In this review of Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #55, Ras Al Ghul is looking to bring about a kinder, gentler global apocalypse complete with his own horsemen from a deep bench of DC Comics villains.
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #55 main cover by Dan Mora (DC Comics)
BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD’S FINEST #55
Written by MARK WAID
Art by ADRIÁN GUTIÉRREZ
Main Cover: DAN MORA
Variant Covers: TAURIN CLARKE, ADRIÁN GUTIÉRREZ
Page COunt: 32 pages
Release Date: 9/16/26
This review contains spoilers
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #55 begins of the planet Rann as Superman heads back to help protect the Earth while the rest of the Justice League pitch in the help rebuild Adam Strange’s adopted home world. Back in Gotham City, Batman and Jim Gordon investigate how Poison Ivy escaped from Arkham Asylum.
Elsewhere in the Himalayas, Ivy is welcomed to Ras Al Ghul secret mountaintop retreat as he offers her a role in protecting the Earth along with villains Ocean Master, Queen Bee and Tokamak to become Ras’ horsemen. One week later, Batman and Robin’s attempt to stop Firefly’s mass casualty event in Gotham is interrupted by a swarm of bees. Superman arrives to help out and disperse the swarm.
As Batman recovers, he is surprised by the unexpected arrival of Talia Al Ghul, who is worried about her father’s latest scheme to drastically reduce the human population. Robin collapses after being infected by an exotic virus from the bees. Superman tracks down Queen Bee to her desert hideout and realizes that they bee swarm is artificial. Superman nabs Queen Bee who proclaims there is no cure.
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #55 ends as an emotionally conflicted Batman contacts Kid Flash with an idea for a possible cure, as crises in both Atlantis and North Korea are occurring simultaneously as the worldwide robotic bee swarms continue to wreak havoc.
Analysis
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #55 hits the ground running with an intriguing plot inspired by writer Mark Waid’s enduring love for classic DC Comics storytelling remixed for a modern audience. Ras Al Ghul recruiting Poison Ivy as part of his apocalypse scheme (no, not that one) seems spot on as they are both motivated by an extremist form of environmental conservation that leaves countless victims in their wake.
However, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #55 isn’t all doom and gloom; the story employs the series’ typical mix of action, adventure, drama and sharp humor. Above all Waid emphasizes the enduring bond between not only Batman and Superman, but Batman’s connection with Robin, a constant scene stealer and welcome presence in the title.
Robin’s peril after his infection by the robotic bees divides the Dark Knight’s attention in the midst of three global crises along with a very personal one. Talia Al Ghul’s appearance is also welcome as her allegiance is torn between her father and her beloved. Is she up to something? Waid always seems to enjoy creating complex problems for the World’s Finest team and then conjuring up a clever but unorthodox solution, although we don’t yet know what Batman’s solution to Queen Bee’s mirror virus is other than involving Kid Flash.
Artist Adrian Gutierrez matches Waid’s frenetic script with dazzling pulse-pounding widescreen action sequences including Superman versus the swarm, Superman’s in-your-face heat vision blast (with an assist from colorist Luis Guerrero), and that wild opening shot of Batman and Robin chasing down Firefly in Gotham City. Gutierrez’s mastery of panel composition is compelling enough to pull the reader directly into the story.
Final Thoughts
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #55 continues it’s long streak of fun and thrilling superhero adventure stories full of full color, widescreen action, inventive plot remixes that puts characters and relationships front and center. The script pops and the art and color dazzle.
