World’s Finest #128 (1962)
by Jerry Coleman & Jim Mooney
cover by Dick Dillin & Sheldon Moldoff
Going through the World’s Finest issues, I am skipping A LOT of stories that center about the weird transformations of Superman and Batman, or about them getting their powers switched.
After all, there’s only so many times I can highlight how stupid the setup and the resolution is before it gets repetitive. And I can’t believe I’m saying this, but this stuff has FAR less substance than even Jimmy Olsen.
But I figured I should probably at least cover one example of it… so I’m going for one of the weirdest.
I kind of wish they went with the teaser page for the cover, because I’m sure it would’ve been turned into a meme at some point.
The premise is good enough: Batman has heard about a “crime conference” in Gotham City and wants Superman’s help to deal with it.
Said bosses are Generic 50s Dude, Unhappy Hogan and Vincent Price.
Yes I know it’s probably not based on Vincent Price, but… come on, I’m not the only one seeing it, right?
Once they get to the place where the crime is supposed to take place, however, the story goes NUTS.
While this is NOT in Vincent Price’s plan, it fits nicely.
Honestly? That’s not a bad plan! If this was in a story without the transformation nonsense, it’d be great!
Batman returns to his normal state, and thanks to Robin’s research (!!!) he figures out Vincent Price must be behind this.
With this, Superman is able to capture Vincent Price. Soooo… story over, right?
Normally I would say that the story gets bonkers, but… the story STARTED that way!
The teaser page makes it into the story, and it’s GLORIOUSLY stupid.
I swear if the teaser page was on the cover THIS would be a meme.
However Superman manages to hold on to the *snicker* metallic and vibrating Batman long enough for Robin to find a solution…
…dumping him!!!
One of the other mobs, however, has some SUDDEN KRYPTONITE!
But wait! Kryptonite now affects Batman instead of Superman!
Few sentences worry me more in the Silver Age than “That explains everything”.
Yep. Batman managed to make himself susceptible to Kryptonite, and this SOMEHOW makes Superman immune. I knew I had reasons to be worried.
At least we get an explanation on how criminals keep getting their hands on Kryptonite!!!
As if this stuff didn’t happen way too often with Superman, now we have Batman to worry about.
But it’s the old trick about switching costumes all over again.
And so we end the story with a reset of the status quo.
I still have no idea HOW Batman experimenting with Red Kryptonite makes Superman temporarily immune.
Historical significance: 0/10
Justifiably forgotten.
Silver Age-ness: 100/10
Holy random Kryptonite, Batman!!!
Does it stand the test of time? 0/10 
Did Robin actually do anything? Surprisingly yes!
It’s thanks to Robin making the research that Vincent Price gets caught!
Did Superman really need Batman?
This time around Batman arguably only caused him trouble.
“Unhappy Hogan” gave me the best laugh I’ve had this week. Thank you.
And “I was! This is my LEISURE time!” is an unusually good one-liner from Superman.