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We look back at the 1996 crossover event, DC Comics VS Marvel Comics, wherein DC heroes and villains battle Marvel heroes and villains to see which universe should survive!

For as long as we can remember, DC Comics and Marvel Comics have been the biggest publishers of comic books, which makes sense, given they’ve been nicknamed “The Big Two”. In the DC vs Marvel event from 1996, writers Peter David (Marvel) and Ron Marz (DC) adapt this idea, turning both of the companies into god-like brothers.

The big part of the story is that these brothers (for some reason) did not know of the other’s existence. When they become aware of each other, the heroes and villains from Marvel and DC end up meeting one another in a universe where they co-exist.

As is the norm, the characters battle it out. It’s explained through a weird side story that a random man - later named Access - has the ability to change things back to the way they were, with each character returning to their original universe. Due to not ever using his newly-found abilities before, he messed things up and inadvertently creating the Amalgam Universe, where DC Comics is merged with Marvel Comics. (Possibly the best thing to come of this entire event.)

Eventually Access ends up learning how to use his powers, returns the characters to their shared universe and then recruits Batman and Captain America to help him get things back to the way they’re supposed to be. (Why Cap and Batman are the ones chosen and how they help, I still don’t understand. Maybe solely as representatives of each universe?) The Brothers have a minor fight and end up reconciling. Again, this makes very little sense. Essentially they decide that it’s okay to coexist, but the universes need to stay separate. Things are back to the way they were.

Access ends up disappearing into the glowing box that seems to have started the whole thing. Where he went, we have no idea. The end.

TIE-INS

Amalgam Comics

Purchase the Amalgam Comics trade on Amazon. (Affiliate Link)

As we mentioned, Marvel and DC's greatest team-up was Amalgam, which was probably the real play by both companies. They released a total of 24 single-issue titles with their merged heroes. The first time (12 issues) being toward the end of the DC Comics Versus Marvel Comics run in 1996. These temporarily replaced each company's normal titles. The second time Amalgam appeared was in 1997. Each time, the books were written as if they had always existed and even went as far as to have fake letter columns at the end of each issue. It was quite the feat by the Big Two.

Access

The Big two also released two mini-series focused on the new character, Access. They were titled (appropriately and cliched) All Access (Late 1996 to Early 1997) and Unlimited Access (Late 1997 to Early 1998) The first focuses on Access' adventures to keep the universes from merging again. The second chronicles his adventures as he learns to travel through time in each universe.

Finally, if you haven't been confused and had a ton of fun with the "showdown of the century", you can take this Comic Book Resources quiz on the Amalgamverse. Good luck!

We look back at the 1996 crossover event, DC Comics VS Marvel Comics, wherein DC heroes and villains battle Marvel heroes and villains to see which universe should survive!

For as long as we can remember, DC Comics and Marvel Comics have been the biggest publishers of comic books, which makes sense, given they’ve been nicknamed “The Big Two”. In the DC vs Marvel event from 1996, writers Peter David (Marvel) and Ron Marz (DC) adapt this idea, turning both of the companies into god-like brothers.

The big part of the story is that these brothers (for some reason) did not know of the other’s existence. When they become aware of each other, the heroes and villains from Marvel and DC end up meeting one another in a universe where they co-exist.

As is the norm, the characters battle it out. It’s explained through a weird side story that a random man - later named Access - has the ability to change things back to the way they were, with each character returning to their original universe. Due to not ever using his newly-found abilities before, he messed things up and inadvertently creating the Amalgam Universe, where DC Comics is merged with Marvel Comics. (Possibly the best thing to come of this entire event.)

Eventually Access ends up learning how to use his powers, returns the characters to their shared universe and then recruits Batman and Captain America to help him get things back to the way they’re supposed to be. (Why Cap and Batman are the ones chosen and how they help, I still don’t understand. Maybe solely as representatives of each universe?) The Brothers have a minor fight and end up reconciling. Again, this makes very little sense. Essentially they decide that it’s okay to coexist, but the universes need to stay separate. Things are back to the way they were.

