World’s Finest #90

World’s Finest #90 (1957)
by Edmond Hamilton & Dick Sprang
cover by Curt Swan

This is the first time Batwoman shows up in my reviews. She’s a fairly recent introduction at this point, making her debut in 1956. Supposedly introduced as a potential love interest for Batman in order to make us believe he’s not in a relationship with Robin, she became such a symbol of the campy Batman that she was mostly banished from the bat-canon for decades.
The Batwoman name has been redeemed in recent years; newer versions have basically nothing to do with the original. Interestingly, she’s the only Silver Age super-heroine who beats Saturn Girl in terms of character longevity.

This is a sequel to World’s Finest #87. You can tell it was unusual to have direct sequels because there’s no footnote telling readers about this (although there’s a full recap of the significant events, so a new reader wouldn’t lose much).

This the escaped convict supposedly still has a super-power pill, Batman and Robin decide Superman might need their help. Not sure why… last time he did because he lost his powers (by ingesting Kryptonite!!!), but this time that’s not a factor.

Even more inexplicably, Kathy Kane and her giant eyebrows decide this is a job for Batwoman. SOMEHOW.

I don’t particularly like Batwoman… she’s kind of annoying most of the time… but Batman is just insufferable when she’s around.
After all, if we go by the same logic, Superman once discovered Batman’s identity, so shouldn’t Batman retire as well?

Much to my surprise Batwoman DOES go back home (WTF!?), but pretty soon she gets an idea that leads her to solving the case!!!
Batwoman 1, Batman 0.

Someone explain to me how the heck she manages to swipe the capsule in this panel. He’s RIGHT THERE and she’s at a considerable distance!!!

Now she could just knock him out… she’s a super-heroine so I hope she’d be able to take out ONE guy… but can anyone blame her for taking the chance to gain super-powers?

So Batwoman captures the crook, and Batman is extremely worried.

What the the writer wants us to think: “Super-powers are too dangerous for a normal human!”.
What Batman is thinking: “A woman acting independently? She must be stopped at once!”.

Wait wait wait… what do you mean by “we saw you had super-powers so we made lead masks”?
You JUST saw her gain superpowers! This is only MINUTES after that, AT BEST, and Batwoman has never left the scene! How in the holy name of Professor Potter did they get the time to get new masks!?

This is supposed to show that Batwoman is too unstable to be trusted with super-powers, but… she seems pretty reasonable to me? She specifically points out she’s not going to interfere with their missions. Besides, if it’s okay for Superman to know Batman’s secret identity, why exactly is it such a big deal if another hero finds out?

Well obviously it’s because you can’t trust a woman to keep a secret. (holy crap, 1950s…)

Batwoman follows the Batmobile to the Batcave, with Batman completely unable to leave her behind.
I think that’s the highest number of “bats” in my reviews so far.
Batwoman 2, Batman 0.

Batwoman’s priority is to put out the fire, while Batman takes the opportunity to escape.
And we are supposed to be rooting for HIM.
Also: Batwoman 3, Batman 0.

Then she proves the chase was completely unnecessary because she finds the Batcave by making a complete X-Ray sweep of Gotham City. And when she finds it’s above Wayne Manor, she deduces the secret identity! Now THAT is clever!!!
Batwoman 4, Batman 0.

Since her powers will only last 24 hours, Batwoman then rushes to Metropolis to find out Superman’s identity. Considering how condescending Batman was towards her, how is it possible to root for anyone else in this story!?

Once more, she puts her private mission on hold until she’s done helping people.
Also a surprisingly great super-panel by Dick Sprang! That is one gorgeous avalanche.

Batwoman then decides to just stick around until Superman changes into his secret identity.
Now the smart thing to do would just wait it out… her powers are on a time limit after all… but Superman has a much dumber solution in mind.

Batwoman 1, Superman 0.
But Batwoman is not scared by lightning or explosives. No, the one thing she’s still afraid of, even in her invulnerable state… are mice.

Same energy.
To be fair: Batwoman 1, Superman 1.

Superman takes the opportunity to dig his way out of the situation, but she’s smarter!
Batwoman 2, Superman 1.

Batwoman flies back to the Daily Planet to expose Clark Kent… but not only she loses her powers, she finds Clark Kent is already there.
Batwoman 4, Batman 1.

Also it turns out that Batwoman didn’t REALLY discover the Batcave, because Superman protected the real one with lead. No she found the Decoy Batcave. Which, I have to admit, is a very Batman thing to have.

I’m giving that as a point to both Batman and Superman.
This means that the totally scientific and not at all made up score is…
Batwoman 4
Superman 2
Batman 1

Having said that… Batman redeems himself at the end because he decides you CAN be a super-hero even if you have a uterus.

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Historical significance: 2/10
Technically speaking this is the moment Batman decides to tolerate Batwoman’s career. I don’t know enough about the Batman of this period to say if this specific story is referenced again.

Silver Age-ness: 8/10
Instant super-powers, secret identity shenanigans and sexism. Somewhat reduced by the fact that the story doesn’t double down on questionable ideas but has Batman admit he was wrong.

Does it stand the test of time? 2/10
There is some good stuff in here… Batwoman’s way to discover the secret identities is well-thought, and like I said the idea that Batman has a Decoy Batcave is delightful. Despite that, and despite a well-intentioned last minute save… Batman and to a much lesser extent Superman are quite unlikeable and holier-than-thou here!!! Their distrust of Batwoman could’ve worked if only she struggled a bit with her super-powers and caused some collateral damage, but she handled super-powers even better than Batman did in the previous issue!!!

Did Robin actually do anything? Nope!
I’m introducing this category since I’m noticing he just tends to either stand around doing nothing or do the exact same thing Batman is doing.

Did Superman really need Batman? Yes!
If it wasn’t for Batman, Superman didn’t seem to be able to keep his identity a secret. In another era he would’ve used a robot, but those were pretty rare at the time.

Did Batman really need Batwoman? Kinda
He probably would’ve tracked the criminal anyway, but she DID beat him to it.