Bringing Superman and Spider-Man – the flagship characters of DC Comics and Marvel Comics, respectively – was a dream come true for University of Michigan alumnus/New York Times best-selling author Brad Meltzer.
“I’ve been waiting 50 years to write this book,” said Meltzer. “Superman and Spider-Man have affected me more than most real people. I carry them with me everywhere – and our story cuts to the core of what it means to be a good person.”
Last year marked DC and Marvel teaming their characters up for the first time since 2003’s “JLA/Avengers.” In this case, Batman fought Deadpool. Each publisher released a one-shot, both of which were very successful. Following the success of the Batman/Deadpool crossover, it was announced that Superman and Spider-Man would meet (again) this year.
On the heels of last month’s “Superman/Spider-Man” one-shot (published by DC), the “Spider-Man/Superman” one-shot (published by Marvel) will be released on Wednesday, April 22. Illustrated by Pepe Larraz, this one-shot is also Meltzer’s first full-length story for Marvel. Although he’s written primarily for DC and is a founding creator of Ghost Machine, Meltzer has also written for Dark Horse Comics and a one-page Spider-Man story for 2019’s “Marvel Comics 1000.”
“(Spider-Man’s) a dream for any writer. The character is perfect,” said Meltzer. “He’s us. Truly us. Powerful and terrified, amazing and scared, brave and worried. All in one. Sometimes in the same day, sometimes in the same minute.”
Meltzer spoke about Superman. He pointed out that Superman isn’t so much an idea as he is an ideal.
“Superman means something to people,” said Meltzer. “He stands for something – something important that’s bigger than all of us: truth, justice, and the American way. It’s a great catchphrase – but it’s serious and it matters. And Superman matters. Now more than ever, America needs heroes.”
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Superman, the alter-ego of Clark Kent, was created in 1938 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Spider-Man, the alter-ego of Peter Parker, was created in 1962 by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. These two icons didn’t meet until 1976’s historic DC/Marvel crossover “Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man: The Battle of the Century.” They met again in 1981’s sequel, “Superman and Spider-Man.” Both books have recently been reprinted. The last time they met was very briefly in 1996’s “DC/Marvel: All Access No. 1.” This year marks the 50th anniversary of their first meeting.
“The story is about the core of each character,” explained Meltzer. “What makes them exactly who they are. My job was just to put them together and get out of the way.”
“Everyone here at Marvel is excited to be re-teaming with our friends at DC for another colossal crossover, this time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our two icons, Spider-Man and Superman, first teaming up!” said Marvel Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski. “I can’t wait for fans of every generation to read these spectacular stories that our titanic talents are telling, featuring all-new, easily accessible stories about the ever-growing Spider-Man and Superman families meeting for the first time.”
In addition, the one-shot will feature several variant covers – including one by Michigan State University alumnus Ryan Stegman – and various back-up stories by a wide variety of creators, each teaming up Marvel and DC characters.
Some of the more notable stories include Clarkston native/MSU alumnus Geoff Johns – another founding father of Ghost Machine, who’s written celebrated runs on DC’s “Superman,” “Flash,” and “Green Lantern” – and artist Gary Frank bringing the Superman and Spider-Man families together to battle Mysterio, Spider-Man’s old enemy. This marks Johns’ first Marvel story in more than 20 years. He and frequent collaborator Frank are one of the most celebrated writer-artist creative teams in modern comics; their collaborations include Ghost Machine’s “Geiger” and “Junkyard Joe,” as well as Marvel’s “Avengers,” and DC’s “Batman: Earth One,” “Superman: Secret Origin,” and “Doomsday Clock.”
Former Executive Vice President of Marvel Television Jeph Loeb – who’s written for the TV series “The Gifted,” “Heroes,” “Smallville,” and “Daredevil” in addition to numerous comics, including “Batman: Hush” – and fan-favorite artist Jim Cheung do their own take on a Superman/Spider-Man team-up.
“How often do you get to land on the moon? Travel back in time? Be a part of history? That’s what it was like when Marvel asked me to be part of ‘Spider-Man/Superman!’” said Loeb. “It’s a short story that I’d like to think emotionally connects with ‘Spider-Man: Blue’ and ‘Superman For All Seasons,’ two of my favorite things I’ve written. Then, the most incredible part is that the incomparable Jim Cheung is illustrating the story, giving it the perfect feel.”
A clash between Steel, Superman’s ally, and the Hobgoblin, one of Spider-Man’s deadliest foes, brings together writer/Steel’s co-creator Louise Simonson and artist Todd Nauck (who will be a guest at the Motor City Comic Con in Novi May 15-17).
The writer-artist team of Joe Kelly (no stranger to Superman and Spider-Man) and Humberto Ramos collaborate on a story featuring a meeting between Lana Lang, Superman’s first love, and Gwen Stacy, Spider-Man’s first love.
“Keep it coming, Marvel and DC! As a lifelong comic book lover, it so cool to see these characters crossing over. Hopefully, this is just the beginning,” said Curtis Sullivan, general manager of Vault of Midnight Comics in Ann Arbor. “It’s a great format for long term readers and folks newer to comic books. You also get more crossovers than you’ve ever seen!”
According to Sullivan, fans are eagerly awaiting the release of ‘Spider-Man/Superman.’ He’s expecting it to sell out. Plus, there’s the local connection with Meltzer.
“Ann Arbor loves Brad Meltzer, so it will certainly add to the excitement,” said Sullivan. “He’s a vocal supporter of all things Ann Arbor, including Vault of Midnight.”
Meltzer spoke about getting this plum assignment.
“Marvel called me. That’s all it took. Editor Nick Lowe said he had a project he thought I would like. I told him I was really busy, working on the new novel and all that. And then he said, ‘It’s Spider-Man/Superman.’ That was it. Sold. The last time they met, I was 11 years old. I still have my copy of that one,” he recalled. “I’m honored that Nick and everyone at Marvel even asked. Just wait until you see Pepe’s work. Get your capes and web-shooters ready!”
