Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #47
Scheduled to arrive in stores: January 21, 2026
Cover date: March 2026
“The Merger” – Part Three: “Truth or Consequences”
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Adrian Gutierrez
Cover: Dan Mora
Variant Covers: E.M. Gist; Adrian Gutierrez and Matt Herms; Chris Sprouse, Hal Story and Dave McCaig; Farbrizio De Tommasi
Reviewed by: Tony Parker
The Merger (Lex Luthor and The Joker) have done it. They have exposed Composite Superman/Batman’s (The Fusion) identities as Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne. Their nearest and dearest, their vilest and cruelest, their cities and peoples… They all know the truth now.
The Fusion tries to attack The Merger, but the latter uses some spells learned from Dr. Fate and Zatanna to trap them as they go to attack more innocent people.
Meanwhile, the consequences begin to hit: in Gotham, Poison Ivy attacks Alfred, who’s only saved in the nick of time by The Fusion. They fly off to deal with the other repercussions of The Merger’s existence, knowing full well that Lois, Jimmy and the rest of the Planet will have to be saved soon.
Later, up in The Watchtower, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, and The Atom I tell The Fusion that they will inform them of The Merger’s whereabouts when they can, while also revealing that Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) and The Flash (Barry Allen) will be able to restore their forms when needed. In the meantime, they and the rest of the League stay on high alert for the worst.
And speaking of that worst… At the permanently closed Keystone Mental Hospital, The Merger decides to become impossibly smarter than it already is, to become the smartest being in the universe by a wide margin…
Back in Metropolis, The Fusion comes to comfort Lois Lane, the Superman part talking directly to Lois, who’s mixed about the reveal that he’s Clark. They try to explain themselves best they can, then go off to fix this, even if it means wiping this moment away. Lois understands, and the moment passes. Batman, showing sympathy for his friend, promises that no matter what, Lois will be safe.
At the lab of Dr. Double X, Green Lantern confirms to the heroes that Flash might be able to reconstruct the dematerialization tech that could separate The Merger AND The Fusion.
But then, disaster strikes! Green Lantern forgets how to use his ring. Green Arrow forgets how to use a bow and arrow. The hero’s great skills begin to get sucked out by none other than The Merger. Only they’re not gaining it, thanks to Joker, who wants to make everyone on earth a total idiot. Even Lex is outraged by this, as the world begins to collapse into total meltdown. Worse, Atom I learns that the Absorbascon cannot service two brains at once, and is burning out. If it’s not rescued from the villains, the effects will never reverse. The Fusion, dealing with a tornado, snaps into action.
But The Merger is still powerful, and with some Red Sun radiation, they begin to suck out more knowledge from the World’s Finest. But that’s the plan: as The Merger is distracted with beating up The Fusion, The Atom I and The Flash team up to remove the Absorbascon and split the fusions once more. Weirdly enough, a Composite Superman/Batman seems to still exist, despite the now solid and separated World’s Finest. The heroes share a laugh about their latest strange adventure, plus a new appreciation for each other and themselves, as they keep the backup plan Fusion in the Fortress of Solitude.
The End… For Now…
Story – 5: Easily one of the best arcs this book’s ever had! I don’t know if it’s my favorite persay, but it’s darn close! Great silver age premise with genuine menace and drama, some excellent writing of Lois and Clark’s relationship, a wonderful way to examine what Superman and Batman share and differ on, a real glimpse at the evil of Lex and Joker, even some genuinely unexpected thrills in the fighting department. The Atom/Flash twist was delightful. As ever, recommending one of the best books in the market!
Art – 5: I’m gonna miss Adrian. Dan Mora is great, but seriously. Adrian better be getting some great books to work on.
Cover Art – 5: Kinda cover your 8 year old self loves most, in the best way.
Variant Cover Art – 2: It’s a nice attempt, but just a little off for me.
Variant Cover Art – 5: A beautiful variant that actually stands for what the story’s about?? Sold!
Variant Cover Art – 1: As generic as it gets.
Variant Cover Art – 5: Too cool not to like.
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