Global and political catastrophes always bring world leaders together in the hopes of solving the problems at hand. Sometimes a resolution never materializes. DC and Marvel Comics had faced such a similar dilemma. For over 20 years, these two giants in the comic book industry, that houses some of the most recognizable characters in the world, could not put aside their political differences and play together in the same sandbox concerning their premier superhero teams—the Justice League of America and the Avengers.

Up until the mid-1970s, the rivalry between DC and Marvel was so intense that any collaboration was just a passing thought. Fans saw plenty of team-ups between Superman and Batman, but a Superman and Spider-Man outing was chalked up to another fan boy's fantasy.

Wait-a-minute, I'm confused! Isn't Superman and Spider-Man published by the same company? Didn't Stan Lee create all comic book characters? Why do super-heroes wear underwear outside their pants?


Comic Book History 101

DC Comics is the home of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern, Teen Titans, and the Justice League.

Marvel Comics has the likes of Spider-Man, Captain America, Hulk, Daredevil, Iron Man, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and the Avengers.

These two companies didn't crossover their characters until 1976 when they put their flagship characters against each other published in an oversized format (10” x 13.5”). Superman vs. Spider-Man was billed “the battle of the century”. The story took place outside the “official” history of each other; the characters acted as though they lived in the same universe. Let's call it Earth-$$$. That success led to another Superman and Spider-Man team up, Batman and the Incredible Hulk, followed by The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans. Each time these companies put their characters together, the more the fans wanted to see, and the JLA vs. the Avengers was the next project.

But it never happened due a political rift over the direction of the story. Poor George Pérez, the artist slated for the project, already completed 21-pages before the book was cancelled. His dream project died and so did the hopes of many fans in 1983. I was one of the heartbroken. No one imagined it could be revived.

Footnote: DC and Marvel's first collaboration was actually in 1975 with a one-shot comic book based on MGM's version of L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz. How's that for trivia?


The World's Greatest Heroes Meet Earth's Mightiest Heroes

Two decades is a long time to wait for anything, but sometimes it can be worth it. The Berlin Wall came down. Three more Star Wars movies were made. Deep Throat revealed. Michael Jackson became even more white… and strange. And hell decided to finally freeze over because the-powers-to-be at both Marvel and DC said, “Enough is enough. Let's produce JLA and the Avengers.” And the only person to draw it is none other than the original artist slated for the project 20 years ago--George Pérez, the master of cramming every nook and cranny in a single panel. Yes, he's that good.

Along with writer Kurt Busiek (Marvels, Astro City), JLA/Avengers tells a colossal tale of parallel universes (no more Earth-$$$), space/time dilemmas, and epic battles of cosmic proportions, all in the same vein as Crisis On Infinite Earths. In fact the whole story could be a supplement to Crisis.

The mad Oan, Krona, is seeking the truth on the origin of the universe. The more he probes into these mysteries, the more universes die in his quest. It's going to take the combined efforts of the JLA and the Avengers to stop him… if they can get along. And this is where the tone of the story really flies. DC and Marvel have different philosophies in the portrayal of their characters, and Busiek exploits it successfully by playing on these nuances. Earth-DC's heroes are beloved by those they protect while Earth-Marvel's heroes struggle with the mistrust of the general populace towards colourful protectors. Even the two purest souls of each universe—Superman and Captain America—succumb to uncharacteristic rage and paranoia, leading them to be disgusted by what they see on each other's world; Captain America believes Earth-DC demands its people to adore their heroes instead of fighting for their freedom, while Superman sees Earth-Marvel as a cesspool of corruption where its heroes don't do enough to make things right. The clash of personalities from all these characters is what makes this so much fun to read.

And, of course, there are the battles between these heroes. When the Mighty Thor meets a certain Man of Steel, you can bet only one is going to be left standing.


A Piece of History

JLA/Avengers has now been collected in a beautiful slipcased, hardcover 2-volume set. The first volume contains the entire four-issue series with introductions appropriately written by “Mr. Marvel” Stan “the Man” Lee and “Mr. Silver Age” the late Julius Schwartz. The larger size of the book will give readers a much better appreciation for Pérez's artwork, and it is visually stunning in every aspect, from the grandiose of the cosmic event to the minute details of his imagination. A lot of “Easter eggs” can be found for the long-time comic book reader-from Jack “the King” Kirby's famous Marvel monsters to the (Gardner) Fox Building to Hawkeye's hilarious description of the Justice League as a Squadron Supreme knockoff (actually it's Marvel's Squadron Supreme who are the rip-offs—that's the in-joke). Even a nod to the old JLA/JSA team-ups with parallel Earths is recognized, slyly bringing back fan-favourites Barry Allen (Flash II) and Hal Jordan (Green Lantern II) for another tour-de-force paying homage to past Silver Age storylines. Busiek included something for everyone, and Pérez just included every character that has ever been associated with the JLA and Avengers. I honestly think he could have done another four-issues to really stretch his talents.

Volume two includes the original 21-pages that was drawn in 1983 with plot guidelines, along with the letters from both DC and Marvel that finally put a nail in the coffin to that project. It also includes Busiek's alternate script and plots for this new series.

Pérez developed his style in the 1980s becoming one of the premier artists of all time. He worked on both The Avengers and Justice of League of America, co-created The New Teen Titans, destroyed universes in Crisis On Infinite Earths, and revitalized Wonder Woman. He was good then, but amazingly, unlike many artists, he just got better with time. JLA/Avengers is really a celebration of George Pérez's artwork and a testament to his contribution to comic book history.


Recommended: Yes