World's Finest Comics
Encyclopedia
World's Finest Comics was an American comic book
series published by DC Comics
from 1941 to 1986. The series was initially titled World's Best Comics for its first issue; issue #2 (1941) switched to the more familiar name. Most likely the reason for the title change was that DC received a cease and desist letter from Better Publications, Inc., who had been publishing a comic book entitled Best Comics since November 1939.
Virtually every issue featured DC's two leading superhero
es, Superman
and Batman
, with the earliest issues also featuring Batman's sidekick, Robin
.
, featuring various DC characters - always including Superman and Batman - in separate stories. When superheroes fell out of vogue in the early 1950s, DC shortened the size of the publication to that of the rest of its output, leaving only enough space for one story; this led to Superman and Batman appearing in the same story together starting with World's Finest #71 (1954). In 1977, World's Finest Comics was "upgraded" to one of the first 80 page Dollar Comics which featured The World's Finest Team
with back-up features such as Green Arrow
, Black Canary
, Wonder Woman
, Vigilante
, Creeper, Shazam!, Black Lightning
, Hawkman
, Red Tornado
, Zatanna
and Plastic Man
. With #283, the series reverted to a standard format title featuring Superman and Batman team-up
s. Except for a brief run of Superman teamups in the early 1970s (#198-214) not featuring Batman, the series continued in this vein until its cancellation in 1986 at #323.
The idea for World's Best #1 originated from the identically formatted 1940 New York World's Fair Comics featuring Superman, Batman, and Robin with 96 pages and a cardboard cover. The year before there was a similar 1939 New York World's Fair
Comics featuring Superman but without Batman and Robin because Bill Finger
and Bob Kane
had not yet created them.
While not released under the name "World's Finest", the series Superman/Batman
fulfilled much the same function as its predecessor. It was published from 2003 to 2011.
:
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
series published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
from 1941 to 1986. The series was initially titled World's Best Comics for its first issue; issue #2 (1941) switched to the more familiar name. Most likely the reason for the title change was that DC received a cease and desist letter from Better Publications, Inc., who had been publishing a comic book entitled Best Comics since November 1939.
Virtually every issue featured DC's two leading superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
es, Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
and Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
, with the earliest issues also featuring Batman's sidekick, Robin
Dick Grayson
Dick Grayson is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and illustrator Jerry Robinson, he first appeared in Detective Comics #38 in April 1940....
.
Overview
The series was initially a 96 page quarterly anthologyAnthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
, featuring various DC characters - always including Superman and Batman - in separate stories. When superheroes fell out of vogue in the early 1950s, DC shortened the size of the publication to that of the rest of its output, leaving only enough space for one story; this led to Superman and Batman appearing in the same story together starting with World's Finest #71 (1954). In 1977, World's Finest Comics was "upgraded" to one of the first 80 page Dollar Comics which featured The World's Finest Team
World's Finest Team
The World's Finest Team was a fictional DC Comics superhero team who first appeared in the DC Comics Dollar Comics format series in World's Finest Comics #244 , created by Gerry Conway, with art by Jim Aparo and George Tuska...
with back-up features such as Green Arrow
Green Arrow
Green Arrow is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941. His secret identity is Oliver Queen, billionaire and former mayor of fictional Star City...
, Black Canary
Black Canary
Black Canary is the name of two fictional characters, DC Comics superheroines created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Carmine Infantino. The first Black Canary debuted appeared in Flash Comics #86 . The first Black Canary was the alter-ego of Dinah Drake, who took part in Golden Age adventures...
, Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
, Vigilante
Vigilante (comics)
Vigilante is the name used by several fictional characters appearing in DC Comics. The original character was one of the first DC Comics characters adapted for live-action film, beating Superman by one year.-Greg Saunders:...
, Creeper, Shazam!, Black Lightning
Black Lightning
Black Lightning was one of the first major African American superheroes to appear in DC Comics. He debuted in Black Lightning #1 , and was created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden.- Publication history :...
, Hawkman
Hawkman
Hawkman is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Dennis Neville, the original Hawkman first appeared in Flash Comics #1, published by All-American Publications in 1940....
