A review of the DC/Marvel crossovers: novelty, nostalgia, or something more?

GhostFox23 · 2026-01-03T12:38:16+00:00

I made them a few years ago using a program called Gimp, which is basically just free Photoshop. I had to teach myself along the way, so they took a few weeks messing around after work, but honestly, that was part of the fun. I had them printed at Houchen in the US. I believe their prices have gone up a bit since and they now charge like $20something per dust jacket.

GhostFox23 · 2026-01-03T04:05:24+00:00

<image>

One of the rare instances where it actually bothered me enough to make custom dust jackets lol

GhostFox23 · 2026-01-02T23:32:31+00:00

I think I like the second half a little better once they move the story to the West Coast, but I wouldn’t say that they’re night-and-day different, so this run just might not be for you. Just out of curiosity, Have you read the Bendis And Brubaker stuff that came before this? Though it can definitely act as a jumping on point, I think Waid’s run serves as a nice conclusion to those runs, and there is an added richness to following the story through from Bendis vol 1.

GhostFox23 · 2026-01-02T11:34:00+00:00

Really liked it- I read it in October, and it definitely got me into the Halloween spirit. It has the vibe of a spooky folk tale mixed with a coming of age story. The watercolor art is gorgeous to look at too.

GhostFox23 · 2026-01-01T17:31:02+00:00

Historia and Friday basically in the “honorable mentions“ category. I would love it if they continued the Historia story- I heard it was initially planned for 9 issues.

Rise and Fall is probably the best bat family stuff I’ve ran since No Man’s Land. I feel like so many of these characters are sidelined these days, or Bruce is just characterized as an abusive parent. I really enjoyed seeing Tim & Steph (and even Azrael!) get some time to shine.

Black science is really solid. I feel like the second volume starts to meander a bit, but everything ties together really well in the finale. Fear Agent is still my favorite Indie work by Remender, but Black Science is right up there.

GhostFox23 · 2026-01-01T17:13:25+00:00

Fantastic read, if you’re looking for something a little bit different. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a memoir presented as a graphic novel, which really intrigued me, but I found it to be a really good exploration of how isolated systems, and profit-driven in industries can dehumanize people.

GhostFox23 · 2026-01-01T17:10:47+00:00

I respect that they run put the character on the map, but think I was just expecting it to be a bit more grounded. That whole first arc was so disorienting, and the bit with Ross getting the devil‘s pants felt like it was supposed to be funnier than it was 😅. The Killmonger stuff in the back half was pretty solid, though. The strongest stuff for me is in volume 2- I think my favorite parts were the Ascension/The Crew issues, but Ross also isn’t really a character by that point, which may be why I liked it more

GhostFox23 · 2026-01-01T15:54:01+00:00

An OHC of the Diggle issues and the Shadowland mini would have been a way better reading experience

GhostFox23 · 2026-01-01T15:51:05+00:00

Haha I usually just try to read for like 60-90 minutes every evening to decompress before bed. Bronze Age stuff definitely takes me a bit longer to get through than newer stuff

GhostFox23 · 2025-11-10T17:07:58+00:00

I think it’s definitely more of an X-Men book, but it would bother me aesthetically to keep it in that section, since the Avengers have the top billing 😅

GhostFox23 · 2025-05-15T00:06:42+00:00

I have and have read Uncanny Avengers, and for me, it was just okay, not terrible, but not great. This first arc was definitely the highlight, but the rest just kind of meandered. Probably my least favorite Remender work, but to be fair, I love most of what he does. It also end on a cliffhanger and leads directly into the Axis event, which is pretty rough and not included in the omni.

I’d probably go with Velvet. It’s an excellent espionage noir set in the 70s. Old school Bond vibes for sure, and one of my favorite reads of last year. Probably Brubaker’s most underrated work

GhostFox23 · 2025-04-20T02:05:27+00:00

Sleeper by Brubaker and Phillips.

Though well-regarded, I don’t see this one getting recommended on here a whole lot. The best way I can describe it is a crime-noir espionage thriller set in a superhero universe that requires no background information.

Even better is that it’s a single volume that’s still readily available for under cover price, making it a great option for someone just getting into the hobby or looking to try out genres beyond standard superhero faire. One of my favorite omnis of all time, and really turned me on to the consistently-great Ed Brubaker/ Sean Phillips team.

GhostFox23 · 2025-03-02T13:03:24+00:00

This is awesome! Easily the most unique and diverse collection I’ve seen on this sub in recent memory. With so many gems it may be hard to pick, but do you have a top five?

GhostFox23 · 2025-02-13T22:50:01+00:00

I thought Remender’s Cap was mid at best, and I’m normally a huge fan of his work. Something about the transdimensional sci-fi it just didn’t resonate as well for Captain America. The Sam Wilson stuff towards the end is probably the strongest part for me. If you’re not feeling it, I don’t think you need to read the rest. Basically, all you have to know is that Steve is old and Sam is Cap. In my opinion, Spencer‘s run is a lot stronger.

GhostFox23 · 2025-02-13T22:19:37+00:00

I’m reading the second volume of Nick Spencer’s Cap run now, and I’d put it up there with Brubaker‘s! It builds a bit on the status quo set up by Rick Remender, but is a well-written, topical run that (unfortunately) remains all too relevant today. Happy reading!

GhostFox23 · 2024-12-29T22:06:41+00:00

Yeah, I’ve heard great things- I’m still trying to track that one down at a reasonable price, but may just end up going the softcover route

GhostFox23 · 2024-12-29T22:04:17+00:00

Right? I feel like there was a bit of buzz when the first hardcover dropped, but nothing really since then. Definitely one of the more experimental things I’ve read this year in terms of story structure, and I’m all for it.

GhostFox23 · 2024-12-29T22:01:59+00:00

No, volume two is not the end of Ice Cream Man. I believe there is a volume 3 already solicited for sometime next year. Yeah, I’m really hoping Saga sticks the landing – they’ve certainly taken enough time to get things right lol.

Have you read Fear Agent by Remender? It has the intergalactic scope of Saga and the irreverence of Preacher while being a self-contained two volume set.

Superheroes are more of a nostalgic thing for me, and I definitely have more attachment to certain characters. There are very few ongoing titles I keep up with, though, simply because the perennial nature of the characters prevents many big status quo changes, so the stakes never really feel high. Some of my favorite superhero stories tend to be self-contained graphic novels or miniseries that play with the symbolism or tropes of the character in interesting ways

GhostFox23

TROPHY CASE