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Showcase Presents: World's Finest Comics #2
Showcase Presents: World's Finest, Vol. 2
Book by Various
520 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 2008
1 person is currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Coleman
76 books1 followerJerry Coleman (birth/death dates unknown) wrote nearly 100 stories for DC Comics, beginning with Mystery in Space #3. By the mid-1950s he regularly scripted for Weisenger's Superman titles. Among Coleman's best-loved Super-tales: "Superboy's Last Day in Smallville" (Superman #97) and "The girl in Superman's Past" (Showcase #9).
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 11, 2016
I'm not going to lie. The main reason I picked this volume up was because it features the first appearance and origin of the Composite Superman, one of my all time favorite cheesy Silver Age villains. Come on! He's Superman on one side, Batman on the other, has green skin and the powers of the entire Legion of Superheroes!
Other than that, we have alien attacks, a visit to Kandor with Robin and Jimmy Olsen, Bat-Mite teaming with Mr. Mxysptlk, and a zillion instances of Batman getting super powers. Seriously, how often did Batman get super powers during the 50's and 60's?
Overall, this is better written than volume one but just as cheesy.
Other than that, we have alien attacks, a visit to Kandor with Robin and Jimmy Olsen, Bat-Mite teaming with Mr. Mxysptlk, and a zillion instances of Batman getting super powers. Seriously, how often did Batman get super powers during the 50's and 60's?
Overall, this is better written than volume one but just as cheesy.
February 15, 2022
Nice collection of the classic Silver age stories. Nice enjoyable read. Recommended
November 19, 2020
The first volume to collect the Superman/Batman team-ups from the pages of World's Finest had many flaws. Silly plots that repeated frequently. A pesky Lois Lane trying to determine if Clark Kent really is Superman. Aliens. My god, the aliens! Those blemishes, I could overlook. But the one thing I couldn't forgive was that there weren't any Jimmy Olsen stories in that collection!
Volume 2 starts to dip it's toe into the various Robin & Jimmy Olsen Vs. Superman/Batman stories. We only get 2 or 3 such tales. But it's better than nothing!
The inclusion of Jimmy Olsen added a level of complexity to the World's Finest universe. Before the inclusion of Superman's Pal, the Man of Steel and the Caped Crusader would often pass Robin off like a child visiting divorced relatives seemingly every other issue. The Boy Wonder ended up being a major third wheel. Now with Jimmy Olsen, it's like Robin's got a playmate.
Sadly, my volume ended. But there's a volume 3 and 4. Yes, both are OOP. But I am on the hunt. There's so many great adventures awaiting me. Plus, we start to curve away from the various alien invader capers which work fine for Superman. But Batman just seems out of his element in those sci-fi romps.
Volume 2 starts to dip it's toe into the various Robin & Jimmy Olsen Vs. Superman/Batman stories. We only get 2 or 3 such tales. But it's better than nothing!
The inclusion of Jimmy Olsen added a level of complexity to the World's Finest universe. Before the inclusion of Superman's Pal, the Man of Steel and the Caped Crusader would often pass Robin off like a child visiting divorced relatives seemingly every other issue. The Boy Wonder ended up being a major third wheel. Now with Jimmy Olsen, it's like Robin's got a playmate.
Sadly, my volume ended. But there's a volume 3 and 4. Yes, both are OOP. But I am on the hunt. There's so many great adventures awaiting me. Plus, we start to curve away from the various alien invader capers which work fine for Superman. But Batman just seems out of his element in those sci-fi romps.
August 10, 2023
This is Silver Age DC Comics, which pretty much says it all. It's silly, hokey, outrageous, but entertaining. These are all Superman, Batman and Robin team ups with various appearances by Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Alfred, etc. The series started to go to longer stories near the end of this volume, as the early stories were all 8 pagers. The stories still aren't full comic length, however.
Nice art, and the stories are for the most part ridiculous, but honestly that's part of the appeal. If you like Silver Age DC, you'll like this. If you don't, you won't.
