Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 2026 Annual
Written by Mark Russell, Mark Waid & Tyrone Finch
Art by Clayton Henry and Pat Boutin
Colors by Pedro Estouco and Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letters by Steve Wands
Cover Art by Dan Mora
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest has delivered not only fantastic action but moments of great characterization that make this run one of the definitive in the history of both lead characters. In this 2026 Annual issue, two fathers come to understand each other and about how much they mean to their two sons while a reporter from the Daily Planet has a date night she won’t soon forget. Featuring some great art from Clayton Henry and Pat Boutin, this is an Annual issue that lives up to World’s Finest’s sterling reputation. Let’s get into it. Spoiler Warning Now in Effect for World’s Finest 2026 Annual!
It’s Father’s Day in Metropolis
World’s Finest’s first of two stories, entitled The Hero Trap, takes place during a beautiful Father’s Day night in Metropolis. Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne are ready to celebrate with Jonathan Kent and Alfred Pennyworth at a Medieval-themed Steakhouse named… wait for it… “Sir Loin’s.” God, I love a good pun. Soon after the group arrives at the restaurant, the World’s Finest get Justice League satellite alerts, and their normal night is over before it has a chance to really begin.
After Bruce leaves the dinner to check up on the Justice League alert, Clark, Jonathan, and Alfred are about to order dinner when one of the most heartfelt moments of the issue rears its head. When it's Alfred’s turn to order, we get a look inside his head. All he can imagine, with Bruce now gone, is all the injuries he could possibly be sustaining fighting whatever enemy is in his path this time.
He can’t bring himself to order anything because of the anxiety he’s already feeling with Bruce in possible danger. We’ve all been in that situation, where we’re so worried about a loved one or a work meeting or a big financial decision that we can’t even eat. This four-panel scene, a six-word scene, does a fantastic job of showing us how much Bruce means to Alfred without having to say too much at all.
With the steaks having finally arrived and Bruce still missing, Clark goes to check up on his friend, leaving Jonathan and Alfred at ye olde restaurant. Jonathan and Alfred ask for doggy bags because none of us are above eating some fantastic leftovers, and have what’s possibly the best exchange and bit of dialogue between two characters in this entire issue. Jonathan senses Alfred’s worry and tells him that the boys are going to be ok to which Alfred responds, “With All Due Respect, Mr. Kent, That's Easy for You to Say.” I’ll let Jonathan Kent speak for himself here, and then we’ll dive in.
Powerful words from the man who would raise the DC Universe’s greatest hero. As he explains, Jonathan’s worries as a father are much different from those of a typical father. He loves Clark with all his heart and would do anything for the boy he saved from the pod, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t terrified by the incredible power his boy possesses. I’ve said it in many conversations with friends and other comic fans but the DC Universe owes Jonathan and Martha Kent a debt that can never be paid. Yes, some might agree that someone having as much power as Clark does can be terrifying, but Jonathan and his amazing wife guided Clark to use that power as a force for good. He channeled that fear into lessons that helped his son become a beacon of hope for the entire world.
Jonathan speaks about always knowing that powerful people and forces would want to destroy his son someday. Since Clark was a boy, you’d have to imagine that the Kents always had a fear that someone from the government would take their boy away, and with powers growing day by day, week by week, and year by year, it would only be a matter of time until the wrong person noticed. Throughout Clark’s life, Jonathan's fears have proven to be true. Superman has faced off against every sort of villain, from simple bank robbers to crime syndicate leaders to nearly invincible monsters and even gods, but the most important aspect to remember: no one has ever been able to keep him down. Not even death has held the Man of Steel down. Jonathan Kent should find solace in the fact that he raised a boy who doesn't understand what “give up” means.
Jonathan ends his thoughts by saying that after Clark left Smallville and went out into the greater world, he feared for the world as much as his own son. That’s a really interesting thought to dissect there. Jonathan isn’t afraid that Clark would destroy the world; he’s afraid of what Clark’s presence and appearance mean for the world. Clark will come to be known as one of the most powerful forces for good the universe has ever seen. There will be those who accept him, his abilities, and his guidance. He will inspire, he will instill hope, and he will lead an age of heroes, but just like I mentioned above, good attracts the dark. The battle between good and evil will never truly end, but with someone like Clark on the side of good, Jonathan's fears can be put to rest, knowing the world will always have hope.
Jonathan apologizes for coming off a little strong but Alfred understands the feelings of a father. I’ll let Alfred take this away before we dive in:
I’d wager the love Alfred has for Bruce Wayne is as strong as any father’s is. He raised that boy, did everything he could for him in the face of unimaginable tragedy, and supports Bruce in his crusade for Gotham on a nightly basis. He knows what Bruce does is dangerous, and he sees the consequences of those actions he takes every single night on the medical table. He doesn’t discourage his crusade, though; he supports his boy in any way possible, and if that’s not a great father, I don’t know what is.
