| "World's Finest" | |
|---|---|
| Superman: The Animated Series episode | |
 | |
| Episode no. | Season 02 Episode 32, 33, 34 |
| Directed by | Toshihiko Masuda |
| Written by | Stan Berkowitz Alan Burnett Paul Dini Rich Fogel Steve Gerber |
| Production code | TMS-Kyokuichi Corporation |
| Original air date | October 4th, 1997 |
"World's Finest" is a three part episode of both Superman: The Animated Series and The New Batman/Superman Adventures. It was shown and released on video as "The Batman/Superman Movie".
These episodes, listed on the website Batman-Superman.com , as episodes 039, 040 and 041 as per production assigned numbers, but were actually produced before the season one of The New Batman Adventures. The page also places the Superman: The Animated Series episode "Knight Time", which is supposed to be after "World's Finest", between episode 018 ("Old Wounds") and 019 ("Legends of the Dark Knight").
Plot[]
The Joker steals a Chinese statue known as the "Laughing Dragon" thought to be made of jade. But the Joker knows what it truly is. After Batman visits the crime scene, he analyzes a fragment and finds it is actually solid Kryptonite. In Metropolis, Joker tells Lex Luthor he is broke due to Batman's success in closing down his operations, and offers him a deal: for one billion dollars, he'll kill Superman.
Bruce Wayne happens to be visiting Metropolis to work with Luthor on a robotics project, developing spider-like robots for space exploration. Luthor wishes to sell the robots to the military, but the contract between Wayne Enterprises and Lexcorp gives Bruce sole authority to choose how the technology is applied, and he refuses to use it for military purposes ("I don't like guns").
While in town, Bruce romances Lois Lane, inciting some jealousy from Clark Kent. By night, Batman searches for the Joker, and clashes with Superman, who doesn't approve of the Dark Knight's methods. Superman uses his x-ray vision to learn Batman is Bruce Wayne. Later, by plainting a tracking device on Superman's cape and following him to Clark Kent's apartment, Batman learns Superman is Clark Kent.
The Joker kidnaps Lois to lure Superman to his death. Forewarned by Batman, Superman arrives in his lead-lined suit. However, he forgets Batman's warning to "expect the unexpected" from Joker, who sprays the suit with acid and exposes Superman to the Kryptonite's radiation. Batman intervenes, and together, the Superheroic duo save each other and Lois.
Luthor loses most of his trust in the Joker, and Clark Kent overhears Luthor make a passing mention of their collaboration.
Joker fakes a distress call from a cruise liner to lure Superman to the sea, and a blimp advertising "Fun Night at Hobbs Bay" for Batman. Once they're there, Joker makes the distress real by detonating a bomb. While Superman is occupied saving the ship, a Lexcorp-Waynetech robot seeks to kill Batman. Fleeing the robot, Batman encounters Lois, alone in the Daily Planet building. While fighting the robot in the printing room, Batman loses his cape and cowl, revealing his secret identity to Lois. Superman arrives and destroys the robot.
Luthor decides to cut his losses and kill Joker, planning to use him as a scapegoat for the mayhem. Joker gets the upper hand, kidnapping Luthor and stealing his powerful new Lexwing aircraft to attack Metropolis, intent on making Luthor feel the loss that he suffered at Batman's hands. Superman and Batman put aside their differences to save the city together. Boarding the aircraft, they rescue Luthor and Harley Quinn, while Joker is caught in the Lexwing as bombs are accidentally set off, and the aircraft falls into the sea. His body is never found.
Luthor is questioned about his connections to the Joker, but it is doubtful that he will be charged with any crime. Bruce Wayne, "discovering" that Luthor has been developing versions of their robots as weapons, terminates his deal with Lexcorp. He also bids farewell to Lois, who says she loves him, but can't get past the doubts raised by his secret activities. Bruce and Clark part ways on good terms. "I thought we worked pretty well together. Not that I want to make it a regular event." (Clark)
Trivia[]
Template:Trivia
- The title is a reference to World's Finest Comics, an anthology comic which often featured the team of Superman and Batman after their first meeting in Superman #76 (May-June 1952). Prior to that, the comic had simply printed Batman and Superman in separate, unrelated stories.
- Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill play their well-known roles from Batman: The Animated Series. Dana Delany, who voices Lois Lane, also previously worked with Conroy on Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, though playing a different character. All three actors would continue to work together on Justice League.
- When researching the history of the Laughing Dragon, Alfred comments that all of its owners have died mysteriously young, which Batman attributes to long-term exposure to the Kryptonite's radiation. This would later be used in Justice League, when Luthor is diagnosed with an incurable form of blood cancer as a result of carrying Kryptonite around with him for years. He is said to survive thanks to Brainiac being in his body.
Cast[]
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Kevin Conroy | Batman/Bruce Wayne |
| Tim Daly | Superman/Clark Kent |
| Dana Delany | Lois Lane |
| Mark Hamill | The Joker |
| Clancy Brown | Lex Luthor |
| Arleen Sorkin | Harley Quinn |
| Lisa Edelstein | Mercy Graves |
| Lauren Tom | Angela Chen |
| Bob Hastings | Commissioner James Gordon |
| Robert Costanzo | Detective Harvey Bullock |
| Joseph Bologna | Dan Turpin |
| Efrem Zimbalist Jr. | Alfred Pennyworth |
| Brad Garrett | Bibbo |
| John Capodice | Ceasar Carlini |
| Corey Burton | Binko |
| Shannon Kenny | Female Terrorist |
| Peter Renaday | Captain |
Quotes[]
- Batman: (talking about Lois Lane) It's ironic, you know. She likes Bruce Wayne and she likes Superman; it's the other two guys she's not crazy about.
Superman: Too bad we can't mix and match.
- Harley Quinn: (after seeing the Joker fall to his presumed death) Puddin'....
Batman: At this point, he probably is...
- Joker: (as Batman arrives using a jet-pack) Copy-bat! Copy-bat! Suffering from propulsion envy, Batboy?
- Harley Quinn: I want a lawyer! I want a doctor! I want a cheese sandwich!
Mercy Graves: Now that's funny! Ha, ha, ha!
- Harley Quinn: (fighting Mercy) BANZAI!
Videos and DVDs[]
On August 18, 1998, the three-episode story was released in VHS format under the title "The Batman/Superman Movie". A DVD release followed on April 23, 2002.