(I originally read these comics in early/mid January 2016)
After reading 50+ issues of Hellblazer I thought I'd cleanse the palate with some bog-standard super-hero stupidity, and how better to do that than with the 1990s DC Versus Marvel series and resulting 'Amalgam Universe' titles.
The plot for the first series is basic. Two cosmic beings known as the Brothers, one personifying the sum total of the Marvel U. and the other the DCU, become aware of each others' existence for the first time in billennia (trademark: me) and decide to challenge each other for supremacy by pitting their respective super-heroes in battle. The main bouts are Superman vs. the Hulk, Superboy vs. Spider-Man, Batman vs. Captain America, Lobo vs. Wolverine and Wonder Woman vs. Storm. The outcomes of these polls was decided by (a no doubt very expensive) phone poll, of course...
The MU heroes won the share of the bouts but then something unexpected happened: at the conclusion of issue # 3, instead of one universe being wiped out of existence, the two universes are instead combined into one, the 'Amalgam Universe.' Heroes are literally smooshed together to produce the following new titles:
Amazon (combining Wonder Woman and Storm), Assassins (Catwoman/Elektra and Deathstroke/Daredevil), Doctor Strangefate (should be obvious), JLX (ditto), Legends of the Dark Claw (Batman and Wolverine), Super Soldier (Superman and Captain America), Bruce Wayne, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., Bullets and Bracelets (Wonder Woman and the Punisher), Magneto and the Magnetic Men (the Metal Men and Magneto), Speed Demon (the Flash, the Demon and Ghost Rider; the only instance where three characters are combined into one), Spider-Boy (Superboy and Spider-Man) and X-Patrol (Doom Patrol and the X-Men)
Some of these are enjoyable, others (like the X-related ones) I ploughed through as a chore. All felt pointless to one degree or another. The stunt was repeated a year later with six Amalgam titles getting a reprise and six new additions:
Bat-Thing (Man-Bat and Man-Thing), Generation Hex (Jonah Hex and Generation X), Lobo the Duck (Lobo and Howard the Duck), Challengers of the Fantastic (Challengers of the Unknown and the Fantastic Four), Iron Lantern (Green Lantern and Iron Man) and Thorion of the New Asgods (the New Gods/Thor)
Of course, the two universes are separated by the conclusion of DC Versus Marvel # 4.
'All Access' was published between the two Amalgam waves and deals with more incursions between the two worlds. This means Superman battles Venom, Batman gets to deck the Scorpion, the JLA confront the X-Men, etc. Meanwhile, Robin and Jubilee continue the flirtation they began previously.
'Unlimited Access' is a final go-round at the concept from 1997. This time Access, the guardian between the two universes (and the only character co-owned by DC and Marvel), goes not only universe-hopping but bouncing through time as well. This results in the first iterations of the Avengers and the Justice League, plus the original X-Men and the then-current New Teen Titans line-up getting to join forces (and combine, as new Amalgams) against an alliance of Magneto and Darkseid. It's all very complicated...
DC Versus Marvel (or 'Marvel Versus DC,' if you prefer), All Access and Unlimited Access all provide decent, undemanding entertainment. I liked AA the best. The Amalgam titles vary widely, but there are no single great issues. To be honest, I'm left thinking such a mega event should have been a lot more fun than this...
DC Versus Marvel (1996) # 1-4 and Doctor Strangefate # 1 are collected in:
Softcover:
Doctor Strangefate (1996) # 1, Amazon (1996) # 1, Assassins (1996) # 1, JLX (1996) # 1, Legends of the Dark Claw (1996) # 1 and Super Soldier # 1 are collected in:
Softcover:
Bruce Wayne, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (1996) # 1, Bullets and Bracelets (1996) # 1, Magneto and the Magnetic Men (1996) # 1, Speed Demon (1996) # 1, Spider-Boy (1996) # 1 and X-Patrol (1996) # 1 are collected in:
Softcover:
Bat-Thing (1997) # 1, Dark Claw Adventures (1997) # 1, Generation Hex (1997) # 1, JLX Unleashed (1997) # 1, Lobo the Duck (1997) # 1 and Super Soldier: Man of War (1997) # 1 are collected in:
Softcover:
Challengers of the Fantastic (1997) # 1, Exciting X-Patrol (1997) # 1, Iron Lantern (1997) # 1, The Magnetic Men featuring Magneto (1997) # 1, Spider-Boy Team-Up (1997) # 1 and Thorion of the New Asgods (1997) # 1 are collected in:
Softcover:
Softcover:
