Let’s explore the Crossoververse. Also known as Earth-7642, this is the home to characters from every known universe. Here they all exist in a mixed timeline and events. Rodriguez Zelis is the creator of this verse. It first appeared on Almanaque do O Globo Juvenil #1964C (1964).
Almanaque do O Globo Juvenil vol. 1 (1964)
The very first crossover between the characters of DC and Marvel heroes, Captain Marvel aka Shazam (Billy Batson), and the Human Torch (Jim Hammond). This was a regular issue of the series, Almanaque de Globo Juvenil, which translates to Youth Globe Almanac, a Brazilian comic book sequence with stories of Flash Gordon, Phantom, Mandrake, and many more.
Let’s look at some of the crossover issues that came:
1. Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man (Jan 1976)
The Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man and Krypton’s Last Son, Superman, fight Doctor Octopus and Lex Luthor. This is often considered the first DC/Marvel crossover.
Albeit been considered non-canon, it is referenced in a few of the mainstream issues:
A portion of the 1976 crossover questioning the plane of reality hung in What If? #1: Spider-Man Had Joined the Fantastic Four? (Feb 1977),
a portion of Avengers Forever #8 (Jul 1999) showed a scene with Lex Luthor carried by Doc Ock,
and in Mosaic #4, there’s a scene or two involving Supes.
2. Superman and Spider-Man (Jul 1981)
The two come together in a sequel of the first meet-up to battle Doctor Doom and Parasite. As the green behemoth clashes with the Man of Steel, the Amazonian princess is tricked by Doctor Doom into attacking the Web-Slinger in Marvel Treasury Edition #28.
3. Batman vs. The Incredible Hulk (Sept 1981)
In this Crossoververse kinda tale, Joker controls Hulk as the Dark Knight stops him. And together they coerce Joker to use his powers extremely that his mind collapses in DC Special Series #27.
4. Marvel and DC Present: The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans (Jan 1982)
In this crossover the X-Men and Teen Titans team up to defeat Dark Phoenix, Deathstroke, and Darkseid. The Cult Of Brother Blood and The Hellfire Club were to be included in the next crossover.
5. Spider-Man and Batman (Sept 1995)
A new chip capable of negating violent impulses is out, and the Joker and Carnage are subjected to it. As later both are freed, the Web-Slinger and the Dark Knight join hands to save the city from the most insane minds of all.
6. Darkseid vs. Galactus (Oct 1995)
Silver Surfer finds Apokolips and tries to prepare it for Galactus’ arrival. But he’s challenged by Orion. Galactus and Darkseid battle it out for Apokolips. This is one of the most epic battles between the two mightiest dark forces.
7. Silver Surfer/Superman (Dec 1996)
Silver Surfer adventure with DC icon, Superman as they discover the return of their long-dead home planets as the Impossible Man and Mister Mxyzptlk play a cosmic game to navigate the hijinx ‘rules’ and find who’s the truly spoiled brat of the two! Though it played out in different verses, and if Mxy and the Imp Man recollected it, it could’ve been canonized! But, so far no recollection or anything, making it just a fun crossover.
8. Batman/Captain America (Feb 1997)
An Elseworlds tale, Captain America and Bucky Barnes in the pursuit of Red Skull encounter Batman and Robin who are in the pursuit of the Joker. The Joker and Red Skull collaboration falls out as the Joker realizes Red Skull is a Nazi-maniac.
9. Batman/Spider-Man (Oct 1997)
The Caped Crusader joined hands with the Web-Slinger to battle Ra’s Al Ghul and the Kingpin to save New York from an impending doom.
10. Daredevil/Batman (Jan 1997)
Batman and Daredevil are at each other’s throats until they join forces to defeat Two-Face and Mr. Hyde. This is an Elseworlds tale.
11. Superman/Fantastic Four (Apr 1999)
Once again on a mixed earth, the crossover continues as Superman joins forces with the Fantastic Four against Cyborg Superman and Galactus to save Metropolis and Earth.
12. Incredible Hulk vs. Superman (May 1999)
The two fight it out while Lex Luthor tries to steal the military-graded gamma-ray technology to stop the green behemoth and the Man of Steel.
13. Batman/Daredevil (Dec 2000)
The two battle the Kingpin and Scarecrow along with a certain brief appearance of a cat thief.
14. New Avengers/Transformers (Jul-Oct 2007)
A 4-part issue as Megatron decides to escalate tensions among humans with the help of Doom’s Psycho-Prism. But standing in his path are the New Avengers and Autobots.
The classic DC versus Marvel Omnibus, (excluding the story in Almanaque do O Globo Juvenil vol. 1 & The New Avengers/Transformers) the second collaboration by DC and Marvel in two decades, is stated to be out on 6 Aug 2024 for a hefty price of $135 at Amazon. The first one is a 4-issue canonical crossover, JLA/Avengers (Sept 2003 to Mar 2004) to the mainstream DCU and MCU.
Here’s what the DC versus Marvel Omnibus will have:
- Batman/Captain America #1
- Batman/Daredevil #1
- Batman/Punisher: Lake of Fire #1 (mentioned in the next part)
- Batman/Spider-Man #1
- Daredevil/Batman #1
- DC Special Series #27
- Darkseid vs. Galactus: The Hunger #1
- Green Lantern/Silver Surfer: Unholy Alliances #1 (mentioned in the next part)
- Incredible Hulk vs. Superman #1
- Marvel and DC Present Featuring the Uncanny X-Men and the New Teen Titans #1
- Marvel Treasury Edition #28
- Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights #1 (mentioned in the next part)
- Silver Surfer/Superman #1
- Spider-Man and Batman #1
- Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man #1
- Superman/Fantastic Four #1
These are just a few of the Crossovers in this Crossover saga. We’ll share details from the plethora of crossovers the ComicVerse has to offer, some of which are canon, while some as not. Talk to you on that in the next part.
In the next part of the enticing Crossover saga, after two days, we’ll reveal more enticing mainstream crossovers that you might want in your Pandora ;). So, stay tuned, and keep your eyes open for the next part after 3 days. Caio! 😉
So, as you wait, tell us in the comments below, which of the above ones you have or would love to have?
Pic Credits: RGE/DC/Marvel/IDW Comics
