Since the 80’s crossovers have become a staple of the comic world. Whether it is self contained through a series of related titles, or done through a big event with multiple tie-ins, they are big draws for readers. Some change the game forever, others bring about quick changes, but the result is the same in the end as stories are told and money is made. Here is going to be a recap of the current big summer changes happening in your comics today.
Warning: Spoilers are going to be through out this article as they pertain to these events. Nothing will be held back.
MARVEL’S SECRET WARS:
The story is a culmination of two years of storytelling, from Jonathan Hickman doing over 2 titles and another big crossover event. Well, longer if you count his shortened run on the Ultimates and his Fantastic Four run which also add some elements into this story. Secret Wars is the telling of the end of all things Marvel and what comes after it.
The story starts were the Avengers ends, a war between the last two remaining Earths, the main Marvel universe and the Ultimate Marvel universe. It ends with both worlds coming to a close, but that only starts the main plot of the story. After the end both worlds have been merged into a new world called Battleworld. A world made up of fragments that remain of the now dead multiverse the Marvel books we have been reading were residing in. Tie-ins are going to be made of books ending their current run showing how the characters spent their last days, or dealing with fallout of merging all of these worlds together.
For someone looking to jump on, issue 2 might be a better place than say, issue 1. The first issue is a retelling form different P.O.Vs of the last two issues of Avengers and New Avengers. Nothing is really added, except the definitive end is shown. This would have been a bigger reveal, if Deadpool didn’t beat them to it and show they failed to save anyone.
DC’s CONVERGENCE:
DC has decided not to be out done on the multiversal battle scale, by stepping up to the plate to undo what past crossovers have done. This time they are bringing back the older versions of your favourite characters, and having them fight it out in a cage battle to survive. Also in a struggle to survive, The Heroes of Earth 2 try to fight the actual bad guys and go after the ones hosting this temporal King of the Ring match Brainiac and new comer Telos.
Currently at 6 issues coming weekly, this tale doesn’t require too much investment into tie-ins outside of your favourite characters as there is no definitive count of how many worlds there are and who is actually fighting who. The main story is rather self-contained, and really may only tie into a couple of books outside of main title and that is okay, as those stories are about reintroducing those versions.
ARCHIE COMIC PRESENTS CAPCOM AND SEGA’S WORLDS UNITED:
Foretold with a prelude comic during Free Comic Book Day, this adventure is the second crossover between Archie’s Mega Man and the Sonic the Hedgehog series. Last time gave a soft reboot over both titles to go into new stories and not rely as much on the games to make the stories. This time the crossover is spilling out into multiple game worlds from both parent companies with each cover forming a part of a larger poster featuring all of the character’s involved. Some of the characters on Capcom’s end that have been revealed, including Gore Magala, Ryu, and Viewtiful Joe. On the Sega side comes in Billy Hatcher, Vyse and others who we may never see again.
Story wise the plot brings together hanging elements from the Mega Man world to create a crossover over the two current timelines of original series and X series. The main title characters have also been corrupted by the villain of the other’s series, and it is up to the side characters to save them this time.
DYNAMITE’S SWORDS OF SORROW:
Coming over from semi-mainstream of comics, Dynamite is bringing a female powered crossover. Not just in characters, but in creators too, featuring current legendary writer Gail Simone. Unfortunately, this has been a neglected area by me, as some of the comics involved are not available in my area or are limited in supply. However this article here should be enough to get your interest.
IDW’S THE TRANSFORMERS COMBINER WARS:
The only crossover here built to actually sell toys, and the only one not featuring any kind of multiversal jumping surprisingly. The story is set full of political intrigue and dramatic overtones, which you forget, it is mostly about giant transforming cars. After some rowdy adventures on Earth, the story has bounced back to Cybertron where Starscream wants to use the new toys under his control.
The story is set in the adjective-less title with a couple of supporting side titles focusing on select characters. The story is also bringing together all of the G1 era combiners minus Predaking and Bruticus, for a huge battle that will have big repercussions. The toyline has also produced two new combiners in Ultra Prime (using Optimus for the main body and Rodimus as armour), and Galvatronus (using Cyclonus and not Megatron). The new toys have yet to be featured in the story, but rumors have it Ultra Prime will be involved near the end.
Look forward next time to when I review IDW and DC’s Star Trek/Green Lantern crossover! Well, that’s it for this week, don’t go breaking the bank on all of these great stories to read.