I'm contracting for the murder of Superman... before he murders me! 
World's Finest #207 is an issue of the series World's Finest (Volume 1) with a cover date of November, 1971.
Synopsis for Superman and Batman: "A Matter of Light and Death!"
Superman's alter ego, Clark Kent has been mind-controlled into finding a magic weapon which can destroy Superman and he gives it to some hit-men to finish the job. However, Superman senses recent memory-gaps and enlists Batman's help to investigate the mystery.
Batman follows Clark Kent closely on every single activity during the day, but he is not able to find anything suspicious. At night, Batman visits Clark at his apartment, where something finally happens as Clark becomes mindless and attacks Batman. The Dark Knight starts following Clark to an abandoned gym, where he meets the hired killers and gives them the Satanstaff, the magical artifact that will destroy Superman. As Clark leaves the place, Batman attempts to stop the thugs, but they use the magic staff against Batman and manage to overcome him.
After this, the killers attack Superman, who has returned to normal and with the magic from the staff, they manage to apparently kill the man of steel. As proof of their deed, they lock Superman in a gold crystal rock and they take him back to their hideout as a trophy. The thugs are just waiting for Clark to return with their money, but they are shocked to learn that Superman's death and their part on the kill was all part of a plan by Dr. Light, the Justice League enemy. Light explains that he used Superman's alter-ego against him and then he had them hired to eliminate the strongest member of the Justice League with help from the light device he created after being inspired by the powerful magician, Zatanna. Dr. Light proceeds to eliminate the killers, but before he could destroy Superman's corpse, Batman stops him and Light is forced to retreat.
A few moments later, Superman breaks free from his prison and after Batman informs him about Light's plan, the Man of Steel follows the light trail left behind until he reaches Dr. Light's hideout and finally captures the villain and destroys the Satanstaff.
In the aftermath, Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent enjoy a magic show by Zatanna.
Appearing in Superman and Batman: "A Matter of Light and Death!"
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
- Doctor Light I
- Nicholas Slye (Single appearance; dies)
- Hud (Single appearance; dies)
- Mumbles (Single appearance; dies)
Other Characters:
- Zatanna (Cameo)
Locations:
- Gotham City
- Metropolis
- 344 Clinton Street
- Metropolis Planetarium
- Wellman's Gym (Single appearance)
Items:
- Satanstaff (Single appearance)(Destroyed)
Synopsis for Tarantula: "Galloping Gold"
This story is reprinted from Star-Spangled Comics #11.
John Law, better known as the Tarantula, heads to the wild west on news that his nemesis Bardon has headed there after escaping jail. A rash of cattle rustling has struck the local ranchers but there's no clue to where the robbers took them. Tarantula finds the thieves have borrowed a trick from the god Mercury and tied brooms to the stolen cattle's tails so they erase their own tracks. Tarantula is knocked out by one of Bardon's gang, but is saved when one of them tries to be ironic and shoot Tarantula with his own gun, which doesn't fire bullets and only snares Bardon. A group of ranchers arrive at Bardon's hideout having followed a trail of web Tarantula left for them. Outnumbered, Bardon tries to ride away but his horse trips and bucks him to a fatal drop down a waterfall.
Appearing in Tarantula: "Galloping Gold"
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
- Pullis (Single appearance)
- Bandana Bardon (Final appearance; dies)
Other Characters:
- Hungate and various ranchers (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Earth-Two
- New York City
- The District of Coyote Coulee
Items:
Synopsis for "The Cosmic Idiots!"
This story is reprinted from Strange Adventures #30.
Rocket scientist Dr Raymond Alvin experiments with rockets by sending animals into space. He concludes that it would be dangerous to send humans into space based upon what happened to the apes that returned in his rocket. Alvin decides that he himself must venture into space in an effort to stay ahead of their enemy country the Asiatic Union. Before he launches off in his experimental rocket, he leaves behind a letter for the President in case he does not return. Alvin reaches a height of 800 miles when his rocket suddenly plunges back towards earth. His parachute deploys and his rocket lands near the capital of the dreaded Asiatic Union. As soldiers approach, Alvin causes the rocket to self destruct to prevent its secrets from falling into enemy hands. Alvin is brought before Asiatics brutal dictator but Alvin refuses to divulge the secret of the rocket drive. He is thrown into prison where he hears a Morse code message stating that he will receive assistance in escaping from captivity. An underground resistance fighter named Maya helps Alvin escape and he is loaded into an airplane. Alvin gives Maya a letter containing the secret of the rocket drive formula for safe keeping. Three hours later, Alvins plane lands back at Asiatics capital. His whole escape had been planned by his captors to gain his secret formula. He is brought before Asiatics dictator once more and it is revealed that Maya is actually a double agent. A messenger then announces that Alvins formula is a fake and that he has tricked everyone. Mayas face suddenly turns blue. She apparently has become infected by Alvin with an incurable disease caused by exposure to cosmic rays in space. Alvin refers to her as a hydrocephalic idiot and states that the dictator has also been infected. The infected dictator then shoots Alvin with his gun as he declares that Alvin will never live to see his triumph. Meanwhile at the Whitehouse, the President reads Alvins letter detailing his plan to rid the world of Asiatics dictator. Democratic rebels have taken over the country with the demise of its dictator. War is averted and a statue is dedicated in Alvins honor.
Appearing in "The Cosmic Idiots!"
Featured Characters:
- Bill and Ann Hanley (Single appearance)
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Giant Ants from Outer Space (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
- Alien ants' robot slaves
Vehicles:
- A spaceship
Notes
- "A Matter of Light and Death!" is reprinted in Tales of the Batman: Len Wein and World's Finest: Guardians of Earth.
See Also