Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2020 7:23:08 GMT -5
So, as far as DC/Marvel crossovers are concerned, do you prefer shared Earth or separate universes? I have a view, but like any views a person has, there can be nuance and flexibility.
I love the shared Earth approach of the early DC/Marvel crossovers. And I’m pleased that some later crossovers did the same, e.g. the 1999 Hulk/Superman story and Batman/Captain America (although I know that was a different Earth). It felt magical to me. And it sort of validated my view that the DC and Marvel heroes did live on the same Earth.
As a kid, it was not uncommon for me to have DC/Marvel battles, whether it be Kenner’s Batman and Robin taking on Mattel’s Doctor Doom or Kenner’s Superman trapped in Doom’s Tower of Doom. In my own mind, although I knew DC and Marvel were separate entities, I liked to *think* that they all shared the same Earth. So when I got around to reading the first 4 crossovers, I was pleased. Here was Superman and Spider-Man living on the same Earth! Finally.
It also enhanced my enjoyment of earlier tales. When I read some Stan Lee/Steve Ditko Spider-Man stories, I imagined how, as Parker was beginning his web-slinging career, Superman was a short distance away. I imagined that the likes of Batman might be keeping tabs on Electro or that Doom had his eyes on Superman and/or Luthor.
The shared Earth approach also led to some good dialogue and pragmatism. Spider-Man thought about how overrated Superman was (when Supes is depowered and easy pickings for Spidey). The second Superman/Spider-Man crossover had Wonder Woman mention how she’d always planned to hunt down the web-slinger. In the Batman/Hulk crossover, Bats told Commissioner Gordon that he had always had a file on the Hulk in the Batcave. And in the Teen Titans/X-Men crossover, didn’t one of the Teen Titans mention they’d heard whispers about Dark Phoenix while out in space?
I think the benefits and FUN of the shared Earth approach are a good thing.
When 1996’s DC vs Marvel was published, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the art. I could appreciate it. But although the separate universes approach made sense for the storyline they were publishing, it did feel soulless. Just a tad. Not enough to totally detract from the storyline, but just a bit. I guess it gave us Amalgam, though.
And JLA/Avengers also had many great moments, I like how the DC heroes found the Marvel Earth such an eye-opener (and vice versa). So I get that there can be logical reasons for the separate universe policy, especially to advance the story. It can drive you mad, though. In DC vs Marvel, Clark Kent is looking at a photo of Spider-Man battling Man-Bat - and comments on how he doesn’t recognise the guy fighting Man-Bat. I wanted to scream and shout, “You know him! You met him twice in two previous crossovers”. Sucking the fun out of it a little further was some mention (I can’t recall where) that the early DC/Marvel crossovers took place on Earth-Whatever. That pained me a tad as it made them non-canon. Grrrr!
I mentioned this to a friend a while back and he said, “Enjoy the ride. It’s a big multiverse, take your pick of what you enjoy.” Good advice, I guess. But I am not necessarily a fan of the quasi-meta pedantry of the separate universes approach. It sucks the joy out of it a little, knowing that there’s a universe separating DC and Marvel - and that for crossovers of the modern era, a universe-hopping plot contrivance is required. I much prefer the simple idea of Bruce Banner getting a job at S.T.A.R. Labs or Clark Kent simply showing up at the Daily Bugle. For me, shared Earth is more fun, more joyous, more awe-inspiring - and doesn’t require dimensional exploits and explanations just to get folk to meet.
And I suppose the Spidey/Transformers crossover is now non-canon, too. Give me strength!
I won’t deny the enjoyment of some later crossovers. Who couldn’t enjoy JLA/Avengers? But I do wish they’d stuck with the shared Earth approach. Also, while I can embrace the multiverse, particularly on the Arrowverse shows, for years it was satisfying to think of the two Superman/Spider-Man crossovers as being canon; to learn that they aren’t canon, and took place on another Earth that most have probably forgotten, is a bitter pill to swallow.
However, over to you. Just to let you know, when DC and Marvel merge, and I become the editor-in-chief, I shall be restoring the shared Earth policy.
