World’s Finest: Superman and Batman
Times Past, 1959
‘Tis the Season for Death
by Libbylawrence
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR DEATH: Part 1
Bruce Wayne put down his pipe and smiled as footsteps rang out through the long hallway leading into his study at stately Wayne Manor. The same reflexes that enabled him to masterfully cheat death a thousand times over also allowed him to slip a wrapped gift into his desk just as a bright little girl of two skipped into the room and jumped into her proud father’s arms.
He swung her up into his lap and said, “Helena! Why so excited? Is Santa here three days early?”
She touched his handsome face and laughed, ” Dick combing!”
“I think she means to say Dick is coming but in fact as you can see Dick is here!” grinned a young man who followed the child into the lush room.
“Welcome home, son!” said Bruce as he moved around the desk to lightly hug the man he had raised.
“It’s good to be home! Law is challenging but a guy just wants to forget legal torts over the holidays! I smell Alfred’s world famous Christmas cookies too! I wonder if he has that penguin shaped cutter still?” he smiled with eyes gleaming in fun.
“You used to relish biting the heads off those if I recall correctly.” Said Bruce.
“How’s Selena?” asked Dick as he took Helena from Bruce and bounced her on his knee.
“She is wonderful. She went to visit Aunt Lois for some last minute shopping in Metropolis!” he explained.
“This looks like a job for your super charge account! Now, Girl Wonder, what say we go get snacks from Alfred?” he said.
Helena giggled and the three exited for the warmth of Alfred Beagle’s kitchen.
In the city of Metropolis, Selena Kyle had heads turning as she walked with feline grace down the streets with the also attractive Lois Kent.
“You know I still marvel at that figure of yours! After having a baby, you still walk like some femme fatale!” said Lois jokingly.
“It’s like riding a bicycle or walking a tightrope!” teased Selena Kyle -the former Catwoman.
“I have actually done both in my time!” added Lois.
“So, tell me does you husband like to peak through the wrapping paper at his gifts?”
said Selena.
Lois whispered, “Lead lined wrapping paper! It’s heavy but it works!”
“Speaking of the Editor of the Daily Star, I need to see him for a minute if you have time.” said Lois.
The women entered the legendary paper and Lois blew a kiss to Jimmy Olsen as he talked over the phone with an expression of helplessness on his freckled face.
“So, Clark, how are you?” cooed Selena as she sat on top of the mild mannered editor’s desk.
“I’m fine! Good to see you. Merry Christmas!” smiled Clark Kent as his wife kissed him.
The greetings stopped as Jimmy rushed in shouting, “It’s murder! Come quick!”
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR DEATH: Part 2
Clark, Lois, and Selena turned to listen as the breathless young man explained. “That call came from Inspector Henderson. He wondered if we could get Superman. There’s been a murder and he says it is not something within the normal police routine! He figured we could find him as quickly as he could.”
Lois nodded. “We’ll just run up to the roof and flash the Superman signal!”
“Seriously, Lois, this sounds pretty weird. Henderson said the victim was well known and the cause of death was bizarre.” urged Jimmy.
Clark smiled and patted the man on the shoulder. “Easy, Jim. We can get him down there. Did Henderson say anything more detailed?”
Jimmy frowned, “Gosh, no! I tried but he was pretty tight lipped!”
Clark said, “Good work, Jim. Why don’t you take over here while I head down there and see if I can’t rustle up Superman.”
Jimmy nodded. He was city room editor and he took the job deathly seriously. “Right, Chief!
Clark winced, “Jim, I told Lois to call me Chief during business hours but that was a joke. You don’t need to do that”
Selena said, “I guess I better go too. Lovely to see you both. Bruce has a little something for you both if you can stop by when you get a free moment.”
They parted and Clark switched to Superman. He carried Lois to the police HQ at top speed leaving her mussed but unseen by onlookers below.
“You are murder on a girl’s hairdo!” she muttered as they entered the police office of Inspector Henderson.
“Superman! Glad you could make it. This may sound like something out of that new Roy Raymond guy’s show but here are the facts: Hiram Music was found dead today by his maid Connie when she brought in the breakfast dishes. ”
“Metropolis’s own Howard Hughes! Reclusive, wealthy, eccentric!” summed up Lois as she smoothed down her wild hair.
“Exactly, and cause of death was heart failure due to toxin?” said Superman as he glanced through the next wall at the body.
“Yeah! And we find the source of the toxin to be pretty hinky!” said the gray haired Henderson.
