World's Finest # 223, June, 1974

Already it's time to move into the next phase of WF. And a good one it is, saddled only by Haney's continued inane stories. With this ish, WF moves to the 10 page "Super Spectacular" mode, filled with one new story, reprints and special features.

This entire issue is narrated by Deadman, a character that DC never really figured out what to do with after Neal Adams' run. I believe when we last saw him, Jack Kirby had given him a robot body in FOREVER PEOPLE. Or was it in PHANTOM STRANGER where that plot point was just ignored? 

Here we have Haney with another rod his specialities--the continuity implant that's never mentioned again. Not only do we introduce a hitherto unknown OLDER BROTHER for Bruce Wayne but Deadman ends up confiscating his body! You see, unlike Bruce, this Wayne is mentally ill (no comments, please) so I guess Boston Brand simply figures that makes him fair game. Superman--looking oddly young with Colletta inks, is rather superfluous really...but then again so is Deadman.

Neal Adams is said to have hated this George Roussos ink job and I believe he redid it himself for later reprints. 

Once again Aquaman. As with ADVENTURE, once you're a part of the book, you STAY a part of the book.

This is a truly nifty special feature--a 3 page excerpt/history of Batman on Superman's radio program!

World's Finest # 222, April, 1974

The junior version of the WF team take sides in experimenting with and observing a NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC-like lost tribe. There's even a tiny bit of nudity, apparently acceptable to the Code the same way it was to NG readers. As long as it wasn't "civilized" people, it was okay. Not a bad story at all but heavy-handed to the extreme in that Bob Haney way. Vince Colletta shows up on the art and is surprisingly good here. 

World's Finest # 221, February, 1974

Interesting, colorful cover with it's oh-so spare background. Good work from Cardy. Inside, they're baaaaack! The Super Sons run out on their folks by page 2 (who the heck is Mrs. Wayne supposed to be anyway?) and get mixed up with another kid having problems with his dad. After rapping with him a while, the whole thing leads to an emerald mine in Central America where the kid's doorman dad turns out to be first an undercover miner. then a government agent!

World's Finest # 220, December, 1973

No, that isn't Swamp Thing but it gives one an idea what Ol' Swampy might have looked like if drawn by Nick Cardy or--in the story--Dick Dillin rather than Berni Wrightson! Last issue's not particularly interesting story limps to a quick climax in this issue. The bi-monthly format didn't really lend itself to a story where one is very likely to forget the whole thing between issues.

Well, that's over. Let's enjoy the entire METAMORPHO story. With lower expectations, it's quite good. Artist John Calnan signs as simply "J.C" for some reason. His style here seems to me to evoke both Jim Aparo and Dan Spiegle. Not a bad thing at all. I didn't know much at all about Mr.C but I found this online interview.

http://www.wtv-zone.com/silverager/interviews/calnan.shtml

World's Finest # 219, October, 1973

A nondescript cover for a nondescript story I'm afraid...and part one of two at that! Inker Frank Giacoia was one of the bet in the business but for my money, he didn't really mesh with Dick Dillin.