What WAS the Comic Battle of the 20th Century? PART 6 — 1976’s SUPERMAN vs. SPIDER-MAN
SUNDAY FUNNIES WITH KERRY CALLEN! A SUPERMAN WEEK bonus! — Wrapping up SUPERMAN WEEK! Click here for the COMPLETE INDEX of columns and features! Look, up in the sky! — Dan — By KERRY CALLEN After a one-week gap, resuming my series reviewing 20th Century comic books that claim The Battle/Fight/Bout/Showdown of the Century on their covers… This week’s battle — SUPERMAN vs. THE SPIDER-MAN! First presented in 1976’s Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man. Written by Gerry Conway. Art by a team, including Ross Andru, Dick Giordano, Carmine Infantino, Neal Adams, Terry Austin, John Romita, Bob Wiacek, Jerry Serpe, Rick Taylor and Gaspar Saladino. WHY ARE THEY FIGHTING? First of all, let’s talk about how they even coexist! Superman is published by DC Comics, while Spider-Man is published by Marvel. They come from two different universes! However, in this joint-published, treasury-size book, it appears they’ve always existed together and merely have never met. Smart move. No story time is wasted with explaining “crossing dimensions” or such. New York City is holding a “World News Conference.” Anyone who’s anybody in the news business is attending, including Clark Kent — reporter, Lois Lane — reporter, Peter Parker — photographer, and Mary Jane Watson — um, trophy girlfriend? Lois later bumps into Peter and they start talking about how much they admire each other’s work. Mary Jane shows up sporting a ’tude. Yep. Superman shows up too! The gang’s all here. I wonder what wonderful… WHHAAAAA?! Did… did Superman just disintegrate Lois and Peter’s trophy girlfriend?!? Peter decides to investigate as Spider-Man, which treats us to this hi-larious panel. Clark Kent has been here the whole time? Something’s not right, now is it? Both our heroes decide to investigate outside the building. HOW EPIC IS THE BATTLE? I’m not sure why Spider-Man is so giddy to see Superman. He considers him either a murderer or a kidnapper! Superman considers Spider-Man a criminal and possibly behind the women’s disappearance. There’s going to be a fight! Superman against Spider-Man. This should last about two seconds. Hold on, there’s a couple of guys lurking in the shadows. And by “shadows” I mean a brightly lit rooftop. It’s Lex Luthor and Doctor Octopus! Luthor was masquerading as Superman! Our villains are pleased that Spider-Man is unexpectedly involved, and decide to give him a little boost to his power level. Looks like the...
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