Superman and Spider-Man

Supercbbox|
title = Marvel Treasury Edition #28:
Superman and Spider-Man


caption = Cover of "Superman and Spider-Man" (1981). Painted art by Bob Larkin from a layout by John Romita, Sr..
schedule = One-shot
format = Tabloid-sized
publisher = DC Comics/Marvel Comics
date = 1981
issues = 1
main_char_team = Superman, Spider-Man
writers= Jim Shooter, Marv Wolfman
artists=
pencillers= John Buscema
inkers= Terry Austin, Klaus Janson, Bob Layton, Steve Leialoha, Bob McLeod, Al Milgrom, Josef Rubinstein, Walter Simonson, Joe Sinnott, Bob Wiacek
letterers= Joe Rosen
colorists= Glynis Wein
creative_team_month=
creative_team_year=
creators =

"Superman and Spiderman" is an intercompany comic book jointly published by DC Comics and Marvel Comics in 1981. Number 28 (and final) in the Marvel Treasury Edition series, it is the "sequel" to 1976's "Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man".

Publication history

"Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man" was very much a collaboration between the two companies; this second treasury-sized edition was largely the work of Marvel, with DC's approval.Fact|date=August 2008 The first team-up featured the heroes' most popular enemies, Lex Luthor and Doctor Octopus, but writer Jim Shooter clearly sought plot convenience over "rogues gallery" prominence, and chose Doctor Doom (more typically a Fantastic Four villain) from Marvel, and the Parasite, a lesser-known criminal, from DC.

The book was officially co-written by Shooter and Marv Wolfman, who was historically a Marvel Comics scribe, but at the time was writing the popular DC title "The New Teen Titans". John Buscema penciled the story, which was inked by a who's-who of contemporary Marvel talent: Terry Austin, Klaus Janson, Bob Layton, Steve Leialoha, Bob McLeod, Al Milgrom, Josef Rubinstein, Walter Simonson, Joe Sinnott, and Bob Wiacek. The front cover was painted by Bob Larkin from a layout by John Romita, Sr.

Whereas Luthor had dominated the evil plotting in the first crossover, the crime here belongs to Doctor Doom. "The Heroes and the Holocaust!" lacks the first-time impact of its predecessor, and the artwork boasts fewer poster-style pages which take advantage of the larger format. The story, however, works better, and we encounter fewer of the lapses in plot logic so common to mainstream comic books. As a bonus, the comic also pitches Superman against the Incredible Hulk for the first time, and Spider-Man against Wonder Woman.

Other features of the book include Superman and Spider-Man's origins on the inside front cover, an earlier cover concept on the inside back cover, and house ads for both Marvel and DC.

Plot summary

The story — which is not considered canon — begins with Spider-Man foiling a bank robbery. Easily dispatching the criminals, his Spider-sense alerts him about a nearby construction site, but unable to determine any immediate danger, he moves on.

The reader learns, however, that the site camouflages an elaborate base of Doctor Doom's, connected with something his years-long plot, "Project Omega." Doom initiates Omega by luring the Hulk to Superman's hometown of Metropolis using a special micro-transmitter.

Spider-Man's alter-ego of Peter Parker is assigned by "The Daily Bugle" to cover The Hulk's advance towards Metropolis. Parker arrives in Metropolis just in time to witness the confrontation between Superman and the Hulk. Parker changes into Spider-Man, but is outclassed and unable to help.

Battling the Hulk, Superman discovers the beacon and destroys it, calming the Hulk and winning his trust. The Hulk reverts to his Bruce Banner form, but Doom's plan has worked: the damage Hulk caused released the Parasite from a special underground cell. S.T.A.R. Labs takes custody of Banner, hoping to find a cure for his condition. Doom, monitoring everything, still needs Banner for his plan, and now he knows exactly where to find him.

Peter Parker goes to work for "The Daily Planet" while Superman's alter-ego of Clark Kent takes a leave and joins the staff of the "Bugle" in New York City. Superman has realized that the Hulk's rampage was designed to free the Parasite, and reasons that, as Luthor is behind bars, only Dr. Doom could be behind the scheme. Superman visits the monarch of Latveria at its New York embassy, where Doom freely admits he's plotting world domination. Ironically, Superman is sworn to uphold the laws of men, and on Latverian soil, Doom is the law. He even makes an attempt to capture the Man of Steel, but Superman uses the lead-lined everything room of Doom's headquarters to his advantage. When Doom releases some kryptonite, Superman rolls himself in the lead-lining and blocks the lethal radiation. Nonetheless, Doom remains untouchable.

While Clark Kent works his mild-mannered charm on the Bugle's cantankerous publisher J. Jonah Jameson, Peter Parker has to deal with Steve Lombard, the jock sportscaster who harassed Kent throughout the 1970s. Soon enough, Parker stumbles onto the Metropolis division of Doom's Project Omega, around the same time as Wonder Woman, who has also been following this case. (Actually Doom planted evidence in order to lure Wonder Woman; her capture is also part of his master plan.)

Spider-Man and Wonder Woman fall into fighting under false pretenses, but quickly realize they're on the same side and join forces. Doom captures Wonder Woman before they can accomplish anything, however, while Spider-Man escapes and trails her captors to their destination, finally learning the truth about Project Omega.

The Omega installations, positioned all across the world, will go online and emit a particular radiation which will render most forms of fuel useless. Only a special generator — built by Doom, of course — will provide the energy the world needs; he will step in and make himself absolute monarch. In exchange for making him Doom's privileged enforcer, Doom enhances the Parasite's abilities with the absorbed powers of Wonder Woman, the Hulk, and Superman. The Parasite likes the idea, but only because he intends to turn on Doom. Of course, he won't get that chance; Doom knows that all that power will burn out the Parasite — turning his body into the specific kind of crystal that will power Doom's super-reactor.

The story comes to a climax as our heroes battle the Parasite, Doom and his henchmen, and a giant robot. Doom and the Parasite turn on each other, and Superman and Spider-Man use their respective abilities to foil Doom's plot. They also prevent the accidental world-destroying explosion of Doom's super-reactor. The Hulk wanders off when the stasis tube in which he was imprisoned cracks, the Parasite is recaptured. Doom manages to make it back to the embassy seconds before Superman catches up with him.

See also

* Intercompany crossover
* DC vs. Marvel
* Spider-Man
* Superman

References

* [http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1531298&lastnode_id=1531067 Timeshredder. "Superman and Spider-man," Everything2 (Apr. 12, 2004).]
* "Marvel Treasury Edition #28: Superman and Spider-Man" (DC and Marvel, 1981).