, Red Tornado
Red Tornado
Red Tornado is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in Justice League of America #64 , and was created by Gardner Fox and Dick Dillin.-Publication history:...
, Zatanna
Zatanna
Zatanna Zatara is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Murphy Anderson, Zatanna first appeared in Hawkman vol. 1 #4...
and Plastic Man
Plastic Man
Plastic Man is a fictional comic-book superhero originally published by Quality Comics and later acquired by DC Comics. Created by writer-artist Jack Cole, he first appeared in Police Comics #1 ....
. With #283, the series reverted to a standard format title featuring Superman and Batman team-up
Team-up
In American superhero comic books, a team-up is when two superheroes or superhero teams who usually do not appear together fight crime together.-Overview:Team-ups can either happen within one of the character's main series or in their own separate series...
s. Except for a brief run of Superman teamups in the early 1970s (#198-214) not featuring Batman, the series continued in this vein until its cancellation in 1986 at #323.
The idea for World's Best #1 originated from the identically formatted 1940 New York World's Fair Comics featuring Superman, Batman, and Robin with 96 pages and a cardboard cover. The year before there was a similar 1939 New York World's Fair
1939 New York World's Fair
The 1939–40 New York World's Fair, which covered the of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park , was the second largest American world's fair of all time, exceeded only by St. Louis's Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904. Many countries around the world participated in it, and over 44 million people...
Comics featuring Superman but without Batman and Robin because Bill Finger
Bill Finger
William "Bill" Finger was an American comic strip and comic book writer best known as the uncredited co-creator, with Bob Kane, of the DC Comics character Batman, as well as the co-architect of the series' development...
and Bob Kane
Bob Kane
Bob Kane was an American comic book artist and writer, credited as the creator of the DC Comics superhero Batman...
had not yet created them.
Titles
A number of World's Finest titles have since appeared:- A three-issue 1990 mini-series by Dave GibbonsDave GibbonsDave Gibbons is an English comic book artist, writer and sometime letterer. He is best known for his collaborations with writer Alan Moore, which include the miniseries Watchmen and the Superman story "For the Man Who Has Everything"...
, Steve RudeSteve Rude-Career:In 1981, Rude became widely known in the comics world when he and writer Mike Baron created Nexus, an independent science fiction comic book with a large supporting cast. For the series, Rude designed a dozen or so distinctive alien races, including the Thunes, the Amphibs, the Quattros,...
and Karl KeselKarl KeselKarl Kesel is an American comics writer and inker whose works have primarily been under contract for DC Comics...
. In the series, Superman and Batman battle their arch-enemies Lex LuthorLex LuthorLex Luthor is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and the archenemy of Superman, although given his high status as a supervillain, he has also come into conflict with Batman and other superheroes in the DC Universe. Created by Jerry Siegel and...
and The Joker, and for that, they temporary exchange their places in their homecities, thus, Superman goes to Gotham CityGotham CityGotham City is a fictional U.S. city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 . Gotham City is strongly inspired by Trenton, Ontario's history, location, atmosphere, and various architectural styles...
, and Batman goes to MetropolisMetropolis (comics)Metropolis is a fictional city that appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and is the home of Superman. Metropolis first appeared by name in Action Comics #16 ....
. - A three-issue Legends of the World's Finest mini-series in 1994 by Walt SimonsonWalt SimonsonWalter "Walt" Simonson is an American comic book writer and artist. After studying geology at Amherst College, he transferred to the Rhode Island School of Design, graduating in 1972. His thesis project there was The Star Slammers, which was published as a black and white promotional comic book...
and Dan BreretonDan BreretonDan Brereton is an American professional writer and illustrator who has produced notable work in the comic book field.-Biography:...
- A two-issue Superboy (Kon-El)Superboy (Kon-El)Superboy is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. A modern update of the original Superboy, who is a younger version of Superman, the character first appeared in Adventures of Superman #500 , and was created by writer Karl Kesel and artist Tom Grummett.Originally...
/RobinRobin (comics)Robin is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman...
