Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 2026 Annual #1 Review

 

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. 

 

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 2026 Annual #1 Preview

 

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 fight his battles the way he sees fit, without interference from Robin. Where will the World's Finest team travel next? And what trouble will they find?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 2026 Annual #1 Preview

Writers: Mark Waid, Mark Russell & Tyrone Finch.

Artists: Clayton Henry & Patrick Boutin

Cover Artist: Dan Mora

Variant Cover Artists: Rahzzah & Clayton Henry

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 48 Pages

Price: $5.99 US/Variant $6.99 US (Card Stock)

Release Date: July 29, 2026

 

 

An Oversized Summer Special!

 

 

The World’s Finest attempt to have a relaxing night out with Jonathan Kent and Alfred. But after an emergency leads Batman and Superman into a trap, it’s up to the father figures to jump into the fray! Also, with Lois Lane’s current investigation putting her in Intergang’s crosshairs, Batman steps in to provide Lois backup—but as Bruce Wayne and accompanying Lois on a date!

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

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 the story before that, see my preview of the oversize anniversary issue Batman/Superman: World's Finest #50. 

 

Deadweights TPB Preview

 

Everyone faces turning points in their lives. Suddenly, you look around at what you've done. You ask yourself what you've gained from all your hard work. And most importantly, you ponder if this is the person you still wish to be. When two former baddies resign from the superhero life, both have unlimited options for the future. But only if they can convince the good guys to let them start afresh.

Here's all the info:

 

DEADWEIGHTS TPB

(W) Tyrone Finch 

(A) Sebastián Piriz

Cover: Sebastián Piriz

Is there life after supervillainy? Ask Jerry and Clarence, two hapless ex-henchmen trying to make their way in the world—and maybe find a decent pair of pants. A super hero buddy comedy that takes a hard look at what happens after the fight, when the villains are tired of being villains and the heroes aren’t as heroic as they seem. Written by Tyrone Finch (Swine, Station 19) and gorgeously drawn by Sebastián Piriz (We Ride Titans).

August 27, 2025

$18.99 / $25.99 CAN

 

Here's the original write-up announcing the series:

 

The latest new series from acclaimed Syracuse-based comic book publisher AHOY Comics is DEADWEIGHTS, a buddy comedy about two unlucky henchmen trying to make their way in the world from writer Tyrone Finch (Swine, Station 19) and artist Sebastián Píriz (We Ride Titans). The comedic, action-filled six-issue series follows two members of a villainous team of evil mutants who are fired for their incompetence and try to go straight—but learn that life doesn’t get easier just because you’re wearing pants instead of tights. Issue #1 will feature a main cover by Piriz as well as the first of six “mug shot” incentive covers by Richard Pace (Second Coming), which will form a linked image.

“At its core, Deadweights is about friendship,” said writer Tyrone Finch. “It’s the story of two people who have been relentlessly beaten, battered, tossed off of bridges and forced to live in hideouts with no electricity or plumbing. But somehow, the two of them have never given up on each other or their dreams. When you look past their costumes, battles and vows to subjugate the human race; they’re just a couple of guys looking to find a place for themselves in this crazy, mixed-up world.”

“Jerry and Clarence are two guys you can’t help to feel bad for,” said artist Sebastián Píriz. “The more you know them, the more you’ll root for them — but that’s the moment where Tyrone sends a curve ball to remind us that, just like in real life, things rarely are so simple as we’d like.”

Count Dingo and the Marauders are a team of misunderstood evil mutants bent on world domination, whose diabolical plans range from robbing local credit unions to unleashing a biological disaster that will rid the planet of all non-mutants. After Jerry “Cannonbulk'' Patton and Clarence “Bounder” Barrett make a mistake that leads to another defeat at the hands of the mutant superhero team The Paladins, the two “deadweights” are unceremoniously dumped from the team. Realizing that they are not cut out for world conquest, Jerry and Clarence don pants and try to pursue ordinary lives—but going straight is not as easy as it seems. DEADWEIGHTS takes a hard look at what happens after the fight when the villains are tired of being villains, and the heroes aren’t as heroic as they want you to think.

“I love the idea of DEADWEIGHTS,” said AHOY Comics Senior Editor Sarah Litt. “No one really looks at the aftermath of the fight, only the fight itself. I think DEADWEIGHTS is what happens when the villains figure out that maybe that life doesn’t pay off after all.”

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

About AHOY Comics

AHOY Comics debuted in the fall of 2018 with the bold promise for readers to expect more from its line of comic book magazines, featuring comic book stories, poetry, prose fiction, and cartoons. The independent, Syracuse-based company is the brainchild of publisher Hart Seely, an award-winning reporter whose humor and satire has appeared in The New York Times and on National Public Radio. AHOY’s editor-in-chief Tom Peyer is committed to publishing comics with a (dark) sense of humor with titles like the religious satires SECOND COMING and HIGH HEAVEN, the superhero parodies THE WRONG EARTH and MY BAD, the sci-fi spoofs CAPTAIN GINGER and HIGHBALL, the time travel tales PLANET OF THE NERDS and G.I.L.T., and the humor/horror anthology series EDGAR ALLAN POE’S SNIFTER OF BLOOD. 

