Art by: Dan Mora
Colors by: Tamra Bonvillain
Letters by: Steve Wands
Cover art by: Dan Mora
Cover price: $3.99
Release date: October 18, 2022
Batman / Superman: World's Finest #8 finds David Sibela acclimating to his new life as Boy Thunder. When The Key initiates an attack on Gotham City that leaves everyone paralyzed with fear, Batman calls in all super-powered reinforcements to help - putting the Boy Thunder to the test.
Is It Good?
Batman / Superman: World's Finest #8 is another great issue in a practically flawless run from the dynamic duo of Mark Waid and Dan Mora. Filled with action, mystery, lots of heart, and a little bit of humor, this issue solidifies this series as one of the best World's Finest series in years.
The plot centers around David Sibela, a lone-surviving refugee from an alternate Earth, learning to use his powers with the help of Superman and the Teen Titans. Hailing from an Earth where superheroes didn't exist, David is equally amazed and terrified by what his new friends can do. When a crisis (*heh*) pops up that forces David to use his powers with control and precision, the pressure forces David's feelings about losing his homeworld to the surface.
There's a lot to like in this issue. So much that you almost need a laundry list to get it all out. First, the interactions between all the heroes, not just Batman and Superman, are amazing. Waid works in a tone of respect and trust that most DC Comics choose to ignore. Batman and Superman act as partners rather than grudging colleagues, and it's a breath of fresh air.
Next, the Teen Titans are a joy to witness, even if it is only briefly. Waid's character voices and Mora's immaculate art remind you why a group of sidekicks can be so much fun. The Titans here are a formidable group, but they still have an infectious kiddish enthusiasm.
Supergirl gets a few moments to shine with a retelling of this version's origin story - an origin story with striking parallels to the emotional struggles David is now experiencing. It's (again) refreshing to see a Supergirl in a good place emotionally rather than portrayed as continually resentful of her cousin, Superman.
Last but not least, David, aka Boy Thunder, has his growth moment when he has to perform a delicate rescue alone. Waid and Mora expertly give readers just the right amount of emotional angst to help them empathize with David while dropping tiny hints that there's more to David's story, striking a bright spark of intrigue for future issues.
Mora's art, combined with Bonvillain's colors, is a visual treat. The details make this comic also one of the best-drawn series out of DC. The way Robin's cape rests on his shoulders, the flow of Supergirl's hair, and the look of sadness on David's face when he becomes overwhelmed, all breathe life into this series.
It's not enough to say this comic is practically flawless. This comic elevates superhero comics beyond the gritty, gloomy doldrums of the last several years. If only DC would produce more comics like this, the world of comics would be a much better place.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Bits and Pieces:
Batman / Superman: World's Finest #8 lives up to its title as one of the world's finest superhero comics on the market. The action-filled story matches tons of emotional weight, exquisite art, and pitch-perfect intrigue.
So the Supergirl origin we got in this issue is more or less her pre-Crisis origin. Is that the one that's in continuity currently?
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