Access ends up disappearing into the glowing box that seems to have started the whole thing. Where he went, we have no idea. The end.

TIE-INS

Amalgam Comics

Purchase the Amalgam Comics trade on Amazon. (Affiliate Link)

As we mentioned, Marvel and DC's greatest team-up was Amalgam, which was probably the real play by both companies. They released a total of 24 single-issue titles with their merged heroes. The first time (12 issues) being toward the end of the DC Comics Versus Marvel Comics run in 1996. These temporarily replaced each company's normal titles. The second time Amalgam appeared was in 1997. Each time, the books were written as if they had always existed and even went as far as to have fake letter columns at the end of each issue. It was quite the feat by the Big Two.

Access

The Big two also released two mini-series focused on the new character, Access. They were titled (appropriately and cliched) All Access (Late 1996 to Early 1997) and Unlimited Access (Late 1997 to Early 1998) The first focuses on Access' adventures to keep the universes from merging again. The second chronicles his adventures as he learns to travel through time in each universe.

Finally, if you haven't been confused and had a ton of fun with the "showdown of the century", you can take this Comic Book Resources quiz on the Amalgamverse. Good luck!

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When one of our beloved comic characters dies in a story, we’re supposed to be surprised and shocked and saddened. Usually, though, we all say the same thing, “I give it six months and they’re back from the dead.” As true as that is, there have been some deaths in Marvel and DC Comics that have been tragic. I reached out to some of you on Facebook and Twitter to get an idea of your favorites and here’s what you said:

*

Evan David (Strangers & Aliens): Superman's my favorite.

*

David Hunt (Geek This!): I'm with Evan about Superman. The death of superman event happened when I was younger so for me that was the first time thinking "Oh snap! They killed one of the main people!" That was before I realized it had happened before, such as Jean Grey's death as the Phoenix. Anymore it seems like there's a "death of the month". As for returns, you obviously can't talk about it without talking about Bucky Barnes and Jason Todd.

*

Ben Avery (Strangers & Aliens): Check out our Strangers and Aliens Easter episode! I give a few of my favorites... Spock kinda tops the list, though.

*

David Arington (Helix Reviews): I haven't read a ton Marvel's Ultimate comics, but the death of the Ultimate Spider-Man was pretty amazing! I also liked the death/return of the 616 Spider-Man with the whole Superior Spider-Man thing. And as already mentioned the Bucky/Winter Solider and Jason Todd/ Red Hood returns are classics!

*

Dallas Panda Marshal Mora (Geeks Under Grace): Superman is at the top of my list too. Though Tim Drake is interesting.

Before I dive deep into the two stories I’ve selected, I wanted to preface everything. I originally had about six different stories to share for this episode, but the more I dug into them, I realized that some of them happened before I started reading comics, more or less. I narrowed it down to these two, so I hope you don’t mind.

Peter Parker (Amazing Spider-Man #698 - #700 - 2012) | Dan Slott / Humberto Ramos

The beginning of this story starts in issue #600, but these three issues are the main part of Peter Parker’s 616 death. We find out before these that Doctor Octopus, Spidey’s longest-running villain, is terminally ill.

Issue #698 starts out with Spider-Man swinging across NYC having what he calls “the best day of his life”. Through most of the book he’s reminiscing, but there comes a point when Captain America, Spider Woman, Wolverine and Hawkeye all meet up with Spidey and inform him that Doctor Octopus is dying. Oddly enough, he’s asking for Peter. Cap and the other Avengers take Peter to The Raft (Marvel’s Ryker’s Island) where he hears Ock say, “Peter Parker…” Of course, Peter’s response is, “Yes, I’m Peter Parker.” Next, though, Ock says something weird: “No… Not anymore, Spider-Man. From now on, I am Peter Parker. I have all of your memories. I know everything you knew. I have your life and everything that comes with it. And you are now Otto Octavius. With what little time you have left…” And then Peter begins speaking, continuing Doc Ock’s words, “... trapped in that broken body - brought about by years of your brutal beatings. And like a good magician, I shall not reveal my secrets. You will die,

