but for once he's not the deus ex machina that wins the day. Oh, and Lori Lemaris features! which is why it feels like updating the Silver Age again. It’s Bats and Supes playing in Aquaman's world though, in the past, and it feels good retro.
I find it hard not to be charmed by all these Silver Age throwbacks, updated with modern art and storytelling. It's good to spend time with Clark and Bruce in these situations, and I find these two stories to be memorable.
March 19, 2026
Ya muestra fatiga el señor Waid en esta cole, y es normal. La primera historia, con Aquaman de estrella invitada, es flojilla, con una aparición de lo más forzada del Hombre Florónico, intentando conquistar Atlantis sin ningún motivo especial. La parte de Lori Lemaris está bastante bien llevada, pero el resto... una historia del montón.
Los episodios que transcurren en Mundo Bizarro suponen una mejoría bastante acusada, con Robin salvando el día por una vez. Sin embargo, la lógica de los bizarros resulta confusa por momentos (yo creo que el propio Waid no sabe muy bien qué hacer con ella); ¿se supone que Brainzarro es estúpido? Pues sus acciones no lo son. Pero bueno, la verdad es que el final está bien logrado, y el momento Batzarro-Bizarro es emotivo. Aun así, el nuevo dibujante, sin estar mal, no le llega a la suela de los zapatos al gran Dan Mora. Yo no me voy a bajar todavía del carro, pero creo que a Waid se le acaba la cuerda en esta cole, o bien toca demasiadas cuerdas a la vez: cuatro o cinco series mensuales es una pasada de trabajo para cualquiera. A ver qué pasa, pero espero que Waid se centre en un par y deje el resto en otras manos capaces, como Slott (nunca creí que diría esto) o Kennedy Johnson, o Matt Fraction, que lo está haciendo fenomenal en la serie de Batman. Bueno, pues eso: un tebeo entretenido y ya está. Que no es poco.
Los episodios que transcurren en Mundo Bizarro suponen una mejoría bastante acusada, con Robin salvando el día por una vez. Sin embargo, la lógica de los bizarros resulta confusa por momentos (yo creo que el propio Waid no sabe muy bien qué hacer con ella); ¿se supone que Brainzarro es estúpido? Pues sus acciones no lo son. Pero bueno, la verdad es que el final está bien logrado, y el momento Batzarro-Bizarro es emotivo. Aun así, el nuevo dibujante, sin estar mal, no le llega a la suela de los zapatos al gran Dan Mora. Yo no me voy a bajar todavía del carro, pero creo que a Waid se le acaba la cuerda en esta cole, o bien toca demasiadas cuerdas a la vez: cuatro o cinco series mensuales es una pasada de trabajo para cualquiera. A ver qué pasa, pero espero que Waid se centre en un par y deje el resto en otras manos capaces, como Slott (nunca creí que diría esto) o Kennedy Johnson, o Matt Fraction, que lo está haciendo fenomenal en la serie de Batman. Bueno, pues eso: un tebeo entretenido y ya está. Que no es poco.
Review of advance copy
I think this might be World's Finests' weakest collection so far, but even then, it's still pretty good. We get two stories, one set in Atlantis and the other set on Bizarro World, and they both have the same problem, I think - too much need to explain what the hell's going on.
The Atlantis story has a little too much politics flying around, so it's hard to keep track of who's betraying who. And then Bizarro World always brings with it an added layer of complication because of everyone being backwards. It takes a lot to tell a Bizarro World story that I enjoy, and this one didn't do it for me.
I did enjoy the Swamp Thing appearance in the Atlantis story though, and new artist Adrian Gutierrez is a great fit for this book after his stellar run on Blue Beetle recently. Plus, this is still a Waid book, so it's great, even when it's not as good as it could be.
The Atlantis story has a little too much politics flying around, so it's hard to keep track of who's betraying who. And then Bizarro World always brings with it an added layer of complication because of everyone being backwards. It takes a lot to tell a Bizarro World story that I enjoy, and this one didn't do it for me.
I did enjoy the Swamp Thing appearance in the Atlantis story though, and new artist Adrian Gutierrez is a great fit for this book after his stellar run on Blue Beetle recently. Plus, this is still a Waid book, so it's great, even when it's not as good as it could be.
June 17, 2026
20,000 Leagues is an almost skippable entry in what has otherwise been a pretty stellar series. First, we get Aquaman's return to Atlantis after too long away. The people are restless, especially in a neighboring kingdom. Worse, the Flouronic Man is trying to take over ocean plant life. Too much bland political wrangling and boring battling.
Then, and worse, we head to Bizarro World, where a plague is causing some members of the population to go sane. Mark Waid occasionally successfully plays this for laughs, but most of the action is stuck in that stupid "we need to think of everything backwards to solve the problem!" mode. Done a million times before and I never like it. Lay Bizarro to rest, please!
At least the art is decent throughout. And I guess none of it is truly atrocious, it's just far below this series' standards.
Then, and worse, we head to Bizarro World, where a plague is causing some members of the population to go sane. Mark Waid occasionally successfully plays this for laughs, but most of the action is stuck in that stupid "we need to think of everything backwards to solve the problem!" mode. Done a million times before and I never like it. Lay Bizarro to rest, please!
At least the art is decent throughout. And I guess none of it is truly atrocious, it's just far below this series' standards.