Nice art, and the stories are for the most part ridiculous, but honestly that's part of the appeal. If you like Silver Age DC, you'll like this. If you don't, you won't.
January 10, 2013
Any comic featuring Golden or Silver Age Robin is bound to also feature some of Robin's bad puns and quips. This one is from Worlds Finest #119 as Robin kicks the General of the Purple Legion in the teeth. Robin was the character that kids could most identify with and make no mistake, from the "uncomplicated" view of science to the simple morals to the goofy and even repetitive plots; the stories herein were designed for kids. But adults can enjoy them too. They're nostalgic and they're also zany and amusing if you're in the right mood. Basically, the stories involve Batman, Robin and Superman teaming up to defeat some overwhelming menace that they couldn't defeat separately. Robin, though a kid is treated as an equal partner most of the time. He gives and receives respect from adults, which is probably a good lesson for the kiddies. The series also stresses the importance of friendship, not just the fun parts the obligations of being a good friend as well. It's not in color but you get all the stories from World's Finest #112-#145. That's a pretty good deal for the price and if you or your kids find you really enjoy these, then you can always upgrade to the color Archives editions.
Here's a breakdown of some of what you'll find inside.
**World's Finest #112** The Menace of Superman's Pet! ** Possibly the greatest hero in the history of the universe is a furry little creature named Gleek that looks like a cross between a panda and Peter Lorre.
**World's Finest #113** When Bat-Mite meets Mr. Mxyzptlk! ** Wow! This story is worth the price of the book alone. The two reality altering interdimensional imps decide to duel right here on Earth leaving the WF Heroes to deal with the aftermath. This one offers a mother lode of clever imagination, Superman using his hair as a super-mop and a giant, bulletproof crime robot, in addition to the titular twosome.
**World's Finest #114** Captives of the Space Globes! ** The Zorons need the WF Heroes help to defeat the evil Baxians and their giant war machines. What will happen when Superman loses his powers? Why, we find out why the heroes make such a great team, that's what.
**World's Finest #115** The Curse That Doomed Superman! ** In the first panel Superman, wearing a hubcap on his head, declares himself King of Gotham City. "It's no use Robin" says Batman," He must be under the Swami's spell again." AGAIN!? How often does this happen?
**World's Finest #119** The Secret of Tigerman! ** The mysterious Tigerman pushes Superman, Batman and Robin around like they're mops whilst trying to capture the elusive Purple Legion. Who is Tigerman? What does he have on our heroes? Why does the General of the Purple Legion look like Jackie Gleason in a bad doorman's uniform?
**World's Finest #123** The Incredible Team of Bat-Mite and Mr. Mxyzptlk! ** The super-imp stalkers are at it again, this time accidentally creating an unstoppable fire breathing, exploding, giant magnetic super-beast bent of planetary destruction. Oops! Luckily, as usual, Batman's just a shade smarter than everyone else.
**World's Finest #129** Joker-Luthor, Incorporated. ** Hmm, I wonder how their stock is doing these days? Anyway, Luthor and the Joker team up and lure the WF Heroes into a giant garden display where they attack the heroes with giant robot bees, giant puffballs, and a garden hose that shoots acid (Guess whose idea THAT was?). And that's just the set-up for the REAL crime.
**World's Finest #130** Riddle of the Four Planets! ** The indestructible Zelaphod, which looks like a gargantuan starfish with one huge, bulging eye, comes to Earth and will destroy us unless the WF Heroes can unravel the secret of the creature's defeat from the lines of an ancient space-poem.
**World's Finest #132** Batman and Robin, Medieval Bandits! ** A giant trident wielding "automaton" is about to execute Batman and Robin in 15th century Florence, Italy. That's just the first panel. Later we also find out that Robin is really a malicious midget named Shorty Biggs. And it just keeps getting better.
**World's Finest #133** Beasts of the Supernatural** The WF Heroes face Dark Powers Beyond Mortal Comprehension! How do they defeat them? The same way they defeat all the Dark Powers Beyond Mortal Comprehension they bump into, with pluck, Yankee Ingenuity and a little dose of True Love.