Follow Dave on Twitter | Like GEEK THIS! on Facebook | Follow Dave on Instagram

When one of our beloved comic characters dies in a story, we’re supposed to be surprised and shocked and saddened. Usually, though, we all say the same thing, “I give it six months and they’re back from the dead.” As true as that is, there have been some deaths in Marvel and DC Comics that have been tragic. I reached out to some of you on Facebook and Twitter to get an idea of your favorites and here’s what you said:

*

Evan David (Strangers & Aliens): Superman's my favorite.

*

David Hunt (Geek This!): I'm with Evan about Superman. The death of superman event happened when I was younger so for me that was the first time thinking "Oh snap! They killed one of the main people!" That was before I realized it had happened before, such as Jean Grey's death as the Phoenix. Anymore it seems like there's a "death of the month". As for returns, you obviously can't talk about it without talking about Bucky Barnes and Jason Todd.

*

Ben Avery (Strangers & Aliens): Check out our Strangers and Aliens Easter episode! I give a few of my favorites... Spock kinda tops the list, though.

*

David Arington (Helix Reviews): I haven't read a ton Marvel's Ultimate comics, but the death of the Ultimate Spider-Man was pretty amazing! I also liked the death/return of the 616 Spider-Man with the whole Superior Spider-Man thing. And as already mentioned the Bucky/Winter Solider and Jason Todd/ Red Hood returns are classics!

*

Dallas Panda Marshal Mora (Geeks Under Grace): Superman is at the top of my list too. Though Tim Drake is interesting.

Before I dive deep into the two stories I’ve selected, I wanted to preface everything. I originally had about six different stories to share for this episode, but the more I dug into them, I realized that some of them happened before I started reading comics, more or less. I narrowed it down to these two, so I hope you don’t mind.

Peter Parker (Amazing Spider-Man #698 - #700 - 2012) | Dan Slott / Humberto Ramos

The beginning of this story starts in issue #600, but these three issues are the main part of Peter Parker’s 616 death. We find out before these that Doctor Octopus, Spidey’s longest-running villain, is terminally ill.

Issue #698 starts out with Spider-Man swinging across NYC having what he calls “the best day of his life”. Through most of the book he’s reminiscing, but there comes a point when Captain America, Spider Woman, Wolverine and Hawkeye all meet up with Spidey and inform him that Doctor Octopus is dying. Oddly enough, he’s asking for Peter. Cap and the other Avengers take Peter to The Raft (Marvel’s Ryker’s Island) where he hears Ock say, “Peter Parker…” Of course, Peter’s response is, “Yes, I’m Peter Parker.” Next, though, Ock says something weird: “No… Not anymore, Spider-Man. From now on, I am Peter Parker. I have all of your memories. I know everything you knew. I have your life and everything that comes with it. And you are now Otto Octavius. With what little time you have left…” And then Peter begins speaking, continuing Doc Ock’s words, “... trapped in that broken body - brought about by years of your brutal beatings. And like a good magician, I shall not reveal my secrets. You will die, never knowing how I performed my last and greate...

Follow Dave on Twitter | Like GEEK THIS! on Facebook | Follow Dave on Instagram

When one of our beloved comic characters dies in a story, we’re supposed to be surprised and shocked and saddened. Usually, though, we all say the same thing, “I give it six months and they’re back from the dead.” As true as that is, there have been some deaths in Marvel and DC Comics that have been tragic. I reached out to some of you on Facebook and Twitter to get an idea of your favorites and here’s what you said:

*

Evan David (Strangers & Aliens): Superman's my favorite.

