World's Finest Comics#Titles

The idea for World's Best Comics #1 originated from the identically formatted 1940 New York World's Fair Comics featuring Superman, Batman, and Robin with 96 pages and a cardboard cover.{{cite book |last1=Mitchell |first1=Kurt |last2=Thomas |first2=Roy |title=American Comic Book Chronicles: 1940-1944 |date=2019 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=978-1605490892 |page=26}}{{gcdb series|id= 115|title= New York World's Fair Comics}} The year before there was a similar 1939 New York World's Fair Comics featuring Superman but without Batman and Robin because Bob Kane and Bill Finger had not yet created them.

The series was initially a 96-page quarterly anthology, featuring various DC characters – always including Superman and Batman – in separate stories.{{cite book|last=Wallace|first= Daniel|editor-last = Dolan|editor-first = Hannah|chapter= 1940s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|year=2010|location= London, United Kingdom|isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9 |page= 36 |quote = With ninety-six packed pages and DC's three biggest stars sharing the cover, World's Best Comics promised a galaxy of stories for the low price of 15 cents...The new ongoing title, renamed World's Finest Comics with issue #2, featured heavy-hitters Superman and Batman.}} Comics historian Les Daniels noted that "pairing Superman and Batman made sense financially, since the two were DC's most popular heroes".{{cite book|last = Daniels|first = Les|author-link = Les Daniels|title = DC Comics: Sixty Years of the World's Favorite Comic Book Heroes|publisher = Bulfinch Press|location= New York, New York|year = 1995|page = 57|isbn = 0821220764}} When superheroes fell out of vogue in the early 1950s, DC shortened the size of the publication to that of the rest of its output, leaving only enough space for one story; this led to Superman and Batman appearing in the same story together starting with World's Finest Comics #71 (July 1954).Irvine, Alex "1950s" in Dolan, p. 73: "Although the covers of World's Finest Comics had teased co-appearances of Batman and Superman for years, the first joint adventure of the two in the comic occurred in issue #71...written by Alvin Schwartz, pencilled by Curt Swan, and inked by Stan Kaye". The title often depicted Batman gaining superpowers as a way to avoid having him be overshadowed by Superman.{{cite book|last= Manning|first= Matthew K.|editor-last = Dougall|editor-first = Alastair|chapter= 1950s|title= Batman: A Visual History|publisher= Dorling Kindersley|year= 2014|location= London, United Kingdom|page= 57|isbn= 978-1465424563|quote= It became challenging for writers and artists to tell a story without one hero overshadowing the other. A common gimmick was for Batman to swap powers with Superman, something he did for the first time in issue #77.}} Lex Luthor and the Joker first joined forces in issue #88 (June 1957).Manning "1950s" in Dougall, p. 63: "This story, written by Edmond Hamilton and illustrated by Dick Sprang, would be the first time these two notorious villains joined forces, a tradition that would continue into the modern era". A new supervillain, the Composite Superman, was introduced in #142 (June 1964).Forbeck, Matt "1960s" in Dougall, p. 84: "In this tale from Edmond Hamilton and Curt Swan, an angry janitor received the powers of the entire Legion of Super-Heroes". The story "The Clash of Cape and Cowl", by writer Edmond Hamilton and artist Curt Swan, in World's Finest Comics #153 (Nov. 1965) is the source of an Internet meme in which Batman slaps Robin.{{cite web|url= https://www.cbr.com/batman-slaps-robin-the-origin-of-the-panel/|title= Batman Slaps Robin – The Origin of the Panel|first= Brian|last= Cronin|date= January 1, 2009|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160910164903/http://www.cbr.com/batman-slaps-robin-the-origin-of-the-panel/|archive-date= September 10, 2016|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}} Noted Batman artist Neal Adams first drew the character in an interior story in "The Superman-Batman Revenge Squads" in issue #175 (May 1968).McAvennie, Michael "1960s" in Dolan, p. 129: "1968 was the year when Neal Adams and Batman's fates became forever intertwined...Adams tackled his first interior with Batman on Leo Dorfman's script for 'The Superman-Batman Revenge Squads' story in World's Finest Comics #175".

