Showcase Presents World's Finest Vol. 2 [Paperback]

Various (Author, Illustrator)

Product Details

• Paperback: 520 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (October 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401219810
• ISBN-13: 978-1401219819
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 0.4 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #144,603 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Pardon me if I boot you instead of salute you!", January 5, 2009

By 

Michael Noga "Jumping kings and making Haste ... (Ramen Noodle Arms Bachelor Apartments near Chicago Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Showcase Presents World's Finest Vol. 2 (Paperback)

Any comic featuring Golden or Silver Age Robin is bound to also feature some of Robin's bad puns and quips. This one is from Worlds Finest #119 as Robin kicks the General of the Purple Legion in the teeth. Robin was the character that kids could most identify with and make no mistake, from the "uncomplicated" view of science to the simple morals to the goofy and even repetitive plots; the stories herein were designed for kids. But adults can enjoy them too. They're nostalgic and they're also zany and amusing if you're in the right mood. Basically, the stories involve Batman, Robin and Superman teaming up to defeat some overwhelming menace that they couldn't defeat separately. Robin, though a kid is treated as an equal partner most of the time. He gives and receives respect from adults, which is probably a good lesson for the kiddies. The series also stresses the importance of friendship, not just the fun parts the obligations of being a good friend as well. It's not in color but you get all the stories from World's Finest #112-#145. That's a pretty good deal for the price and if you or your kids find you really enjoy these, then you can always upgrade to the color Archives editions.
Here's a breakdown of some of what you'll find inside.

**World's Finest #112** The Menace of Superman's Pet! ** Possibly the greatest hero in the history of the universe is a furry little creature named Gleek that looks like a cross between a panda and Peter Lorre.

**World's Finest #113** When Bat-Mite meets Mr. Mxyzptlk! ** Wow! This story is worth the price of the book alone. The two reality altering interdimensional imps decide to duel right here on Earth leaving the WF Heroes to deal with the aftermath. This one offers a mother lode of clever imagination, Superman using his hair as a super-mop and a giant, bulletproof crime robot, in addition to the titular twosome.

**World's Finest #114** Captives of the Space Globes! ** The Zorons need the WF Heroes help to defeat the evil Baxians and their giant war machines. What will happen when Superman loses his powers? Why, we find out why the heroes make such a great team, that's what.

**World's Finest #115** The Curse That Doomed Superman! ** In the first panel Superman, wearing a hubcap on his head, declares himself King of Gotham City. "It's no use Robin" says Batman," He must be under the Swami's spell again." AGAIN!? How often does this happen?

**World's Finest #119** The Secret of Tigerman! ** The mysterious Tigerman pushes Superman, Batman and Robin around like they're mops whilst trying to capture the elusive Purple Legion. Who is Tigerman? What does he have on our heroes? Why does the General of the Purple Legion look like Jackie Gleason in a bad doorman's uniform?

**World's Finest #123** The Incredible Team of Bat-Mite and Mr. Mxyzptlk! ** The super-imp stalkers are at it again, this time accidentally creating an unstoppable fire breathing, exploding, giant magnetic super-beast bent of planetary destruction. Oops! Luckily, as usual, Batman's just a shade smarter than everyone else.

**World's Finest #129** Joker-Luthor, Incorporated. ** Hmm, I wonder how their stock is doing these days? Anyway, Luthor and the Joker team up and lure the WF Heroes into a giant garden display where they attack the heroes with giant robot bees, giant puffballs, and a garden hose that shoots acid (Guess whose idea THAT was?). And that's just the set-up for the REAL crime.

**World's Finest #130** Riddle of the Four Planets! ** The indestructible Zelaphod, which looks like a gargantuan starfish with one huge, bulging eye, comes to Earth and will destroy us unless the WF Heroes can unravel the secret of the creature's defeat from the lines of an ancient space-poem.

**World's Finest #132** Batman and Robin, Medieval Bandits! ** A giant trident wielding "automaton" is about to execute Batman and Robin in 15th century Florence, Italy. That's just the first panel. Later we also find out that Robin is really a malicious midget named Shorty Biggs. And it just keeps getting better.

**World's Finest #133** Beasts of the Supernatural** The WF Heroes face Dark Powers Beyond Mortal Comprehension! How do they defeat them? The same way they defeat all the Dark Powers Beyond Mortal Comprehension they bump into, with pluck, Yankee Ingenuity and a little dose of True Love.

**World's Finest #140** The Clayface Superman** Clayface gains the powers of Superman and among other things, threatens to reveal Batman's Secret Identity. You know who has really nasty looking buttocks? Clayface. You know whose buttocks we see in this issue? Clayface's. They didn't need to do that.

**World's Finest # 141** The Olsen-Robin Team vs. The Superman-Batman Team! ** The lil' snots decide to fake their own deaths, "for Superman's and Batman's own good." Take a look at the grave Superman provides them. Their bodies are covered by a couple of rocks and their tombstones feature their names wood-burned onto a wooden plank. This from the guy who carved the Fortress of Solitude with his bare hands and then filled it with a zoo populated by rare animals from around the universe. Supes couldn't even bother to squeeze a lump of coal into a diamond for the headstone? Wotta jerk!

Krazy Kryptonite effects:12

Identity switcheroos:8

Giant Robots:8

Bad Robin Puns and Quips: I stopped counting at 37.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic example of DC Silver Age comics!, December 22, 2010

By 

Hwy61Joe (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Showcase Presents World's Finest Vol. 2 (Paperback)

I enjoyed this collection more than the first volume (which I also liked). The stories reprinted here are from 1960 to 1964, really getting into the heart of the Silver Age, and DC was firing on all cylinders! Lots of great monsters, aliens and the like for Superman and Batman to battle but this time we also get a lot more REAL super villains! Joker! Luthor! Clayface! Mxyzptlk! The most interesting story for me was the introduction and origin of the Composite Superman who I knew very little about. Within these pages you will be treated to the artwork of Dick Sprang (one of the definitive Batman artists) and Curt Swan (THE definitive Superman artist if you ask me...), adventures into the Bottle City of Kandor, appearances by Batwoman, Ace the Bathound, Bat-Mite and more! I'll be adding volume three to my wish list right away!

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice job, October 14, 2009

By 

Randy K. "Bflo Blacksmith" (Buffalo, New York United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Showcase Presents World's Finest Vol. 2 (Paperback)

This compilation is excellent. This is what souperhero comics are all about. These are before the "modernization" of classic characters. Before the marketing guys figured how they could capitalize on the wholesomeness of these beloved characters. Before the big and small screen adaptations basically changed what we came to love all those years ago.