: World's Finest Three in 1996 - Elseworld's Finest - a two-issue mini-series that reimagines Superman and Batman in a 1920s style pulp adventure.
- World's Finest: Parts I-III (also known as The BatmanBatman: The Animated SeriesBatman: The Animated Series is an American animated series based on the DC Comics character Batman. The series featured an ensemble cast of many voice-actors including Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Arleen Sorkin, and Loren Lester. The series won four Emmy Awards and was nominated...
/SupermanSuperman: The Animated SeriesSuperman: The Animated Series is an American animated television series starring DC Comics' flagship character, Superman. The series was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on The WB from September 6, 1996 to February 12, 2000. Warner Bros...
Movie) and Batman/Superman Adventures: World's Finest, a 1997 three-part episode of Superman: The Animated SeriesSuperman: The Animated SeriesSuperman: The Animated Series is an American animated television series starring DC Comics' flagship character, Superman. The series was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on The WB from September 6, 1996 to February 12, 2000. Warner Bros...
and its comics adaptation, respectively. - Elseworld's Finest: Supergirl & BatgirlElseworld's Finest: Supergirl & BatgirlElseworld's Finest: Supergirl & Batgirl is an Elseworlds comic book by Tom Simmons, Matt Haley and Barbara Kesel.It is based in a world in which Bruce Wayne was never Batman, and the infant Kal-El did not survive long enough to become Superman...
one-shot in 1998. - Superman and Batman: World's FunnestSuperman and Batman: World's FunnestSuperman and Batman: World's Funnest is an American single issue prestige format comic book published in 2000 by DC Comics. It was written by Evan Dorkin and illustrated by numerous artists. The issue still takes place in New Earth, which makes it canon to the main continuity of DC Universe...
, featuring Mr. Mxyzptlk and Bat-MiteBat-MiteBat-Mite is a fictional character appearing in stories published by DC Comics. Bat-Mite is an Imp similar to the Superman villain Mister Mxyzptlk...
- A ten-issue mini-series in 1999 written by Karl KeselKarl KeselKarl Kesel is an American comics writer and inker whose works have primarily been under contract for DC Comics...
and illustrated by Dave TaylorDave Taylor (comics)Dave Taylor is a British comic book creator. He is best known for his work on Force Works, as well as Batman and Judge Dredd stories.-Biography:Taylor was born in Liverpool in 1964 and attended the Liverpool Arts School....
. This series explored the Post-Crisis history of the two with each of the ten issues taking place one year after the other. - HarperCollins Publishers released a World's Finest novel on Summer 2009, titled Enemies and Allies by novelist Kevin J. AndersonKevin J. AndersonKevin J. Anderson is an American science fiction author with over forty bestsellers. He has written spin-off novels for Star Wars, StarCraft, Titan A.E., and The X-Files, and with Brian Herbert is the co-author of the Dune prequels...
. The story is about the first meeting between The Dark Knight and The Man of Steel during The Cold War. - A four-issue World's Finest limited series written by Sterling GatesSterling GatesSterling Gates is an American comic book writer currently working for DC Comics.-Early life:Sterling Gates was a comic fan from a young age...
was published in late 2009 and early 2010. In the series, Superman has relocated to New Krypton and Batman (Bruce Wayne) is presumed dead. Thus, it falls to various members of the Superman and Batman families to battle a threat posed by the Toyboy, Mr. FreezeMr. FreezeMr. Freeze, real name Dr. Victor Fries , is a DC Comics supervillain, an enemy of Batman. Created by Bob Kane, he first appeared in Batman #121 ....
, the PenguinPenguin (comics)Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot III is a DC Comics supervillain and one of Batman's oldest, most persistent enemies. The Penguin was introduced by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, making his debut in Detective Comics #58 .The Penguin is a short, rotund man known for his love of birds and his...
and the Kryptonite Man. Protagonists include Superman Family members Nightwing (Chris Kent)Chris Kent (comics)Christopher Kent is a fictional character, a Kryptonian in the , who first appeared in Action Comics #844 , the first part of the Action Comics story arc "Superman: Last Son". Created by Richard Donner and Geoff Johns, he is the biological son of General Zod and Ursa, and the foster son of Clark...