The title briefly featured Superman teaming with heroes other than Batman in the early 1970s beginning with issue #198 (November 1970).{{cite journal|last = Kingman|first = Jim|title = Men of Steel: Superman and Julius Schwartz in World's Finest Comics and DC Comics Presents|journal= Back Issue!|issue = #66|pages = 51–53|publisher = TwoMorrows Publishing|date = August 2013|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}} That issue featured the first part of a two-issue team-up with the Flash.{{cite comic|writer= O'Neil, Dennis |penciller= Dillin, Dick |inker= Giella, Joe|story= Race to Save the Universe!|title= World's Finest Comics |issue= #198|date= November 1970}}{{cite comic|writer= O'Neil, Dennis |penciller= Dillin, Dick|inker= Giella, Joe|story= Race to Save Time|title= World's Finest Comics |issue= #199|date= December 1970}} Other characters to appear in the next two years included Robin,{{cite comic|writer= Friedrich, Mike|penciller= Dillin, Dick|inker= Giella, Joe|story= Prisoners of the Immortal World!|title= World's Finest Comics |issue= #200|date= February 1971}} Green Lantern,{{cite comic|writer= O'Neil, Dennis|penciller= Dillin, Dick|inker= Giella, Joe|story= A Prize of Peril!|title= World's Finest Comics |issue= #201|date= March 1971}} Aquaman,{{cite comic|writer= Skeates, Steve|penciller= Dillin, Dick|inker= Giella, Joe|story= Who's Minding the Earth?|title= World's Finest Comics |issue= #203|date= June 1971}} Wonder Woman,{{cite comic|writer= O'Neil, Dennis|penciller= Dillin, Dick |inker= Giella, Joe|story= Journey to the End of Hope!|title= World's Finest Comics |issue= #204|date= August 1971}} the Teen Titans,{{cite comic|writer= Skeates, Steve|penciller= Dillin, Dick|inker= Giella, Joe |story= The Computer that Captured a Town!|title= World's Finest Comics |issue= #205 |date= September 1971}} Doctor Fate,{{cite comic|writer= Wein, Len|penciller= Dillin, Dick|inker= Giella, Joe|story= Peril of the Planet-Smashers!|title= World's Finest Comics |issue= #208|date= December 1971}} Hawkman,{{cite comic|writer= Friedrich, Mike |penciller= Dillin, Dick|inker= Giella, Joe|story= Meet the Tempter.... and Die!|title= World's Finest Comics |issue= #209 |date= February 1972}} Green Arrow,{{cite comic|writer= Maggin, Elliot S!|penciller= Dillin, Dick|inker= Giella, Joe|story= World of Faceless Slaves! |title= World's Finest Comics |issue= #210|date= March 1972}} the Martian Manhunter,{{cite comic|writer= O'Neil, Dennis|penciller= Dillin, Dick|inker= Giella, Joe|story= ...And So My World Begins!|title= World's Finest Comics |issue= #212|date= June 1972}} the Atom,{{cite comic|writer= Maggin, Elliot S!|penciller= Dillin, Dick|inker= Giella, Joe|story= Peril in a Very Small Place!|title= World's Finest Comics |issue= #213|date= August–September 1972}} and the Vigilante.{{cite comic|writer= Skeates, Steve and O'Neil, Dennis|penciller= Dillin, Dick|inker= Giella, Joe|story= A Beast Stalks the Badlands|title= World's Finest Comics |issue= #214|date= October–November 1972}} Nick Cardy was the cover artist for World's Finest Comics for issues #212–228.{{cite book|last = Coates|first = John|chapter= Art Index|title = The Art of Nick Cardy|publisher = Coates Publishing|year = 1999|pages = 172–173|isbn = 1-887591-22-2}} Metamorpho was the backup feature in issues #218–220 and #229 after the character had a brief run as the backup in Action Comics.{{cite journal|last = Stroud|first = Bryan|title = Metamorpho in Action Comics|journal= Back Issue!|issue = #64|pages = 22–27|publisher = TwoMorrows Publishing|date = May 2013|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}}