I love the shared Earth approach of the early DC/Marvel crossovers. And I’m pleased that some later crossovers did the same, e.g. the 1999 Hulk/Superman story and Batman/Captain America (although I know that was a different Earth). It felt magical to me. And it sort of validated my view that the DC and Marvel heroes did live on the same Earth.
As a kid, it was not uncommon for me to have DC/Marvel battles, whether it be Kenner’s Batman and Robin taking on Mattel’s Doctor Doom or Kenner’s Superman trapped in Doom’s Tower of Doom. In my own mind, although I knew DC and Marvel were separate entities, I liked to *think* that they all shared the same Earth. So when I got around to reading the first 4 crossovers, I was pleased. Here was Superman and Spider-Man living on the same Earth! Finally.
It also enhanced my enjoyment of earlier tales. When I read some Stan Lee/Steve Ditko Spider-Man stories, I imagined how, as Parker was beginning his web-slinging career, Superman was a short distance away. I imagined that the likes of Batman might be keeping tabs on Electro or that Doom had his eyes on Superman and/or Luthor.
The shared Earth approach also led to some good dialogue and pragmatism. Spider-Man thought about how overrated Superman was (when Supes is depowered and easy pickings for Spidey). The second Superman/Spider-Man crossover had Wonder Woman mention how she’d always planned to hunt down the web-slinger. In the Batman/Hulk crossover, Bats told Commissioner Gordon that he had always had a file on the Hulk in the Batcave. And in the Teen Titans/X-Men crossover, didn’t one of the Teen Titans mention they’d heard whispers about Dark Phoenix while out in space?
I think the benefits and FUN of the shared Earth approach are a good thing.
When 1996’s DC vs Marvel was published, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the art. I could appreciate it. But although the separate universes approach made sense for the storyline they were publishing, it did feel soulless. Just a tad. Not enough to totally detract from the storyline, but just a bit. I guess it gave us Amalgam, though.
And JLA/Avengers also had many great moments, I like how the DC heroes found the Marvel Earth such an eye-opener (and vice versa). So I get that there can be logical reasons for the separate universe policy, especially to advance the story. It can drive you mad, though. In DC vs Marvel, Clark Kent is looking at a photo of Spider-Man battling Man-Bat - and comments on how he doesn’t recognise the guy fighting Man-Bat. I wanted to scream and shout, “You know him! You met him twice in two previous crossovers”. Sucking the fun out of it a little further was some mention (I can’t recall where) that the early DC/Marvel crossovers took place on Earth-Whatever. That pained me a tad as it made them non-canon. Grrrr!
I mentioned this to a friend a while back and he said, “Enjoy the ride. It’s a big multiverse, take your pick of what you enjoy.” Good advice, I guess. But I am not necessarily a fan of the quasi-meta pedantry of the separate universes approach. It sucks the joy out of it a little, knowing that there’s a universe separating DC and Marvel - and that for crossovers of the modern era, a universe-hopping plot contrivance is required. I much prefer the simple idea of Bruce Banner getting a job at S.T.A.R. Labs or Clark Kent simply showing up at the Daily Bugle. For me, shared Earth is more fun, more joyous, more awe-inspiring - and doesn’t require dimensional exploits and explanations just to get folk to meet.
And I suppose the Spidey/Transformers crossover is now non-canon, too. Give me strength!
I won’t deny the enjoyment of some later crossovers. Who couldn’t enjoy JLA/Avengers? But I do wish they’d stuck with the shared Earth approach. Also, while I can embrace the multiverse, particularly on the Arrowverse shows, for years it was satisfying to think of the two Superman/Spider-Man crossovers as being canon; to learn that they aren’t canon, and took place on another Earth that most have probably forgotten, is a bitter pill to swallow.
However, over to you. Just to let you know, when DC and Marvel merge, and I become the editor-in-chief, I shall be restoring the shared Earth policy.
Wasn’t it supposed to be “the best of both worlds” in a sense?
