Following the excellent Superman/Spider-Man, it’s Marvel Comics’ turn to web up our title characters in a single bound, while supplying exciting backups that sometimes feature completely different headlining characters. It’s a comics event for sure, not least because the number of comics legends contributing can’t be counted on two hands! That said, I’d argue DC pulled off a better one-shot last year with their Batman/Deadpool one-shot, but can Marvel hit back with the Spidey/Supes rendition?
Spider-Man/Superman #1 is pretty excellent, with a great main story by Brad Meltzer and Pepe Larraz, and a nice variety of backup tales. Your favorite characters may not pop up in the backups, but it’s a good smattering. All told, this one-shot is ripe with clever ideas and inspirational speeches. Given the stature of both heroes, the latter element shouldn’t be a surprise, but it is welcome.
Kicking things off is a tale opening with Spider-Man and Superman stuck under a bunch of rubble. Superman is weakened, forcing Spider-Man to hold up the makeshift roof, or they’ll both be crushed. This gives Meltzer time to have them both connect and chat, while Larraz does impeccable work capturing the emotions of our characters and raising the stakes as the ceiling comes down on them. All that tension builds towards a showdown of Superman versus Spider-Man, with a clever symbiote twist.
The full-page splash that transitions from the rubble to the streets is incredible and a showstopper for sure. Matthew Wilson’s colors deliver the bright tones we love from comics, especially when things get hopeful, and Peter and Clark connect later in the story. It’s a story with good action and a big dollop of hopefulness and charm to wrap things up.
Tight squeeze!
Credit: Marvel
Next up is a Spider-Man Noir tale set in the 1930s, complete with Golden Age Superman written by Dan Slott and drawn by Marcos Martin. These two always clash when collaborating, and this issue brings a fun edge to this version of Superman, who is no-nonsense. The art is fantastic, playing with layout and gutters, with multiple moments that fans will recognize.
Next up, Joe Kelly and Humberto Ramos focus on Lana Lang and Gwen Stacy. The two chat it up and show they’re tough when getting cat-called. In a clever twist, Ramos draws full-page splashes of each hero in epic fights with the other hero’s villains. Overlaid with the full-page splashes are captions from each girl, detailing what they know about their alter egos. It’s a short story, but the full-page splashes give it an epic feel.
Geoff Johns delivers his first Marvel story in over 20 years with artist Gary Frank in a story that feels much bigger than its page count would usually allow! Centered on the Thing, who narrates the entire tale, we open on him fighting the Legion of Superheroes. Turns out, some kind of red light blasted Earth, making heroes turn on heroes! Frank and Johns pack this tale with fights, culminating in lifting up certain heroes who aren’t affected by the red light. It leads to an inspiring moment for Superman to use his words rather than his fists to win a key battle. The perspective of Thing allows for a more grounded feel to the entire affair, while Frank delivers his customary excellent, detailed art.
Louise Simonson and Todd Nauck team up for a Hobgoblin versus Steel story, which leans into the tech side of things thanks to the characters involved. Five pages long, it packs a punch even though it’s a quick fight.
Stephanie Phillips and Phil Noto take on Supergirl and Ghost-Spider in a story more about their attitudes than anything else. They team up, more or less, and by the end, they gain respect for each other. While it has a fight, it feels different thanks to Phillips’ characterization of the two heroes.
Bendis and Pichelli reteam for this one!
Credit: Marvel
Brian Michael Bendis returns to Marvel in the next tale, reteaming with Sara Pichelli for a Miles Morales reunion. Instead of making it all about the fight, Bendis leans into Miles having a boring night and wanting to throw down with a supervillain. Given Dormammu and Brainiac teaming up, he certainly gets what he wishes for. The story is more about Miles and Superman chatting, though.
Jason Aaron and Russell Dauterman reteam for a Jane Foster Thor tale next, as she fights symbiote-powered parademons! Enter Wonder Woman, for an inspiring turn as both heroes respect each other deeply. The battle is relegated to an awesome final page, but the effect is inspiring.
Last but not least, Jeph Loeb and Jim Cheung reunite to offer up a quieter chat between Spider-Man and Superman. Only two pages long, the story has Superman give Spidey some advice about how there will always be good days and bad. It’s a little funny how one-sided it is, but maybe this is a younger version of Spider-Man who needs a father figure. When you consider that, it’s a nice moment and not odd at all.
Spider-Man/Superman #1 delivers on the promise of a true crossover spectacle. It is not just about seeing two icons share the page, it is about celebrating what makes them endure. The main story lands with emotional weight and visual punch, while the backups offer a wide range of tones and creative voices. Not every short hits equally, but the overall package feels thoughtful, energetic, and full of heart. Marvel may not completely outshine DC’s recent crossover efforts, but this comes impressively close and stands as a worthy companion piece.
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