The series reverted to Superman and Batman team-ups after issue #214, initially with a unique twist, featuring the children they might one day have: Superman Jr. and Batman Jr. These characters, billed as the Super-Sons, were co-created by writer Bob Haney and artist Dick Dillin in issue #215 (January 1973).McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 157: "Scribe Bob Haney and artist Dick Dillin introduced the DC Universe to an alternate timeline starring the World's Finest offspring in January's World's Finest Comics #215". Super-Sons stories alternated with tales of the original Superman and Batman through issue #263, with issues #215–216, 221–222, 224, 228, 230, 231, 233, 238, 242, and 263 featuring the sons.[http://www.comics.org/search/advanced/process/?target=sequence&method=icontains&logic=False&order1=date&order2=series&order3=&start_date=1972&end_date=1981&title=&feature=&job_number=&pages=&script=&pencils=&inks=&colors=&letters=&story_editing=&genre=&characters=Superman%2C+Jr.&synopsis=&reprint_notes=¬es=&pub_name=DC&pub_notes=&brand=&brand_notes=&indicia_publisher=&is_surrogate=None&ind_pub_notes=&series=&series_notes=&tracking_notes=&issue_count=&issues=&volume=&issue_title=&variant_name=&issue_date=&indicia_frequency=&price=&issue_pages=&format=&issue_editing=&isbn=&barcode=&issue_notes=&is_indexed=None Super-Sons] at the Grand Comics Database Haney frequently disregarded continuity by scripting stories which contradicted DC's canon or by writing major heroes in an out-of-character fashion.{{cite journal|last = Eury|first = Michael|author-link = Michael Eury|title = The Batman of Earth-B: The Caped Crusader's Bravest and Boldest Writer, Bob Haney|journal= Back Issue!|issue = #66|pages = 2–5|publisher = TwoMorrows Publishing|date = August 2013|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}} He introduced Batman's older brother, Thomas Wayne Jr., in World's Finest Comics #223 (May–June 1974). This story was used as a basis for a plot detail in the "Court of Owls" story arc in 2012.Manning "1970s" in Dougall, p. 116: "It was revealed that Bruce Wayne had an older brother in this mostly forgotten piece of Batman lore that inspired the recent 'Court of Owls' storyline". Issues #223 (May–June 1974) to #228 (March–April 1975) of the series were in the 100 Page Super Spectacular format.{{cite journal|last= Eury|first= Michael|title= A Look at DC's Super Specs|journal= Back Issue!|issue= #81|pages= 29–30|publisher= TwoMorrows Publishing|date= July 2015|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}}

With issue #244 (April–May 1977), World's Finest Comics became one of the first 80-page Dollar Comics.{{cite journal|last = Romero|first = Max|title = I'll Buy That For a Dollar! DC Comics' Dollar Comics|journal= Back Issue!|issue = #57|pages = 39–41|publisher = TwoMorrows Publishing|date = July 2012|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}} It featured the Superman and Batman team with back-up features. The number of pages was reduced from 80 to 64 starting with issue #253 (October–November 1978) and reduced to 48 pages with issue #266 (December 1980 – January 1981) which lasted until issue #282 (August 1982).

Issue #250 (April–May 1978) combined Superman and Batman with the Green Arrow, the Black Canary, and Wonder Woman into the World's Finest Team in a 56-page story.{{cite comic| writer= Conway, Gerry|penciller= Tuska, George|inker= Colletta, Vince|story= The Reality War!/Collision With Destiny/The Ravager of Time|title= World's Finest Comics|issue= #250|date= April–May 1978}} Writer Roy Thomas wrote a book-length story for issue #271 (September 1981) which pieced together all the "first meetings" of Superman and Batman.{{cite comic| writer= Thomas, Roy|penciller= Buckler, Rich|inker= McLaughlin, Frank|story= The Secret Origins of the Superman and Batman Team!|title= World's Finest Comics|issue= #271|date= September 1981}} This issue did not have any backup features. The Hawkman story "Drive Me to the Moon!" in #272 (October 1981) featured Hawkgirl changing her title to Hawkwoman.{{cite comic|writer= Rozakis, Bob|penciller= Saviuk, Alex|inker= Rodriguez, Rodin|story= Drive Me to the Moon!|title= World's Finest Comics|issue= #272|date= October 1981}} As of issue #283 (September 1982), the series reverted to a standard format title again featuring only Superman and Batman team-ups, which continued until the series' cancellation with issue #323 (January 1986). The series reached issue #300 in February 1984. This double-sized anniversary issue was a "jam" featuring a story by writers David Anthony Kraft, Mike W. Barr, and Marv Wolfman with art by Ross Andru, Mark Texeira, Sal Amendola, and George Pérez.Manning, Matthew K. "1980s" in Dolan, p. 206: "In the tradition of DC's anniversary editions, World's Finest Comics #300 was an extra-length issue contributed to by a variety of comic book talent. Written by David Anthony Kraft, Mike W. Barr, and Marv Wolfman, and illustrated by Ross Andru, Mark Texeira, Sal Amendola, and George Pérez".{{cite journal|last = Wiggins|first = Randall C.|title = World's Finest Comics #300: An Epic in the Making|journal = Back Issue!|issue = #69|pages = 64–67|publisher = TwoMorrows Publishing|date = December 2013|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}} David Mazzucchelli, the artist of the "Batman: Year One" story arc in 1987, first drew Batman in a backup story in World's Finest Comics #302 (April 1984).Manning "1980s" in Dougall, p. 150: "A rare early example of Mazzucchelli's Batman before his ground-breaking 'Batman: Year One' story in February 1987, this tale featured Superman and Batman doing something quite out of the ordinary for the duo: having a drink at a local bar". Issue #314 (April 1985) was the last Pre-Crisis issue and the first Crisis on Infinite Earths appearances of the Monitor and (Lyla) the Harbinger.{{cite comic| writer= Cavalieri, Joey|penciller= Woch, Stan|inker= Alcala, Alfredo|story= Gotham Bridge Is Falling Down!|title= World's Finest Comics|issue= #314|date= April 1985}} The series ended with issue #323 (January 1986) by writer Joey Cavalieri and artist José Delbo.Manning "1980s" in Dougall, p. 160: "Writer Joey Cavalieri and penciller José Delbo saw the heroes off in style as they faced the new menace of the mystical villain Nightwolf".

