Amalgam Comics
1326780
225184849
2008-07-12T09:55:26Z
91.13.225.190
/* Speed Demon */
{{Unreferenced|date=January 2008}}
[[Image:Amalgam_Comics_logo.gif|125px|right]]
'''Amalgam Comics''' was a [[metafiction]]al [[United States|American]] [[comic book]] publisher, and part of a [[fictional crossover|collaboration]] between [[Marvel Comics]] and [[DC Comics]], in which the two comic book publishers [[Amalgamation (fiction)|merged their characters to create new ones]] (e.g., DC Comics' [[Batman]] and Marvel's [[Wolverine (comics)|Wolverine]] became the Amalgam character [[Dark Claw]]). These characters first appeared in a series of twelve comic books which were published in 1996, between issues 3 and 4 of the ''[[Marvel vs. DC]]'' [[miniseries]]. A second set (of another twelve comic books) followed a year later.
The ''Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes 2005'' designated the Amalgam Universe as [[Marvel Comics Multiverse|Earth-9602]].
==Fictional origin==
The two comic universes came together when the incarnations of their respective universes (referred to as "the Brothers") became aware of each other after aeons of slumber. To prevent the Brothers from destroying each other, characters from each universe battled to determine which universe would survive; several of the matches were determined by online voting. [[Access (comics)|Axel Asher]], a character created for the event (co-owned by Marvel and DC), served as a gate keeper who became stuck while traveling between both Universes.
When the fights concluded (including controversial victories by [[Wolverine (comics)|Wolverine]] and [[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Storm]], over [[Lobo (comics)|Lobo]] and [[Wonder Woman]] respectively), neither universe was willing to go. To prevent total destruction, the [[Spectre (comics)|Spectre]] and the [[Living Tribunal]] created a merged universe, in which only Axel Asher and [[Doctor Strangefate|Dr. Strangefate]] knew the truth. Each struggled against the other to reverse or preserve the change.
Eventually, Axel Asher, now called Access, managed to separate the Brothers with the help of Amalgam's heroes; before the merge had taken place, he had planted 'shards' of the universe in [[Batman]] and [[Captain America]], and, once he discovered [[Dark Claw]] and [[Super-Soldier]], he used those shards to give the Spectre and the Tribunal the power to restore the universes. Batman, Captain America and Access were thus able to make the Brothers realise that their conflict was pointless, and all went back to normal.
==Amalgam characters==
During the event, pairs of Marvel and DC characters or teams were merged into single characters. Usually they had something in common to start with (for example, the [[Jack Kirby]] creations the [[Fantastic Four]] and [[Challengers of the Unknown]], or water-themed heroes [[Namor the Sub-Mariner]] and [[Aquaman]]), or their names or themes allowed for clever combinations (such as Superman and Captain America's amalgamation, Super Soldier, a reference to the [[Weapon Plus|Super Soldier serum]] that created Captain America; Bat-Thing, an amalgamation of [[Man-Bat]] and [[Man-Thing]]; or Shatterstarfire, the amalgamation of [[Shatterstar]] and [[Starfire (comics)|Starfire]]).
==Publication history==
For two weeks, Marvel and DC published Amalgam Comics. During the publication of Amalgam Comics, the companies treated it as if it had always existed, giving it a fictional history stretching back to the [[Golden Age of Comics]], as well as [[retcon]]s and [[Reboot (continuity)|reboots]], such as the ''Secret Crisis of the Infinity Hour'' (an amalgam of ''[[Secret Wars]]'', ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'', ''[[Infinity Gauntlet]]'' and ''[[Zero Hour (comics)|Zero Hour]]''), including an Amalgam version of the cover of ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' #7, with [[Super-Soldier]] holding his sidekick's body. The books even went so far as to have letter pages with readers talking about stories they had read for years from the company line.
==Amalgam books==
The first Amalgam event occurred near the end of the [[Marvel vs. DC]] crossover event in 1996. The first twelve Amalgam titles were released in a single week, temporarily replacing both publishers' regular releases. Half the comics in the event were published by Marvel and half by DC. A year later, the stunt was repeated, but without the crossover as background. Later, both publishers collected their issues into trade paperback collections.