“Needle, blow dart, what?” demanded Lois.
“I know she is not going to rest ’til I give the answers but I could request you be escorted outside.”
He teased.
Lois smiled, “I’ll go kicking and screaming like usual!”
Henderson nodded at his old friend and said, “That’s just it, Lois. The toxin came from a bite of some kind but the size of the entry marks makes me thing the fangs or stingers were rather far apart.”
Superman frowned as he gazed at the dead body. “I see your point. The entry marks would make the creature that stung or bit him the size of a large dog!”
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR DEATH: Part 3
As Selena Kyle Wayne made her way through the streets of Metropolis she dodged rushing shoppers and enjoyed the bright lights and ringing bells that marked the arrival of the Christmas season!
She hoped whatever weirdness had entered Clark’s life would not slow him down for long. Bruce dearly hoped that his best friend other than Dick could visit this year.
She stopped as she noticed a shift figure hurrying furtively along. He had been loitering outside the Metro
Arms where the city’s wealthiest citizens lived in luxury suites high above the streets below.
“That’s Lefty Denver! He was loitering with intent if you ask this little kitty!” she mused.
She knew the small time hood from her days as the Feline Femme Fatale -the Catwoman!
She had given up crime and had lived in bliss as wife to Bruce “Batman” Wayne and mother to their child Helena. Still, she retained the figure, keen eye, and agility that had made her a true foe to be reckoned with during her criminal days.
She decided to follow him. She knew he could not handle her if it came to a fight and she did not intend for the thug to even notice her.
She trailed him through the streets until dusk fell and he entered a small but attractive home.
She swatted away a buzzing bee that had hovered over her for a block or two.
A handsome man with dark hair and a beard opened the door and ushered him inside. She did not know him and she started to turn back. The address would be enough for Clark if she phoned it in to his office.
Before she could get very far she yelped in pain. She rubbed her leg and noticed a whelp forming on her shapely thigh.
“Something stung me!” she mused.
The streets blurred suddenly as she tripped and fell flat.
Hands scooped her up and she was carried within the house. The bearded man’s robe fell open to reveal a gray and purple costume. She saw it and then passed out.
“Good work, my little friends. I can trust you if not my human lackey!” sneered the man.
He spoke seemingly to thin air but in truth he addressed a bee that buzzed above their heads as if listening to all he said.
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR DEATH: Part 4
Selena Wayne awoke to find herself tied to a chair. She noticed the man in gray and purple was kissing a blonde woman in a yellow and black striped costume and high heels.
“My Queen, the money is pouring in! Our plan has paid off already! By telling local big shots that we will kill them if they do not pay us protection money and then holding out old Hiram as an example of our power to get to anyone even a wealthy old recluse with a top security system like his, we have earned their fear!” said the bearded man known as Insect Master.
Queen Bee giggled. “By combining your control over insects with my process for enlarging the little dears, we have perfected a perfect method of murder. Send in a bee or ant with a time delayed enlargement then order it to kill the victim and return to us in miniature size!”
Insect Master nodded. “True, my pet. And with Bruce Wayne’s wife here as our prisoner it gives us a bit of a head start on our plans for Gotham since Wayne was on our list of wealthy men and women to extort money from anyway!”
“Good! Gotham is my home and I want to see Batman and Robin pay for our last encounter!” she pouted.
“They will after we rid ourselves of my old foe Superman. Remember , it was all three heroes who defeated me so I hate them all too!” he vowed stroking her blonde hair.
“You are the best husband in the world!” she said.
“I try. I assuredly do try!” he gloated.
Selena had never heard of Queen Bee but then Bruce had battled so many costumed thugs in his career that even Alfred could hardly keep track of them all.
Insect Master turned to her and slid Queen Bee off his lap.
“Mrs. Wayne? I am so glad you are awake. You will not be harmed unless your hubby fails to pay us handsomely. If he fails to do so then you get to be our example for the elite of Gotham. Pay us or die! Simple enough, eh?” he laughed.
Selena ignored him. She could not get free of the ropes but she had no doubt that Bruce and Dick, who was expected in, who find and rescue her!
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR DEATH: Part 5
Bruce Wayne was worried about Selena’s absence that night. He had phoned Clark and received no answer. Before he could act upon this concern, Dick entered with the same tone in his voice that Bruce had heard innumerable times before!
“Bruce! It’s the Bat signal!” he said.
Bruce nodded. He led his partner to the sliding bookcase that led down a flight of steps to the Batcave!
