Key Takeaways
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- Marvel Comics and DC Comics are collaborating once again after decades of separation, with the upcoming release of SupermanSpiderMan #1 being a prime example.
- The new crossover will feature a main story written by Mark Waid and art by Jorge Jimenez, as well as fan-focused short stories.
- The plot involves Clark Kent and Peter Parker investigating a global and cosmic conspiracy involving Brainiac and Doctor Octopus.
- The collaboration aims to revive the concept of pure heroism, following a period where darker, more complex heroes dominated comic books, and is expected to be one of the bestselling comics of the decade.
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It appears the once-icy relationship between Marvel Comics and DC Comics is thawing. After decades of an editorial cold war that seemed to preclude any crossovers, the two giants are collaborating again. This newfound friendship was evident in the recent Batman and Deadpool team-up, which proved to be a sales juggernaut. DeadpoolBatman #1 outsold the runner-up on Bleeding Cool’s list sevenfold during its release week, and DC’s BatmanDeadpool #1 topped ICV2’s unit sales charts.
DC and Marvel are teaming up to create SupermanSpiderMan #1. Comic book authority Mark Waid will write the main story, and Jorge Jimenez will provide the art. The plot involves Clark Kent and Peter Parker, both investigative journalists, pursuing the same story, which leads them to uncover a global and cosmic conspiracy involving Brainiac and Doctor Octopus. This edition will also feature a collection of fan-focused short stories. Marvel will release its version, SpiderManSuperman #1, in April 2026, continuing the publishing rotation established for previous crossover events.
In 1976, comic fans saw Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man. Written by Gerry Conway and illustrated by Ross Andru, who had worked extensively on both Spider-Man and Superman titles, the story featured Lex Luthor and Doc Ock joining forces, kidnapping Lois Lane and Mary Jane Watson, and manipulating the heroes into conflict before they ultimately teamed up. Published as a Treasury Edition, this crossover launched a wave of team-ups, including Batman vs. Hulk, X-Men, and New Teen Titans, culminating in the Amalgam event in the ’90s. This earlier collaboration also showcased elements of classic heroism, setting the stage for a renewed focus on these ideals. Although the doors to such crossovers closed in the early 2000s, the upcoming team-up of these two iconic heroes aims to recapture the magic of comic crossovers for both longtime readers and the streaming generation.
This new SupermanSpiderMan comic aims to revive the concept of pure heroism, which had fallen out of favor in the 2000s and 2010s, when darker, more complex heroes dominated the scene. Following Robert Kirkman’s Invincible, which kept classic heroism alive even with its ultraviolent content, DC and Marvel’s collaboration seeks to offer a fresh take on these two legendary heroes. With Waid writing and Jimenez illustrating, and Brainiac and Doctor Octopus causing trouble, this edition featuring a collection of fan-focused short stories marks a return to old-school heroism. Both DC and Marvel will release their respective versions in April 2026. This is not the first time the characters have crossed paths, as they faced off in the 1976 Treasury Edition written by Gerry Conway and illustrated by Ross Andru.
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Superstar Artists Unite for SupermanSpiderMan #1 – A Decade-Defining Clash of Covers!
The Brazilian release is scheduled for late 2026, following the U.S. launch in April. It is expected to arrive in Brazil in August or September, potentially debuting at the Bienal do Livro or CCXP26. This hardcover edition will feature a dust jacket, shiny accents, the main story, and bonus tales. Industry insiders suggest a cover war is brewing among collectors, with Alex Ross creating a cover that revives the classic 1976 pose with realistic details. Humberto Ramos is contributing a variant aimed at younger fans with a cartoonish style, and Greg Capullo is developing a Dark variant featuring Spider-Man in his symbiote suit alongside a black-suited Superman. Preorders in the U.S. are strong, suggesting that SupermanSpiderMan #1 could become the bestselling comic of the decade, potentially surpassing Ultimate SpiderMan and Action Comics #1000. This new collaboration is poised to make a significant impact in both the US and Brazil, and the industry as a whole.