Last issue, radioactive villain Hakkou was doused with chemicals and grew into a powerful behemoth.  Power Girl and Huntress knocked him into Tokyo harbor to prevent further damage to the metropolitan area.  Unfortunately, the harbor isn’t exactly empty either, as the battle overturns several boats.  Huntress commandeers a fishing vessel in order to rescue the victims flailing in the water, while Power Girl takes on the villain himself.  She attempts to save an oil tanker, but it backfires and she and the waters below are doused with crude.  Then Huntress discovers a ship bearing nuclear missiles…

Of course, as with the previous issues of this comic, we are also treated to a flashback of the ladies getting used to this new Earth that is similar, but quite different, from the one they are from.  Only one this time, but it makes the book.  Kevin Maguire’s smooth, expressive style gives this segment a lightheartedness that befits Power Girl at the very least.  But even the edgier Huntress comes across great as she acknowledges that the Batman of this Earth is not her father and this Catwoman is “definitely not my mom.”  THIS should be the entire book.  It’s warm, cute and fun.  The art fits it perfectly.

Some SPOILERS from here…

Sadly, the “main” story, the present-day events, don’t measure up.  The gals still click and their banter is crisp and sharp, but the plot was boring and… isn’t overloading the energy absorbing villain, the same way Superman defeats The Parasite like… every time?  The art, by George Perez (my favorite comic illustrator of all time) is excellent and I love the homage to Power Girl’s famous old costume.  But it can’t jazz up a lackluster story.  It’s not horrible, just average.

I’m still holding out hope, though.  Paul Levitz gets these two characters and their interaction and dialogue is perfect.  The plots just need punching up.  Hopefully as the series evolves it’ll find the right balance.

Verdict: Borrow

WORLDS’ FINEST: HUNTRESS and POWER GIRL #4
Written by Paul Levitz
Art by George Perez & Scott Koblish and Kevin Maguire
Cover by Perez and Hi-Fi