For the first time in more than 20 years, Marvel and DC are set to collaborate on two major crossover comics.
The news was confirmed by DC Editor-in-Chief Marie Javins and Marvel Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski at ComicsPro, where they revealed that the companies will release two one-shot issues titled DC/Marvel and Marvel/DC later this year.
The Return of a Legendary Rivalry
This marks the first crossover between the two comic book giants since the JLA/Avengers miniseries in 2003-04, which was written by Kurt Busiek and illustrated by the late George Pérez.
The history of Marvel and DC crossovers dates back to 1976, when Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man kicked off an era of inter-company collaborations. The 1980s and 1990s saw multiple crossovers, including Batman/Punisher, DC vs. Marvel, and even the brief Amalgam Comics universe.
Why Did Marvel and DC Stop Crossovers?
Despite their popularity, Marvel/DC crossovers became rare after the early 2000s. Marvel’s former Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada expressed a preference for keeping the two universes separate, believing that rivalry made each company stronger.
Dan Didio, former DC publisher, also opposed the idea, stating that crossovers could make the companies seem overly reliant on one another and that such events should be special, not routine.
What Changed to Bring the Crossovers Back?
Recent leadership changes played a significant role in reviving the Marvel/DC crossover tradition. Marie Javins, who worked at Marvel in the 1990s, now leads DC, while Cebulski has been open to collaborations.
Their willingness to work together was evident in 2022, when both companies released a special edition of JLA/Avengers to honor George Pérez before his passing.
The timing of this new crossover also coincides with major upcoming film releases—Superman (DC) and Fantastic Four: First Steps (Marvel)—both set to debut in July.
What to Expect From the New Crossovers?
While details about DC/Marvel and Marvel/DC remain under wraps, fans can expect iconic superhero pairings and massive inter-universal clashes.
After two decades of separation, this long-awaited crossover will finally bring Marvel and DC’s greatest heroes together again.