A number of World's Finest titles have since appeared:

• A three-issue miniseries in 1990 by Dave Gibbons, Steve Rude and Karl Kesel.Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 246: "Writer Dave Gibbons and artist Steve Rude presented a three-issue miniseries...that proved the World's Finest team of Superman and Batman was still relevant". In the series, Superman and Batman battle their archenemies Lex Luthor and the Joker, and for that, they temporary exchange their places in their home cities, thus, Superman goes to Gotham City, and Batman goes to Metropolis.
• A three-issue Legends of the World's Finest miniseries in 1994 by Walt Simonson and Dan Brereton.
• A two-issue Superboy/Robin: World's Finest Three miniseries in 1996.
• Elseworld's Finest – a two-issue miniseries that reimagines Superman and Batman in a 1920s style pulp adventure.
• World's Finest: Parts I-III (also known as The Batman/Superman Movie) and Batman/Superman Adventures: World's Finest, a 1997 three-part episode of Superman: The Animated Series and its comics adaptation, respectively.
• Elseworld's Finest: Supergirl & Batgirl, a one-shot in 1998.
• Superman and Batman: World's Funnest, featuring Mr. Mxyzptlk and Bat-Mite.
• A 10-issue miniseries in 1999 written by Karl KeselManning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 289: ""Batman and Superman reunited in April [1999] in the ten-issue limited series World's Finest...The series was written by Karl Kesel". and illustrated by Dave Taylor. This series explored the Post-Crisis history of the two with each of the 10 issues taking place one year after the other.
• William Morrow and Company released a World's Finest novel in 2009, titled Enemies and Allies by novelist Kevin J. Anderson. The story is about the first meeting between the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel during the Cold War.{{cite book|last = Anderson|first = Kevin J.|author-link = Kevin J. Anderson|title = Enemies & Allies: A Novel |publisher = William Morrow and Company|year = 2009|location= New York, New York|pages = 336| isbn = 978-0061662553}}
• A four-issue World's Finest miniseries written by Sterling Gates was published in late 2009 and early 2010. In the series, Superman has relocated to New Krypton and Batman (Bruce Wayne) is presumed dead. Thus, it falls to various members of the Superman and Batman families to battle Toyboy, Mr. Freeze, the Penguin and the Kryptonite Man. Protagonists include Superman Family members Nightwing (Chris Kent), the Guardian and Supergirl, along with Batman Family members the Red Robin (Tim Drake), Robin (Damian Wayne), the Oracle and Batgirl (Stephanie Brown). Superman and Batman (Dick Grayson) appear in the final issue.
• While not released under the name World's Finest, the series Superman/Batman fulfilled much the same function as its predecessor. It was published from 2003 to 2011.
• A new monthly team-up series titled Batman/Superman was launched in 2013.{{cite news|url= https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/02/21/batman-superman-comic-book-series/1935817/|title= Batman/Superman showcases meeting of DC Comics icons|date= February 21, 2013|newspaper= USA Today|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130627141113/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/02/21/batman-superman-comic-book-series/1935817/|archive-date= June 27, 2013|url-status= live|access-date= July 7, 2013}}
• A new ongoing series with a similar name but a differently-placed apostrophe, Worlds' Finest, began in May 2012. It starred Power Girl and the Huntress.{{cite web|last= Kushins|first= Josh|title= DC Comics in 2012–-Introducing the 'Second Wave' of DC Comics The New 52|work= The Source|publisher= DC Comics|date= January 12, 2012|url= http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2012/01/12/dc-comics-in-2012-–-introducing-the-"second-wave"-of-dc-comics-the-new-52/|access-date= January 14, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120115002335/http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2012/01/12/dc-comics-in-2012-%E2%80%93-introducing-the-%E2%80%9Csecond-wave%E2%80%9D-of-dc-comics-the-new-52/|url-status= dead|archive-date= January 15, 2012}}{{cite web |url= http://www.newsarama.com/comics/paul-levitz-worlds-finest-earth-2-120113.html|title= Paul Levitz Explains More About Worlds' Finest, Earth 2|first= Vaneta|last= Rogers |date= January 13, 2012 |publisher= Newsarama |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120202152524/http://www.newsarama.com/comics/paul-levitz-worlds-finest-earth-2-120113.html|archive-date= February 2, 2012|url-status= live|access-date= January 29, 2012}} In this incarnation, the two are natives of Earth-2, where they used the codenames Supergirl and Robin, respectively.{{cite comic | writer= Levitz, Paul | penciller= Pérez, George; Maguire, Kevin | inker= Koblish, Scott | story= Rebirth | title= Worlds' Finest | issue= #1 | date= July 2012}} With issue #29 the series began to feature the Superman and Batman of Earth 2 as the main characters.
• Batwoman: World's Finest – in October 2012, the Batwoman title's third storyline featured Batwoman fighting alongside Wonder Woman in a five-issue story arc.
• Batgirl: World's Finest - in March 2017, the first Annual of Batgirl (vol. 5) saw Batgirl team with Supergirl for a special mission.
• Batman/Superman: World's Finest – an ongoing series released in March 2022, with Mark Waid writing and Dan Mora serving as illustrator.{{Cite web |last=Polo |first=Susana |date=2021-12-14 |title=DC's Batman/Superman comic returns in 2022 from legend Mark Waid |url=https://www.polygon.com/22832964/batman-superman-2022-dc-comics-mark-waid |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}

