Even a super-hero can get sick of the same old grind! 
World's Finest #163 is an issue of the series World's Finest (Volume 1) with a cover date of December, 1966. It was published on October 25, 1966.
Synopsis for Superman and Batman: "Duel of the Super-Duo! / The Super-Combat!"
Batman stops some criminals in Gotham City and then he meets with Superman. Both heroes are suddenly taken to another planet for a "super-hero convention" by an alien named Jemphis, but they discover too late that their host is a super-villain who intends to turn them against each other hypnotically in gladiatorial combat. Batman falls for Jemphis' trap and becomes one of his mindless minions, but Superman manages to escape from his trap. Unfortunately, Jemphis had prepared a red sun for this eventuality and he managed to overcome a depowered Superman with help from his henchmen.
Superman fights Batman
Superman is locked away for one night and he starts preparing for the inevitable confrontation against Batman. He creates all sorts gadgets and when the time comes, he manages to hold his ground against the Caped Crusader. However, Batman's physical training proves to be much more that what Superman can handle and he loses the fight. When Batman is commanded to eliminate Superman, his mind snaps back from the hypnosis and he turns against Jemphis, who in turn tries to use the rest of his minions against the heroes. Batman manages to free the other heroes from Jemphis' grasp and they all chase the criminal down until he falls victims to one of his own traps. With Jemphis incapacitated, Batman and Superman return to Earth after meeting several heroes from other universes.
Appearing in Superman and Batman: "Duel of the Super-Duo! / The Super-Combat!"
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
- Jemphis (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Zardin the Boy Marvel (Single appearance)
- Dr. Chill (Single appearance)
- Aeroman (Single appearance)
- Wind Lass (Single appearance)
- Serpento (Single appearance)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
- Batmobile
- Crime-Mobile (Single appearance)(Destroyed)
Synopsis for "Fate Holds Four Aces!"
This story is reprinted from House of Mystery #27.
Reporter Jane Howard is summoned to the house of gambler Joseph Kerr. Kerr has invited the reporter over to show off his collection of framed aces. The four huge photos depict characters that symbolize the essence of each playing card. The ace of spades is symbolized by Jim Murphy, a World War I pilot who won a playing card cut to earn the privilege of going on a dangerous flying mission with his Spad airplane. He is shot down during the mission and perishes and that is why Kerr cleverly has him depicted as the “Ace of Spades”. Kerr then explains the ace of clubs. The card has a depiction of champion golfer Hank Minor who was shot and killed for cheating at a card game. He is depicted on the card as the “Ace of Clubs” because of his golf clubs. He moves on to the next card, the Ace of Hearts. The giant card depicts a famous movie star actor named Dick Barry. Barry had visited a fortune teller who used playing cards to foretell his future. The fortune teller had seen that the black ace was covering the ace of hearts and warned Barry to be careful. Minutes later Barry is shot dead as he gets caught in a crossfire during a robbery. Kerr places him on the Ace of hearts because of his fate with the cards and his affair with starlet Edna Meadows. Reporter Jane Howard is then led to the final card the ace of Diamonds. It depicts a kindly old man by the name of Philip Strome who was killed as he investigated a robbery in his shop. Strome had been the city’s leading diamond dealer and that is why Kerr had depicted him on the Ace of Diamonds. Kerr then explains that he is still missing one more card, the Joker but he has no idea where to find a subject for that card. Jane thanks the gambler for the story and goes on her way. She finds herself strangely fascinated by Kerrs obsession. One evening Kerr attends a costume party dressed as a joker. He runs into a man who who tells Kerr the story of his brother who lost his las penny in a card game against Kerr. The brother kills himself as a result of his losses but the costumed man blames Kerr for his death. He produces a dagger and kills Kerr with it. Several weeks later Jane Howard uses Kerrs image for the last card, the Joker. She depicts him on the card not only because he died in a jokers costume but also because his name was Joe Kerr (Joker).
Appearing in "Fate Holds Four Aces!"
Featured Characters:
- Jane Howard (Single appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Joe Kerr (Single appearance; dies)
Antagonists:
- Joe's unnamed killer (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Jim Murphy (Dies in flashback)
- Hank Minor (Dies in flashback)
- Dick Barry (Dies in flashback)
- Edna Meadows (Flashback only)
- Philip Strome (Dies in flashback)
Locations:
- Kerr's house of cards
- Hollywood
Items:
- Joe's collection of Aces
Vehicles:
- SPAD fighter plane
Notes
- Zardin, The Boy Marvel is similar to Robin, The Boy Wonder.
See Also