Ending Alt 9602: Amalgam

Alt 9602: B-

It was a publicity stunt that did exactly what it was intended to do. Most of the fanboys (myself included) were completely invested in the shared universe. It was the height of the 90s with the comics industry using gimmicks and over-the-top hype to maintain sales, but I remember it being a time when anything was possible. I got to see the characters that I grew up with in the same pages -- and then merged into totally new versions! They were full of Easter Eggs, littered with puns, and missing any real storytelling substance, but they were fun. They were flashy with unexpected appearances of brand-new characters. They were recognizable without decades of back-story. They were superhero comic books for superhero comic book fans.

Alt 9602 Extra: X-Men & Teen Titans

Prior to the 1996 DC Versus Marvel event, Marvel and DC had some limited cross-company collaborations in which heroes from each universe met: Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man (1976), Marvel Treasury Edition #28: Superman and Spider-Man (1981), and DC Special Series No. 27: Batman vs the Incredible Hulk (Fall 1981).

One of the more well known issues was 1982's  Marvel and DC Present featuring The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans. Two of the hottest properties at the time joined forces to stop Darkseid from raising Dark Phoenix from the dead and using her to rule Earth. He had none other than Deathstroke the Terminator leading his para-demon army. It is a fun adventure once you get past the absurd premise that the two teams exist in the same universe and somehow never met each other. The bonus is, of course, that this one-shot stars the classic line-ups for both teams:

• X-Men: Colossus, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Professor X, Kitty Pryde, Storm, and Wolverine
• Teen Titans: Changling, Cyborg, Kid Flash, Raven ,Robin, Starfire, and Wonder Girl

I am not sure how I got this issue, but I am so glad it is part of the collection. The Teen Titans were perhaps my favorite DC team (and probably still are), so seeing them with the X-Men was a treat.

Alt 9602, Part 3: Return to Amalgam Age of Comics

Grade: C+

In June 1997, DC and Marvel attempt to recapture some of the Amalgam magic a year later. I don't think it did as well. There was considerably more hype surrounding the first run thanks to the "DC Versus Marvel" crossover event. This attempt provided many of the same characters which weren't particularly well developed in the first round.

There were some interesting additions. Dark Claw Adventures was drawn similar to the very popular Batman Adventures comic and animated series. Generation Hex gives us a modern twist on a classic comic Wild West morality tale. Lobo the Duck tried (unsuccessfully) to capture the over-the-top zaniness of DC's Lobo and Marvel's Howard the Duck.

DC and Marvel again split the load with six titles each. I focused on the X-Men tie-ins -- though I couldn't resist picking up Lobo the Duck. The six other titles included: Bat-Thing, Challengers of the Fantastic, Iron Lantern, Spider-Boy Team-Up, Super-Soldier: Man of War, & Thorion of the New Asgods. For those that I do have in this post, I list the DC character first for each Amalgam character.

[3 Stars] Dark Claw Adventures #1 - "Face to Face" [DC] Lady Talia seeks vengeance for the death of her father.

• Dark Claw (Batman & Wolverine)
• Lady Talia (Talia al Ghul & Lady Deathstrike)
• Ra's-A-Pocalypse (Ra's al Ghul & Apocalypse)
• Sparrow (Robin & Jubilee)
• Ubuwong. (Ubu & Wong)

[3 Stars] Exciting X-Patrol #1 - "The Curse of Brother Brood" [Marvel] X-Patrol race to save Niles Cable from Brother Brood and his Broodlings.

• X-Patrol (Teen Titans / Doom Patrol & X-Force)
• Beastling (Changeling & Beast)
• Dial H.U.S.K. (Dial H for Hero & Husk)
• Elastigirl (Elasti-Girl & Domino / Wasp)
• Ferro Man (Ferro Lad & Colossus)
• Jericho (Jericho & X-Man)
• Niles Cable (The Chief & Cable)
• Shatterstarfire (Starfire & Shatterstar)
• Brother Brood (Brother Blood & the Brood)
• Raveniya The Healer (Raven & Aliya Dayspring)
• Terra-X The Destoyer (Terra & Terrax)

[4 Stars] Generation Hex #1 - "Humanity's Last Stand" [DC] Jono Hex and his band of malform (mutant) outlaws ride hard to keep ahead of Marshal "Bat" Trask's Razormen.

• Generation Hex 
• Aurora Trigger (Wayne Trigger / Cinnamon & Aurora)
• Jono Hex (Jonah Hex & Chamber)
• Johnny Random (Johnny Thunder & Random) 
• Madame Banshee (Madame .44 & Banshee)
• Northstar Trigger (Walter Trigger & Northstar)
• Retribution (Firehair & Penance)
• Skinhunter (Scalphunter & Skin)
• White Whip (Whip & Emma Frost)
• Marshal "Bat" Trask (Bat Lash & Bolivar Trask)
• Razormen (Scissormen & Sentinels)

[3 Stars] JLX Unleashed #1 - "The Unextinguishable Flame" [DC] The Hellfire League of Injustice release the monstrous Fin Fang Flame.