In the 24 Amalgam Comics printed, one-third of those printed included letter-columns by fictitious fans to give a larger background to the stories and to help give hints of what might happen in the next issue. The "fans'" hometowns were usually fusions of existing [[United States|American]] cities.
===1996 - DC Comics===
====''Amazon''====
{{main|Amazon (Amalgam Comics)}}
====''Assassins''====
{{main|Dare The Terminator}}{{main|Catsai}}
''Assassins'' #1, written by [[Dan Chichester]] and illustrated by [[Scott McDaniel]], combines characters from ''[[Daredevil (Marvel Comics)|Daredevil]]'' and the [[Batman]] family books. Its main characters are the two assassins '''[[Catsai]]''' ([[Elektra (comics)|Elektra]] and [[Catwoman]]) and '''[[Dare The Terminator]]''' ([[Daredevil (Marvel Comics)|Daredevil]] and [[Deathstroke]]), who team up to take on the Big Question ([[Kingpin (comics)|Kingpin]] and [[Riddler]]).
====''Doctor Strangefate''====
{{main|Dr. Strangefate}}
Written by [[Ron Marz]] with art by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez and [[Kevin Nowlan]]. A powerful mystic created from a combination of Marvel's [[Dr. Strange]] and [[Professor X|Charles Xavier]], and DC's [[Doctor Fate|Dr. Fate]]. His comic also featured the character [[Access (comics)|Access]] and highlights his adventures in between issues of the ''Marvel vs. DC'' miniseries.
:NOTE: This book was also reprinted in the ''DC vs. Marvel'' trade paperback due to its part in the overall story.
====''JLX''====
{{main|JLX}}
Written by [[Gerard Jones]] and [[Mark Waid]], with art by [[Howard Porter]] and John Dell. Those members of the '''[[Judgement League Avengers]]''' ([[Justice League]] and [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]]) whose powers are mutant in origin turn against their teammates and, forming their own team, leave to find [[Atlantis (DC Comics)|Atlantis]]. The JLX returned in another title in the 1997 series of Amalgam comics.
====''Legends Of the Dark Claw''====
{{main|Dark Claw}}
Written by [[Larry Hama]] with art by [[Jim Balent]] and Ray McCarthy. [[Dark Claw]] ([[Wolverine (comics)|Wolverine]] and [[Batman]]) and Sparrow ([[Jubilee (comics)|Jubilee]] and [[Robin (comics)|Robin]]) take on [[Hyena (Amalgam Comics)|Hyena]] ([[Sabretooth (comics)|Sabretooth]] and [[Joker (comics)|Joker]]). Dark Claw returned in another title in 1997.
====''Super Soldier''====
{{main|Super-Soldier}}
''Super Soldier'' #1 was written by [[Mark Waid]] and illustrated by [[Dave Gibbons]]. It stars the '''[[Super-Soldier]]''' (an amalgam of [[Superman]] and [[Captain America]]), who fights the '''[[Green Skull]]''' (a combination of Superman's arch nemesis [[Lex Luthor]] and Captain America's [[Red Skull]]) and his robot '''[[Ultra-Metallo]]''' ([[Ultron]] and [[Metallo]]).
The character also appeared in ''JLX'' as a member of the JLA, and also appeared a year later in ''[[Amalgam Comics#Super Soldier: Man Of War|Super Soldier: Man Of War]]'' and as part of the '''[[Judgment League Avengers]]''' (a combination of the [[Justice League]] and the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]]) in ''JLX Unleashed''. Along with Dark Claw, he is considered one of the central characters in the Amalgam Universe.
Golden Age teen heroine "American Girl" becomes Super-Soldier's sidekick in AMALGAM CLASSICS: POWER BLAST #9 of 9. She is a combination of Supergirl (DC) and Bucky (Marvel).