• "World's Finest" is the name of a 1997 three-part episode of Superman: The Animated Series which involves Superman and Batman working together to fight Lex Luthor and the Joker. In 2002, the three parts of the episode were combined and released as a direct-to-video film titled The Batman Superman Movie.
• In the 2009 direct-to-video animated film Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (an adaptation of "The World's Finest", the opening story arc of Superman/Batman), the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight team up to prevent a meteoroid from striking Earth and to take down Lex Luthor, who has been elected President of the United States and has framed Superman for murder.{{Cite web|url= http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/2009/06/press-release-for-supermanbatman-public-enemies-direct-to-video-animated-feature/|title= Press Release for Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Direct-to-Video Animated Feature|publisher= World Finest|date= June 29, 2009|first=James|last=Harvey |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141024065140/http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/2009/06/press-release-for-supermanbatman-public-enemies-direct-to-video-animated-feature/|archive-date= October 24, 2014|url-status= live|access-date= May 21, 2010}} DCAU cast members Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly, Clancy Brown and CCH Pounder reprised their respective roles as Batman, Superman, Luthor and Amanda Waller. Additionally, Allison Mack voiced the role of Power Girl.
• In 2010, a sequel was released titled Superman/Batman: Apocalypse which is an adaptation of Jeph Loeb and Michael Turner's second story arc, "The Supergirl from Krypton".{{Cite web |url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/103028-cover-art-for-supermanbatman-apocalypse |title=Cover Art for Superman/Batman: Apocalypse |publisher=Superhero Hype! |date=June 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219220904/http://www.superherohype.com/news/103028-cover-art-for-supermanbatman-apocalypse |archive-date=February 19, 2014 |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2010}} DCAU cast members Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly, Susan Eisenberg, and Ed Asner reprised their respective roles as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and Granny Goodness. Additionally, Summer Glau voiced Supergirl and Andre Braugher voiced Darkseid.
• The eighteenth episode of the first season of Supergirl is titled "Worlds Finest". The episode is a crossover with The Flash and features a team-up of the title characters of both series. Kara Danvers gains a new ally when the Flash suddenly appears from an alternate universe and helps Kara battle Silver Banshee and Livewire in exchange for her help in finding a way to return him home.

• Superman/Batman
• Superman & Batman: Generations

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/ World's Finest Online official website]
• {{gcdb series|id=216|title=World's Finest Comics}}
• {{gcdb series|id=13750|title=Batman and Superman: World's Finest}}
• {{comicbookdb|type=title|id=717|title=World's Finest Comics}}
• {{comicbookdb|type=title|id=3803|title=Batman And Superman: World's Finest}}
• [http://www.mikesamazingworld.com/features/series.php?seriesid=2378 World's Finest Comics] at Mike's Amazing World of Comics
• [http://www.mikesamazingworld.com/features/series.php?seriesid=179 Batman and Superman: World's Finest] at Mike's Amazing World of Comics

{{Batman publications|World's Finest Comics}}

{{Superman publications}}

{{Superman and Batman}}

{{Aquaman}}

{{Authority control}}

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Category:Comics by Bob Haney

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