In the world of comic books, huge inter-company crossovers are basically the Halley’s Comet of the industry. They are rare, spectacular, and you almost can’t believe they are actually happening. Even crazier? This is the second comet to pass by in just a few weeks, following right on the heels of Marvel’s Deadpool/Batman #1 that dropped in September!
The last time we really saw a wave of content like this, it defined the ’90s, which, for newer fans of the genre, was an era of oversized guns and endless pouches. But DC/Marvel: Batman/Deadpool #1 isn’t just a nostalgia trip for nostalgia’s sake. It returns to that well with a modern, meta-fictional twist that feels fresh. While the cover promises a clash between the Dark Knight and the Merc with a Mouth, the issue is actually an oversized anthology. It’s a festival of fan service featuring five distinct tales that range from existential comedy to gritty noir.
The Main Event: The Cosmic Kiss Caper! By Grant Morrison, Dan Mora, Alejandro Sánchez
Grant Morrison doesn’t do “simple,” and honestly, we wouldn’t want him to. The story kicks off in “Anthropomorpho’s ‘Big Bang-Bang’ Singularities Bar,” where the DC and Marvel universes have collided. We find Batman stuck in a moody, noir time loop that feels ripped right out of The Long Halloween. Then, Deadpool drops in, shattering the fourth wall and the serious vibe immediately.
The genius here is the friction. Batman represents order and canon; Deadpool represents chaos and satire. There is a hilarious running gag where Batman keeps calling Deadpool “Deathstroke.” It clearly annoys Wade, because no matter how famous Deadpool gets, Batman knows he’s technically a pastiche of the DC villain. It’s the kind of meta-humor that makes these crossovers shine.
Morrison uses the villain, Cassandra Nova (who is wielding a “Cosmic Keyboard” to rewrite reality), to deconstruct superhero arguments. In one of the best lines of the book, Deadpool points out the futility of fighting Bruce Wayne: “Batman has something stronger than adamantium… Batman has Plot Armor, buddy!”
I have to admit, Morrison’s voice for the characters sometimes feels a little dated. Deadpool yaps so much that you sometimes feel like you aren’t in on the joke, and Batman’s dialogue can be a bit random. But, Batman rolls with the punches… because he’s been dealing with hyperactive Robins and the Joker for years, so he just tunes Wade out.
Visually, Dan Mora is on a superstar level. He balances a gritty, crime-drama Batman right next to a slapstick Deadpool perfectly. Plus, the villain looks suspiciously like Grant Morrison, which is a funny touch. (8.5/10)
The Magical Team-Up: A Magician Walks Into A Universe By Snyder, Tynion IV, Williamson, & Hayden Sherman
If the main story is the brain, the backups are the heart. This story pairs Doctor Strange with John Constantine, blending British noir with psychedelic fantasy.
Right from the first page, this had me in stitches. Constantine claims he is “too filthy” for the Marvel Universe, and you kind of have to agree with him. He even pokes fun at Stephen, telling him that if he used his own last name, he’d be “John Soulless.”
I’ll be the first to admit, I’m a huge Doctor Fate fan and wanted him to be the Sorcerer Supreme representative here. But after reading this, Constantine is the better fit. He contrasts better with Strange. Strange is the clean, precise “Surgeon,” while Constantine is the “Butcher” who gets his hands dirty.
We also get to see clashes we never thought possible. Neron and Mephisto appear as rival demon lords, which makes total sense. Even stranger? Seeing Swamp Thing and Ghost Rider share a panel. They have nothing in common, but Hayden Sherman’s scratchy, angular art makes it look magical. (9/10)
The Emotional Anchor: Sticks & Snikts By Tom Taylor & Bruno Redondo
This story features Nightwing and Wolverine (Laura Kinney), and it provides the emotional weight of the book. Laura is scouring Gotham sewers for her kidnapped pet, Jonathan the Wolverine, when she runs into Nightwing.
Tom Taylor identifies them perfectly as “Legacy Heroes,” or even better, “Nepo Heroes.” They are children raised by giants (Batman and Wolverine) who have had to carve out their own identities. There is a great moment where Laura asks Dick, “Are you just a regular guy?” Yes, and the fact that he has no super-soldier serum, or super-sharp claws, and just mad skills, is what makes him so awesome.
Bruno Redondo choreographs their fight against Killer Croc like a dance. It’s a sweet, short story about two heroes bonding over the specific pressure that comes with their last names. (9/10)
The Fun Break: Harley & Hulk’s Amazin’ Saturday!!!! By Mariko Tamaki & Amanda Conner
If you need a palate cleanser, this is it. Channeling pure Saturday Morning Cartoon energy, Harley Quinn and the Hulk team up at an amusement park. Instead of fighting, they bond over chili dogs and smashing things.
There is no angst here, just vibes. Amanda Conner’s expressive art is the perfect vehicle for this. Seeing Harley riding the Hulk through a vat of neon-green sludge is worth the price of admission alone. It’s not serious, but it’s a lot of fun. (7.5/10)
The Teen Icons: New Friends in Old Places By G. Willow Wilson & Denys Cowan
Finally, we get a team-up that feels culturally significant: Static and Ms. Marvel. These are arguably the two most important teen heroes of their respective generations.
The script focuses on the universal struggle of the teen hero: balancing saving the city with homework and parents. They team up to fight a giant sewer monster, using a “high/low” combat strategy that highlights how smart they both are. Denys Cowan’s pencils lend the story a gritty, grounded feel. Honestly, this just made me itch for a new Static ongoing series. Thankfully, we can see him all grown up in the Batman/Static: Beyond series that just dropped! (8/10)
The Verdict
DC/Marvel: Batman/Deadpool #1 manages to avoid the trap of feeling like a corporate cash grab. Instead, it feels like a passion project curated by creators who genuinely love these sandboxes.
Whether you are here for the deconstruction of Silver Age tropes, the moody magical noir, or just want to see Batman get annoyed by Wade Wilson for 30 pages, this issue delivers. It proves that while corporate rivalry is fierce, the creative energy between these universes is undeniable. Here’s hoping this is only the beginning!
‘Batman-Deadpool’ #1 Review: Why Batman Hates… “Deathstroke”
DC/Marvel: Batman/Deadpool #1 proves that while corporate rivalry is fierce, the creative energy between these universes is undeniable. Here’s hoping this is only the beginning!