May 18, 2026
Another fun and enjoyable read from the Worlds Finest. These books technically get a pretty easy pass from me simply because the artwork is so beautiful and engaging and just the concept of early adventures / Teamups from Batman and Superman is so much fun and relaxing to read, so even if the story can sometimes feel meh it’s still really enjoyable. Overall I do feel the earlier volumes were a tad better, but that’s not saying a lot because these current volumes are still really fun and allow for some wacky story telling. I mean in this volume alone we visit Atlantis, we see Gordon and Perry white team up as well as mecha bat, heck we even see bizarro world again. So many fun little stories in one single volume. Worth the read for the artwork and wacky stories alone.
March 22, 2026
3.75
The good news is I'm caught up on this series. The bad news is the stories in this collection are not very good. The Aquaman one was why I stopped reading. A total slog. I just didn't care.
We Are Yesterday broke happened in between, I thought was a masterpiece and felt back to form.
But then the Bizzarro story brought it back to a slog.
Wondering if Waid is losing his excitement that seemed to infuse every issue. And maybe it's just more work now.
I'd rather he move on to a passion project that keep forcing World's Finest, as much as I loved most of it.
The good news is I'm caught up on this series. The bad news is the stories in this collection are not very good. The Aquaman one was why I stopped reading. A total slog. I just didn't care.
We Are Yesterday broke happened in between, I thought was a masterpiece and felt back to form.
But then the Bizzarro story brought it back to a slog.
Wondering if Waid is losing his excitement that seemed to infuse every issue. And maybe it's just more work now.
I'd rather he move on to a passion project that keep forcing World's Finest, as much as I loved most of it.
October 29, 2025
i can’t lie, i'm too lazy to review every volume of this ongoing series, however, with the latest installment, i just wanted to check in and share some of my thoughts so far
none of the arcs in this series have been a bore, in fact, they've all been very good, and that's because Mark Waid sticks to the same formula - action-packed, light-hearted, plenty of fun interactions, and packed with cameos from characters all across the DC Universe
none of the arcs in this series have been a bore, in fact, they've all been very good, and that's because Mark Waid sticks to the same formula - action-packed, light-hearted, plenty of fun interactions, and packed with cameos from characters all across the DC Universe
Review of advance copy
More ok stories from Mark Waid. He made Bizarro boring! This arc finds an awkward middle ground this book takes between classic silly Bizarro and modern violent Bizarro, complete with pseudo-science infodumps about their world. I'm not sure who would pick up a Bizarro story expecting that.
Oh yeah, there's also a story with Aquaman and Atlantis. It's fine and forgettable.
Oh yeah, there's also a story with Aquaman and Atlantis. It's fine and forgettable.
March 26, 2026
This volume was a huge improvement over volume 7. It is an aquaman story, followed by a bizarro world story, with a kaiju story sandwiched in between. The Kaiju story is excellent and the exact reason I showed up. The aquaman story was pretty good. The bizarro story was okay. The artwork was overall very good.
April 20, 2026
I loved the Atlantis story!
The Bizarro story was a bit of a slog, as Bizarro stories tend to be (with the exception of the Dark Trilogy series where he teamed up with Jason Todd and Artemis).
Still pretty good, as figuring out what the Bizarros are actually saying is something the Earth characters are doing along with us, the audience.
The Bizarro story was a bit of a slog, as Bizarro stories tend to be (with the exception of the Dark Trilogy series where he teamed up with Jason Todd and Artemis).
Still pretty good, as figuring out what the Bizarros are actually saying is something the Earth characters are doing along with us, the audience.
June 2, 2026
Issue 40 was definitely my favourite with the Perry and Gordon teamup! I thought the Aquaman story was pretty good too, but the Bizarro World story was kind of confusing to me. It definitely had its moments, though — I liked the solution that Dick came up with, and the ending with Bizarro Batman and Bizarro Superman drinking the cure.
August 7, 2026
Not the strongest volume in this series...
Seriously? A baseball loving Aquaman defends his kingdom (with help) from the likes of the Floronic Man. Hold me back. Add to that, the 'let's go back to the old reliable...' Bizarro backwards storyline.
Could be better. Definitely read worse.
====
Bonus: Lori Lemaris cameos here just as she pops back up in the current Aquaman storyline
Seriously? A baseball loving Aquaman defends his kingdom (with help) from the likes of the Floronic Man. Hold me back. Add to that, the 'let's go back to the old reliable...' Bizarro backwards storyline.
Could be better. Definitely read worse.
====
Bonus: Lori Lemaris cameos here just as she pops back up in the current Aquaman storyline
May 20, 2026
Nice enough art and fine story though it didn’t keep me reading considering I let two weeks pass before I finished the last 50 pages. I enjoy the feel good randomness of this series and Robin got to have some moments. Only one very obvious change of artist mid-issues, I’ll take what I can get.
August 7, 2026
the arc with aquaman was fine. the issue that was basically podcast bro shade made me laugh. the bizzaro arc kind of gave me a headache. overall, i think i enjoy the longer, more character-focused arcs, but these were still fun.
October 18, 2025
boring and the relationship subplot... robin was kinda useless and superman lowk had no aura
March 10, 2026
Refreshing being back into Worlds Finest and was huge fan of the individual issues and the Aquaman swamp story. Bizzarro stuff just isn’t for me but this one they do isn’t entirely a bad read.
March 14, 2026
It’s enjoyable enough.
March 26, 2026
Perfectly adequate but we really need to set some standards for Bizarro-speak.
April 9, 2026
3.5 Stars
April 23, 2026
art was nice especially with the coloring in the second half; i liked the bizzaro plotline, but 20,000 leagues was just okay
April 28, 2026
Loved "Late Night on the town"!! The aquaman story wasnt as enjoyable. The bizarro story eventually got me. Took me a good while to come back to finish this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews