Comic Title: Showcase Presents:World's Finest Vol. 3 TPB
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2010
On Sale Date: March 17, 2010 Direct Market Date March 17, 2010
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Direct Market Date March 17, 2010
Source: Previews, #255

Cover Price: $17.99
Page Count: 480
Editor: Sean Mackiewicz

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "The Return of the Composite Superman"
Pages: 17

Feature(s):
Superman (of Earth-1)
Batman (of Earth-1)

Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein

Reprinted From:
World's Finest Comics #168 (1967)

Feature Character(s)

• Superman (last appearance in Justice League of America #56; next appearance in Superman #199)
• Batman (last appearance in Batman #194; next appearance in Superman #199)

Supporting Character(s)

• Robin (last appearance in Batman #194; next appearance in Superman #199)
• Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in Detective Comics #365; next appearance in Detective Comics #366)
• Harriet Cooper (last appearance in Detective Comics #364; next appearance in Detective Comics #367)

Villain(s)

• Composite Superman (dies in this story; last appearance in World's Finest Comics #142; no further appearances)
• Xan (next appearance in World's Finest Comics #283)
• Vyl (Xan's father; dies in this story; no further appearances)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Adult Legion of Super-Heroes (last appearance in Adventure Comics #355; next appearance in Superman #213)
• Cosmic Man (last appearance in Adventure Comics #355; no further appearances)
• Saturn Woman (last appearance in Adventure Comics #355; no further appearances)
• Element Man (last appearance in Adventure Comics #355; next appearance in Superman #213)
• Brainiac 5 (adult; last appearance in Adventure Comics #355; next appearance in Superman #213)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Lex Luthor (in a photo)
• Joker (in a photo)
• Brainiac (in a photo)
• Penguin (in a photo)
• Riddler (in a photo)
• Legion of Super-Heroes (as statuettes)
• Brainiac 5 (as a statuette)
• Chameleon Boy (as a statuette)
• Saturn Girl (as a statuette)
• Element Lad (as a statuette)
• Lightning Lass (as a statuette)
• Ultra Boy (as a statuette)
• Duo Damsel (as a statuette)
• Jimmy Olsen (as an Elastic Lad statuette)
• Colossal Boy (as a statuette)
• Cosmic Boy (as a statuette)
• Shrinking Violet (as a statuette)
• Lightning Lad (as a statuette)
• Mon-El (as a statuette)
• Bouncing Boy (as a statuette)
• Invisible Kid (as a statuette)
• Sun Boy (as a statuette)
• Phantom Girl (as a statuette)
• Matter-Eater Lad (as a statuette)
• Jor-El (as a statue)

Synopsis:
Xan, the son of a space criminal, travels to Earth to avenge his father who died in space prison after being captured by Superman and Batman. Xan duplicates the accident that turned Joe Meach into the Composite Superman by causing artifical lightning to strike a group of Legion statuettes in the Superman Museum. Joe once again becomes the Composite Superman with all the powers of the Legion.

Meach then attacks the World's Finest team. Superman manages to escape and follow clues in the Museum. He learns how his foe got his powers and who he really is. Batman also makes the deduction, but is captured along with Robin.

Superman consults briefly with the Adult Legion of Super-Heroes then returns to the present where he destroys the Legion statuettes. He then confronts Joe, but loses. However, Joe's powers begin to fade and without the statuettes he can not recharge.

Without the Composite Superman to do his bidding, Xan reveals himself and prepares to finish off Superman and Batman. Joe, who is not truly evil, steps in front of Xan's weapon and is killed. Superman then captures Xan and builds a memorial to honor Joe's sacrifice.