, the Guardian and SupergirlSupergirl (Kara Zor-El)Kara Zor-El is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and related media, created by writer Otto Binder and designed by artist Al Plastino. As Supergirl, Kara Zor-El serves as the biological cousin and female counterpart to DC Comic's iconic superhero Superman, created...
, along with Batman Family members Red Robin (Tim Drake)Tim DrakeTimothy "Tim" Drake is a superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics and in related media. The character was created by Marv Wolfman and Pat Broderick. From 1989 to 2009, he was known as Robin in the Batman comics, becoming the third character to take up the identity...
, Robin (Damian Wayne)Damian WayneDamian Wayne is a fictional character in the . Damian is the child of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, and thus the grandson of Batman villain Ra's al Ghul....
, OracleBarbara GordonBarbara Gordon is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and in related media, created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino...
and Batgirl (Stephanie Brown). Superman and Batman (Dick Grayson)Dick GraysonDick Grayson is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and illustrator Jerry Robinson, he first appeared in Detective Comics #38 in April 1940....
appear in the final issue.
While not released under the name "World's Finest", the series Superman/Batman
Superman/Batman
Superman/Batman was a monthly comic book series published by DC Comics that features the publisher's two most popular characters: Batman and Superman...
fulfilled much the same function as its predecessor. It was published from 2003 to 2011.
Collected editions
Various stories have been collected into individual volumesTrade paperback (comics)
In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
:
- World's Finest ArchivesDC Archive EditionsDC Archive Editions, collect early, sometimes rare, comic books published by DC and other publishers into a permanent hardcover series. With more than 100 titles, this series began in 1989 with Superman Archives Vol. 1...
Volume 1 (collects stories from issues #71–85, as well as SupermanSuperman (comic book)Superman is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics hero of the same name. The character Superman began as one of several anthology features in the National Periodical Publications comic book Action Comics #1 in June 1938...
#76, ISBN 1-56389-488-2) - World's Finest Archives Volume 2 (collects stories from issues #86–101, ISBN 1-56389-743-1)
- World's Finest Archives Volume 3 (collects stories from issues #102–116, ISBN 1-4012-0411-2)
- BatmanBatmanBatman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
in World's Finest Archives Volume 1: Stories from issues #2–16 (as well as World's Fair Comics and World's Best Comics #1) - Batman in World's Finest Archives Volume 2: Stories from issues #17–32
- Superman in World's Finest Archives Volume 1: Stories from issues #2–16 (as well as World's Fair Comics and World's Best Comics #1)
- Superman in World's Finest Archives Volume 2: Stories from issues #17-32 (to be released September 30, 2009)
- Showcase PresentsShowcase presentsShowcase Presents is a line of black-and-white paperback books published by DC Comics at an average rate of two per month. Created to effectively be DC's version of Marvel Comics' Essential Marvel volumes, each book includes over 500 pages of reprints, primarily from the Silver Age...
: World's Finest Volume 1: Stories from issues #71–111 (as well as Superman #76) - Showcase Presents: World's Finest Volume 2: Stories from issues #112–145
- Showcase Presents: World's Finest Volume 3: Stories from issues #146–173
- Superman Vs. The Flash: Stories from issues #198–199
- Batman/Superman: Saga of the Super Sons: Stories from #215–216, 221–222, 224, 228, 230, 231, 233, 238, 242, 263 (as well as ElseworldsElseworldsElseworlds is the publication imprint for a group of comic books produced by DC Comics that take place outside the company's canon. According to its tagline: "In Elseworlds, heroes are taken from their usual settings and put into strange times and places — some that have existed, and others...
80-Page Giant #1) - The CreeperCreeper (comics)The Creeper is a fictional comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. Created by Steve Ditko, he first appeared in Showcase #73 .-Publication history:...
by Steve DitkoSteve DitkoStephen J. "Steve" Ditko is an American comic book artist and writer best known as the artist co-creator, with Stan Lee, of the Marvel Comics heroes Spider-Man and Doctor Strange....
: Stories from #249-255