Marvel and DC’s new Superman/Spider-Man crossover delivers exactly what fans would expect from a brand-new crossover, giving us some truly great team-up stories featuring DC’s Man of Steel and Marvel’s original Webslinger. However, what’s so great is that this issue goes beyond, featuring some fun surprise appearances as well.
Although Superman and Spider-Man may share the title, some of the most memorable moments in DC’s Superman/Spider-Man #1 actually come from other epic heroes. Thanks to some standout backup stories, we also get to see some great moments from both Batman and X-Men characters (who definitely steal the show).
Superman/Spider-Man #1 Featured A Really Fun Gambit Appearance
The main Superman/Spider-Man story from Mark Waid and Jorge Jiménez is solid and all kinds of fun. It’s bright, energetic, and perfectly captures the chemistry between Superman and Spider-Man, showcasing their similarities as much as their differences. They even get a great “villain-swap” with Superman taking on Doctor Octopus with kryptonite tentacles while Spider-Man uses his spider-sense to evade Brainiac.
Even so, one of the biggest highlights comes from one of the DC/Marvel issue’s first backup stories from Tom King and Jim Lee. In “World’s Finest”, Mary Jane Watson teams up with Lois Lane while their red-and-blue-costumed significant others are busy fighting a robotic Sentinel.
Naturally, MJ and Lois have some great back-and-forth about their similar relationships before realizing that neither Superman nor Spider-Man is the Sentinel’s target. It’s none other than Remy LeBeau’s Gambit.
After Lois lends Remy a pack of cards, the Sentinel is quickly dealt with once Gambit joins the fray alongside Supes and Spidey. Combined with Superman and Spider-Man doing their own Fastball Special first made famous by Wolverine and Colossus, it’s a pretty great X-Men-infused story overall.
Batman Beyond Makes A Surprise Cameo As Well (Clashing With Spider-Man 2099!)
If Gambit’s brief appearance in DC’s Superman/Spider-Man #1 wasn’t enough, the new crossover issue delivers another scene-stealing cameo in a following backup story.
In “Beyond The Cobwebs of Tomorrow” written and drawn by Sean Murphy, the setting is shifted to the future. This includes its versions of Superman and Spider-Man, with the story instead starring Spider-Man 2099 and the future Legion of Superheroes’ Superboy from the 30th Century.
While a fight between Spider-Man 2099 and the Legion’s Superboy is cool in its own right, things get even cooler with the reveal that they’re fighting in Gotham City…and they’re being watched.
Having previously been cloaked, Terry McGinnis’ Batman Beyond is ultimately discovered by the other two heroes (with Bruce Wayne on comms). Additionally, Terry’s use of the classic future-slang “schway” was a dead giveaway before he and Bruce Wayne were fully revealed in this new backup story, as it was heavily featured in the Batman Beyond show (one of the greatest superhero animated series of all time).
Although there was an initial (and SO freaking cool) clash between Spider-Man 2099 and Batman Beyond, all three heroes eventually come to an understanding that both Spider-Man 2099 and Superboy have traveled to this same nexus point to prevent the merger of Lex Corp and Alchemax, resulting in an excellent three-way team-up we unfortunately don’t get to see.
Nevertheless, it’s doubtful that anyone was expecting Batman Beyond to show up in DC and Marvel’s new Superman/Spider-Man crossover, and incredibly fun that he did. Honestly, this backup definitely leaves you wanting more, and the idea of a bigger Spider-Man 2099/Batman Beyond crossover from Sean Murphy is something I won’t be letting go of anytime soon. Make it happen DC/Marvel!
Superman/Spider-Man #1 is available now from DC Comics. Marvel’s Spider-Man/Superman #1 releases on April 22nd.
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- Alias
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Kal-El, Clark Kent, Jonathan Kent
- Created By
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Joe Shuster, Jerry Siegel
- Franchise
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D.C.
- Race
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Kryptonian
- First Appearance
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Action Comics
- Alliance
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Justice League, Superman Family
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
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- Alias
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Peter Parker, Ben Reilly, Otto Octavius, Yu Komori, Kaine Parker, Pavitr Prabhakar, William Braddock, Miles Morales, Kurt Wagner
- Created By
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Stan Lee, Steve Ditko
- Franchise
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Marvel, Spider-Man
- Race
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Human
- First Appearance
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Amazing Fantasy
- Alliance
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Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Secret Defenders, Future Foundation, Heroes for Hire, Mighty Avengers, New Avengers, Web-Warriors
Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.