They drove off in their batmobile and soon were greeted by Commissioner. James Gordon.
“Nice to see you, lad!” said Gordon as Robin shook his hand.
“Thank you, sir. What can we do for you?” he said.
Batman listened as his old friend explained that monsters had been sighted in the sky earlier that night over Sprang Blvd.
“Monsters? Can you elaborate?” said Batman.
Gordon frowned, “Giant insects! If you can credit the reports!”
Robin said, “Sounds like Queen Bee! Remember her?”
Batman led his partner away with the final words to Gordon, “We’ll handle it. Merry Christmas, Jim!”
Gordon glanced down to find a wrapped box of his favorite tobacco sitting next to the signal.
“Thank you! Merry Christmas to you, old friend!” he muttered.
Batman and Robin soon reached Sprang Blvd. and spotted the huge bees overhead.
“Holy honeycomb! Those are giant bees!” cried Robin.
“True enough! Looks like you were right on target with your deduction about Queen Bee! Let’s take these Brobdingnagian bees down and see why Selena is so late!” said Batman.
The bees rushed downward toward the car. They seemed to be trained or controlled with the master desiring the death of Batman!
The hum of their wings was deafening as the giant bees swarmed toward the heroes.
“Freon should freeze them enough by slowing their metabolisms down until we can properly contain them!” said Batman as he reached for a pellet from his belt.
Robin nodded and in one smooth motion the lethal bees were struck with the chemical pellets that drastically reduced their body temperature.
“These things give me the hives!” joked Robin as they dropped to the ground.
“Well put! Good to have you home, chum!” grinned Batman as they examined the truck sized creatures.
“Look out! They are stirring! Their sheer size makes the freon less effective!” warned Batman as one of the creatures suddenly moved for them.
They rolled aside as the monster flipped their car on one side.
Robin swung upward and kicked the beast in the face while Batman caught the second one in a net which began to tear apart even as he weighted it down.
“Gas should do it!” he announced.
A red and blue blur slammed the two insects to the pavement and a blast of super breath froze them into a coma as Superman swooped down.
“Nice timing! You sure saved the day not that I want to wax poetic!” punned Robin.
Superman grinned at his friends. “Merry Christmas! I heard the vibrations of those wings and rushed over. We’ve got a death by giant insect case going on back home and it looks like these oversized wasps are connected!”
Batman shook hands with Superman and said, “Nice save, old friend. I’d wager Queen Bee is behind this.”
Superman said, “Can’t say I know the lady. I suspected Insect Master!”
Batman mused, “He could control them but she was the one who grew them so large! Perhaps, a teaming between them?”
Robin replied, “That makes sense. As does Queen’s malice for us. I assume you agree they were just waiting for us to show up before they did anything harmful.”
Batman said, “True enough. I see it was a trap for us. So, let’s run a check on the whereabouts of the pair!”
Superman added, “I hope Selena made it home safely. It was nice to see her again!”
Batman turned to his friend, “She did not return. Could she have fallen afoul of the pair we’ve been talking about?”
Superman frowned. “If so, we’ll make that couple very
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR DEATH: Part 6
Queen Bee smiled at her husband Insect Master as he worked with an ant farm.
“Darling, aren’t you ready for some rest?” she called.
“Hush! I hear our guest coming!” he warned.
Sure enough, a young man entered and greeted them both.
“Hello! I got the electronics you wanted plus some really swell specimens.” he announced.
He spotted Selena and frowned, “What’s this? I agreed to help you round up the insects but I sure never agreed to taking any hostages. I just wanted to show up Superman and Batman not harm innocent folks!”
“Ricky, honey, we had no choice. She followed Lefty here.” cooed Queen Bee.
Insect Master smiled urbanely and patted the sandy haired boy on the shoulder. “Listen, my boy, we can’t turn back now. If the lady had reported us to the authorities then we would be stopped before OUR creations made the Man of Steel and the Caped Crusader look like fools!”
Ricky nodded. “OK, I guess. But, after we do it then she goes free, right!”
Insect Master grinned, “Son, when we get finished with the World’s Finest Heroes then she won’t be of any importance. We do want to make them look bad and expose their fallibility. Your late father deserves that much.”
Ricky nodded. “Yeah! For Dad I’d gladly risk anything. He had so much potential. Nobody even remembers him now. All you ever hear about is Batman this or Superman that. It’s so unfair. Other mystery-men died for their country and where is their fame?”
