Worlds' Finest #15
Family Matters
Worlds’ Finest has been crap. The zero issue was okay, but beyond that, it’s crap. Helena and Karen do demonstrate good chemistry, and the basic premise of the story, two super heroines trapped in an alternate world, does hold some promise, the story has been trapped with boring nonsensical plot lines and inexplicable decisions by characters not to mention the often stilted dialogue between characters, questionable art, and the infamous gag of making Power Girl lose her clothes in every fight. Last issue featured the lovable brat Damian who interacted awkwardly with the Worlds’ Finest while encountering his sort of sister for the first time. Based on the cover, Worlds’ Finest apparently feels it has been taking itself too seriously, so it has decided to throw a werewolf into the mix. Does this make for a howling good time, or does this wolf lack teeth?
In this issue, Helena and Damian get attacked by a wolf pack while investigating a lead on Darkseid, Helena encounters some boy soldiers packing some serious armament while following her lead, and Helena and Damian revel in the thrill of lethal force.
A Quality Worlds’ Finest Comic?
Despite the werewolf on the cover which I was sure brought tiding of a terrible story to come, this is actually one of and possibly the best issue of Worlds’ Finest thus far. Admittedly, that is not saying much, but let’s thank the Lord for small favors.
Though Paul Levitz is the same guy who has been writing this series, this issue does not even feel like it is written by the same guy. It actually seems to have a point and take itself seriously. As opposed to previous issues where the actions of our heroines seem to have no real effect on getting back to Apokolips, Levitz actually moves the ball down the field this time. We get much of the same nonsense we have seen in previous issues where the nature of Darkseid’s deeds are mysterious, but both the leading ladies actually get some usable intel this time around.
Power Girl…Clothed!
There is also one aspect of this story which should cause Power Girl fans (or at least a certain faction of them) to rejoice. Power Girl does not lose her clothes in this issue. She is fully clothed the entire time. She is actually wearing clothes. She does not undress or get her clothes torn off in any way, shape or form. Her clothes stay on. Holy crap!
I know it is ridiculous to make a big deal about it, but this running gag which has happened in nearly every issue of this series (has it been every issue? Someone tell me if you know) has undermined any attempt to treat Karen as a serious character. Without the distraction and wasted panels of Power Girl undressing or trying to get some lucky guy into bed, I actually found her portion of the story to be extremely satisfying. The boy soldiers angle was interesting, and I find myself genuinely interested in Darkseid’s plan for the first time since this story began.
Helena also carried her end of the story with a little help from the worlds’ brattiest superhero, Damian. Whereas the relevance of Helena’s role in Worlds’ Finest usually seems undermines by Power Girl’s superpowers, the story actually gave Huntress a worthwhile role and reason to be acting independently. Two signals. Two recon teams. There was no real reason to expect trouble, so it makes sense.
Damian Dialogue Deplorably Disappointing
I was very disappointed in the way Damian was utilized in the last issue. Helena and Damian fought because they were both heroes and that is what happens when two heroes meet in comics. There was really nothing more than the thinnest veneer of rationale to it.
The relationship between Helena and Damian was much better in this issue. The two manage to find themselves in a sort of sibling rivals sort of relationship which was an interesting and reasonable resolution to their conflict. The problem is that they reached that resolution much too quickly. In fact, if feels like they began this issue with a completely different dynamic than how they ended the last one. Granted, they could have bonded during their flight or during their fight together, but it felt a bit too quick. I buy the resolution, but I do not buy how they got to the resolution.
Also, Levitz does not seem to grasp Damian’s speech patterns at all. His actions in this issue were not too bad, but he talked as if he were a robot programmed to impersonate Damian Wayne rather than the genuine article. (crazy conspiracy theory time? Nope, just bad writing. “Helena recognized the call of blood, across the worlds.” Really? Is Damian a poetic philosopher now? I don’t think so.
Why the Werewolf?
It is a minor issue in the grand scheme of things, but I cannot help but wonder about the werewolf guy that Helena and Damian fought. The fight scenes in this issue were actually pretty good, but (Spoiler) the werewolf scene was by far the least interesting among them. The werewolf goes after Damian. Huntress shoots the werewolf. The end. Rather anticlimactic for being the focus of the cover. The Power Girl fight with the boy soldiers was much more interesting and central to the plot.
Conclusion 7/10
I’m surprised to find myself saying it, but this was actually a fairly good issue of Worlds’ Finest. If you have been itching for a chance to jump on board of this series, then this is the best point in recent memory, but the series still has a lot of ground to gain before it really gains a hearty recommendation from me.
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