Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 2026 Annual #1 Review
Writers: Mark Russell; Mark Waid & Tyrone Finch
Artists: Clayton Henry & Patrick Boutin
Colorists: Pedro Estouco & Romulo Fajardo Jr
Letterer: Steve Wands
Cover Artist: Dan Mora
Variant Cover Artists: Rahzzah; Clayton Henry & Arif
Prianto
Editors: Chris Rosa & Paul Haminski
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $5.99 US/Variant $6.99 US (Card Stock)
Release Date: July 29, 2026
When Superman, Batman, and Robin searched for a missing Air
Force pilot, they ended up on another world. Batman and Robin befriended
Warlord and his savage and beautiful cadre. Then Batman disappeared amid his
search for Superman. But no one anticipated that Air Force pilot Randall
Kreitzer, transformed into Tyrant Rex, could drain Superman of his powers and
bestow them on his trusted lieutenants.
Now, Superman, Batman, and Robin have returned from
Skartaris. Warlord can live out his Edgar Rice Burroughs dreams without
interference from Robin. Where will the World's Finest team travel next? And
what trouble will they find? Let's leap into Batman/Superman: World's Finest
2026 Annual #1 and see what happens!
The Hero Trap: Story
Bruce and Clark wanted to honor their fathers with a
celebratory meal. But Bruce worries that Alfred won't like Clark's choice. When
Jonathan and Alfred arrive, Jonathan feels at home in the Middle Ages-themed
restaurant. Yet Alfred is ill at ease.
When Clark and Bruce receive alerts before Jonathan and
Alfred can peruse the menu, Bruce leaves to assess the situation. But while
Jonathan remains buoyant in Clark's company, Alfred withdraws further.
As Mark Russell splits the narrative between Batman,
Superman, and the men who raised them, he also focuses on their dilemmas.
Batman and Superman seek to rescue their friend. Yet Jonathan and Alfred, who
taught them how to be heroes, must wait to learn their fate. Both fathers
wrestle with letting their children live their lives, while worrying about the
dangerous road they set their sons upon in Batman/Superman: World's Finest 2026
Annual #1.
The Hero Trap: Art
A knight clad in plate armor guards a fortress with his
spear. Inside, Bruce and Clark sit side by side. Yet both men look away, as if
alert for danger. When the men who raised them arrive, Jonathan waves to his
son, while Alfred leans away from the wooden tables where a squire takes dinner
orders.
As Clayton Henry conveys the action and drama, Pedro Estouco
lavishes a richly colored palette on Batman/Superman: World's Finest 2026
Annual #1. While red and blue dominate scenes as both sets of heroes seek to
solve a mystery, Alfred's gray vest links him with Bruce Wayne's suit and the
Batmobile. Jonathan's red flannel links with the hero in need of rescue, the
SUV Bruce climbs into, and the Batmobile’s turbine exhaust. While the heroes
play Detective Comics in a blue room, muted colors adorn the memories that flow
through their elders’ minds.
Date Night: Story
In the Fifth Dimension, Bat-Mite and Mr Mxyzptlk yearn for
entertainment. But when Bat-Mite reads a comic asserting that Batman is a
better match for Lois Lane, Mr Mxyzptlk attempts to rewrite the story. As Mark
Waid and Tyrone Finch switch the action to Earth, Superman has left Lois Lane
in danger to address a global threat. But Clark Kent never suspected how Bruce
Wayne would stick close to Lois Lane.
Both Batman and Superman have egos. Clark may know Bruce is
just having fun at his expense. Still, Clark decides to show Bruce just how
much fun he can have as Lois’ date. After Jonathan worked tirelessly to lighten
Alfred’s spirits in The Hero Trap, Clark and Bruce’s antics further lighten the
tone in Date Night.
Date Night: Art
When Mr Mxyzptlk spies Bat-Mite eating a sandwich while
reading a copy of Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 2026 Annual #1, he zooms over
to grab the comic. As it floats between them, opposing waves of energy rush
toward the empty pages. Then, the first page of Date Night appears. Superman
rises to the forefront while Earth orbits beneath him. But when he returns to
Metropolis, Superman flies past the iconic Daily Planet building toward another
destination.
Romulo Fajardo Jr adorns Patrick Boutin’s manga-style art
with a vibrant palette. As Superman hovers above them, red shadows tinge Lois
and Bruce's features. When Superman interferes with their evening, Bruce
exchanges his black suit for red, yellow, and blue clothes. Yet red proves
Bruce's nemesis, even as Lois pulls him close and smiles at him with her red
lips.
Lettering
Steve Wands fills white balloons and boxes with black
uppercase lettering. The words shrink for lowered voices and grow bold with
intonation. Large white letters in blue fields locate readers in time and space
while Superman’s thoughts appear as white uppercase letters in blue boxes. Sound
effects enhance vehicles, gunfire, surprise attacks, and rescue attempts. And
after Batman realizes a name on a door spells death, sound effects accompany
his attempt to impress the woman Superman adores. Thanks to DC Comics for
sharing this story with us.
Final Thoughts
Jonathan and Alfred defended their country. After they left
the military, the men advised their sons on their future campaigns. Jonathan
and Alfred may not give their sons orders when Superman and Batman leave on
their missions. Yet neither man has any intention of gracefully retiring from
Fatherhood in Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 2026 Annual #1.
Rating: 9.6/10
To look inside see my preview of Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 2026 Annual #1.
For what happened last time, see my preview of Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #53.
For what happened before that, see my preview of Batman/Superman: World's Finest #52.
For how this story arc started, see my preview of Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #51.
For what happened even before that, see my preview of the oversize anniversary issue Batman/Superman: World's Finest #50.
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