===1996 - Marvel Comics===
====''Bruce Wayne, Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D''====
Written by [[Chuck Dixon]] and with art by Cary Nord and Mark Pennington, this title re-imagines [[Bruce Wayne (Amalgam Comics)|Bruce Wayne]] as an agent of [[S.H.I.E.L.D. (Amalgam Comics)|S.H.I.E.L.D.]] (like the Marvel character [[Nick Fury]]), joined by a number of characters each based on either a Batman or Nick Fury supporting character or villain, such as [[Moonwing]] ([[Dick Grayson|Nightwing]] and [[Moon Knight]]).
====''Bullets & Bracelets''====
''Bullets & Bracelets'' #1 was published in April 1996, written by [[John Ostrander]] and illustrated by [[Gary Frank]]. It stars Diana Prince (the daughter of [[Queen Hippolyta (comics)|Queen Hippolyta]] and foster sister of Princess Ororo, herself an amalgam of DC's [[Wonder Woman]] and Marvel's [[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Storm]]) and Trevor Castle (an amalgam of Marvel's [[Punisher]] Frank Castle and DC's [[Steve Trevor]]) who fight [[Thanoseid]] (an amalgam of DC's [[Darkseid]] and Marvel's [[Thanos]]). It is later explained that the two are the parents of the New God Kanto.
====''Magneto & the Magnetic Men''====
{{main|Magneto (Amalgam Comics)}}
Writing by [[Gerard Jones]] and art by Jeff Matsuda and [[Art Thibert]]. The story concerns the Amalgam version of [[Magneto (Amalgam Comics)|Magneto]] accompanied by the [[Brotherhood of Mutants]] as magnetic versions of the Metal Men. Together they face Magneto's brother who is a version of DC's Dr. Will Magnus. These characters returned with another title in 1997.
====''Speed Demon''====
{{main|Speed Demon (comics)}}
Written by [[Howard Mackie]] and James Felder with art by [[Salvador Larroca]] and Al Milgrom. The story concerns a composite of [[Ghost Rider (comics)|Ghost Rider]], the [[Flash (comics)|Flash]] and [[Etrigan]].
====''Spider-Boy''====
:{{main|Spider-Boy}}
Writing and art by [[Karl Kesel]], [[Mike Wieringo]] and Gary Martin. A combination of [[Spider-Man]] and [[Superboy]], he is a clone whose gravity powers enable him to mimic the wall-crawling abilities of a [[spider]]. This character returned in another Spider-Boy title in 1997.
====Skulk====
{{main|Skulk}}
A combo of Marvel's [[Hulk (comics)|Hulk]] and DC's [[Solomon Grundy (comics)|Solomon Grundy]]
====''X-Patrol''====
{{main|X-Patrol}}
A combination of Marvel's ''[[X-Force]]'' and DC's ''[[Doom Patrol]]''. The group is brought together by mysterious [[cyborg]] [[Time travel|time-traveller]] [[Niles Cable]], a combination of X-Force founder [[Cable (comics)|Cable]] and Doom Patrol founder Dr. Niles Caulder, to alter history and prevent the apocalyptic future in which he was born. Their first mission is to thwart a scheme by [[Dr. Doomsday|Doctor Doomsday]] (a combination of ''[[Fantastic Four]]'' villain [[Doctor Doom]] and ''[[Superman]]'' villain [[Doomsday (comics)|Doomsday]]), who has discovered the existence of the Marvel and DC Universes and intends to draw their heroes and villains into the Amalgam Universe for use as his minions. At the end of the mission, Niles Cable is surprised to realize that something has happened that his knowledge of the future did not prepare him for: he has received a spinal injury that renders him [[Paraplegia|paraplegic]] (just as Niles Caulder of the Doom Patrol was).
===1997 - DC Comics===
====''Bat-Thing''====
''Main Article: [[Bat-Thing]]''
Written by [[Larry Hama]], with art by Rodolfo Damaggio and [[Bill Sienkiewicz]]. The Bat-Thing is an amalgam of Marvel's [[Man-Thing]] and DC's [[Man-Bat]].
