Dick Sprang, the best of the early
Batman artists, once said something heretical: that what he liked drawing best were
the World’s Finest stories involving
Superman.
Why? Because the soaring, science
fictional exuberance of Superman’s challenges expanded what he could play with
in his art.
Sprang got more of what he wished
as the 1950s wore on, because Superman — now a television star — was the
dominant figure at DC Comics, the template for success. Even the most unlikely
characters temporarily gained powers identical to the Man of Tomorrow’s — not
just Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane, but also Batwoman, Blackhawk and even the 18th
century pioneer Tomahawk.
Batman acquired his pal’s powers
several times, notably in Batman: The
Superman of Planet X (Batman 113 Feb.
1958). Teaming with the Batman of the planet Zur-En-Arrh to repel a enemy
invasion, the Caped Crusader luckily finds he has super powers there. What are
the odds?
The issue also offered a parody
Batman (“Fatman”) and the first appearance of a Batman villain who would appear
on TV a decade later (False Face, played by Malachi Throne). That was a lot of
value for your dime.
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