**World's Finest #140** The Clayface Superman** Clayface gains the powers of Superman and among other things, threatens to reveal Batman's Secret Identity. You know who has really nasty looking buttocks? Clayface. You know whose buttocks we see in this issue? Clayface's. They didn't need to do that.
**World's Finest # 141** The Olsen-Robin Team vs. The Superman-Batman Team! ** The lil' snots decide to fake their own deaths, "for Superman's and Batman's own good." Take a look at the grave Superman provides them. Their bodies are covered by a couple of rocks and their tombstones feature their names wood-burned onto a wooden plank. This from the guy who carved the Fortress of Solitude with his bare hands and then filled it with a zoo populated by rare animals from around the universe. Supes couldn't even bother to squeeze a lump of coal into a diamond for the headstone? Wotta jerk!
Krazy Kryptonite effects:12
Identity switcheroos:8
Giant Robots:8
Bad Robin Puns and Quips: I stopped counting at 37.
Here's a breakdown of some of what you'll find inside.
**World's Finest #112** The Menace of Superman's Pet! ** Possibly the greatest hero in the history of the universe is a furry little creature named Gleek that looks like a cross between a panda and Peter Lorre.
**World's Finest #113** When Bat-Mite meets Mr. Mxyzptlk! ** Wow! This story is worth the price of the book alone. The two reality altering interdimensional imps decide to duel right here on Earth leaving the WF Heroes to deal with the aftermath. This one offers a mother lode of clever imagination, Superman using his hair as a super-mop and a giant, bulletproof crime robot, in addition to the titular twosome.
**World's Finest #114** Captives of the Space Globes! ** The Zorons need the WF Heroes help to defeat the evil Baxians and their giant war machines. What will happen when Superman loses his powers? Why, we find out why the heroes make such a great team, that's what.
**World's Finest #115** The Curse That Doomed Superman! ** In the first panel Superman, wearing a hubcap on his head, declares himself King of Gotham City. "It's no use Robin" says Batman," He must be under the Swami's spell again." AGAIN!? How often does this happen?
**World's Finest #119** The Secret of Tigerman! ** The mysterious Tigerman pushes Superman, Batman and Robin around like they're mops whilst trying to capture the elusive Purple Legion. Who is Tigerman? What does he have on our heroes? Why does the General of the Purple Legion look like Jackie Gleason in a bad doorman's uniform?
**World's Finest #123** The Incredible Team of Bat-Mite and Mr. Mxyzptlk! ** The super-imp stalkers are at it again, this time accidentally creating an unstoppable fire breathing, exploding, giant magnetic super-beast bent of planetary destruction. Oops! Luckily, as usual, Batman's just a shade smarter than everyone else.
**World's Finest #129** Joker-Luthor, Incorporated. ** Hmm, I wonder how their stock is doing these days? Anyway, Luthor and the Joker team up and lure the WF Heroes into a giant garden display where they attack the heroes with giant robot bees, giant puffballs, and a garden hose that shoots acid (Guess whose idea THAT was?). And that's just the set-up for the REAL crime.
**World's Finest #130** Riddle of the Four Planets! ** The indestructible Zelaphod, which looks like a gargantuan starfish with one huge, bulging eye, comes to Earth and will destroy us unless the WF Heroes can unravel the secret of the creature's defeat from the lines of an ancient space-poem.
**World's Finest #132** Batman and Robin, Medieval Bandits! ** A giant trident wielding "automaton" is about to execute Batman and Robin in 15th century Florence, Italy. That's just the first panel. Later we also find out that Robin is really a malicious midget named Shorty Biggs. And it just keeps getting better.
**World's Finest #133** Beasts of the Supernatural** The WF Heroes face Dark Powers Beyond Mortal Comprehension! How do they defeat them? The same way they defeat all the Dark Powers Beyond Mortal Comprehension they bump into, with pluck, Yankee Ingenuity and a little dose of True Love.
**World's Finest #140** The Clayface Superman** Clayface gains the powers of Superman and among other things, threatens to reveal Batman's Secret Identity. You know who has really nasty looking buttocks? Clayface. You know whose buttocks we see in this issue? Clayface's. They didn't need to do that.
**World's Finest # 141** The Olsen-Robin Team vs. The Superman-Batman Team! ** The lil' snots decide to fake their own deaths, "for Superman's and Batman's own good." Take a look at the grave Superman provides them. Their bodies are covered by a couple of rocks and their tombstones feature their names wood-burned onto a wooden plank. This from the guy who carved the Fortress of Solitude with his bare hands and then filled it with a zoo populated by rare animals from around the universe. Supes couldn't even bother to squeeze a lump of coal into a diamond for the headstone? Wotta jerk!
Krazy Kryptonite effects:12
Identity switcheroos:8
Giant Robots:8
Bad Robin Puns and Quips: I stopped counting at 37.
March 9, 2022
3.5. Jerry Coleman isn't a great writer and he contributes a lot of the Superman/Batman stories in this TPB. However Edmond Hamilton contributes some truly terrific yarns, like one where Batman worries he's useless next to the Man of Steel. So I enjoyed it, but as I often say, Silver Age superheroes ain't for everyone.
July 24, 2022
Cheerful silver age lunacy, so casual and upbeat in its weirdness that it feels a little deranged at times. Lots of highlights (I think this set covers a good 3-4 years of this series), but the one that is sticking out in my mind is where Batman is struck by lightning in his plane while flying between "twin peaks" (this phrase is used more than once in the issue) and is transported to another world where he doesn't exist, and people he knows seem to have swapped identities. Hmm.
B
B
September 14, 2015
An altogether solid premise, Batman and Superman going on adventures together in a way often humorous or at the very least magical or interstellar, is undermined but maybe not undermined entirely, by shoddy writing that leads to redundancy and over talking and stuff. Not to mention that annoying habit of having random aliens show up and then never come back in a subsequent issue.
"World's Finest #112" features Superman accidentally getting a furry alien pet who causes all kinds of havoc. The animal has some basic cuteness and Dick Sprang's artwork is solid enough. But Jerry Coleman writes kinda like Jerry Coleman, meaning a lot of over explanative dialogue and sort of generic steps in a generic series of misadventures, i.e. "what is the alien going to do, oh, he hurt this bridge, I gotta fix it" (I think DC writers in the early 1960s should make payments to city funds for all these random acts of de-bridge-ing)
"World's Finest #130" features the best artist of the volume, Jim Mooney, but otherwise another forgettable, more forgettable than #112, Jerry Coleman story. Batman and Superman have to gather random alien ingredients to create a potion to save the Earth. The "highlight" is that the gang hangs out with an alien band that is allegedly really exceptional at music, but the music lacks personification and the characters like characterization. Typical, typical.
"World's Finest #145" features a somewhat blast from the past in World's Finest history, as old school Superman writer/artist combo Edmond Hamilton and Curt Swan take over the reigns. This story definitely has hints of being an actual funny or interesting story. Batman is forced to become the warden of a prison for superheroes and ends up going all "Cool Hand Luke" on Superman. The banter from Batman's mouth as the evil warden is not groundbreaking comic book-ery, but it is different enough to separate the issue. Still bad dialogue and still a random evil alien race that doesn't come back in another issue, but those monotonies aside, it's at least a start.
So I really like the premise of this book, and some issues were more diverting than others. But I hope future issues feel a little more of the approaching era of modern comic book writing.