====''Dark Claw Adventures''====
{{main|Dark Claw}}
Writing and art by [[Ty Templeton]] and [[Rick Burchett]]. The "Animated Series" version of the Dark Claw comic, with an art style that mirrored ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]'' and a title that referenced the ''[[Batman Adventures]]'' comic. The Dark Claw Animated Series is said to be created by "Bruce Dini" and "Paul Timm" (Reversal of [[Bruce Timm]] and [[Paul Dini]]).
====''Generation Hex''====
''Main Article:'' [[Generation Hex (comics)]]
A combination of Marvel's ''[[Generation X (comics)|Generation X]]'' and DC's [[Western (genre)|western]] comic ''[[Jonah Hex]]'' as well as an assortment of other western titles. The protagonists struggle to stay ahead of and survive a large group of steam-driven robots dedicated to killing them all. The main character, Jono, also confronts bad memories, recalling how a small town they are now nearby did not help his family when needed. Written by [[Peter Milligan]] with art by [[Adam Pollina]].
====''JLX Unleashed''====
{{main|JLX}}
The second outing of the JLX sees them joined by Amazon. Credited to Priest, Jiminez and Rodriguez.
====''Lobo The Duck''====
{{main|Lobo the Duck}}
A [[Lobo (comics)|Lobo]] and [[Howard the Duck]] amalgamation, by Al Grant, Val Semeiks and Ray Kryssing.
====''Super Soldier : Man Of War''====
:{{main|Super-Soldier}}
Story and art by [[Dave Gibbons]], [[Mark Waid]] and [[Jimmy Palmiotti]]. This comic presented Super Soldier in the style of Golden Age WWII comics.
===1997 - Marvel Comics===
====''Challengers of the Fantastic''====
{{main|Challengers of the Fantastic}}
Written by [[Karl Kesel]] with art by [[Tom Grummett]] and Al Vey. This title was a fusion of Marvel's [[Fantastic Four]] and DC's [[Challengers of the Unknown]].The members were scientist Reed "Prof" Richards, SHIELD agent Susan "Ace" Storm, her daredevil brother Johnny "Red" Storm and fighting senator Ben "Rocky" Grimm. Their enemies included Doctor Doomsday ([[Doctor Doom]] and [[Doomsday (comics)|Doomsday]]) and [[Galactiac]] ([[Galactus]] and [[Brainiac (comics)|Brainiac]]).
====''Exciting X-Patrol''====
{{main|X-Patrol}}
The second outing of the X-Patrol, written by [[Barbara Kesel]] with art by [[Bryan Hitch]] and [[Paul Neary]]. The team fought against Brother Brood, based on Marvel's [[Brood (comics)|Brood]] and DC's [[Brother Blood]]. This comic was dedicated to the memory of [[Mark Gruenwald]], who had died one year previously from a heart attack.
====''Iron Lantern''====
{{main|Iron Lantern}}
Written by [[Kurt Busiek]], with pencils by [[Paul Smith (comics)|Paul Smith]], this comic features an amalgamation of [[Hal Jordan]], ([[Green Lantern]]) and Tony Stark ([[Iron Man]]).
====''Magnetic Men Featuring Magneto''====
{{main|Magneto (Amalgam Comics)}}
Written by Tom Peyer with art by [[Barry Kitson]] and Dan Panosian. The book also features '''[[Mister Mastermind]]''' ([[Mastermind]] and [[Mister Mind]]), '''[[Quasimodox]]''' ([[Quasimodo (comics)|Quasimodo]] and [[Vril Dox II]]), '''[[Chemodam]]''' ([[Chemo]] and [[MODAM]]) and the '''[[Sinister Society]]''' ([[Sinister Six]] and [[Secret Society of Super Villains]]), representing various special metals from both universes; the members and their associated metals include: [[Kultron]] ([[Kobra]] and [[Ultron]]—[[Adamantium]]), [[Soniklaw]] ([[Sonar]] and [[Klaw]]—[[Vibranium]]), [[Black Vulture]] ([[Black Condor]] and [[Vulture]]—[[Nth Metal]]), [[Deathborg]] ([[Deathlok]] and [[Cyborg]]—[[Promethium_(comics)|Promethium]]), [[Vance Cosmic]] ([[Vance Astro]] and [[Cosmic Boy]]—[[Inertron]]).
