DC/MARVEL: SUPERMAN/SPIDER-MAN #1 (DC COMICS/MARVEL COMICS)
Clark Kent. Peter Parker. Back at it again.
The pair of legendary heroes have carved out legacies that transcend comics. Both are pop culture fixtures. They have crossed paths in the past. Their first encounter was billed as “The Battle of The Century” in 1981.
Since then, Superman and Spider-Man haven’t had a joint adventure in quite some time. That’s also true for Marvel and DC Comics. The powerhouse publishers last linked up in 2003’s “JLAvengers” until reuniting in 2025. That spawned a series of issues involving Batman and Deadpool. Fans were wondering when the universes would align for a new tale. Their curiosity has paid off with a different style of sequel to the ‘81 classic.
DC/MARVEL: SUPERMAN/SPIDER-MAN #1 by Mark Waid, Jorge Jiménez, Tomeu Morey, Tom Napolitano Tom King, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Alex Sinclair, Pat Brosseau, Christopher Priest, Daniel Sampere, Alejandro Sánchez, Willie Schubert, Sean Murphy, Simon Gough, AndWorld Design, Matt Fraction, Steve Lieber, Nathan Fairbairn, Clayton Cowles, Jeff Lemire, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola, Becca Carey, Gail Simone, Belén Ortega, Jordie Bellaire, & Lucas Gattoni (DC Comics/Marvel Comics) sees the icons drawn together on the same story involving a few of their smartest adversaries.
Let’s take a closer look at what is unfolding here.
DC/MARVEL: SUPERMAN/SPIDER-MAN #1 by Mark Waid, Jorge Jiménez, Tomeu Morey, Tom Napolitano Tom King, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Alex Sinclair, Pat Brosseau, Christopher Priest, Daniel Sampere, Alejandro Sánchez, Willie Schubert, Sean Murphy, Simon Gough, AndWorld Design, Matt Fraction, Steve Lieber, Nathan Fairbairn, Clayton Cowles, Jeff Lemire, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola, Becca Carey, Gail Simone, Belén Ortega, Jordie Bellaire, & Lucas Gattoni (DC Comics/Marvel Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
The issue has a compilation of multiple stories. Due to the amount, the overview of each tale will be shorter than usual reviews.
“Truth, Justice & Great Responsibility” by Waid, Jiménez, Morey & Napolitano
Waid sets the bar extremely high with the opening tale. Dr. Octopus arguing with his ego as he works is a vintage look. Once he has a vested party interrupt his work, the story begins to cement its structure. As the spotlight turns to Parker and Kent, it is an easy transition playoff off their brief history together. The dialogue is light-hearted as they begin their investigation. Readers watch as their work unlocks a crisis in waiting. This spins into a more grounded approach in handling situations in Metropolis.
There are fantastic action sequences provided by Jiménez and Morey to match their previous two page splash of the pair in flight. Every panel feels impactful as they try saving all those in trouble. Readers will see a very cool “power mash-up” involving stopping a fire. It’s fallout shoots a fantastic half page image into starting the main event. Waid stages this in a very dynamic fashion. Action panels start flying very fast at the audience. This fight lives up to the top billing. Its’ fallout is tremendous, concluding with spectacular full pages of Spidey and Superman saving the day. The epilogue is more playful but pours with the hopeful optimism both bring to the table. You can’t ask for better than the parting image to wrap this up!
“The World’s Finest” by King, Lee, Williams, Sinclair & Brosseau
This story puts Lois Lane (pre-Superwoman powers) and Mary Jane Watson (pre-Venom) in the spotlight. Both are trapped in a battle field while Spidey and Superman fight a Sentinel. Their banter is more realistic in recapping their unique lives. Both have been involved in their fair share of dangers and triumphs. King plays into his writing strengths in showcasing their points of view.
