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Mild Mannered Reviews - Batman/Superman Comic Books

Batman/Superman: World's Finest #15

Scheduled to arrive in stores: May 16, 2023
Cover date: July 2023

"Elementary": Chapter Three - "Ultramorpho"

Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Dan Mora
Cover: Dan Mora
Variant Covers: Daniel Sampere and Bruno Redondo, Walter Simons and Michael Atiyeh, Nikolas Draper-Ivey

Reviewed by: Tony Parker

Click to enlarge

In Eastern Kentucky, Red Tornado is saving citizens from a flood, but starts malfunctioning, scaring everyone.

Meanwhile, back underneath the Allegheny Mountains, Ultramorpho (Dr. Ivo's new perfect creation), a biomechanical construct capable of mimicking any element, including Kryptonite, attacks Superman. Robin manages to distract him long enough to rescue the Man of Steel however. While they hobble away, Robin (under advice of Superman) tries to get info from Ivo to give them more time.

Ivo explains that the fake Simon Stagg was an invention to funnel money and resources his way. As it began to show signs of failure, Ivo took care of two birds with one stone, and framed Metamorpho for the murder of the fake Simon Stagg, while his Ultramorpho was the one who carried out the hit. Ivo plans to take out Superman and Robin next.

Thankfully, the full kryptonite form of Ultramorpho is no match for Metamorpho, who neutralizes the acid it shoots and uses some lead to shield Superman and let him heal. Superman asks where Batman is.

We soon learn. Batman has armored himself with the Metal Men's melted bodies, allowing them to use him as a vessel. They begin to beat away at Ultramorpho.

Meanwhile, at Washington D.C., The Doom Patrol (Robotman, Elasti-Girl, Negative Man) are fighting Mekanique, an old Justice Society villain who has turned all of the city into her puppets. Cliff (Robotman) tries to stop her, but comes under her control and turns on his teammates.

Batman and Ultramorpho fight back and forth, and Batman deduces that one on one isn't going to cut it. The Metal Man charge off of him and distract Uultramorpho long enough or Superman (protected by a fusion with Metamorpho) to punch him into the sky.

But Ultramorpho's acid is too strong and he hurts Metamorpho and Robin, kidnaps Superman and Batman, and leaves the Metal Men to retreat.

Meanwhile, in Colorado, The Challengers of the Unknown are fighting Ultivac who's also been taken over and has destroyed half of Denver.

Back with The Metal Men, they take Metamorpho and Robin to a safe place in the woods to heal up. Metamorpho is more interested in continuing the fight, but Robin rejects the idea, saying they need a plan. Showing him that Batman and Superman are still alive, Robin says they will go to save them, but with reinforcements, and calls the Teen Titans for backup. Unfortunately, Kid Flash (Wally West), Aqualad (Garth), Wonder Girl (Donna Troy) and Red Arrow (Roy Harper) are busy off the coast of Maine fighting the Awesome Threesome, another hypnotized group of robots. Robin orders everyone to get backup, no matter who.

Superman wakes up to find that he, Batman, and many others (Dr. Will Magnus, Toyman, Dr. Cyber, The Bug-Eyed Bandit) are now adorned with Inhibitor collars. Superman thinks it's Ivo's fault, that he wants them to work for him.

But Ivo is a captive too.

At first Batman theorizes it's Amazo who has turned on Ivo, but Superman reveals he too is a prisoner. Batman demands answers from Magnus, who explains that Ivo tortured him to make together a machine with the Metal Men's cyberbrain responseometers that give them life. The machine has imprisoned them all.

The machine known as Newmazo.

Meanwhile, Robin, riding the Batmobile in Gotham City, calls for Supergirl's help. Supergirl, busy fighting Chemo in Metropolis, rejects this at first, but things turn to the worse when the Batmobile is taken over and starts racing towards a wall, Robin trapped in it...

To Be Continued...

Story - 4: What a great cliffhanger and continuation! Just when you think it can't get crazier, we learn that actually Ivo isn't the mastermind, but rather that he and Magnus have created Newmazo, who's leading a massive robot revolution!

It's an old idea, perhaps, but a good one. Usually it's just one robot that goes rogue. Seeing all the robots in the DC universe, good and bad, not to mention now machines seeing as the Batmobile has gone rogue, is just a thrilling concept, as is the imprisonment of heroes and villains known for their work in the field!

The fight scenes were really great, as were the big drama moments, like between Robin and Metamorpho and Batman entering with the Metal Men as his armor! Some seriously awesome scenes and visuals!

This could easily have been an episode of the old Justice League cartoon, and for that it gets a lot of praise from me. A seriously great issue! Plus, Batman saying Superman is his friend is always wonderful to see!

Excited for the next issue, this arc keeps improving!

Art - 4: Every week I say the same thing: What more can I say about Dan Mora's art?

Well, for one, Batman wearing the Metal Men is one of the coolest alt Batman costumes I've ever seen!

Alongside some wonderful action poses (Metamorpho and Robin being hurt, the Doom Patrol fighting Mechanique, Red Tornado's page), and the usual brilliant use of color, Mora just keeps making banger after banger!

Cover Art - 3: Cool but nothing that special. The visual is great in a way (with Ultramazo carrying the bodies of Superman and Batman surrounded by flames), but seeing as he's not even the main threat, it's a little meh.

Variant Cover Art - 3: The art is a little off, but the concept of Superman and Batman playing chess is lovely!

Variant Cover Art - 3: Superman in the future and Batman Beyond flying, a nice DCAU tribute with some great frosty inking!

Variant Cover Art - 2: Decent action poses for Superman and Batman, but nothing you haven't seen before.

Mild Mannered Reviews

2023

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Mild Mannered Reviews - Batman/Superman Comic Books

Batman/Superman: World's Finest #15

Mild Mannered Reviews

2023

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