Warning! Spoilers for Batman/Superman #16
Batman and Superman will return to their original Golden Age costumes in an upcoming comic, paying homage to DC Comics history. However, following the events of Infinite Frontier, they won’t be the same exact superheroes who readers had known throughout Batman/Superman.
The Dark Knight and the Man of Steel have collectively gone through several costume changes throughout the years, consistently having updates to fit the times. Their shades of gray and blue have often been lightened and darkened, the materials of their suits have frequently been altered, and their briefs have been omitted, only to eventually make a comeback. Recently, a few heroes have revisited their roots, as DC Comics promised in a new initiative called Infinite Frontier to honor past continuity. The line aims to incorporate previous interpretations of iconic superheroes going forward, with the hope to embrace the complete DC Universe.
In a preview for Batman/Superman #16 written by Gene Luen Yang with art by Ivan Reis, DC seems to be fulfilling this promise, as the World’s Finest will revert to the way they looked when they debuted over 80 years ago. In a story that is set in a familiar corner of the omniverse, Gotham and Metropolis fit the aesthetic of Detective Comics #27 and Action Comics #1. The return of Bill Finger and Bob Kane’s look for Batman, as well as Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel’s look for Superman, is a loving tribute to the Golden Age. Even the original Batmobile is featured in the issue, as seen on the cover.
Although DC’s most famous crossover duo has come a long way since they first joined forces in 1941, revisiting their roots has the potential to be a fascinating dynamic. In both of Superman and Batman’s early appearances, they lacked the moral code they have today. On many occasions, Superman came more alien than human. Similarly, Batman carried a gun and was clearly more of a dark vigilante than a superhero who would ever consider teaming up with a boy scout-like Clark Kent. While it’s unclear whether they will also revert to their original personalities, their clashing characteristics could make for a fun and bombastic premise.
While it seems unlikely this iteration of the World’s Finest will recur in future stories, it’s not impossible. This certainly won’t be the last time that these classic versions of DC’s most iconic superheroes make a reappearance in comics. No matter how many times Batman or Superman are redesigned, their first costumes remain timeless. If this other world’s take on the titular heroes is featured in future stories alongside their modern-day counterparts, it would be a great way to explore how far they have come since their inception. Batman/Superman #16 releases on Tuesday, March 23.