Lee is a legend for a reason. Every panel is bringing out the emotion and action. The full page shot of the heroes fighting the Sentinel starts off the excitement. It’s balanced by Lane and Watson’s calm reactions to the chaos around them. There’s an incredible two page spread involving a surprise cameo that will win fans over. The fallout reconnects the relationships as they justify the talk before riding out into the sunset.
“Pages” by Priest, Sampere, Sánchez & Schubert
Superboy-Prime is a complex character to begin with. Having him meet up with Symbiote Spider-Man makes for an engaging tale. Priest manuevers through the time stream paradoxs for a unique confrontation. Sampere welcomes the main antagonist in a bold half page panel. Events get more confusing as the young heroes try forming some teamwork to take down the threat. It leads into a stern talk about being a hero in this trying time. the final page launches one last surge to bring home a win. Solid for what the story needed.
“Beyond the Cobwebs of Tomorrow” by Murphy, Gough, AndWorld Design
Spider-Man 2099 and Superboy (from the LOSH era) meet for some time travel hijinx. Murphy brings out the odd similarities in both leads’ lives. Readers can appreciate the parallels between worlds as they both try sorting out their issues. Gough locks in on some quick action while showing readers a fast glimpse of both worlds. It concludes on a solid landing with room to come back if the fans want to see it.
LOOK BACK AT THE PREVIOUS DEADPOOL/BATMAN MEETING!
“Jimmy Con Carnage” by Fraction, Lieber, Fairbairn & Cowles
This is arguably the most dark feel of all the stories here. Jimmy Olsen is a new photog for the Daily Bugle. J. Johan Jameson wants photos of Spider-Man. Fraction throws Olsen and Parker into a quick conversation which moves Superman’s friend into action. Lieber brings his worst fears to life as he finds someone he shouldn’t via half page. Readers watch as Fraction steers in a very insane reason for this confrontation. It fits Olsen’s attacker to a Tee. The epilogue is a twisted finish that only Fraction can deliver. A very different entry into this field to say the least.
“The Bridge” by Lemire, Sandoval, Arreola, & Carey
Lemire brings together the most noble father figures in comics to help save people in a terrible flooding storm. Readers watch as Jonathan Kent and Ben Parker go to work to help trapped civilians trying to survive. Sandoval showcases the pair using their caring demeanors to help others. The “family” narrations shine in this brief but fun moment in time. It concludes with a wonderful full page of the legacies they instilled in their “sons” for the world to be thankful for.
“Bias” by Rucka, Scott, Maiolo & Maher
Jameson faces off with Lane on Jack Ryder’s talk show. Consider me sold on this one. Rucka brings up the deep rooted dislike for Spidey with a strong counter from Lane’s perspective. The meeting shows why both are forces to be reckoned with. Scott showcases other heroes in Jameson’s breakdown but ultimately ends at a stand still. The parting image of Spidey in the rafters watching is a nice finishing point. A great stylistic contrast to the other stories in the mix.
“Blind Date” by Simone, Ortega, Bellaire, & Gattoni
This is one of the more wilder pairings readers will see in recent memory (save an Archie crossover). Power Girl is on a blind date with PAUL (yes, THAT Paul). Punisher is staking out the restaurant. Business goes down. Simone brings out the best from the mis-matched heroes while creating a wild brawl. Ortega slides in great action, along with a more private look at how they break down the other. It leaves on a fun note but missed one point. Paul survived…ugh. Better luck he’s taken out next time? Kidding aside, a very different story than expected to close up shop.
FINAL GRADE: 8.8
Two iconic heroes deliver an instant classic of superhero storytelling. Waid’s writing elevates each heroes strengths. Jiménez and Morey even out the intense action with great personal moments. It lives up to its’ much hyped debut. The back-up tales vary on direction but some felt disconnected in being more than a forced timeline displacement. At the very least, they compliment the main event in some fashion. Comic fans should will have something special to enjoy with this edition.
Let me know your thoughts on DC/MARVEL: SUPERMAN/SPIDER-MAN #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
