Batman/Superman: World's Finest: Strange Visitor (Comics) | Review

The World's Finest team faces their most challenging mentorship yet when a mysterious powered teenager crashes into their lives. Writer Mark Waid (Avengers Vs. X-Men, Onslaught Saga) deliver a storyline that questions what happens when the Man of Steel tries to guide someone who might be more dangerous than helpful.

This isn't your typical Batman and Superman adventure. Strange Visitor throws the duo into unfamiliar territory as mentors to Boy Thunder, a young hero whose origin story connects directly to one of DC's most controversial future timelines.

The creative team takes a massive swing at exploring what Superman's sidekick dynamic would look like when dealing with a troubled, powerful teenager from another timeline and the psychological results are both absolutely fascinating and deeply unsettling.

Batman and Superman find themselves training Boy Thunder, a mysterious new hero with immense power but this isn't the hopeful mentorship story you might expect. David, the young man behind the Boy Thunder identity, carries deep trauma and burning rage that makes him different from Robin or other teenage heroes.

Unlike typical teenage heroes who stumble into their powers through accidents or destiny, David's immense abilities come with deep psychological scars that make traditional mentorship approaches ineffective and potentially dangerous for everyone involved.

The storyline picks up directly after the intense Devil Nezha arc, with Robin initially lost in time before being dramatically rescued. Once Dick Grayson returns safely, the focus shifts to this strange visitor from another Earth who desperately needs guidance and emotional support.

The complex inter-dimensional aspects of Boy Thunder's tragic origin create immediate tension and uncertainty, as both experienced heroes struggle desperately to understand someone whose entire world was brutally destroyed before his innocent young eyes.

What makes this compelling is how Waid explores the differences between Batman's approach to mentoring and Superman's more optimistic methods. The story becomes about trust and inspiration, survivor's guilt and rage, with the shocking revelation that David is destined to become Magog from the Kingdom Come timeline.

What starts as philosophical differences between the two heroes quickly escalates into genuine concern and growing anxiety about whether their conflicting mentorship approaches might actually be making David's psychological condition worse rather than better.

This shocking connection gives the entire arc significant emotional weight beyond typical team-up stories. The Joker's twisted involvement adds another dangerous layer of complexity, as he sees a golden opportunity in corrupting a super-powered sidekick.

The pacing builds methodically across multiple issues, allowing character development to drive the plot rather than relying on action sequences. Boy Thunder's internal struggles feel genuine and his interactions with both heroes reveal different aspects of their personalities.

Robin's role becomes absolutely crucial as he serves as a vital bridge between the adult heroes and their deeply troubled ward, offering unique teenage insights and personal experiences that neither Batman nor Superman can provide to the struggling, damaged teenager.

Each meaningful interaction between Dick and David reveals how trauma affects different people in vastly different ways, with Robin's natural optimism and resilience serving as a stark contrast to Boy Thunder's barely contained destructive impulses.

Dan Mora (Absolute Power, All in Saga) continues to prove why he's one of DC's most valuable artists. His character designs for Boy Thunder capture both the character's potential and his underlying instability. The visual storytelling during emotional moments hits hard, especially scenes where David's rage threatens to consume him.

Mora's panel layouts during intense action sequences feel dynamic without becoming chaotic. His Superman radiates the warmth and hope that makes the character work perfectly, while his Batman maintains the calculated intensity, creating striking visual contrast.

Mark Waid's writing shines in the quieter character moments. His dialogue feels natural, avoiding the exposition dumps that plague many team-up books. The way he handles the Kingdom Come connection shows respect for that classic story while using it to enhance this narrative rather than relying on nostalgia.

The psychological aspects of David's character development feel authentic rather than contrived. Waid doesn't rush the character's arc or provide easy solutions to complex trauma. This mature approach elevates the story beyond typical superhero fare.

Strange Visitor succeeds because it takes risks with beloved characters while respecting their core identities. The Boy Thunder storyline asks difficult questions about mentorship, destiny and whether some people can be saved from their worst impulses.

This volume works best for readers familiar with Kingdom Come, though newcomers won't be lost. The connection to that future timeline adds depth without requiring extensive background knowledge. What really matters is how this story explores Superman's optimism when faced with someone who might be beyond redemption.

The storyline doesn't provide neat resolutions, which makes it more impactful. By the end, you understand why this strange visitor's arrival changed everything for the World's Finest team and why some victories come with lasting consequences that ripple through time itself.

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest: Strange Visitor is collected in trade paperback and hardcover. It can be purchased through comic-book shops, bookstores, or Amazon, while digital editions are available on ComiXology, Kindle and DC Universe Infinite.