Kurt Busiek.
George Perez.
JLA/Avengers #1.
Holy Freakin’ Smoke.
I’m not even going to bother giving scores here. Assume it’s all geeky bliss, and go from there.
Anyone who’s done more than just dabble in comics knows that this cross-over has been, what, twenty years in the making? Started and sunk by drifting relationships between Marvel and DC, they’ve finally — finally — managed to pull it off.
There’s nothing one can say about George Perez’ artwork that I haven’t said already, save that it’s as drop-dead gorgeous, intricate, and lively as ever. Though Perez has more recent experience in the Marvel U. than at DC (and it shows a bit), he crosses over between both worlds with ease. Indeed, the weakest piece of his art is, ironically, the wrap-around cover — the interiors include some of his best art ever.
Kurt Busiek is one of the few writers I’d trust with something like this, and he doesn’t disappoint. Not only does he write a fun story in and of itself, but he manages to drag in various memes and themes from the last four decades of comics, and somehow make them both coherent and fresh. He manages to throw in bits and pieces of other major cross-overs of both companies (including some classic Perez work on Polemachus and in Crisis on Infinite Earths) — and not only assembles the mightiest two super-teams of two worlds, but the coolest array of Cosmically Powerful Artifacts for them to vie for. There are some classic selections of bad guys, both obvious and obscure — as well as some interesting, even profound, cross-cultural observations on the differences between Earth M and Earth DC.
And, not surprisingly, Hawkeye gets the best line.
I am way, way seriously jazzed about this series, even moreso than before I read it. This is comic history in the making here.
(Some preview images from the first ish are here at Marvel’s site; there’s an odd dearth of info about it at DC’s site.)
Well, I guess you don’t need to respond to the e-mail I sent, asking if you’d be reviewing this. Didn’t expect you to post the same day, that’s for sure.
Hawkeye got the best line? Was that when he finally figured out what we were saying to ourselves from the time you-know-who showed up you-know-where? (I hope I’m not spoiling anything.) And if so, was it he first word balloon or the second?
My favorite part was Plastic Man’s reaction to Batman’s actions against somebody. I had to put down the mag for a good 45 seconds! BWA-HA-HAH!
I also liked seeing who showed up outside the JLA’s watchtower. Heh.
How many of the 12 did you recognize? I only knew 7 (and couldn’t recall the name of one). I did much better with Marvel than with DC, there.
And I knew only one of the guardians the JLA encountred by name. Guess which one! (I seem to recall that you used to like saying his name. Always got a chuckle out of you.)
Aren’t you glad Starlin didn’t write this? 😉
Yes, it was Hawkeye finally (after several “tip of the tongue” episodes) figuring out where he’d seen those guys before. Heh.
I thought Jonn’s line, after trying to mind-probe yet another new arrival, was also amusing.
I recognized most of the items; I could have named only a few, though.
And, yes, I’m glad Starlin didn’t write this. Though, yes, I’m picking up his next series.
What’s Starlin doing these days?
I need to pick this up — I’ve been dying for it for, well, as long as you.
Starlin seems to have developed a cottege industry of cranking out Thanos-related mini-epics for Marvel, once every 18 months or so. I’ve tended to enjoy them, but they’ve been, um, a bit repetitive in the themes they’ve explored.
There’s a new one coming out in a few months, titled (appropriately enough), Thanos.
Yeah, the irony of Hawkeye’s line was delicious!
Not sure what you mean by “Jonn’s line.” If it’s the arrival of the “alien invader” at the watchtower, I think it was Kyle’s line that was good, rather than Jonn’s response.
I was surprised at the differences between the two universes, as perceived by the heroes. The contrast between the Flash’s reception and that of the Avengers’ was quite remarkable. I certainly hadn’t given this any thought until Busiek made it explicit.
Gosh, I could go on and on, but the temptation to say something that might spoil one of the many surprises is too great. I’ll just go reread it. Again.
Not related to the JLA, but Doyce suggested Saturday night that you would be the one to ask.
What is Gary Frank working on now?
Having enjoyed both the short lived Kin (the first time I’d seen his work), and Midnight Nation, I was just wondering what he was doing.
Most recent work I’ve seen him in is Joe Straczynski’s Supreme Power series. Faboo, as always.
Cool, Thanks Dave!