“Yesterday’s” Comic> DC/Marvel: All Access #1

“Grrr…I’m gonna getcha.”

DC/Marvel: All Access #1

DC Comics (December, 1996)

In the time since the previous crossover, Axel Asher, aka Access, has been wandering between universes, but has found a girlfriend in the Marvel Universe, Ming. Unfortunately he has to leave her behind when Venom somehow appears in the DC Universe where he tangles with Superman. Access tries to help but Superman doesn’t see him as a superhero even after using his powers to rescue a woman named Caitlin Fitzgerald. (If she was a Superman character at the time I don’t know about it. the 90’s made it tough to follow regular universes thanks to 5 different titles for some characters.) Access grabs Spider-Man from the Marvel Universe, who tells our heroes about Venom’s weakness to sonic attacks and Superman sends Access to STAR Labs…well, you saw this in last night’s Friday Night Fight. Both heroes decide Access is part of their ranks and offer their aid during any further crossovers. Meanwhile, Wong was watching Access, who could now see Doctor Strange’s house, and the doctor himself knows something is coming.

What they got right: They do a good job establishing the events of DC Versus Marvel/Marvel Versus DC for newcomers who don’t know who Access is. And that will be important next issue. We get a better idea what Access’ powers are now that he has a better idea himself. The fight between Superman and Venom, both before and after Spider-Man joins in, was very well done. I wish DC (the actual publisher of this comic) had art like this in more of their comics around this time.

What they got wrong: Most of the comic is just the fight scene, so you don’t learn about Axel personally beyond what we already learned in the first series.

Recommendation: The second chapter of the “Access trilogy” is off to a fairly decent start. It’s worth checking out.

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