• JLX (JLA & X-Men)
• Apollo (Ray & Cyclops)
• Chaos (Spitfire & Havok) 
• Iceberg (Ice & Iceman)
• Mister X (Martian Manhunter & Professor X / Skrull / Bishop)
• Night-Creeper (Creeper & Nightcrawler)
• Runaway (Gypsy & Rogue)
• JLA (JLA & Avengers)
• Amazon (Wonder Woman & Storm)
• Captain Marvel (Captain Marvel & Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell))
• Super Soldier (Superman & Captain America)
• Fin Fang Flame (Brimstone & Fin Fang Foom)
• Hellfire League of Injustice
• Dark Firebird (Evil version of Fire & Phoenix (Jean Grey))
• Lord Maxwell Hodge (Maxwell Lord & Cameron Hodge)
• Mistress Maxima (Maxima & White Queen)
• Savage Shaw (Vandal Savage & Sebastian Shaw)

[2 Stars] Lobo the Duck #1 [DC] Lobo the Duck is hired to uncover who murdered Amalgam's heroes.

• Lobo the Duck (Lobo & Howard the Duck)
• Bevarlene (Darlene & Beverly Switzler)
• Impossible Dawg (Dawg & Impossible Man)
• Al Forbush (Al & Irving Forbush)
• Ambush the Lunatik (Ambush Bug & Lunatik)
• Doctor Bongface (Scarface & Dr. Bong)
• Gamorola (Princess Shao-La & Gamora)
• Gold Kidney-Lady (Goldstar & Kidney Lady)
• Jonas Turnip (Jonas Glim & Space Turnip)

[3 Stars] The Magnetic Men featuring Magneto #1 - "Born Again" [Marvel] Magneto must save the Magnetic Men from Sinister Society.

• Magnetic Men (Metal Men & Brotherhood of Evil Mutants)
• Antimony (Platinum &  Scarlet Witch / Patsy Walker)
• Bismuth (Tin / Snapper Carr & Toad / Rick Jones)
• Cobalt (Gold / Lucius Fox & Mastermind)
• Iron (Iron / Steel (John Henry Irons) & Unus the Untouchable)
• Nickel (Mercury & Quicksilver)
• Sinister Society
• Black Vulture (Black Condor & Vulture)
• Chemodam (Chemo & MODAM)
• Deathborg (Cyborg & Deathlok)
• Kultron (Kobra & Ultron)
• Quasimodox (Vril Dox & Quasimodo)
• Soniklaw (Sonar & Klaw)
• Vance Cosmic (Cosmic Boy & Vance Astro)
• Mister Mastermind (Mr. Mind & Mastermind)
• Jocasta (Platinum (Metal Men) & Jocasta / Sentinels /  Millie the Model)
• Sentinels (Manhunter robers & Sentinels)
• Will Magnus (Will Magnus & Bolivar Trask)

Alt 9602, Part 2: Amalgam Age of Comics

Grade: C+

DC and Marvel go a step beyond an epic battle between their respective heroes, the two companies merge their characters into a re-imagined universe. It was a gimmick with flashy new character designs, but I have to admit that it was really fun to figure out who was combined. We looked for Easter Eggs, and we enjoyed the obscure references.

There was not a lot of room in a single, regular sized comic to really get in-depth with these new characters. I don't think we really minded since we understood this to be a one-shot deal. We wanted some mindless entertainment with as many amalgamations that they could pack into 22 pages. John Byrne attempted to do an origin story with Amazon, but it didn't excite readers nearly as much as the action oriented Legends of the Dark Claw.

DC and Marvel each produced six titles for a total of twelve issues. I only picked up those with direct X-Men ties. The seven titles that I did not collect include: Assassins, Bruce Wayne Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., Bullets and Bracelets, Doctor StrangeFate, Speed Demon, Spider-Boy, & Super Soldier.  For those that I do have in this post, I list the DC character first for each Amalgam character.

[2 Stars] Amazon #1 - "Family History" [DC] Amazon (Wonder Woman & Storm) battles Poseidon after learning his role in her parent's death.

[3 Stars] JLX #1 - "A League of Their Own!" [DC] JLX leave the Judgement League Avengers (JLA) to follow the mysterious Mister X.

