Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #39
Scheduled to arrive in stores: May 21, 2025
Cover date: July 2025
“We Are Yesterday” – Part Four: “Deadly Reunion”
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Clayton Henry
Cover: Dan Mora
Variant Covers: Adrian Gutierrez & Matt Herms; Lucio Parrillo; A.L Kaplan
Reviewed by: Tony Parker
In the JLU Watchtower, back in the present, the past Dick Grayson (here now to be referred to as Yesterday Robin) and the future Dick Grayson (here now to be referred to as Tomorrow Nightwing) meet, as Batman reacts with joy and relief at seeing his long lost son after all these years. However, Batman suddenly remembers that can’t be right, as he also remembers Tomorrow Nightwing. Something is up. As Superman tries to fill Yesterday Robin in, the four heroes realize that time is broken, as they see flashes of different parts of their history, including Ultraman, Zero Year Batman, Superman Blue and The Batman Who Laughs.
Suddenly, a Justice League global summons sounds out. The Legion of Doom is attacking. Before the World’s Finest can react, Yesterday Robin and Tomorrow Nightwing touch, sending Tomorrow Superman, Batman and Nightwing to the past, and Yesterday Robin, Superman and Batman to the future. Yesterday Superman is shellshocked by seeing himself married to Lois, who currently has Superman powers too, and learning that he has a son. Yesterday Batman suddenly remembers that the Legion of Doom were behind all the time zapping, and the past heroes go to the Superman Museum to stop Sinestro and Scarecrow. The villains have time guns, so Superman deals with Sinestro’s instantly, but the usually resilient to Fear Toxin Man of Steel gets stopped in his tracks by Scarecrow’s new batch, that’s infused with Kryptonite. As he holds a seemingly dead Jimmy Olsen in his hands, Superman requires backup from the Dynamic Duo. The two struggle with Sinestro, who underestimates them and uses his ring to power up the props in the museum.
Meanwhile, in the past, Tomorrow Superman, Batman and Nightwing race towards the transporter, waving past a confused Yesterday Black Canary as they teleport to the Batcave. There, the heroes try to find a safer way to travel to the future, since Superman’s powers would be too unstable right now. They come up short, until Yesterday Alfred (still alive during this time) comes to assist. Batman and Nightwing struggle with this emotional cross to bare, as Superman reluctantly stops them from interacting with him. Batman vows to make the Legion pay for this.
Back in the present, Yesterday’s World’s Finest continue to struggle with Sinestro and Scarecrow. Superman tries to fight back the illusion, and Batman and Robin manage to flashbang Sinestro, but they’re running out of time. Back in the past again, and tomorrow’s World’s Finest are in the Fortress of Solitude, using a Legion of Superheroes time bubble to return to their time. Back again in the present, and Scarecrow overplays his cards, showing Superman a vision of a future he has yet to see: His famous death at the hands of Doomsday. Yesterday Superman doesn’t believe that could happen, and uses his resolve to stop both him and Sinestro.
Unfortunately, the Tomorrow World’s Finest run into a chronal safeguard, while Yesterday’s World’s Finest are zapped by the time gun, now lost in time…
To Be Continued… in Justice League Unlimited #7 (not to be reviewed by me).
Story – 4: A very compelling action oriented story, taken to an extra level with the emotional moments shared between Batman and the people close to him (ironic, for a Superman centered review site). The fast pace and back and forth allows for a kinetic kind of storytelling, one that manages to share equal screentime and importance with 6 characters. I especially enjoyed Superman’s reaction to being married to Lois and having a son, and Batman and Nightwing’s tragic reactions to seeing Alfred (excellent contrast between the two tones of the characters as well). I also especially loved the Death of Superman foreshadowing.
Honestly, there’s not MUCH to talk about besides that. A bunch of fun action sequences with Sinestro and Scarecrow, a great cliffhanger, interesting twists and turns, it’s been fun! Just no idea how they can wrap this all up in one issue. But I suppose you’ll all learn that in Justice League Unlimited #7, reviewed by JP!Art – 4: As crisp as last few issues, with special mention to the Superman Museum looking particularly great!
Cover Art – 1: A mess of a cover with a moment that only happens in one panel. Clickbait cover.
Variant Cover Art – 5: Masterpiece. The atmosphere, the lighting, the hidden legion, the mystery. No notes.
Variant Cover Art – 3: Decent, if a bit Injustice XBOX cover for my tastes.
Variant Cover Art – 2: Didn’t really feel this one.
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