''World's Finest Comics'' was an

American comic book An American comic book is a thin periodical originating in the United States, on average 32 pages, containing comics. While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publication of ''Action Comics'' ...

series published by

DC Comics DC Comics, Inc. ( doing business as DC) is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies, with the ...

from 1941 to 1986. The series was initially titled ''World's Best Comics'' for its first issue; issue #2 (Summer 1941) switched to the more familiar name.

Michael E. Uslan Michael E. Uslan (; born June 2, 1951) is an American lawyer and film producer. Uslan has also dabbled in writing and teaching, he is known for being the first instructor to teach an accredited course on comic book folklore at any university. Ear ...

has speculated that this was because DC received a

cease and desist A cease and desist letter is a document sent to an individual or business to stop alleged illegal activity. The phrase "cease and desist" is a legal doublet, made up of two near-synonyms. The letter may warn that, if the recipient does not disc ...

letter from Better Publications, Inc., who had been publishing a comic book entitled ''Best Comics'' since November 1939. Virtually every issue featured DC's two leading

superhero A superhero or superheroine is a stock character that typically possesses ''superpowers'', abilities beyond those of ordinary people, and fits the role of the hero, typically using his or her powers to help the world become a better place, ...

es,

Superman Superman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, and debuted in the comic book '' Action Comics'' #1 ( cover-dated June 1938 and pu ...

and Batman, with the earliest issues also featuring Batman's sidekick,

Robin Robin may refer to: Animals * Australasian robins, red-breasted songbirds of the family Petroicidae * Many members of the subfamily Saxicolinae (Old World chats), including: **European robin (''Erithacus rubecula'') ** Bush-robin **Forest r ...

Publication history

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. The year before there was a similar 1939 '' New York World's Fair Comics'' featuring Superman but without Batman and Robin because Bill Finger and Bob Kane had not yet created them. The series was initially a 96-page quarterly

anthology In book publishing, an anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler; it may be a collection of plays, poems, short stories, songs or excerpts by different authors. In genre fiction, the term ''anthology'' typically cate ...

, featuring various DC characters – always including Superman and Batman – in separate stories. Comics historian Les Daniels noted that "pairing Superman and Batman made sense financially, since the two were DC's most popular heroes". 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). The title often depicted Batman gaining superpowers as a way to avoid having him be overshadowed by Superman. Lex Luthor and the Joker first joined forces in issue #88 (June 1957). A new supervillain, the

Composite Superman The Composite Superman is a DC Comics supervillain, an enemy of Superman and Batman. The character first appeared in ''World's Finest Comics'' #142 (June 1964) and was created by Edmond Hamilton and Curt Swan. Fictional character biography Jose ...

, was introduced in #142 (June 1964). 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 An Internet meme, commonly known simply as a meme ( ), is an idea, behavior, style, or image that is spread via the Internet, often through social media platforms. What is considered a meme may vary across different communities on the Internet ...

in which Batman slaps Robin. Noted Batman artist

Neal Adams Neal Adams (June 15, 1941 – April 28, 2022) was an American comic book artist. He was the co-founder of the graphic design studio Continuity Associates, and was a Creator ownership, creators-rights advocate who helped secure a pension and re ...

first drew the character in an interior story in "The Superman-Batman Revenge Squads" in issue #175 (May 1968). The title briefly featured Superman teaming with heroes other than Batman in the early 1970s beginning with issue #198 (November 1970). That issue featured the first part of a two-issue team-up with the Flash. Other characters to appear in the next two years included

, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, the

Teen Titans The Teen Titans are a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, frequently in eponymous monthly series. As the group's name indicates, the members are teenage superheroes, many of whom have acted as sidekicks to ...

, Doctor Fate, Hawkman, Green Arrow, the Martian Manhunter, the

Atom Every atom is composed of a nucleus and one or more electrons bound to the nucleus. The nucleus is made of one or more protons and a number of neutrons. Only the most common variety of hydrogen has no neutrons. Every solid, liquid, gas, a ...

, and the Vigilante.

Nick Cardy Nicholas Viscardi (October 20, 1920 – November 3, 2013), known professionally as Nick Cardy and Nick Cardi, was an American comics artist best known for his DC Comics work on Aquaman, the Teen Titans and other major characters. Cardy was indu ...

was the cover artist for ''World's Finest Comics'' for issues #212–228. Metamorpho was the backup feature in issues #218–220 and #229 after the character had a brief run as the backup in '' Action Comics''. 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 The Super-Sons are a pair of fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The characters were created by Bob Haney and Dick Dillin and first appeared in ''World's Finest Comics'' #215 (January 1973). The character ...

