8 Comic Book Crossovers That Altered The Course of Multiple Universe
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The concept of the multiverse and crossover events wore out its welcome quickly with filmgoers. Still, this plot device is beloved by comic book fans in the form of Comic book crossovers. It is a popular and well-established publishing trope that is still employed today.
Have you ever wanted to see Superman fight Godzilla in the comic books? Do you know that horror film icon The Predator once did a comic book crossover with the family-friendly Archies?
Those are just a few of the wildest and weirdest comic book crossovers that ever occurred. Here are eight to consider.
Justice League Vs. Godzilla Vs. Kong
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The Justice League and Monsterverse, WBD-owned IPs, meet Godzilla and other Tohoverse-owned IPs in one of the wildest comic book crossovers in years, Justice League Vs. Godzilla Vs. Kong. After a battle between the Justice League and the Legion of Doom, an opening between universes is opened allowing for building-sized monsters to enter the DC Universe. This 2023 comic book event caused a social media fan freakout amongst readers anticipating a decisive battle between Superman and Godzilla.
Marvel and DC Presents The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans
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In 1982, The Uncanny X-Men and the New Teen Titans were amongst the hottest comic books on the market. Marvel and DC Comics executives then brainstormed one of the most beloved comic book crossovers of the era, an event uniting the X-Men and Teen Titans. In the story, Darksied senses and tries to manipulate the power of the Dark Phoenix for his own ends, an event that brings the two teams together to stop the threat. Although the project was well-received, there was no follow-up to this one-issue event.
Avengers Disassembled
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Avengers Disassembled is one of the most pivotal comic book crossovers to ever occur at Marvel Comics. The 2004 event caused the subsequent formation of other multiverses, events, and status quo changes within the main Marvel Comics universe. This storyline was the loose inspiration for the MCU’s Scarlet Witch in WandaVision and Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In the story, the Scarlet Witch learns a dark secret, goes insane, kills several Avengers, and threatens to warp reality.
DC Universe Vs. Masters of the Universe
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In this six-issue 2013 event, Skeletor flees He-Man and escapes to Earth to steal all the available magic energy in the DC universe. Skeletor’s plot creates circumstances where the characters from Masters of the Universe must go into battle with the most popular DC superheroes like Superman and Wonder Woman. Skeletor turns out to be a pawn in a bigger plot that upends the motivations of all the characters afterward.
World’s Collide (DC Vs. Milestone)
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Milestone Media was an innovative comic book initiative that published a comic book universe featuring a majority of black characters and ran from 1994 to 1997 until relaunching again in 2015. In 1994, the heroes of DC Comics and Milestone Media’s Dakotaverse met in one of the most underrated comic book crossovers, the 25-issue World’s Collide event. An interdimensional being called Rift creates a portal allowing the heroes to meet and battle. Even though the DC heroes forgot the encounter due to later “Crisis” comic events, the Dakotaverse heroes of the era technically still remember it.
Archie Vs. Predator
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Dark Horse Comics and Archie Comics announced one of the strangest intercompany comic boom crossovers ever back in 2015. The sci-fi horror themes of The Predator and the family-centric teen comedy of the Archies would crossover for a 4-issue comic series. Even though some media outlets at first found the announcement incredulous, the crossover was later well-received and critically acclaimed. This strange project was heralded for effortlessly establishing a dark yet humorous tone that established a plot tone for both of the wildly different IPs.
Energon Universe (Transformers and G.I. Joe)
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In 2023, Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment began publishing the Energon Universe comic book crossovers that feature characters and IPs licensed from Hasbro. The comics are a newer and modern retelling of a new universe where the Transformers and G.I. Joe characters coexist and interact with one another. These IPs have had comic crossovers many times before, but not like in this newer dynamic setting. Energon is a precious energy source the Transformers need to survive which also unites the characters’ plot focus in this setting. The Energon Universe comics are wildly popular and could be the inspiration for future franchise films.
DC Meets Hanna-Barbera
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In 2016, DC Comics launched an initiative of comics featuring the classic and family-friendly Hanna-Barbera cartoon characters reimagined in a modern setting and dealing with modern problems. In 2018, the DC Meets Hanna-Barbera initiative began a series of comic book crossovers and one-shots featuring DC Heroes in the Hanna-Barbera universe. These comics feature character team-ups like Batman/Elmer Fudd, Joker/Daffy Duck, Green Lantern/Space Ghost, Suicide Squad/Banana Splits, Deathstroke/Yogi Bear, Aquaman/Jabberjaw, and many more.
The Best Comic Book Crossovers Are the Unexpected Ones
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Comic book crossovers have expanded the creativity and limitations of the comic book medium in ways that can’t be replicated in cinema. Anything can happen in the best comic book crossovers and they usually do happen.
Comic book crossovers have been happening for decades, so the next time you are in the mood for the unexpected, check one out. A good comic book crossover will introduce you to the characters of multiverse universes for the price of one.
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Allen Francis is a full-time writer, prolific comic book investor and author of The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing. Allen holds a BA degree from Marymount Manhattan College. Before becoming a writer Allen was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including saving and investing in your own small business.