Queen Bee said, “With your rapport for the bugs and our science, we can bring the cities to their knees and show up the heroes who hogged the glory your father never received.”
Ricky Raleigh grinned. “That’s what I hope!”
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR DEATH: Part 7
Superman and Robin sat in the batcave as the grim Batman read from a piece of paper.
“The last record for either is a marriage record. H. Pim and Janice Devan wed a few years ago and I can only assume that makes our theory about them pretty accurate. We can track the bees back to their lair with the dye I sprayed on them when they shrank back to normal.” he explained.
“The chemical dye shows up on our scanner and to your vision.” explained Robin.
Superman nodded. “Let’s go! I have a hunch those matrimonial miscreants need a good work over!”
They soon reached the lair of the pair of villains and formed a plan.
Superman scanned the building with his vision and announced, “Selena is there all right. Along with the couple, their insect collection, and a kid I don’t know.”
Batman nodded. “You get her out while we handle them.”
Superman agreed. He sensed his usually easygoing friend was worried about his captive bride. bruce had lost so much over the years. Superman vowed that he would not lose Selena!
He crashed through the roof and carried Selena to safety even as the Dynamic Duo swung down to face the villains.
“For the couple who has everything: matching black eyes!” said Robin as he tackled the Queen Bee.
Batman moved toward the Insect Master. “Give it up, Pim! We have you and we can counter your little ant farm!”
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR DEATH: Part 8
Insect Master cursed and said, “You found us too soon but we’ll just move up our own timetable!”
He set loose a group of ants and watched them enlarge rapidly.
Batman dropped gas pellets on them and hit the Insect Master in the chin.
“I can anesthetize these insects before they enlarge. I can put you to sleep even faster!” he said.
Robin pinned the non-physical Queen Bee and tied her up.
“You know the buzz around town is the food is better at Gotham State Prison since your last stay. Then, again don’t let me drone on and bore you!” he quipped as he rolled the blonde beauty over.
Queen Bee screamed for help and the boy in red charged Robin.
“You were just a kid when my dad died but you still got more credit than he did! You must have earned it beating up women!” he said.
He concentrated and a swarm of beetles appeared and covered Robin’s face.
He knocked them away only to be stung from behind by the now free Queen Bee.
“My stinger cut through you ropes easily. Now, sleep the sleep of the soon to be deceased!” she screeched.
“Easy, Bee. Don’t kill him. Just show him up like we talked about.” warned Ricky Raleigh.
“Too late for that. He dies!” she screamed.
Batman kicked the huge mantis aside as the Insect Master produced the creature.
It resisted his efforts and caught him in a long clutching limb.
He saw Robin fall before the gold and black costumed blonde and he struggled to fight free. He planted both legs and kicked the monster back. Then, he rolled to where Robin lay and shoved Queen Bee over a chair.
He faced Ricky Raleigh and said, “I know that costume. You dishonor it by associating with these two killers!”
Rick frowned and said, “You never even tried to help my father or avenge his death! Now, I wanted to make you famous mystery-men look bad. I never wanted to kill anybody.”
As they talked Superman rushed back in and melted the device in Insect Master’s gloved hand.
“You don’t need to call in your troops! We’ll finish you off here and now!” he said as he closed in on the frightened but defiant Insect Master.
“I think not! You’ll die here and now!” he said calmly.
Then, a giant wasp flew down and stung Superman.
“Great Scott! Magic must be involved as well as your weird science!” he muttered as the room swam before his eyes.
Batman shook Rick Raleigh aside and ran for the Insect Master only to be caught in a sticky film that shot from the flying bug above him.
“Trapped! Like a fly in a spider’s web! Or should I say like a grub in a silk worm’s thread!” laughed the Insect Master as he helped his wife to her high heeled feet.
Rick said, “Wait! This is getting out of hand. There’s no one here to see them get beaten. I just wanted to make them look bad not hurt them.”
“That broken record needs to be silenced!” whined Queen Bee.
She stung Rick and as he fell she gloated, “No one remembers the Red Bee because he was such a loser! You hear me, kid? He was pathetic! You may have his insect control powers but no mutant ability can save you from us!”
Insect Master kicked over the fallen son of the late Red Bee and laughed. “My dear! You said it better than even I could have done!’
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR DEATH: Part 9
Selena had been placed safely on a roof by Superman but she had returned to the house when her husband and his friends failed to join her.
She had kicked off her expensive heels and now moved with the agility she had displayed years before as the Catwoman!
