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Mild Mannered Reviews - Batman/Superman Comic Books

Batman/Superman: World's Finest #21

Scheduled to arrive in stores: November 21, 2023
Cover date: January 2024

"Heir to the Kingdom" - Chapter Two: "Doppelgängers"

Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Dan Mora
Cover: Dan Mora
Variant Covers: Bryan Hitch and Alex Sinclair, Sanford Greene, Mirko Colak

Reviewed by: Tony Parker

Click to enlarge

On Earth-22, we continue from where we left off: David/Lightning Lad, now older and jaded, attacks Superman and Batman, believing that they abandoned him and insisting that no one will EVER believe their lies to the contrary, saying they have no idea what they're in for in this world.

Not far from the battle, meanwhile, Earth-22 Clark (for short, we shall call him KC Clark or KC Superman, short for Kingdom Come), while reporting on sleep pods at Mortimer's coffee, overhears a report of a rogue Superman fighting Thunderman. He sets off to see what's going on.

Simulatenously, at the Earth-22 Batcave, KC Bruce and Alfred assess the damage of a Mongul attack. Everything is ruined, even the Batwing, despite the help of the KC Justice League. With no options left, KC Bruce goes for Lucius' untested and experimental flight suit.

Angered by this attack, Superman fights back, punching David and sending them to a non populated area. He says that no one can hear him, even as he cries for help. But he's wrong.

KC Superman flies in out of the blue and strikes Superman, making him bleed and tearing his suit.

KC Superman is pissed, he believes Superman is attacking his friend, that he's an evil Kryptonian from outer space or Kandor. David doesn't help, lying about Superman's intentions, saying he's on a murder spree.

Meanwhile, Batman, investigating the dead body, asks Superman what's going on, as he still has a bad feeling. Then, KC Batman flies in, attacking his alternate counterpart. KC Batman accuses Batman of being an imposter, a Clayface, a white Martian, even a masochist with a bat fetish. Batman obviously denies this, and the two clash.

Thunderman attacks Superman, which KC Superman disagrees with, saying he can protect him. Getting an idea, Superman flies off to prove a point, KC Superman right after him. He leads them to a lead mine, and a chase truly begins. KC Superman says that he can still hear him, even if he can't see him. Superman replies that he's counting on that. Suddenly, a storm of bats rush in, hurting KC Superman's hearing.

Superman asks Batman if David has returned, but Batman is busy fighting his counterpart, annoyed at the seeming lack of brain and patience from the people of this earth. The two are evenly matched, which is why KC Nightwing's surprise appearance is able to stop Batman from resisting. Only Batman suddenly busts out of the ropes and hits KC Batman with the ray gun from the fallen villain. Having now restrained his opposite, Batman explains that he and Superman are only here to see Thunderman, not to harm. Thunderman rushes in, however, claiming Batman is a stone cold killer.

Just before Thunderman can hit Batman, however, Superman saves Batman and takes them to the Kent Farm of Earth-22. Batman wonders if this is the best place to regroup, even though Superman routinely goes there to think, but he explains that this world's Kents are dead. Furious at his counterpart's behavior, Superman lashes out at a tree, believing KC Superman to be a fraud. Batman, trying to calm his friend down, suggests they go back temporarily to their earth to strategize, but the Flash's return device is fried after Thunderman's attack. For now, they're stuck.

And so, the duo decide to investigate. Batman asks Superman to follow David with his vision and see what's up. He sees David continue to lie to KC Superman and Batman, who are pondering what the full story is. David's lies are even worse than they thought, though: He's hiding both his origin and the multiverse from KC Batman and Superman.

Suddenly, a tornado approaches. David begins talking as if to a god. Perhaps it is. For it is Gog, who has KC Superman, KC Batman, David and KC Nightwing kneeling before him.

And not just him. Earth-22's entire hero roster it seems bows down to him. And they're targets are Superman and Batman...

To be continued...

Story - 5: Another excellent issue, a fight heavy one that manages to combine in character actions with decent amounts of emotion!

This honestly felt like out of a movie (in the best way): No scene carried on too long, no fight scene turned boring from overfighting. Superman using his intelligence to hurt KC Superman with bats, Batman stealing the weapon to restrain KC Batman, perfect representations of their brains!

I also appreciated the "fanservice": KC Batman's flight suit, the beginning of grey temples on KC Superman, that final page, my word! Though I AM confused as to how that's possible, weren't many of those dead?

I don't know much about Gog and Kingdom Come, but in no time at all they made him feel powerful and important, especially with KC Superman and Batman kneeling down to him.

The best parts for me, however, as always, were the more human moments: Bruce's shock at seeing KC Dick, the Batman fight where KC Batman couldn't care less for an imposter, Superman's outburst as he hits a tree in rage at the idea of a Superman who's not responsible, Batman's concern for his rage, etc. David's lies also intrigue me greatly, as I wonder what's his play.

This issue isn't one for deep discussion, it's one for fan excitement. It's what dreams are made of, an action heavy issue which doesn't feel like the writer's excuse for not having a story. There is one, and so far, it's quite the good one!

Art - 5: Running out of words for Dan Mora... Um, let's see, I really love how he depicted Superman's rage, Gog felt godly in the best way, and his flight suit for Batman rocks. Oh, and brilliant final page!

Cover Art - 4: A cover that doesn't lie about what happens in the story? Praise the lord! Admiteddly, the composition is a little basic, and the color choice odd, but I like it all the same!

Variant Cover Art - 3: slightly cool grey mood cover of KC Superman and Batman.

Variant Cover Art - 1: A few nice color choices aside, this looks like a 1980s VHS poster and a bootleg sand coloring book cover combined. I know what it's showing, but the craftsmanship sucks.

Variant Cover Art - 1: An action figure commercial, and not even one of Kingdom Come. Terrible.

Variant Cover Art - 1: This looks like a bootleg too. What a terrible batch of variants.

Mild Mannered Reviews

2024

Note: Except for digital first releases, the month dates are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic went on sale.

January 2024

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May 2024

June 2024

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Kneel Before Zod #5

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Batman/Superman: World's Finest #21

Mild Mannered Reviews

2024

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