Despite how close they might be, Alfred not only doubts that he has truly done enough to support and care for Bruce but also how much their relationship actually means to him. Alfred clearly views Bruce as a son; that much is obvious, but all he wants deep down is for Bruce to see him as a father. Alfred knows he could never replace Thomas Wayne; he isn’t trying to, he simply wants to be seen by Bruce as another strong father figure who got to be a part of his life. It’s beautiful stuff. So wait, where the hell are Superman and Batman? Before we get to them, I need to shout out the author of this particular story.
Mark Russell has been on an absolute roll this year (check out Dog Tag if you haven't yet), and this narrative he crafted with these two fathers was such a joy to read. This one conversation between the two makes this entire annual worth it, and Russell’s narrative got me more emotional than I expected. Annual issues can sometimes be very hit or miss, but Russell’s story of two fathers who want nothing more than to see their boys safe in the world really tugged at the heartstrings. If I can get personal for a second, one of the reasons I’ve always heavily identified with Superman is that he was raised by a father who wasn’t biologically his own. I was adopted and raised by two amazing people, including a father who instilled a love of fantasy, sci-fi, and comics in me. Without the lessons he taught me, without the lessons Jonathan taught Clark, and without the valuable time Alfred had with Bruce, none of us would be the people we are. Russell’s story gave me some time to reflect, and I’m grateful.
The Only Person He Ever Wanted to Make Proud…
I’m sure you’re dying to know where Superman and Batman have been this entire time. Long story short, Lex Luthor has trapped them in a chamber along with the Flash to keep them off the board for some dastardly scheme he has cooking up. With the World’s Finest in trouble its up to the Dads finest to save their sons, and boy do they ever. If you ever wanted to see Alfred Pennyworth and Jonathan Kent kick some absolute ass and break into a military-grade facility, then this issue is right up your alley. The issue wraps up with Superman and Batman apologizing for needing to run off again, but not before Batman tells Alfred that he’s the only person he’s ever truly wanted to make proud, giving Alfred the Father’s Day gift he always needed to hear. Happy Father’s Day, Jonathan and Alfred!
I can’t finish up with The Hero Trap without mentioning how much I loved Clayton Henry’s art. The issue story looks great on every page with standout colors from Pedro Estouco, making each panel pop. I want to give particular attention to the sequence when both Jonathan and Alfred are talking at the dinner table about raising their sons. I loved seeing the four-panel sequence of Clark’s rise from child to man in Smallville and Alfred training Bruce how to ride a bike, juxtaposed with him taking shrapnel out of him. It showed that there was nothing that could come between them and no challenge they couldn’t tackle. Just great art all around from the art team.
A Date Night to Remember
The second story in the 2026 Annual is entitled Date Night and features a story by Mark Waid & Tyrone Finch with art from Pat Boutin. Whereas The Hero Trap was a more emotional story, this one is downright funny at times and shows that even the Man of Steel isn’t immune to jealousy.
I won’t spoil exactly how this story starts, because I think the premise is hysterical and you need to see it for yourself, but essentially, Clark has asked Bruce to keep an eye on Lois Lane for the night due to threats on her life from Bruno Mannheim and Intergang while he deals with some issues in space. Clark hears Lois scream from across Metropolis and finds her seemingly having a blast with Bruce at a massive state fair.
The rest of the issue is essentially Clark doing all he can to mess up this “date” that Bruce and Lois are on. He uses his super breath to blow Bruce into the river of the Tunnel of Love, he messes up Bruce’s throws on all the fair games, makes him cause needless property damage, and more. Just goes to show that the Man of Steel isn’t above some pettiness now and again, and I found this entire, basically temper tantrum, from Superman to be pretty funny. This is a character who rarely acts like this, and to see him lose it over some pretty basic trolling from Batman was great. Even in one of these small, slice-of-life stories, Mark Waid’s characterization of this duo shines through.
The art of this story, from artist Pat Boutin and colorist Romulo Fajardo Jr., is a huge contrast to the art of the previous story. I got a manga vibe from this art style that fit with the more playful story and lighter tone than The Hero’s Trap. Date Night didn’t need super warm and emotional art. It needed art with some raw energy and a more youthful spin, and this art team nailed it. Both stories are not only delivered from a narrative standpoint but an artistic one as well.
Clark eventually physically appears at the fair and signs Bruce up to… well, I’ll leave that for you to find out as well, but trust me when I say the payoff for this issue is great, and as it turns out, even some farm animals deserve the right to be called “Super” now and again. It was the perfect funny ending for a story that didn’t take itself seriously and gave us a fun look at what a non-crisis-filled night looks like in the lives of the World’s Finest duo.
Ending Thoughts and Rating
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 2026 Annual shows us that Jonathan Kent and Alfred Pennyworth really are two of the best father figures anyone could ever hope for, and I’m happy to say they get their well-deserved moment in the sun. Mark Russell’s story tugged at the heartstrings, and the secondary story, by Mark Waid and Tyrone Finch, gives us a glimpse into a hilarious date night that shows even the Man of Steel isn’t immune to that pesky emotion we call jealousy. Another strong entry in this incredible run for World’s Finest.
RATING: 9/10