The competition between DC and Marvel Comics, the two behemoths of the comic book industry, is legendary. While DC and Marvel Comics are different both stylistically and in the approach that they take to continuity in their respective universes, both companies are famous and much-loved due to the enduring popularity of their superheroes and their impact on popular culture as well as comics. Of course, all superheroes have strengths and weaknesses and readers have often pondered on whose stable of heroes is the best and, perhaps more importantly, which heroes would win if DC and Marvel were ever to go to war. The comic book crossover miniseries collected together here as DC versus Marvel Comics attempts to provide a final, definitive answer to both of these questions.

Two eons old cosmic brothers who personify the DC and Marvel universes become aware of each other’s existence and challenge each other to a series of duels involving each universe’s respective superheroes. The universe whose heroes suffer the greatest number of defeats will cease to exist. As the battles rage, the boundaries between the two universes begin to break down and so the brothers attempt to remedy the situation by creating the Amalgam universe which is occupied by merged versions of many of the most famous heroes. With the superheroes preoccupied fighting each other, an inter-dimensional character known as Access is left to try and restore both universes to their normal state.

To further whet your appetite, the epic DC versus Marvel Comics showdowns take the form of:

• Superman versus The Hulk
• Captain America versus Batman
• Aquaman versus The Sub-Mariner
• Storm versus Wonder Woman
• Superboy versus Spider-Man
• Wolverine versus Lobo
• Flash versus Quicksilver
• Silver Surfer versus Green Lantern
• Captain Marvel versus Thor
• Elektra versus Batwoman
• Robin versus Jubilee

With a line-up like that, DC versus Marvel Comics certainly has the makings of an intense muscle-bound, supercharged battle royale like no other. In some ways the titanic tussles were exactly what comics fans had been dreaming of for years (in fact, the outcomes of five of the battles were decided by fan votes) but in other ways they were rather disappointing. While watching Batman pound on Captain America and Wolverine trading insults with Lobo was very entertaining, the battles themselves were mostly brief with a lot of the action happening off page. This was no doubt due to practical considerations such as the story having to be contained within a miniseries as well as the fairly large number of heroes who had to be dealt with, but it was still anticlimactic and something of a letdown. Each battle had to be concluded within roughly three pages so there was only very limited interaction between characters whose meetings should have been spectacular. Although Robin and Jubilee did find time for a quick snog before their bout, the other heroes barely managed to exchange a few words. Although dialogue between the heroes was limited, there were a fair few sappy internal monologues bemoaning the folly of having to fight someone who, in other circumstances, would have been an ideal ally. Such sentiments do certainly have merit but the heroes seemed too introspective and analytical for a storyline which ultimately demands that they bash each other’s brains in to avoid the total destruction of their universes. Ultimately, the miniseries format was perhaps too small for such a sprawling concept.

Having said all that, DC versus Marvel Comics is still a fun read based on a great concept and backed up with great artwork. The storyline isn’t particularly deep but it is one that most fans have been waiting for since childhood. It is a real treat to witness all of these timeless heroes appear in one action packed, albeit too brief, story. The idea of the Amalgam universe and the merged heroes who live there was great and really deserved more attention being paid to it. While not especially memorable, DC versus Marvel Comics is an enjoyable read and one that fans of both comic universes will certainly want to get their hands on.

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