====''Spider-Boy Team-Up''====
:{{main|Spider-Boy}}
Written by "R.K. Sternsel" (an amalgam of the names of [[Roger Stern]] and [[Karl Kesel]]) with art by Ladronn and Juan Vlasco. The second outing of [[Spider-Boy]]. The title is based on ''[[Marvel Team-Up]]'', which frequently featured [[Spider-Man]]. In this comic, Spider-Boy teams up with characters based on Marvel and DC comics based in the far future and/or outer space, including DC's ''[[Legion of Super-Heroes]]'' and Marvel's ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy]]'' and ''[[Marvel 2099|2099]]''-era heroes, creating the 'Legion of Galactic Guardians 2099'.
====''Thorion of the New Asgods''====
By [[Keith Giffen]] and [[John Romita Jr]]. Based on Marvel's [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]] from Asgard and [[Orion (comics)|Orion]] from [[Jack Kirby|Jack Kirby's]] New Gods.
==Metafictional stories==
During the Amalgam Comics run, several [[metafictional]] comics and storylines were mentioned in relation to the Amalgam Comics characters, though they were never published as actual comics, they helped to give background knowledge of existing characters. All historical information below (e.g., publication dates) is untrue, part of the metafictional history.
'''Action and Suspense Comics''':
The first of the [[metafictional]] Amalgam Comics beginning in the [[First World War]] with [[Sgt. Rock (Amalgam Comics)]], and was later integrated into the All-Star Winners Comics at the outbreak of [[World War II]]. The series lasted until [[1917]] with 50 comics being produced before they were recycled for the war effort. An infusion of [[Action Comics]] and [[Tales of Suspense]].
'''All-Star Winners Comics''':
The [[Golden Age]] comic-books of the [[All-Star Winners Squadron]] and, presumably, the [[Young Commandos]]. The series lasted between 1941 and 1942, ending with ''Super Soldier Action''. It was in these comics that [[American Belle]], [[The Whiz]] and [[Human Lantern]] debuted along with [[Brooklyn Barnes]]. It is an infusion of [[All Star Comics]] (A DC imprint) and All-Winners Comics
'''Amalgam 2099''':
Mentioned in ''Spider-Boy Team Up'' #1, and an Amalgam Comics equivalent of [[Marvel 2099]], featuring the Legion of Galactic Guardians and briefly [[Spider-Boy]].
'''Bonghunters Special''':
A [[Lobo the Duck]] special featuring [[Doctor Bongface]].
'''Dare the Terminator''':
The series featured [[Dare The Terminator]] and [[Catsai]] before their adventure in ''Assassins #1'', as well as [[The Big Question (character)|The Big Question]]. The series ran for under 200 issues before it was integrated into the ''Assassins'' series. Outstanding events include the teaming-up of Catsai and Dare in Issue #168 against Tombstone the Ravager, Dare losing her eye in a fight against Deadeye in Issue #13 and her experimentation by The Big Question in Issue #3.
'''Dark Claw: The Murder Gag''':
The only known [[Graphic Novel]] to exist in Amalgam Comics continuity. It featured [[Bruce Wayne]] (Agent of [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]]) travelling to New Gotham City and teaming up with [[Dark Claw]] to stop [[Hyena (Amalgam Comics)|Hyena]]. It also saw the end of [[Jason Todd]] as [[Moonwing]]. The Amalgam equivalent of ''[[Batman: The Killing Joke|The Killing Joke]]'', with elements of ''[[Batman: A Death in the Family|A Death In The Family]]''.
'''Elsewhat If''':
An alternate-reality storyline that looked at different ways that Amalgam Comics characters may have changed, including [[Dark Claw]]. This combines elements of [[Elseworlds]] of [[DC Comics]] and [[What If? (comics)]] of [[Marvel Comics]].
'''Giant-Sized Bat-Thing''':
[[Bat-Thing]] continues his tales in this series, with [[Lobo the Duck]] as a backup feature. (Named for the infamous double entendre title ''Giant-Sized Man-Thing''.)
