DC vs. Marvel Comics (issues #2–3 titled Marvel Comics vs. DC) was a comic book limited series crossover published by DC Comics (Detective Comics) and Marvel Comics from April to May 1996. The series was written by Ron Marz and Peter David, with art by Dan Jurgens and Claudio Castellini.[2]
Two godly brothers who personify the DC and Marvel Universes become aware of the other's existence, and challenge one another to a series of duels involving each universe's respective superheroes. The losing universe would cease to exist. The story had an "out of universe" component in that the outcomes of primary battles were determined by readers voting.[3]
Numerous smaller, story-driven skirmishes occur throughout the series, not counted with the primary duels meant to determine the outcome between the brothers.[4]
There were eleven battles fought between the two universes:
- Aquaman (DC) vs. Namor (Marvel). Aquaman won by crushing Namor with his whale.
- Elektra (Marvel) vs. Catwoman (DC). Elektra won by making Catwoman fall off a building.
- Flash (DC) vs. Quicksilver (Marvel). Flash won due to his superior speed.
- Robin (DC) vs. Jubilee (Marvel). Robin won by using his cape as a decoy and then by tying up Jubilee.
- Silver Surfer (Marvel) vs. Green Lantern (DC). Silver Surfer won when both collided with each other and released a huge explosion which knocked out Green Lantern but Silver Surfer was unfazed.
- Thor (Marvel) vs. Captain Marvel (DC). Thor won when Captain Marvel was forced to change back to his alter ego Billy. Billy tried to change back but Thor exerted control over him using the magic lightning and the resulting blow caused his hammer to fly off and Billy to fall unconscious.
There were other primary battles, with the outcomes determined by a vote by the readers:
- Superman (DC) vs. Hulk (Marvel). Superman wins with a one-punch knockout of Hulk.
- Spider-Man (Marvel) vs. Superboy (DC). Spider-Man wins by electrocuting Superboy.
- Batman (DC) vs. Captain America (Marvel). The match ends in uncertainty--though both are evenly matched after hours of combat, a sudden flushing of the sewer knocks Cap off balance. Batman rescues Cap from certain death via drowning, but concedes that he (Batman) lost in saving Cap.
- Wolverine (Marvel) vs. Lobo (DC). Wolverine beats Lobo in a brutal barfight which was largely off panel.
- Storm (Marvel) vs. Wonder Woman (DC). After Diana drops Thor's hammer in order to allow the fight to happen as it was intended, Storm wins the battle after repeatedly hitting Diana with her lightning after a brief melee encounter.
