Comic Review: Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #47

In this review of Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #47, the secret is out, as the Joker/Lex Hybrid reveals Batman and Superman’s secret identities to the entire world.  Chaos ensues, forcing the Justice League to deal with the fallout as Superman faces a quieter but no less devastating confrontation.

BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD’S FINEST #47
Written by MARK WAID
Art by ADRIÁN GUTIÉRREZ
Main Cover: DAN MORA
Variant Covers: E.M. GIST, ADRIÁN GUTIÉRREZ, CHRIS SPROUSE, FABRIZIO DE TOMMASO
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 1/21/26

This review contains spoilers

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #47 begins as the Joker/Lex Hybrid uses the alien Absorbascon to telepathically extract and transmit the World’s Finest duo’s secret identities. High above Metropolis, the Batman/Superman Composite is overpowered by the Joker/Lex Hybrid as the villains unleash a magic attack (courtesy of Doctor Fate). The Hybrid vanishes, leaving the Composite trapped in mid-air and wrapped in a complex spell as the ramifications from the info leak begins to take hold.

Superman warns Batman that those closest to them are in danger, (specifically Alfred Pennyworth). The Batman/Superman Composite breaks free, rushes to Wayne Manor and protects the startled Alfred from a vengeful Poison Ivy (who was much more proactive and less conscientious as she is in her current series). Soon, the Composite briefs the JLA aboard their orbiting satellite before heading for the worst confrontation imaginable.

Elsewhere, the Joker/Lex Hybrid sets up shop in an abandoned Keystone City mental hospital (Joker’s idea of course), where the pair bicker over what to do with the Absorbascon, and who should be in charge. Joker takes the initiative, running with Lex’s idea, but adding his own particular twisted spin, which makes everyone on Earth (including most of the JLA) dumber rather than enhancing Lex’s own intellect. The Joker/Lex Hybrid’s combined brainpower meanwhile is shorting out the Absorbascon.

In Metropolis, Superman and Lois Lane have a crushing heart-to-heart as Lois vents her sense of betrayal at learning Clark’s secret, but not from him (which is awkward considering Batman is stuck there too listening to all of this). The Batman/Superman Composite track down the Hybrid but is quickly overwhelmed. Luckily, The Atom hitched a ride and snatches the Absorbascon away, creating a chain reaction that separates everyone back to their individual selves.

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #47 ends with the Batman/Superman Composite still around, as the World’s Finest duo express their admiration for the other after their merging. The Composite is now housed in Superman’s Fortress of Solitude, but for how long?

Analysis 

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #47 certainly redefines the concepts of comic book “crossovers” and  “team ups” with this clever re-imagining of the World’s Finest, and the World’s…Worst (?) duos. The Joker/Lex Hybrid merges intellect (plus a tinge of ego and irrational envy) with utter chaos and cunning. The Hybrid brings the worst aspects of both dastardly villain to the forefront, as each villain struggles for dominance of both their merged form, and of the power of the Absorbascon.

In contrast, the Batman/Superman Composite seems to bring the best of both worlds to the fore, as Batman and Superman gain new insight into their partner in crime (fighting) with mutual respect and understanding for both their personal struggles and unique gifts. Batman’s declaration of helping fix the fallout with Lois shows emotional growth on his part.

Writer Mark Waid continues to reimagine classic Silver Age concepts for the modern age with this merger storyline. Waid’s boundless understanding of DC lore (hey, he just wrote a series on it), allows him to approach the fun and absurdities of non-continuity stories and repackage them with a modern sensibility. Even with some silliness, the stakes are made clear, even if they don’t last long. Waid knows the World’s Finest duo’s characters to their core, regardless of which decade they’re in.

Artist Adrian Gutierrez dominates with stunning artwork and layouts for the battle scenes, while adding clever sight gags (mostly involving the Joker/Lex Hybrid), plus the unsettling visuals of JLA heroes dumbstruck. Even the quiet, dramatic scene between the Composite and Lois feels heavier than having to battle a Hybrid made of Batman and Superman’s greatest nemeses.

Meanwhile, Tamra Bonvillain’s palettes are fully utilized in Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #47, as each scene is distinctly colored to match the mood, from the sickly greens/heavy blacks of the Joker/Lex Hybrid scenes, to the muted primary colors (red, blue and yellow) of the Batman/Superman Composite. Even as the “camera” draws closer in each successive panel in the final battle, the background shifts gradually around the Joker/Lex Hybrid from sickly yellow-brown to a brighter orange-yellow.

Final Thoughts 

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #47 continues this series’ grand tradition of remixing classic Silver Age DC Comics concepts for a modern audience, adding emotional weight, humor, plot twists and a sense of fun into the mix. The art and color combinations maintain the series’ high quality output as well.

Theodis Wright

Theo is a lifelong resident of Louisiana. He has been a collector of comic books since the age of nine, amassing a huge collection before losing most to Hurricane Katrina. Since then he's been working to rebuild that collection while continuing to delve into current books. Besides comics, he is an avid reader on topics of US history (don't ask why). Today, Theo serves as Editor-in-Chief of The Batman Universe and of The Comic Book Spot.