In Marvel/DC: Spider-Man/Superman #1, readers are treated to a variety of stories showcasing the talents of multiple writers and artists. How effective and entertaining is this crossover? Find out in this review.
MARVEL/DC: SPIDER-MAN/SUPERMAN #1
Writers: BRAD MELTZER, GEOFF JOHNS, DAN SLOTT, LOUISE SIMONSON, BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS, JASON AARON, JOE KELLY, STEPHANIE PHILLIPS, JEPH LOEB
Artists: PEPE LARRAZ, GARY FRANK, MARCOS MARTIN, TODD NAUCK, SARA PICHELLI, RUSSELL DAUTERMAN, HUMBERTO RAMOS, PHIL NOTO
Main Cover: PEPE LARRAZ
Variant Covers: MARK BAGLEY, GREG CAPULLO, RYAN STEGMAN, PEACH MOMOKO, IVÁN TALAVERA, E.M. GIST, JEROME OPEÑA, MARCOS MARTIN, ADAM HUGHES, RUSSELL DAUTERMAN, SKOTTIE YOUNG, ERIK LARSEN, FRANK MILLER, SARA PICHELLI, GARY FRANK, HUMBERTO RAMOS, WALTER SIMONSON, KAARE ANDREWS, DAVID MARQUEZ, SANFORD GREENE
Page Count: 72 pages
Release Date: April 22, 2026
This review contains spoilers
The main story in Marvel/DC: Spider-Man/Superman #1 starts in a cavern that Superman can’t see through and Spider-Man can’t stick to. They’re trapped, when suddenly, a small door opens and a Green Goblin pumpkin filled with kryptonite is tossed in. Spidey is able to cover it with webbing, lowering the radiation levels, but Clark is still weakened.
While the pumpkin is powering up to a 100% kryptonite radiation level, the cavern’s ceiling is slowly lowering. Spidey is able to hold it up, but only by having Superman distract him through questioning. The two have a great discussion about the guilt that Spider-Man carries, causing him to push himself to the extreme.
Clark tries to help with the ceiling, but he’s too weak. The kryptonite levels continue to climb, but it’s not totally meant to hurt Superman. Peter figures out too late that the cave is actually Venom and the kryptonite is amplifying the symbiote. It’s able to engulf Superman, who then attacks Spider-Man as the two burst from underground.
Lex Luthor and Green Goblin are hovering above the city, spectating the fight. Spidey is able to remove the kryptonite pumpkin from Venomized Superman and Clark is able to recover, releasing heat vision and a massive thunder clap to get Venom off of his body. The two heroes proceed to capture Luthor and the Goblin.
Three weeks later, Peter is visiting Uncle Ben’s grave when Clark shows up. They continue their discussion about guilt, but Clark convinces Peter that his actions are done not out of guilt, but because it’s the right thing to do. Clark invites Peter and Aunt May over to the farm for dinner to close out the story.
The remainder of Marvel/DC: Spider-Man/Superman #1 is jam-packed with eight other tales of varying length matching up pairs such as Spider-Man Noir and 1938 Superman, Gwen Stacy and Lana Lang, Mysterio and Superman, Hobgoblin and Steel, Ghost-Spider and Supergirl, Miles Morales and Superman, Jane Foster and Wonder Woman, and one final story with Spider-Man and Superman.
Analysis
The main story, “Our Kryptonite,” by Brad Meltzer is a great balance of action and dialog. While seeing Superman get Venomized is fun, I think the conversations between Clark and Peter, both in and out of costume, about guilt and the importance of having good people in your life is the highlight of the story. Anyone not familiar with either Clark or Peter could get a solid idea about the core of their character by reading this one.
The same can be said for many of the stories in Marvel/DC: Spider-Man/Superman #1. While the other eight entries are much shorter, many focus on a version of Spidey and Supes, highlighting the best characteristics of both. Even when the focus is on other characters within the Marvel and DC universes (and there are a LOT scattered throughout this issue), the message of the story is easy to follow and enjoy. This crossover is filled with uplifting ideas.
The list of writers will immediately be familiar to regular comic readers – Dan Slott, Joe Kelly, Geoff Johns, Louise Simonson, Stephanie Phillips, Brian Michael Bendis, Jason Aaron, and Jeph Loeb. This hugely talented group gives us stories about things like the importance of listening to other people rather than jumping to anger and violence (“Identity War” by Johns), trying to do the right thing instead of worrying all the time about our choices (“The One Thing” by Bendis), and staying strong even in a fight against death (“The Wondrous and the Worthy” by Aaron).
My favorite of the short stories in Marvel/DC: Spider-Man/Superman #1 was easily “Identity War” by Geoff Johns. It was a little longer than the rest and, like the main story, had a great blend of action and moral message. This story could easily be its own mini-series in order to fully explore the ideas it presents.
The artwork is also crammed full of well-known industry names such as Todd Nauck, Humberto Ramos, and Russell Dauterman. I really liked the look of the “Metropolis Marvels” story pairing Spider-Man Noir and the 1938 version of Superman. Artist Marcos Martin and colorist Muntsa Vicente did a good job of capturing a throwback feel for the characters on each page. There’s also a perfect homage to the iconic Amazing Fantasy #15 cover, except it’s Superman carrying Lex Luthor.
I know everyone will have their favorite story or artwork, but there’s really no true “miss” with any of these tales.
Final Thoughts
Marvel/DC: Spider-Man/Superman #1 delivers nine entertaining stories in one gigantic issue. This crossover event effectively pulls together two distinct universes filled with characters, Easter eggs, references, and top notch art. Have fun, comic lovers!