'''Marine Mystery''':
The [[Golden Age]] comic featuring the debut of [[Aqua Mariner]].
'''Mighty Amazons''':
Featuring the Amalgam Comics equivalent of [[Wonder Woman]], [[Shatterstarfire]] briefly appeared in this series in Issue #34 before moving onto the [[X-Patrol]] in '''''X-Patrol #1'''''.
'''My Great Astonishment''':
One of the [[Silver Age]] series featuring the [[Challengers of the Fantastic]]. It was in this series that Tino Lumpkin became a Challenger. The name combines [[My Greatest Adventure]] with [[Tales to Astonish]].
'''Showcase of Suspense''':
A series featuring [[Iron Lantern]]. Issues included:
*Issue #1 - The death of [[Rhomann Sur]] and the emergence of [[Iron Lantern]]
*Issue #27 - ''The Coming of [[5700]]'', featuring Iron Lantern 5700
*Issue #75 - A battle with [[Madame Sapphire]]
*Issue #84 - ''The Other Iron Lantern'', debut of [[Green Guardsman]].
Other unnumbered issues that involved a fight with [[Great White]] and a team-up with [[Aqua Mariner]] against [[.H.E.C.T.O.R.]]. It is a collaboration of ''[[Showcase (comics)|Showcase]]'' (A DC imprint) and ''[[Tales of Suspense]]'' of Marvel.
'''Sleuth Comics''':
The debut of [[Dark Claw]] in Issue #27. This is an Amalgam Comics equivalent of [[Detective Comics]], where [[Batman]] first appeared.
'''Strange Tales of the Unexpected''':
The [[Silver Age]] imprint that featured the debut of [[Challengers of the Fantastic]] and the Un-People, whose member Dream Crystal fell in love with Johnny "Red" Storm. Sections of these tales were reprinted in '''''Challengers of the Fantastic #1'''''. An amalgam of Marvel's ''[[Strange Tales]]'' and DC's ''[[Tales of the Unexpected (comics)|Tales of the Unexpected]]''
'''Strange Tales of War''':
A spy-thriller series introducing Hydra and [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] in the Amalgam Comics world. An amalgam of ''Strange Tales'' and DC's ''[[Weird War Tales]]''.
'''Tales to Astonish''':
Some of the earlier comics featuring [[Thorion]] and the New Asgods. Borrows the title from the [[Tales to Astonish|Marvel series of the same name]].
'''Radiotower Comics''':
An imprint with ties to the [[Challengers of the Fantastic]]. The main heroes in the imprint were the '''Thunder Crusaders''', whose membership included the [[superhero]]es No-Fly and Dynashield. The imprint is named after [[Tower Comics]]; the characters are amalgams of Tower's [[T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents]] and the [[Mighty Crusaders]], at the time being published under the DC imprint [[!mpact]].
'''Tales of Strangefate''':
The debuts of [[Dr. Strangefate]], [[Jade Nova]], [[White Witch (Amalgam Comics)|White Witch]], and [[Skulk]]. Villains in the series included Mephistanus and Baron Wotan, who were later mentioned in ''Dr. Strangefate'' #1. The title is another play on ''Strange Tales''.
==Post-Amalgam==
Between the two rounds of Amalgam Comics, the two publishers released a second crossover, '''''DC/Marvel: All Access'''''. A third mini-series, '''''Unlimited Access''''', followed the second round. Both crossovers featured additional Amalgam characters.
==External links==
*[[Jonathan L. Woodward|Jonathan Woodward's]] ''[http://www.io.com/~woodward/chroma/amalgam.html Who's Who: Handbook of the Amalgam Universe]''
*[http://www.rpol.net/game.cgi?gi=23907&gn=Amalgam+Comics:+The+Timeline+Continues&date=1176674162 Amalgam Comics: The Timeline Continues]
*[http://www.marvunapp.com/list/amalgamd.htm Amalgam Index]
*[http://jerome.galica.free.fr/amalgam/amalgam.htm More Amalgam Character images]
==See also==
*[[Fictional crossovers]]
*[[Intercompany crossover]]
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