• JLX (JLA & X-Men)
• Apollo (Ray & Cyclops)
• Aqua-Mariner (Aquaman & Sub-Mariner)
• Firebird (Fire & Phoenix (Jean Grey))
• Mercury (Impulse & Quicksilver)
• Mister X (Martian Manhunter & Professor X / Skrull / Bishop)
• Night-Creeper (Creeper & Nightcrawler)
• Runaway (Gypsy & Rogue)
• Wraith (Obsidian & Gambit)
• JLA (JLA & Avengers)
• Angelhawk (Hawkman & Angel)
• Blackbird (Black Canary & Mockingbird)
• Captain Marvel (Captain Marvel & Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell))
• Dark Claw (Batman & Wolverine)
• Goliath (Oliver Queen & Goliath)
• Hawkeye (Green Arrow & Hawkeye)
• Super Soldier (Superman & Captain America)
• Jocasta (Platinum (Metal Men) & Jocasta / Sentinels /  Millie the Model)
• Sentinels (Manhunter robers & Sentinels)
• Will Magnus (Will Magnus & Bolivar Trask)

[4 Stars] Legends of the Dark Claw #1 - "Through a Glass Darkly" [DC] Dark Claw and the Sparrow versus the Hyena!

• Dark Claw (Batman & Wolverine)
• Huntress (Huntress & Carol Danvers)
• Hyena (Joker & Sabertooth)
• Sparrow (Robin & Jubilee)

[3 Stars] Magneto & The Magnetic Men #1 - "Opposites Attract" [Marvel] Magneto's Magnetic Men versus Sinistron.

• Magneto (Will Magnus & Magneto)
• Magnetic Men (Metal Men & Brotherhood of Evil Mutants)
• Antimony (Platinum &  Scarlet Witch / Patsy Walker)
• Bismuth (Tin / Snapper Carr & Toad / Rick Jones)
• Cobalt (Gold / Lucius Fox & Mastermind)
• Iron (Iron / Steel (John Henry Irons) & Unus the Untouchable)
• Nickel (Mercury & Quicksilver)
• Sinistron (Brainiac & Mr. Sinister)
• Kokoro (Katana & Psylocke)

[3 Stars] X-Patrol #1 - "Doomed!" [Marvel] Miles Cable brings together a band of troubles heroes to form a new team to battle Dr. Doomsday.

• X-Patrol (Teen Titans / Doom Patrol & X-Force)
• Beastling (Changeling & Beast)
• Dial H.U.S.K. (Dial H for Hero & Husk)
• Elastigirl (Elasti-Girl & Domino / Wasp)
• Ferro Man (Ferro Lad & Colossus)
• Niles Cable (The Chief & Cable)
• Shatterstarfire (Starfire & Shatterstar)
• Doctor Doomsday (Doomsday & Doctor Doom)

Alt 9602, Part 1: DC Versus Marvel

Grade: B

The hype called it "The Showdown of the Century", and it is hard to argue that it wasn't since we got to see our favorite Marvel and DC heroes battle. Ten of the most well-known characters from each company faced off against each other.

The story itself was not particularly memorable. Both universes originated from two cosmic brothers unaware of the other's existence. A being on on Earth ensures that the two remain blissfully ignorant of their sibling, but when he must pass his duty to a newcomer, things go awry.

We all know that neither Marvel nor DC will use event to make any permanent changes in their respective lines, but the story does just enough to set the stage for the 10 bouts we all want to see.

Fans get to vote on who they want to win making this more of a popularity contest (it was Marvel over DC). With only four issues, the fights are extremely quick making us realize that what we really wanted was a deeper connection between the characters we've all grown up with. Still, it was fun to see interactions outside the battles.

[4 Stars] DC Versus Marvel #1 "Round One" The Marvel and DC universes begin to collide. Heroes face off against unfamiliar villains and form new friendships and alliances to protect bewildered citizens of both worlds.

[3 Stars] Marvel Versus DC #2 "Round Two" Two cosmic brothers that represent each universe set up a competition between their top heroes to see which universe will survive and which will be destroyed. First up:

• Thor vs. Captain Marvel
• Aquaman vs. Namor
• Flash vs. Quicksilver

[3 Stars] Marvel Versus DC #3 "Round Three" The remaining contests to determine which universe will survive.

• Robin vs. Jubilee
• Silver Surfer vs. Green Lantern
• Elektra vs. Catwoman
• Wolverine vs. Lobo
• Storm vs. Wonder Woman
• Spider-Man vs. Superboy
• Superman vs. the Hulk
• Batman vs. Captain America

[3 Stars] DC Versus Marvel #4 "Round Four" The battle results in the merging the universes into a single Amalgam universe, but it is not enough to keep the brothers from fighting each other. The Marvel and DC heroes emerge from Amalgam and join forces to end the feud between the cosmic siblings and save reality for both of their universes. 

Starting Alt 9602: Amalgam

Marvel Comics and DC Comics are the Big 2 companies in the industry, so when they announced a story that pits their heroes against each other, I was excited. Heck, everybody was excited! Readers got to vote for who they wanted to win in 10 big "bouts" (I didn't vote), but the bigger news was the combination of the two "universes" into a combined Amalgam universe. 

Both the DC/Marvel battle royale and the Amalgam characters were fun, but not particularly noteworthy. They were good ideas that felt rushed and incomplete.

• DC Versus Marvel
• Amalgam Age of Comics 
• Return to the Amalgam Age of Comics