, were co-created by writer Bob Haney and artist Dick Dillin in issue #215 (January 1973). 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. Haney frequently disregarded continuity by scripting stories which contradicted DC's canon or by writing major heroes in an out-of-character fashion. 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. Issues #223 (May–June 1974) to #228 (March–April 1975) of the series were in the 100 Page Super Spectacular format. With issue #244 (April–May 1977), ''World's Finest Comics'' became one of the first 80-page

Dollar Comics Dollar Comics was a line of DC Comics comic book publications issued from 1977 to 1983 and revived in 2019. The 1977-1983 line included the titles '' The Superman Family'', ''House of Mystery'', '' G.I. Combat'', ''World's Finest Comics'', ''Batman ...

. It featured the Superman and Batman team with back-up features. The number of pages was reduced from 80 to 64 starting with issue #252 (August–September 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. Writer Roy Thomas wrote a book-length story for issue #271 (September 1981) which pieced together all the "first meetings" of Superman and Batman. 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. 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 Mike W. Barr (born May 30, 1952) is an American writer of comic books, mystery novels, and science fiction novels. Barr has written for every one of the first four incarnations of ''Star Trek: Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Tr ...

, and Marv Wolfman with art by Ross Andru, Mark Texeira, Sal Amendola, and George Pérez. 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). Issue #314 (April 1985) was the last Pre-''Crisis'' issue and the first '' Crisis on Infinite Earths'' appearances of the

Monitor Monitor or monitor may refer to: Places * Monitor, Alberta * Monitor, Indiana, town in the United States * Monitor, Kentucky * Monitor, Oregon, unincorporated community in the United States * Monitor, Washington * Monitor, Logan County, West ...

and (Lyla) the Harbinger. The series ended with issue #323 (January 1986) by writer Joey Cavalieri and artist José Delbo.

Titles

A number of ''World's Finest'' titles have since appeared: * A three-issue miniseries in 1990 by

Dave Gibbons David Chester Gibbons (born 14 April 1949) is an English comics artist, writer and sometimes letterer. He is best known for his collaborations with writer Alan Moore, which include the miniseries ''Watchmen'' and the Superman story "For the Man ...

, Steve Rude and Karl Kesel. 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 metropolis () is a large city or conurbation which is a significant economic, political, and cultural center for a country or region, and an important hub for regional or international connections, commerce, and communications. A big c ...

. * A three-issue ''Legends of the World's Finest'' miniseries in 1994 by Walt Simonson and Dan Brereton. * A two-issue '' Superboy/

: 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/

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 Mister Mxyzptlk (, ), sometimes called Mxy, is a character who appears in DC Comics' ''Superman'' comic books. He is usually presented as a trickster in the classical mythological sense. Mxyzptlk possesses reality-warping powers with which he enj ...

and

Bat-Mite Bat-Mite is a fictional Character (arts), character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Bat-Mite is an imp similar to the Superman villain Mister Mxyzptlk. Depicted as a small, childlike man in an ill-fitting Batman costume, ...

. * A 10-issue miniseries in 1999 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 Kevin James Anderson (born March 27, 1962) is an American science fiction author. He has written spin-off novels for ''Star Wars'', ''StarCraft'', '' Titan A.E.'' and ''The X-Files'', and with Brian Herbert is the co-author of the ''Dune'' pre ...

. The story is about the first meeting between the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel during the

Cold War The Cold War is a term commonly used to refer to a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, the Western Bloc and the Eastern Bloc. The term '' cold war'' is used because t ...

. * 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 "New Krypton" is a 2008–09 comic book story arc featuring character Superman, published by American company DC Comics; it was written by Geoff Johns, James Robinson and Sterling Gates, with art by Gary Frank, Alex Ross, Renato Guedes, Jamal ...

and Batman (Bruce Wayne) is presumed dead. Thus, it falls to various members of the Superman and Batman families to battle a threat posed by the Toyboy, Mr. Freeze, the

Penguin Penguins (order Sphenisciformes , family Spheniscidae ) are a group of aquatic flightless birds. They live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere: only one species, the Galápagos penguin, is found north of the Equator. Highly adap ...

and the

Kryptonite Man Kalibak Kalibak () is a supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. He is the eldest son of Darkseid, half-brother of Orion and Grayven, and an enemy of Superman and the Justice League. Created by Jack Kirby, being debu ...

. 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 ''Superman/Batman'' is a monthly comic book series published by DC Comics that features the publisher's two most popular superheroes: Superman and Batman. ''Superman/Batman'' premiered in August 2003, an update of the previous series, ''World' ...

