World’s Finest #151

World’s Finest #151 (1965)
by Ed Hamilton & Curt Swan

As much as I love the good stories of the Silver Age… sometimes you need one of those classically stupid ones.
If the cover is any indication, this looks promising.

Some online sources give the writing credit to both Hamilton and Cary Bates (who was only 17 at the time, and his first DC story was published just a few months earlier), but I couldn’t verify whether it’s true or not.

We begin with one of Superman’s robots being damaged in space, and since Kryptonite is involved he decides he might need a little help.

So he contacts Batman with… oh for the love of Professor Potter, a lamp AGAIN?
What is it with Silver Age heroes using lamps and lightbulbs to call each other!?!?

Superman’s way to intercept the falling object is just… a big net.

Sounds legit.

The reason Batman is here is because Superman can’t get near Kryptonite, but he helps with the translation.
Although I don’t think it’s necessary, as at this point Batman should be able to read Kryptonese just fine.

The relic from Krypton is an evolutionary ray, a staple of science-fiction. Marvel will get something similar with the High Evolutionary one year after this, but the concept is much older than DC.

Kryptonians sure can build stuff that lasts: the device survived the explosion of the planet AND the trip to Earth!!! Although I’m not sure if it’s really indestructible now.

By Silver Age rules, any object from Krypton becomes indestructible once it’s under a yellow sun. Not trying to make sense of that idea, but… does it still apply if an object turns into Kryptonite?
I hope not, because a piece of indestructible Kryptonite should’ve been a bigger deal.

Now… if you were in Batman’s position, how would YOU handle the situation?

Perhaps you would carefully examine the device to make sure it’s not dangerous?
Perhaps you would try to disassemble it first?
Perhaps you would call any of the dozens of super-scientists you know?
Perhaps you would ask Superman to check with Kandor if they have data on this scientist, or better yet ask for THEIR scientists to help?

Whatever the answer, I sure hope you wouldn’t IMMEDIATELY USE THE MACHINE ON YOURSELF.

So apparently 800,000 years from now people will look absolutely ridiculous and deliver exposition.

Sounds legit.

You know, despite being an obvious joke to make, the occasions when Batman is actively jealous of other people having superpowers are incredibly rare.
It’s not entirely his fault here, but considering how quickly Batman used the device on himself AND what he immediately does to Superman… this doesn’t come out of nowhere, right?

Considering his giant bald head, it would be easy to make a parallel to Lex Luthor… but honestly Batman’s mindset here reminds me far more of Doctor Doom.

Still, I vastly prefer this to the Roy Thomas trainwreck that was What If vol2.

So, Robin… Batman is talking about taking the world, and he’s dismissing Superman, and he’s clearly acting completely out of character.
Shouldn’t you, I don’t know, maybe call some other heroes to figure this one out?
Maybe the Justice League? The Teen Titans even?

But what is Superman doing during this? In what is basically the only detail I really liked, even in his confused state he is STILL trying to help people!!! Compare and contrast with Batman going all world-conquering.

“Caveman Superman” is a bit too literal.

He even takes Lois to his cave !!!

Joke’s on him, we know she’s into rough stuff.

Naturally the first suspect everyone else is that Red Kryptonite is involved. But even with that knowledge… it’s Superman, what are you going to do?

So let me get this straight: LOIS can get a message to Batman through regular means, but Superman has to use a lightbulb?

Sounds legit.

The cover scene makes it into the story, which is always a treat.

Batman has gone completely off the deep end here. Also I find his fingers far more disturbing than his giant head.

And so Superman exiles himself to the past (????). The only one who can save the day now is… Krypto, of all characters!!!

Superman’s time in the past amount to just two pages.

Which is a bit of a shame, but it’s for the better: if the cavewoman ended up with L.L. initials I might’ve lost it.

As I said Superman doesn’t stay in the past for long, but Batman also wants to time travel.

I can’t believe how passive Robin is throughout this story.
You’re a superhero, DO SOMETHING!!!

Batman’s time in the future is just as uninteresting as Superman’s trip to the past…

…and just as short. Given the giant head you might’ve expected Batman to have psychic powers or something, but nope.

This is probably the most pathetic non-parody Batman I’ve ever seen.

Batman agrees to build a new machine to reverse the effects of the first one, and there’s a surprising bit of actual science: since they’re in the past, the isotopes needed for the machine are more readily available. For once that DOES sound legit!!!

But Batman is STILL the villain of the story!!!

And then KRYPTO SAVES THE DAY.

The Silver Age, man. You just can’t make this stuff up.

AMAZINGLY, Caveman Superman doesn’t trust Batman even after he apologizes.

Both Superman and Krypto are also restored to their regular selves, and we end with everyone returning to the present.

You know, Batman is cool and all, but honestly stories like this makes me wish this series was about the REAL world’s best team-up.

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Honestly, do I really have to SAY anything else!?

Historical significance: 0/10

Silver Age-ness: 800,000/10

Does it stand the test of time? 0/10

Did Robin actually do anything? What do YOU think!?

Did Superman really need Batman? DEFINITELY NOT!!!