2/5
"World's Finest #112" features Superman accidentally getting a furry alien pet who causes all kinds of havoc. The animal has some basic cuteness and Dick Sprang's artwork is solid enough. But Jerry Coleman writes kinda like Jerry Coleman, meaning a lot of over explanative dialogue and sort of generic steps in a generic series of misadventures, i.e. "what is the alien going to do, oh, he hurt this bridge, I gotta fix it" (I think DC writers in the early 1960s should make payments to city funds for all these random acts of de-bridge-ing)
"World's Finest #130" features the best artist of the volume, Jim Mooney, but otherwise another forgettable, more forgettable than #112, Jerry Coleman story. Batman and Superman have to gather random alien ingredients to create a potion to save the Earth. The "highlight" is that the gang hangs out with an alien band that is allegedly really exceptional at music, but the music lacks personification and the characters like characterization. Typical, typical.
"World's Finest #145" features a somewhat blast from the past in World's Finest history, as old school Superman writer/artist combo Edmond Hamilton and Curt Swan take over the reigns. This story definitely has hints of being an actual funny or interesting story. Batman is forced to become the warden of a prison for superheroes and ends up going all "Cool Hand Luke" on Superman. The banter from Batman's mouth as the evil warden is not groundbreaking comic book-ery, but it is different enough to separate the issue. Still bad dialogue and still a random evil alien race that doesn't come back in another issue, but those monotonies aside, it's at least a start.
So I really like the premise of this book, and some issues were more diverting than others. But I hope future issues feel a little more of the approaching era of modern comic book writing.
2/5
April 24, 2016
The second volume of Showcase Presents World's Finest brings us Superman-Batman team ups from November 1960-September 1964 in Issues 112-145 of World's Finest.
The highlights of the book include two separate meetings between Bat-mite and Mr. Mxyzptlk. There's also plenty of Lex Luthor in the book including a second Luthor-Joker team-up. Outside of that, the only other name supervillains in this book are Clayface and Brainiac.
Mostly the book features fun high concept sci fi. There's a different sense that's apparent throughout the book that if you're going to do a proper Superman and Batman Adventure, you have to really provide something special, so you have stories of time travel, of strange alien creatures. There's some overused tropes in there such as mind control, somebody else getting superpowers, and our heroes fighting each other or pretending.
I prepare the earlier stories in the book that are a bit shorter. They feel more light and breezy at 13-14 pages, while the latter stories that are 18 pages long really feel too long and have trouble maintaining their credibility. And I think the last five stories written by Edward Hamilton are a bit of a down note for the series. With tales like, "The Composite Superman," "Prison for Heroes," and "The Feud Between Batman and Superman," the book goes from being amusing to being over the top absurd.
Still, the first four hundred pages were quite enjoyable and I hope Hamilton's work in other volumes is better.
The highlights of the book include two separate meetings between Bat-mite and Mr. Mxyzptlk. There's also plenty of Lex Luthor in the book including a second Luthor-Joker team-up. Outside of that, the only other name supervillains in this book are Clayface and Brainiac.
Mostly the book features fun high concept sci fi. There's a different sense that's apparent throughout the book that if you're going to do a proper Superman and Batman Adventure, you have to really provide something special, so you have stories of time travel, of strange alien creatures. There's some overused tropes in there such as mind control, somebody else getting superpowers, and our heroes fighting each other or pretending.
I prepare the earlier stories in the book that are a bit shorter. They feel more light and breezy at 13-14 pages, while the latter stories that are 18 pages long really feel too long and have trouble maintaining their credibility. And I think the last five stories written by Edward Hamilton are a bit of a down note for the series. With tales like, "The Composite Superman," "Prison for Heroes," and "The Feud Between Batman and Superman," the book goes from being amusing to being over the top absurd.
Still, the first four hundred pages were quite enjoyable and I hope Hamilton's work in other volumes is better.
April 22, 2011
This collection is wildly uneven. It begins with one of my favorites, "The Menace of Superman's Pet", combining a cute threat with the pencils of Dick Sprang, who outside of this magazine almost never got to draw Superman. And towards the end is another of my favorites, "The Composite Superman", where Curt Swan's clean pencils tell the story of the only villain to outright beat the World's Finest heroes. But in between, except for the unexpected return of the Crimson Avenger, writers Jerry Coleman and (especially) John Broome don't seem to know how to handle the characters together.
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