About the creators

Tyrone Finch hails from Cleveland, Ohio. He is the author of several prose stories and comics that appear as back matter in the pages of AHOY Comics, as well as the graphic novel Swine from Humanoids. He is currently working as a writer/producer for the BET+ series Average Joe.

Sebastián Píriz is an artist from Buenos Aires with more than 10 years of experience working mostly for indie publishers.  He worked on We Ride Titans (Vault), Exorcists Never Die (Mad Cave) and Godzilla: Valentine Special (IDW).  He co-created Black Beacon with Ryan K. Lyndsay for Heavy Metal Magazine and he’s done covers for titles like Red Sonja, Stranger Things and Transformers.

 

Thanks to Ahoy Comics and Superfan Promotions for sharing this preview with us.

 

The Toxic Avenger Pinup Special #1 Review

 

Writers: Matt Bors, Tyrone Finch, & Robert Jeschonek

Artists: Fred Harper & Joe Orsak

Colorist: Lee Loughridge

Letterer: Rob Steen

Pinups: Chris Giarrusso; Cayetano Valenzuela; Mauricet; Carol Lay; Tristan Wright; Fred Harper; Ben Clarkson; J Gonzo; Matt Howarth; Sandy Jarrell; Dan Schoeneck; Greg Scott & Lee Loughridge; Ar Sullivan; Matt Bors

Cover Artist: Fred Harper

Trading Card Art & Design: Shannon Wheeler & Tom Napolitano

Publication & Logo: John J Hill, Rob Steen, & Mark Kaufman

Editor: Tom Peyer

Publisher: Ahoy Comics

Price: $3.99 ($4.99 with Trading Card)

Release Date: May 14, 2025

 

What lurks in your plumbing? Who cowers in your cupboards? How are people plotting to exploit you? And how many toxic pinups can you stand before you scream with insanity and delight? Let’s grab a plunger, leap into The Toxic Avenger Pinup Special #1, and see!

 

It’s A Girl: Story

In this charming five-page story, Melvin Junko is helping his customer, while Yvonne wants to discuss their relationship. Complications ensue when Toxie and Yvonne discover the source of the homeowner's plumbing problems. Matt Bors sprinkles his story with sparkling dialogue while helping you empathize with the characters’ dilemmas. But the story ends by reminding us that courage isn’t about not feeling fear but facing what frightens us and caring for others regardless of the dangers.

 

It's A Girl: Art, Coloring & Lettering

Despite how the toxic chemicals transformed his features, Fred Harper helps you understand how Yvonne could find Melvin attractive. After setting the scene on the first page, the next two burst with frantic action and Yvonne's fright. Fred Harper enhances the action with perspective shots that elevate the shock and suggest slow motion to enhance big-screen fight scenes.

 

Lee Loughridge lavishes a loaded palette on The Toxic Avenger Pinup Special #1. His interior scenes feature rich coloring, while the exterior shots boast a slightly overexposed quality. Rob Steen delivers uppercase letters in white dialogue balloons that grow bold for intonation, swell for raised voices, and deform balloons to convey fright. The red sound effects remind us how difficult it can be to see past exterior appearances to appreciate the person beneath.

 

Pinups

This special issue contains a wealth of pinups. From Chris Giarrusso’s two-page Army Of Delights, to the Black & White Halloween Horror of Matt Howarth, Greg Scott and Lee Loughridge’s homage to classic Universal Monster movies, and Matt Bors’ tribute to another film that came out the same year as the first Toxic Avenger movie, The Toxic Avenger Pinup Special #1 has something for everyone.

 

Best If Used By: Story And Art

Jeremy Givens has a problem. He is hosting a family gathering but has forgotten a vital ingredient. A search through his cupboards yields a potential solution. But how important are those Best If Used By dates? Tyrone Finch's one-page prose story helps us identify with Jeremy and the story's protagonist. Although set at Thanksgiving, Finch's story evokes The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Andersen. Joe Orsak's illustration reveals a family's plight as one member demands the attention it deserves.

 

Grief Is The New Crypto: Story And Art

When nothing else works, an unexpected caller awakens Vitus’ interest in the outside world. Instead of trying to sell him something, the man offers to give Vitus money. But as the saying goes, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Robert Jeschonek’s two-page prose story in The Toxic Avenger Pinup Special #1 reminds us that people always look for ways to exploit opportunities. The title suggests the association of crypto with financial scams. Joe Orsak's illustration conveys the fear of seeing strangers outside your door and worrying about what they want.

 

Final Thoughts

The Toxic Avenger Pinup Special #1 boasts a short comic tale, two prose shorts, an impressive image gallery, and an essay detailing all the upcoming Toxic Avenger titles from Ahoy Comics. Amid stories of love, horror, and responsibility, this special issue explores the demands and joys of family. Thanks to Ahoy Comics and Superfan Promotions for providing a copy for review.

 

Rating 9.5/10

 

To look inside see my preview of The Toxic Avenger Pinup Special #1.