...sorry for being so late...
Arc 3: WITH A VENGEANCE
One thing is common in the DCU is the concept of the multiverse. It hasn't been new then and now (even with Infinite Crisis). This idea is interesting to see an alternate version of a character(s) in a world similar to them and us. Consider this a tie-in of sorts to Infinite Crisis.
In an alternate universe, a superhero group called the Maximums fight their own villians until Superman and Batman come in and end up killing one of the Maximum's members before they escape. Now with revenge on their brains; the group goes out and finds the real Superman & Batman, who don't know why the group is fighting them, and are then being taken and hunted as they pass through every of any parallel world that has their own version of the World's Finest. Plus; who's pulling the springs?
Previously, the ABSOLUTE POWER arc didn't have anything to do with the continunity of the DCU. I thought it was the same here, until the end of it. That end leads this storyline to be some kind of foreshadowing of Infinite Crisis and the future in 52 and OYL and beyond. Even Darkseid asks about his role in it, which there isn't. And thats true.
The best things was the alternate World's Finestes. We had the communist President Superman from Superman: Red Sun, the Terry McGinnis/Batman from Batman Beyond (NOTE: the issues made a mistake of Tim being the Beyond Batman, TPB will correct that), female versions of Superman & Batman as Superwoman & Batwoman in a world where women are the dominating class insyead of men (didn't the show Sliders have that?), and we also have Bizarro and also a connection to Bizarro World we have a Batzarro.
Plus, there are elements from the Silver Age in this as well. Maybe because the multiverse was introduced in the Silver Age. For example: we have SUPERGIRLS. Every incarnation, even the modern one of course. One of them is the Supergirl from the Silver Age. The first one. Also, a returning character from Batman's campy, goofier days: this series also has Bat-Mite. Was I pleased to see him? Not really, he is a classic character I can give you that but I'am not fond by him. I'am glad that he doesn't last that much.
Those were the good points. Now here is where I explain my low, dislike/bad points: I know this was the last story Loeb was gonna do and add that with his son's death I don't really wanna give anything bad about it but I'am a reviewer so....I kinda have to. The low point was the ending. THE ONLY LOW POINT AT ALL. I was expecting bigger and it was in a way but not extended I should say. The whole thing was explained and why it happened also, I can give you that, had a little tiem-travel gimmick, but I thought maybe a few pages more of action would've worked. But nothing that meant this was bad overall.
Overall; this was another exciting arc of Superman/Batman. I hate to see Loeb go as he was the genius that started the series to a good start but there is a reason, and we can't fight that.
RATING: 8/10
Up next: Sam's Story.