Batman Powers Up

Two weeks ago, I used World's Finest #272 as an example of how a good writer can use Batman's human level skill and his high intelligence to make him a viable partner for Superman.

That story continues in WF #273 & 274 (November and December 1981). Cary Burkett is still the writer, with Adrian Gonzales still doing the art.

While cleaning up the debris from last issues battle in the Fortress of Solitude, Superman happens to show off his newest invention--a power charger that gives someone superpowers. It's a tad bit on the flawed side, though, since anyone using it would burn out and die in four hours.

This abrupt introduction of an obvious Chekov's Gun is a bit contrived, but the rest of the story flows smoothly. Examining the memory of one of the wrecked robots gives the heroes a clue to where the bad guy is hiding with the super-weapons he stole.

With Batman providing a distraction by allowing the Batplane to be shot down, Superman tunnels into the villain's lair. The villain, by the way, is an alien called the Weapon Master. He was after a devise Superman had found floating in space that is part of a weapon capable of mind-controlling an entire planet. He also has an arsenal of weapons powerful enough to hurt a Kryptonian.

So Superman is captured and mind-controled, along with the rest of the world.

Well, except for Batman, who is back in the Fortress of Solitude and protected by a force field Supes had put up to keep any more teleporting robots out. But what can he do alone and without super powers? Give himself super powers, of course. Even though it will mean his death, this is the only way he can save his friend.

 And THAT is another way you effectively use Batman as an equal partner for the most powerful man in the universe. That final panel of WF #273 packs a huge emotional whollop with the use of just five words: "And besides, he's my friend."

The final issue is an effective fight scene in which Superman (freed from mind control) and Batman work together to defeat the villain. Batman isn't used to his powers and Superman is weakened, but clever tactics and team work eventually give them an upper hand--with Batman coming up with a last-minute brilliant plan to give them the win.

Batman, remember, has been slowly dying from the affects of the power charger, but (in what is kind of another contrived moment) Superman uses a piece of Weapon Master's technology to save his friend.

World's Finest #272-274 make up a really strong story arc, with the two heroes acting in the best traditions of true heroes and a plot (aside from a few stilted moments) flowing smoothly along the path of Comic Book Logic.

We're probably overdue in looking at the next issue of Tragg and the Sky Gods, so we'll do that next week.