Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #49
Scheduled to arrive in stores: March 18, 2026
Cover date: May 2026
“Day For Night” – Part Two
Writer: Mark Waid and Mark Russell
Artist: Marcus To
Cover: Dan Mora
Variant Covers: Nathan Szerdy; Karl Herschel; Adrian Gutierrez and Luis Guerrero; Dan Mora
Reviewed by: Tony Parker
48 hours before being caught by Ultraman and Owlman, the World’s Finest were attempting to stop Brainiac from opening a multiversal rift to gain knowledge from other Brainiacs, but were sent into the closing portal as revenge by the alien computer. Now, prisoners of their evil counterparts, they try to find a way to escape.
Thankfully, the Earth-3 Riddler breaks in to save them, Superman and Batman using this opportunity to get to the nearest branch of S.T.A.R Labs, so they can somehow find a way back to their universe. On the way there, Riddler explains his origin, caused by Owlman, making Batman and Superman realise just how bad their counterparts are. Meanwhile, Ultraman and Owlman have discovered their missing prisoners, and set out to find them.
Our heroes arrive at a lead lined bunker in Gotham, where they meet Riddler’s fellow heroes: Earth-3’s versions of Mad Hatter, Toy Man, Scarecrow, Silver Banshee and Catwoman. A plan is hatched up: Superman and Batman will be returned to their universe, and, hopefully, will be able to come back with other heroes to fix up the mess caused by their evil counterparts. A quick trip to Arkham serves as bait for Ultraman and Owlman. At the same time, in S.T.A.R Labs, Superman, Batman and Riddler try to hack into the archives to figure an escape route.
Of course, Superman can’t ignore a cry for help, even when it’s part of the plan, and he flies to Arkham to help the other heroes. Fighting off all of them isn’t easy, though, and Batman urges Riddler to hurry up. Superwoman almost manages to stop Superman with the distraction of her pregnancy, but Silver Banshee’s powers knock the evil trio out long enough for all of them to escape, including the Man of Steel. At the end, Superman and Batman travel back to their universe, thanks to Riddler…
Who goes off to keep fighting the good fight, as he prepares to take on Earth-3 Swamp Thing.
The End… For Now…
Story – 4: A decent mini arc, though I was surprised at how quickly it ended. Felt like we were getting more. Still, good stuff before the big 50th issue! What a run it’s been, reviewing this book for so long. Hope it keeps sticking to these heights, because this was a lovely little story, at least, in terms of how it handled the contrasts. Loved to see the good versions of the villains, the Superwoman Lois twist was fun, and these versions of Ultraman and Owlman are so twisted that seeing them lose was worth all the edgy stuff.
Art – 3: Decent but nothing that standout. Lots of moments and designs could have been punchier.
Cover Art – 1: Not Mora’s best work by a longshot. Designs are off, nothing like this happens in the comic… Could have just drawn our heroes teaming up with their villains.
Variant Cover Art – 3: Cute, but this crack ship of Robin and Supergirl is getting weird.
Variant Cover Art – 3: Another nice cover, feels like a throwback to the Silver Age World’s Finest covers.
Variant Cover Art – 3: Like a DVD cover, but not in a bad way.
Variant Cover Art – 1: Not Mora’s finest work.
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