“No, Mr. Bondpowers, I expect you to be unamalgamated.”
DC Versus Marvel #4
FINAL ISSUE
DC Comics/Marvel (1996)
“Round Four” WRITER: Peter David with Ron Marz PENCILERS: Claudio Castellini & Dan Jurgens INKERS: Paul Neary & Joseph Rubinstein COLORIST: Gregory Wright SEPARATIONS: Digital Chameleon LETTERER: Bill Oakley ASSISTANT EDITORS: Chris Duffy & Joe Andreani EDITORS: Mike Carlin & Mark Gruenwald
With the last of his strength, the old bum (who we learn is named Morty…so at least he doesn’t die without a name) brings Access, Dark Claw, and Super-Soldier together and gives Axel the rest of his power. Access uses the shards he left in Batman and Captain America to split up their Amalgamated counterparts (sending Wolverine to help stop Thanos and Darkseid from fighting a city to timbers and Superman to help the Hulk protect the Batcave from Mole Man and his minions). The universe is still merged but no longer amalgamated as the brothers now fight each other directly, putting the DCMarvelverse in jeopardy. Access takes Batman and Cap to the space where Spectre and the Living Tribunal are unsuccessfully keeping the two from fighting, where the heroes are scanned by the brothers during the fight. Learning of the two going from humble beginnings to being “one among many but remained forever unique”, they decide the other did a good job creating their respective universes. Once again two (to the regret of Robin and Jubilee), the heroes and the universes resume their lives, while Access continues his travels, now between two worlds.
What they got right: It was good to see the heroes working together, like Superman and Hulk battling Mole Man (they even get in a reference to the TRUE first Superman feature-length theatrical movie) or Spider-Man and Superboy putting Kingpin in his place. While part of me still thinks Superman should have been there I see why they went with Batman…but then I wonder why they didn’t use him and Captain America into the Amalgamation instead of Superman/Cap and Batman/Wolverine. The art was great, the story was great, I really liked it.
What they got wrong: I really don’t have any complaints.
Recommendation: With or without the Amalgam issues, this miniseries was fun. While not quite the love-letter that JLA/Avengers was, it was a great crossover between the two universes that we’ll sadly never see again given the current state of DC and Marvel’s rivalry…no longer the fun, respectful one I grew up with. You should see this story out, and the Amalgams I pointed to. We’re not done with Axel’s story, however, or the Amalgam universe. Return next week for …All Access!
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