She prowled near the house and scanned the sky for the insects who guarded the couple’s base.
“No sign of the bugs but then they may be needed inside to deal with Superman and Bruce!” she mused.
She climbed up the side of the house using a drain pipe and grimaced as the metal edge of a window sliced through her skirt. She ripped the loose fabric off and looked in the window.
She saw Batman, Robin, Superman, the boy named Ricky Raleigh hanging from a cocoon like netting while sinister insects swarmed over them.
“Those are normal sized but they could grow at any minute they command them to!” she mused.
Insect Master and Queen Bee kissed passionately and looked at the fallen heroes.
“Richard, we were using your insect summoning powers for our own agenda. Your father the Red Bee would have seen through our pretense of merely wanting to help you make the heroes seem as flawed as your dead daddy. He was an Assistant D.A. not just a punk kid though!” said the Insect Master.
Queen Bee laughed. “You never knew we used the bugs for our extortion scheme when you were away. We even killed old Hiram with one!”
Ricky looked decidedly ill. He said nothing.
Batman glanced over at Robin. “Old pal, are you awake?”
Robin replied, “Yes! But, I’d like to put that stinger where that peroxide blonde sits down!”
“It already is there!” giggled the Queen Bee.
Superman looked ill. He muttered feverishly. “That last stinger was magical. ..like the insects Insect Queen uses. He must have stolen one she had originally summoned and enlarged!”
“Exactly, my enemy! I took that beauty from the leggy beauty called Insect Queen without her ever being aware of it.” crowed Insect Master.
Superman heard Selena on the roof top and he confirmed her identity with his x-ray vision. He hoped she would buy them enough time for Batman to think of a plan. He could barely stay awake himself.
He looked upward and caught Batman’s eye.
He smiled and seemed to understand.
He spoke to Ricky under his breath.
“Son, your dad was only known to me through one big Squadron meeting but I certainly admired his bravery. He fought the same fight I did only he did it alone and without the special equipment I was fortunate enough to have. That’s courage and I mourned his loss as did all of us. We did leave other heroes on that war torn earth to avenge his death when Hourman told us of it. Ray, Black Condor, and others like Manhunter made the trip over later that year. We did not forget what he did.”
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR DEATH: Part 10
Rick teared up. “I guess I was just so jealous that Red Bee wasn’t a JSAer or big name like you. I swear I never meant for it to lead to murder!”
Robin tensed as the lights went out as Selena pulled the fuses and raced into the room.
She kicked Queen Bee in the face and chopped her in the back of the head with a swift motion.
She ripped the sharp stinger from the blonde’s costume and left her bare and stunned on the floor.
She sliced through Batman’s bonds even as the light of a firefly illuminated the room and Insect Master charged her.
“Brave of you to come back, Mrs. Wayne!” he said.
Batman lashed out and knocked the Insect Master’s hands away from Selena.
“Let me take him. Free the others. Rick override his control of the insects if you want to make up for what you’ve been a party to!” he ordered.
Ricky concentrated and the insects remained immobile despite Insect Master’s frantic orders to attack.
Superman and Robin joined the fight as Selena cut their bonds.
“Thanks, Mrs. Wayne! Your hubby would be proud!” said Robin.
Superman watched the insects but none of them moved while the strain of holding them against Insect Master’s will and devices showed on his face.
Batman gripped the Insect Master by his shirt and said, “You tried to turn a legacy of valor to one of crime. You won’t do so any longer.”
He knocked the purple costumed man cold and Superman patted the Red Bee’s son on the back.
“You did good, son.” Said Superman.
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR DEATH: Part 11
Later, Bruce and Selena Wayne enjoyed a fine Christmas eve dinner with Dick, and the Kents.
“So, even if the fighting skill you showed seems odd to the Insect couple, they can only assume you wanted revenge on them for kidnapping you as the former Catwoman would!” said Clark.
“True! If they don’t recall my Catwoman id from their own criminal circles then we’ll just let them stew over how a society doll was able to take down Queen Bee!” said Selena.
Lois said, “I doubt they will give much thought to it. Their kind tend to brood over costumed heroes more than housewives turned martial artists!
Bruce added, “I am glad young Rick decided to go back to college. He can do more good as a scientist studying insects than he could as a second Red Bee.”
Dick punned, ” True! Plus, with the JSA no longer active as a group, who could he join? A S.W.A.T. team!”
Bruce smiled as groans echoed across the table!
“Merry Christmas, son!” he said.
