World's Finest #21 Review

A fractured home.

We come to the finale of the First Contact event as Power Girl and Huntress, with the help of Batman and Superman, take on Kaizen Gamorra even as a chance to return home to Earth 2 hovers in the balance.

First of all, if you want to read this after the 3^rd part (Batman/Superman #9), you can – but it’s not terribly essential given what occurs in this issue.

The overall First Contact story has been a lot of filler – and while the comparisons between the two Earth counterparts have been insightful, too much has been devoted to Power Girl’s emotional pangs.

Levitz’s handling of Power Girl has been questionable at best, with her portrayal as a more mature version of Supergirl gives way to emo mode too often.

The artwork is so-so and not being a fan of Jae Lee (he’s excellent on covers and minimalist artwork, but not exactly suited to comic books), Silva comes off as better but that doesn’t excuse his erratic display here.

SPOILERS FOLLOW…………………..

Apparently at the end of Batman/Superman #9, Superman and Huntress had managed to infiltrate Gamorra’s fortress with Superman wearing a modified armor given to him by Hiro (Toyman? Toymaster?).

Anyway, Karen aka Power Girl sees her Earth in flames and attempts to return, despite Huntress’ protests. Kaizen attempts to force the Kryptonian to go through, but fails.

After a series of close calls, they see who Kaizen has been working for –the brainwashed Superman of Earth 2 (seen in the Earth 2 series). A couple of Parademons enter through the portal, alongwith an oversized Kaizen.

As Earth 2 Superman manages to convince Karen to return, Huntress destroys the portal, leaving Kaizen stranded on Earth 2.

There are some excellent moments with Batman-Huntress that are absent with Power Girl and Superman. Especially how they kill a Parademon (still not cool with Batman killing intentionally and then celebrating though).

Power Girl and Huntress part ways with Batman and Superman, while on Earth 2, the Dark Superman kills Kaizen in the hellfires of Apocalypse.

I saw the warning signals where by some coincidence, the Earth 2 Ken (never a good sign when the name is from a Barbie boy doll) whom Power Girl dated briefly before his sudden death became the mastermind of this event.

Levitz and Pak handled some things very well, while mishandling most of the rest. It would be interesting to know who picked Kaizen as the main villain. Huntress and Batman came off well, while Power Girl was erratically portrayed and Superman was a nonentity.

Overall. I expected something epic when the Earth 2 denizens met their Earth 1 relatives. This wasn't it.

SPOILERS END……………….

With erratic artwork, a below-par villain and some beating-over-the-head dialogue, this event has been a downer.

The glimpses of Earth 2 were tantalizing, but that was all they were. It would have been better to replace Kaizen with someone else.

Also, the release dates have been a frownable aspect. I’m almost certain that Jae Lee’s return has resulted in this delay, as did the Annual.

But after this below-part issue, I’m not holding any high hopes on Batman/Superman #9 enhancing the event.

So, I give it 5.0 out of 10.

+Some good moments from Earth 2

+Huntress-Batman have some good partnerships

-Some awful characterization on Power Girl’s part

-The artwork is erratic at best

-Part 4 coming out before Part 3? Why?

-Below par villain