'' was launched in 2013. * A new ongoing series with a similar name but a differently-placed apostrophe, ''

Worlds' Finest ''Worlds' Finest'' is a comic book published by DC Comics, a reimagining of the classic ''World's Finest Comics'', with a similar name but a differently-placed apostrophe. It was launched in May 2012 with a July 2012 cover date. The series was pa ...

'', began in May 2012. It starred Power Girl and the Huntress. In this incarnation, the two are natives of Earth-2, where they used the codenames Supergirl and Robin, respectively. 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 Batwoman is a name used by several characters of DC Comics, both in mainstream continuity and Elseworlds. The best known Batwomen are Kathy Kane and Kate Kane. History * The first Batwoman, Kathy Kane, debuted during the Silver Age of Comics ...

'' 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'' – In December 2021, it was announced that a new ongoing series would begin publication in March 2022, with Mark Waid writing and Dan Mora serving as illustrator.

Collected editions

In other media

* "World's Finest" is the 16th, 17th and 18th episodes of the second season of '' Superman: The Animated Series'', and the 29th, 30th and 31st of the overall series. Originally, this three-parter aired back-to-back as a movie event on October 4, 1997. The episode depicts the first meeting of Batman and Superman in the DCAU, when Batman comes to

in pursuit of the Joker, who has offered to kill

for Lex Luthor. Superman finds himself out of his depth when matched against the Joker's cunning and unpredictability, while Batman has trouble with the resources Luthor provides the Joker with. Both heroes must agree to overcome their differences in order to put a stop to the Joker and Luthor. In 2002, ''The Batman Superman Movie'' was released on DVD. This was the three episodes from the "World's Finest" story arc of Season 2 of '' Superman: The Animated Series'' (1997) combined into a feature-length film. * In 2004, a fan trailer for a ''World's Finest'' movie was released. * In the 2009

direct-to-video Direct-to-video or straight-to-video refers to the release of a film, TV series, short or special to the public immediately on home video formats rather than an initial theatrical release or television premiere. This distribution strategy w ...

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 Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. While large volumes of water can be found throughout the Solar System, only Earth sustains liquid surface water. About 71% of Earth's sur ...

and to take down Lex Luthor, who has been elected

President of the United States The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the Federal government of the United States#Executive branch, executive branch of the Federal gove ...

and has framed Superman for murder. DCAU cast members

Kevin Conroy Kevin Conroy (November 30, 1955 – November 10, 2022) was an American actor. He appeared in a variety of stage performances, television series, and television films, but earned worldwide fame for his voice portrayal of the DC Comics superhero ...

, Tim Daly,

Clancy Brown Clarence John "Clancy" Brown III (born January 5, 1959) is an American actor. Prolific in film and television since the 1980s, Brown is often cast in villainous and authoritative roles. Brown's film roles include Viking Lofgren in ''Bad Boys'' ...

and C. C. H. Pounder reprised their respective roles as Batman, Superman, Luthor and Amanda Waller. Additionally, Allison Mack ( Chloe Sullivan from the television series '' Smallville'') 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". DCAU cast members

, Tim Daly, Susan Eisenberg, and Edward Asner reprised their respective roles as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and

Granny Goodness Granny Goodness is a fictional supervillain published by DC Comics. Granny Goodness made her live-action debut in the final two seasons of ''Smallville'', and she was portrayed by Nancy Amelia Bell and Christine Willes. Granny Goodness made her f ...

. Additionally,

Summer Glau Summer Lyn Glau (; born July 24, 1981) is an American actress best known for her roles in science fiction and fantasy television series: as River Tam in ''Firefly'' (2002) and its continuation film ''Serenity'' (2005), as Tess Doerner in ''The ...

voiced the role of Supergirl and Andre Braugher portrayed Darkseid. * The eighteenth episode of the first season of Supergirl is titled " Worlds Finest". The episode is a crossover with ''

The Flash The Flash (or simply Flash) is the name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert, the original Flash first appeared in ''Flash Comics'' #1 (cover date ...

'' and features a team-up of the title characters of both series. Kara Danvers gains a new ally when the lightning-fast superhero

suddenly appears from an alternate universe and helps Kara battle Siobhan, aka

Silver Banshee Silver Banshee is a supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, primarily as an opponent of Superman. In television, she has been portrayed by Odessa Rae in ''Smallville (TV series), Smallville'' and Italia Ricci in the Arrowvers ...

, and Livewire in exchange for her help in finding a way to return him home.

References

External links