One of the most absurd characters to ever become a fixture in Dark Knight’s life has finally found a proper place for himself in the Batman Family.

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #29 finds the few remaining heroes the world has to offer standing before the crushing might of the Sixth-Dimensional Imp-Killer that has invaded their reality. While the heroes stopped most of its attempts at laying waste to the world around them, they have only recently managed to do the villain any harm. Luckily, with a carefully concerted effort, not to mention the near-sacrifice of Bat-Mite, its reign of terror is brought to an end, and for that, the Fifth Dimensional Caped Crusader is finally given his own special place alongside every other member of the Batman Family.

Written by MARK WAID Art by DAN MORA Colors by TAMRA BONVILLAIN Letters by STEVE WANDS Main cover art by DAN MORA Variant covers by BJÖRN BARENDS, DAVID LAFUENTE & MATT HERMS, and JERRY GAYLORD

The Fifth Dimensional beings of the DC Universe have been nearly ever-present since the introduction of Mr. Mxyzptlk in1944’s Superman #30 in Jerry Siegel and Ira Yarbrough’s story, “The Mysterious Mr. Mxyzptlk!” Replete with the kind of technology and power that can only be described as magic within the bounds of the primary DC Universe, Mr. Mxyzptlk and his ilk have been at the hearts of numerous storylines over the years, and across almost every iteration of the DC Universe itself.

The Fifth Dimensional Batman superfan, Bat-Mite, joined the DC Universe with his debut in Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff’s story “Batman: … Meets the Bat-Mite” from the pages of 1959’s Detective Comics #267. Although Bat-Mite is a cartoonish caricature of the true Dark Knight, he has proven to be a capable figure in his own right in the decades since he first appeared. He also helped to cement the idea that many Fifth Dimensional beings are modeled after DC heroes and villains as a rule, with Mr. Mxyzptlk and a select few others standing as the exception to it rather than the standard of their kind.

The Sixth Dimensional menace known as the Imp-Killer slowly unveiled itself over the course of two issues, beginning with Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #26 which kicked off the “Impossible” storyline. While the Imp-Killer itself was a more than formidable foe, it didn’t act entirely alone in its endeavors. In fact, it was joined by several pint-sized, Fifth Dimensional analogues of iconic DC supervillains including Black Adam, Abra Kadabra, Lex Luthor, Lobo, and the Joker. Fortunately, the heroes of the DC Universe saw the odds tipped back in their favor with the introduction of Fifth Dimensional versions of the Justice League.

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #29 is on sale now from DC Comics.

Source: DC Comics