Since I was 14 years old—almost 40 years ago!—when I first began devouring comic books, I have always wondered what it would be like to see Marvel and DC’s greatest heroes sharing the same pages. Over the years, both publishers have given us a taste of this, bringing us epic encounters between their most iconic characters. Some of these stories became true classics, while others were more experimental. Here, I share a bit of the history of these memorable clashes and my perspective on each of them.
The First Great Encounter: Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man (1976)
In 1976, DC and Marvel made history by uniting Superman and Spider-Man in an unprecedented crossover—at the time, the most famous and best-selling characters from both publishers. In Brazil, it was released in a special edition, albeit in the smaller standard comic book format of the time. In the United States, however, it came in a large-sized magazine, more akin to a special event than a regular comic book. The story, penned by Gerry Conway and illustrated by Ross Andru, pitted Lex Luthor and Doctor Octopus against the two heroes. For fans of the era, witnessing these two titans interact—and even clash before ultimately joining forces—was an unforgettable experience!
Mutants and Titans: The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans (1982)
This is, without a doubt, my favorite crossover. Those who know me are aware of my admiration for the X-Men, and my favorite DC team has always been the Teen Titans. In the 1980s, we were treated to this historic collaboration: the X-Men, then at the peak of their popularity, meeting the New Teen Titans, DC’s response to Marvel’s mutant team. Written by a highly inspired Chris Claremont and masterfully illustrated by Walt Simonson, the story featured Darkseid and the Dark Phoenix, seamlessly intertwining the mythologies of both publishers. This single issue from 1982 proved that crossovers could achieve an exceptional level of narrative and artistic quality.
DC vs. Marvel (1996) – A Fan-Determined Showdown
By the mid-1990s, the rivalry between Marvel and DC reached new heights with the DC vs. Marvel miniseries. The premise was simple yet exhilarating: the two universes were colliding, and only one would prevail. To determine the winners of the major battles, the publishers allowed readers to vote—leading to endless debates and controversies. Written by Ron Marz and Peter David, with artwork by Dan Jurgens and Claudio Castellini, the series presented matchups such as Superman vs. the Hulk and Wolverine vs. Lobo. The event was a massive success and paved the way for an even bolder project.
The Amalgam Universe (1996-1997) – The Ultimate Fusion?
If DC vs. Marvel was groundbreaking, the Amalgam Universe was entirely unexpected. Rather than simply having heroes battle each other, the publishers decided to merge them! Thus, characters like Dark Claw (a fusion of Batman and Wolverine), Super-Soldier (Superman and Captain America), and Spider-Boy (Spider-Man and Superboy) were born. Spanning two waves of publications in 1996 and 1997, this hybrid universe offered readers stories that simulated decades of fictional continuity. It was a bold experiment—more entertaining than narratively profound—but despite never being revisited, it left a lasting mark on pop culture.
Justice League vs. Avengers (2003-2004) – The Ultimate Crossover
After years of negotiations, the greatest teams from both publishers finally collided in JLA/Avengers. Kurt Busiek and George Pérez delivered an epic story that justified the existence of two distinct universes while presenting incredible interactions between the heroes. The sheer level of detail and the countless references for longtime fans made this miniseries a true gift for comic book enthusiasts. Unfortunately, due to editorial disputes, it remained out of print for many years, but its recent reissue reignited interest among readers. I strongly recommend that every comic book fan add this masterpiece to their collection.
The Next Encounter: What to Expect in 2025?
Now, more than two decades after the last major crossover, Marvel and DC have announced a new event for 2025. While details remain scarce, we already know that two special editions, titled DC/Marvel and Marvel/DC, are on the way. Editors-in-chief Marie Javins (DC) and C.B. Cebulski (Marvel) have promised something truly special, and anticipation is running high. Could this be a new chapter in the Amalgam Universe? A continuation of DC vs. Marvel? Or perhaps another Justice League vs. Avengers showdown? Only time will tell.
To me, these encounters have always been more than just stories. They represent rare moments when the two biggest publishers set aside their differences to create something truly unique. And as a lifelong fan who has followed it all for decades, I can hardly wait to see what comes next.