|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2020 8:01:43 GMT -5
Maybe I don't understand the idea of the shared earth - but I see the MU and DCU of the 60s & 70s (that is what we're talking about, right?) as so different in sensibility and in fictional "in-universe" history that an imaginary superhero universe where they all coexisted and interacted from the get-go doesn't make any sense or have any appeal to me.
I've been more of a mind of picturing late '70s (the time of the fist crossovers, which seems like a natural place to start with comparing the sensibilities of the two universes) to modern comics, but then, I wasn't raised with, and have no fondness for, silver age or much bronze age DC. When I think "DC universe" in general, I think post-crisis, but I'm probably in a minority here. The idea of Marvel and DC heroes existing in the same universe only has to be acceptable for the amount of time to takes you to read a crossover. As far as I'm concerned, it gets the job done. I don't think anybody's saying "It's cool to think that the JLA and Teen Titans are somewhere outside Daredevil's window while I'm sitting here reading DD's latest monthly adventure". Or maybe somebody is saying that, but if so, it's not necessary. The shared-universe idea is a don't-fret-about-continuity tool you are free to put back in the toolbox when you're done with it.Absolutely! I was pleased when Spidey showed up in Transformers. It fits the toolbox analogy. I didn't then have to spend days and days wondering where the Autobots were in previous Marvel arcs, or wondering why Spidey hadn't mentioned them previously (perhaps he had, off-panel). All I needed was there. And this is kind of what I am getting at. Sure, when Superman and Spider-Man first met, there might be some who ask, "So where was Superman during the Galactus saga?" or "Where were the Justice League when Kang invaded?" But you just have to suspend disbelief over that. And not every hero can be everywhere at once. Certain thoughts have crossed my mind at times, particularly during the "Knightfall" saga. I mean, could not one super-powered hero have helped Batman round up the Arkham inmates? But then I realised that if I'm reading a Batman comic, I want to see Batman overcome the odds. His book would be redundant if Green Lantern or Flash could just show up every five minutes to assist him. I accepted the early DC/Marvel crossovers on their own terms. Here was the Man of Steel and the web-slinger teaming up due to a mutual threat. That was all I needed for that story. And it was pretty cool to see them on the same Earth. But it didn't have me doing "homework" and thinking about why they hadn't met before. After all, everyone has to meet for the first time, right? |
|
|
|
Post by dbutler69 on Jan 9, 2020 9:07:09 GMT -5
I honestly don’t have a strong opinion on this, but I voted for separate universes. For one thing, the DC and Marvel universes are crowded enough without cramming them all onto one planet. For another thing, I was a big fan of the old DC earth-1 and earth-2 stuff, and I don’t see why the Marvel characters can’t be on earth-M. I loved the X-Men/Teen Titans crossover from the 80’s, but I did find it odd that they were in the same universe and had already heard of each other. If they’re in the same earth, and even that same city, for that matter, why haven’t they met before? Shouldn’t the Titans have run into some Marvel villains at some point, also?
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2020 9:21:19 GMT -5
I honestly don’t have a strong opinion on this, but I voted for separate universes. For one thing, the DC and Marvel universes are crowded enough without cramming them all onto one planet. For another thing, I was a big fan of the old DC earth-1 and earth-2 stuff, and I don’t see why the Marvel characters can’t be on earth-M. I loved the X-Men/Teen Titans crossover from the 80’s, but I did find it odd that they were in the same universe and had already heard of each other. If they’re in the same earth, and even that same city, for that matter, why haven’t they met before? Shouldn’t the Titans have run into some Marvel villains at some point, also?For me, everyone has to meet for the first time at some point. The 1982 crossover was that first time. And as for why the Titans haven't run into Marvel villains, it gets back to what I said about not being privy to every moment of characters' lives. Around the time of that crossover, the Titans had a monthly book. Perhaps between issues they had taken on a Marvel villain, just another one of those "unseen tales". I never felt it'd be cramming everyone onto one planet. Cities are big. Every DC and Marvel hero can have an apartment/HQ in cities like New York, Metropolis, etc. Room for them all! |
|
Confessor
CCF Mod Squad
Not Bucky O'Hare!
