Superheroes love crossovers. So much so that it’s almost as if the entire industry was built on them. To complete a story arc, customers are often required to purchase several different titles to see if their hero ever defeats that giant evil robot or if they ever buy that puppy from the window.
There is something fantastic that happens when our favorite characters finally meet for the first time. It’s such a loved comic book trope that Marvel and DC both created their own supergroups including the Avengers and the Justice League respectively. This book explores what happens if the most powerful supergroups in these separate universes are brought together to initially fight, then cooperate.
Without revealing too much, the two realities have merged thanks to an immortal super-scientist named Krona and his desire to find out what happened before the Big Bang. The Grandmaster challenges Krona to a contest of champions. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the other DC heroes are pitted against Captain America, Thor, and Scarlett Witch and the rest of the Marvel cast to be the first to obtain sacred items found in both worlds. These majestic items include Green Lantern’s Power Battery, the Infinity Gems, the Spear of Destiny, and the Cosmic Cube. Eventually, the groups must work together to save each of their worlds from being destroyed.
For long time fans, it’s a fantastic blending of worlds. To see Darkseid obtain the Infinity Gauntlet or Superman wield Thor’s Hammer scratches an itch you never knew you had. They’ve also included clever comparisons that one wouldn’t initially think of as the two worlds are drastically different. For instance, the Flash’s powers don’t work in the Marvel dimension as there is no Speed Force to utilize. Scarlet Witch has almost uncontrollable powers as magic is much more prevalent in the DC TOP world. Most telling are the differences in how DC heroes are revered while Marvel heroes are often met with contempt by the very people they try to save.
Kurt Busiek does an incredible job with an extraordinarily large cast. Every character, big or small (literally), is mentioned, shown, or has a line somewhere in the book. The plot he created is plausible as far as comics go and the portrayals are authentic, a huge success in a book that includes this many heroes. George Perez deserves an Eisner, presidential handshake, and Nickelodeon’s Teen Choice Award for his work on this book. Imagine trying to draw a book where there are at least ten characters on every page, each with their own style and recognized look, and doing it successfully.
Unfortunately, this book is now out of print, but I managed to find a copy at my local library. Thanks to Jeff Patrick for his recommendation of this book in his interview with us.