Batman/Superman: World's Finest (2022-) #45

by Mark Waid, Adrián Gutiérrez (Artist)

Lex Luthor and The Joker have joined forces once again, but this uneasy alliance hinges on a crucial the final defeat of both Batman and Superman. Why else would the most brilliant criminal mind of our time and the Clown Prince of Crime team up? Well, the answer will surprise you…and them! Betrayal abounds, terror intensifies, and a major surprise is in store for the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel in part one of “The Merger.

Genres: Batman, Dc Comics, Comics, Superman

Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2025

About the author

Mark Waid (born March 21, 1962 in Hueytown, Alabama) is an American comic book writer. He is best known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America.

Reviews

[Roland Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice to have a goofy shenanigans type tale to offset the line wide universal peril

[Cybernex007 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sliver age wackiness is alive and well with the world’s finest! This was an absolute treat of an issue, just fun antics and bits left and right. The issue starts with batman and Superman chilling in the bat cave watching the Gotham Goliaths play the Metropolis Meteors as Clark argue about Bruce not getting them tickets even though he owns the stadium, lol. Apparently he gave his box to Ollie to settle a bet as he really does have a nuclear warhead arrow, lol. But suddenly trouble is brewing as Superman uses his telescopic vision and super hearing to discover an alarm at STAR labs. They have been developing a neuroenhancer to boost brainpower, and of course Luthor had to try and get his hands on it. The two heroes suit up and immediately head that way, but the moment Lex gets his hand on the device an energy begins to form around him as he suddenly finds himself falling through the floor of the building until he lands on the subway tracks below! He only has a moment to jump out of the way…only to find joker waiting for him. But this point batman is fully aware that joker is out of Arkham, but what he probably isn’t aware of is that joker paid a visit to Batman’s old foe Dr X and stole his tech, giving him the abilities to change matter in odd ways, like making Lex intangible. Joker wants Lex for a new gig and before he turns him back to normal he wants Lex to hear him out. Joker brings Lex down to his underground HQ, equipped with a giant joker head entrance which he got by kidnapping an architect’s wife. And once inside joker introduces Lex to the score…an absorbascon! If you have read any Hawkman, like I have, you know exactly what this is and how terrible it would be if Lex could tap his mind into every living creature. Lex isn’t interested at first and also thinks the idea that it could be in a museum as preposterous but with the prospect of infinite knowledge he decides to play ball. The two villains make their way to midway city where Carter Hall resides as the current midway city museum curator. The two barely get past the alien tech spliced defenses before they hear a loud skreeeee as Hawkman comes barreling towards them. Unfortunately they have Dr X’s tech and Lex’s skills at fighting Superman to go against him, and Hawkman is not left in a good position. Joker ends up holding him off as Lex slips by and through the walls to get the absorbascon. Luckily hawkman immediately called for an alert, prompting batman and Superman to rush over to the scene. Unfortunately it was also time for the villains to make an exit, prompting joker to ruin the structural supports of the building and for Lex to fly them out. But this is Lex Luthor and Joker we are talking about, they didn’t even get a few blocks before they started bickering over who gets the absorbascon. Ultimately causing them to crash and trigger some combination of their energies into an explosion that ultimately combines joker and Lex into one being!! Like I said, silver age antics…lol. And unfortunately it seems this being is pretty unstoppable and intangible and the moment Superman and batman fly through it…they become intangible as well!! OH NO!! Also there is a nice Burton Batman reference to Shreck’s on the final page, lol.

[Raymond Paquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning was the best. Who knew Bruce and Clark were football fan rivals? After that the story got a little sillier and are we going to see the Composite Superman?

[Chris Loan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun issue! I love when Lex is just so over Jokers shtick. Interested to read the next!

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worst fusion ever.