Posts: 10,222 
|
Post by Confessor on Jan 9, 2020 10:35:18 GMT -5
As Darth Vader once said, "Noooooooooo!" I thought that was Luke Skywalker? Well, you know...like father, like son. |
|
|
|
Post by mikelmidnight on Jan 9, 2020 12:36:52 GMT -5
All my comics are filed alphabetically by title. Companies don't enter into it at all. To make my point more general: Does Hulk/Batman get filed under "H" or "B"? In case I'm coming off obstinate or argumentative - I'm asking half tongue-in-cheek, but the other half recognizes the havoc (which I just now originally spelled with a "k" - thanks Marvel!) a crossover can wreak in your collection if you're compulsive about it.
I file all of my comics the same way I file my novels: alphabetically by author. The two exceptions are Superman (all under 'S') and Batman (all under 'K').
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2020 12:44:44 GMT -5
I liked the shared aspect of The Batman/Incredible Hulk crossover, but really dug the Elseworlds approach ofBatman/Captain America.
So I guess while I’m a big fan of shared universes in my other fandoms, on the whole, not so much in my DC/Marvel crossovers.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2020 12:51:12 GMT -5
For me, the good thing about the Batman/Cap team-up was that although it was Elseworlds, it still took place on a shared Earth (even if it was a different Earth from "our" Earth). So no dimension-hopping exposition needed!
|
|
|
|
Post by coinilius on Jan 9, 2020 17:21:38 GMT -5
For me, the good thing about the Batman/Cap team-up was that although it was Elseworlds, it still took place on a shared Earth (even if it was a different Earth from "our" Earth). So no dimension-hopping exposition needed! John Byrne’s Generations series of stories also draws from the concepts set up in that Batman/Captain America story |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2020 17:22:52 GMT -5
For me, the good thing about the Batman/Cap team-up was that although it was Elseworlds, it still took place on a shared Earth (even if it was a different Earth from "our" Earth). So no dimension-hopping exposition needed! John Byrne’s Generations series of stories also draws from the concepts set up in that Batman/Captain America story I need to re-read that again soon. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2020 17:25:33 GMT -5
John Byrne’s Generations series of stories also draws from the concepts set up in that Batman/Captain America story I need to re-read that again soon. It's a favorite of mine and a real treat to read it. I read it 2-3 times a year for fun! |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2020 18:26:58 GMT -5
I read the first Generations series back in the day. Gotta track the rest down one of these days.
|
|
|
|
Post by Duragizer on Jan 9, 2020 21:01:06 GMT -5
I can't recall if I ever finished reading Generations. I'm an unabashed fan of the "real time" approach, but Byrne's execution fell flat for me.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2020 10:11:28 GMT -5
If you ask me, and I am a JB fan, Byrne was the most qualified to handle the 1939-2919 arc. And he didn't disappoint me. I feel such a concept was uniquely suited to his talents. So I think I'll re-read it in 2020.
|
|
|
|
Post by wildfire2099 on Jan 10, 2020 10:26:26 GMT -5
I'm not all that interesting in mixing Marvel and DC.. there are some many similar characters, it would just be a mess. The only one of those crossovers I've read is JLA/Avengers, which I got mostly for the art... the story was pretty bleh, and honestly the fights were more about me working out in my head how the negotiations went to make it even than enjoying the story.
For those that like them, I picture the DC and Marvel universes (and our own) as in the same multiverse, so crossovers would be visiting the other world... or if you want to have crossover world, that's ok too.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2020 10:53:39 GMT -5
I'm not all that interesting in mixing Marvel and DC.. there are some many similar characters, it would just be a mess. The only one of those crossovers I've read is JLA/Avengers, which I got mostly for the art... the story was pretty bleh, and honestly the fights were more about me working out in my head how the negotiations went to make it even than enjoying the story. For those that like them, I picture the DC and Marvel universes (and our own) as in the same multiverse, so crossovers would be visiting the other world... or if you want to have crossover world, that's ok too. I did find out once that Earth-7462 is the designated Earth for the early DC/Marvel crossovers (and I guess it was destroyed after Crisis). Giving that Earth a number sucks the fun out of it all for me. Grrr! It feels like watching Michael Bay's Transformers, but then having someone pop up on the screen after the film is over to tell us, "These robots aren't real, they are the result of CGI - and everything you saw was scripted." Yes, we know that, but don't remind us. I want to believe when I read a comic. I want to lose myself in it. I want to forget all that is happening in the world. I want to fully immerse myself in it. Reading something like 1981's Superman and Spider-Man allows me to do that. Immersing myself in it allows me to escape - and knowing that they are living on the same Earth is all part of that immersive, enjoyable, escapist experience. Telling me it's an Earth-7462 adventure, dictated by bureaucratic edict, kind of ruins that for me. |
|