*

David Hunt (Geek This!): I'm with Evan about Superman. The death of superman event happened when I was younger so for me that was the first time thinking "Oh snap! They killed one of the main people!" That was before I realized it had happened before, such as Jean Grey's death as the Phoenix. Anymore it seems like there's a "death of the month". As for returns, you obviously can't talk about it without talking about Bucky Barnes and Jason Todd.

*

Ben Avery (Strangers & Aliens): Check out our Strangers and Aliens Easter episode! I give a few of my favorites... Spock kinda tops the list, though.

*

David Arington (Helix Reviews): I haven't read a ton Marvel's Ultimate comics, but the death of the Ultimate Spider-Man was pretty amazing! I also liked the death/return of the 616 Spider-Man with the whole Superior Spider-Man thing. And as already mentioned the Bucky/Winter Solider and Jason Todd/ Red Hood returns are classics!

*

Dallas Panda Marshal Mora (Geeks Under Grace): Superman is at the top of my list too. Though Tim Drake is interesting.

Before I dive deep into the two stories I’ve selected, I wanted to preface everything. I originally had about six different stories to share for this episode, but the more I dug into them, I realized that some of them happened before I started reading comics, more or less. I narrowed it down to these two, so I hope you don’t mind.

Peter Parker (Amazing Spider-Man #698 - #700 - 2012) | Dan Slott / Humberto Ramos

The beginning of this story starts in issue #600, but these three issues are the main part of Peter Parker’s 616 death. We find out before these that Doctor Octopus, Spidey’s longest-running villain, is terminally ill.

Issue #698 starts out with Spider-Man swinging across NYC having what he calls “the best day of his life”. Through most of the book he’s reminiscing, but there comes a point when Captain America, Spider Woman, Wolverine and Hawkeye all meet up with Spidey and inform him that Doctor Octopus is dying. Oddly enough, he’s asking for Peter. Cap and the other Avengers take Peter to The Raft (Marvel’s Ryker’s Island) where he hears Ock say, “Peter Parker…” Of course, Peter’s response is, “Yes, I’m Peter Parker.” Next, though, Ock says something weird: “No… Not anymore, Spider-Man. From now on, I am Peter Parker. I have all of your memories. I know everything you knew. I have your life and everything that comes with it. And you are now Otto Octavius. With what little time you have left…” And then Peter begins speaking, continuing Doc Ock’s words, “... trapped in that broken body - brought about by years of your brutal beatings. And like a good magician, I shall not reveal my secrets. You will die, never knowing how I performed my last and greatest trick.” Doc Ock flatlines, Spider-Man calls in the medics and walks out with the Avengers like nothing ever happened.

YouTube launched its YouTube Red service in October 2015. Over a year later, Dave talks about whether the content provided is worth the $10 you'll be spending each month. He also talks about some of his favorite programming, why there will not be sponsors on Geek This, and what is to come for the 2017 season of the show.

EPISODE LINKS

* YouTube Red

* Geek This! Patreon

YouTube launched its YouTube Red service in October 2015. Over a year later, Dave talks about whether the content provided is worth the $10 you'll be spending each month. He also talks about some of his favorite programming,

YouTube launched its YouTube Red service in October 2015. Over a year later, Dave talks about whether the content provided is worth the $10 you'll be spending each month. He also talks about some of his favorite programming, why there will not be sponsors on Geek This, and what is to come for the 2017 season of the show.

EPISODE LINKS

* YouTube Red

* Geek This! Patreon

Dusting off the microphone (for the millionth time it seems), Dave pops in to share 5 of his favorite podcasts from 2016 as part of International Podcast Day and shares some behind-the-scenes info on the status of the show.

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Dusting off the microphone (for the millionth time it seems), Dave pops in to share 5 of his favorite podcasts from 2016 as part of International Podcast Day and shares some behind-the-scenes info on the status of the show. EPISODE LINKS -