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Amalgam Comics was a metafictional American comic book publisher, and part of a collaboration between Marvel Comics and DC Comics, in which the two comic book publishers merged their characters to create new ones (e.g. DC Comics' Batman and Marvel's Wolverine became the Amalgam character Dark Claw or Metahumans). These characters first appeared in a series of twelve comic books which were published in 1996, following the Marvel vs DC miniseries. A second set (of another twelve comic books) followed a year later.

The Marvel Encyclopedia: Fantastic Four designated the Amalgam Universe as Earth-692.

Fictional origin


The two comic universes came together when the incarnations of their respective universes (referred to as "the Brothers") became aware of each other after aeons of slumber. To prevent the Brothers from destroying each other, characters from each universe battled to determine which universe would survive; several of the matches were determined by online voting. Access, a character created for the event (co-owned by Marvel and DC), served as a gate keeper who became stuck between traveling through both Universes.

When the fights concluded (including controversial victories by Wolverine and Storm over Lobo and Wonder Woman, respectively), neither universe was willing to go. To prevent total destruction, the Spectre and the Living Tribunal created a merged universe, in which only Axel Asher and Dr. Strangefate knew the truth. Each struggled against the other to reverse or preserve the change.

Eventually, Axel Asher, now called Access, managed to separate the Brothers with the help of Amalgam's heroes, and all went back to normal.

Publication history


For two months, Marvel and DC published Amalgam Comics. During the publication of Amalgam Comics, the companies treated it as if it had always existed, giving it a fictional history stretching back to the Golden Age of Comics, as well as retcons and reboots, such as the "Secret Crisis of the Infinity Hour" (an amalgam of Secret Wars, Crisis on Infinite Earths, Infinity Gauntlet and Zero Hour), including an Amalgam version of the cover of Crisis on Infinite Earths #7, with Super-Soldier holding his sidekick's body.

Amalgam books


List of metafictional Amalgam imprints

In the 24 Amalgam Comics printed, one-third of those printed included letter-columns by fictitious fans to give a larger background to the stories and to help give hints of what might happen in the next issue. The cities listed were usually infusions of existing American cities.

1996 books

Amazon

Amazon #1, written and drawn by John Byrne, combines DC's Wonder Woman and Marvel's Storm. Amazon returns in 1997's JLX Unleashed.

Assassins
Assassins #1, written by Dan Chicester and illustrated by Scott McDaniel, combines characters from Daredevil and the Batman family books. Its main characters are the two assassins Catsai (Elektra + Catwoman) and Dare (Daredevil + Deathstroke), who team up to take on the Big Question (Kingpin + Riddler).

Bruce Wayne, Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D
Written by Chuck Dixon and with art by Cary Nord and Mark Pennington, this title imagines Bruce Wayne as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (like the Marvel character Nick Fury), joined by a number of characters each based on either a Batman or Nick Fury supporting character or villain, such as 'Moonwing' (Nightwing + Moon Knight).

Bullets & Bracelets
Bullets & Bracelets #1 was published in April 1996, written by John Ostrander and illustrated by Gary Frank. It stars Diana Prince (a rival Amazon to Princess Ororo, herself an amalgam of DC's Wonder Woman and Marvel's Storm) and Trevor Castle (an amalgam of Marvel's Punisher Frank Castle and DC's Steve Trevor) who fight Thanoseid (an amalgam of DC's Darkseid and Marvel's Thanos). It is later explained that the two are the parents of the New God Kanto.

Doctor Strangefate

Written by Ron Marz with art by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez and Kevin Nowlan. A powerful mystic created from a combination of Marvel's Dr. Strange and Charles Xavier, and DC's Dr. Fate. His comic also featured the character Access and highlights his adventures inbetween issues of Marvel vs. DC.

Legend Of The Dark Claw

Written by Larry Hama with art by Jim Balent and Ray McCarthy. Dark Claw (Wolverine/Batman) and Sparrow (Jubilee/Robin) take on Hyena (Sabretooth/Joker). Dark Claw returned in another title in 1997.

JLX

Written by Gerard Jones and Mark Waid, with art by Howard Porter and John Dell. Those members of the JLA (Judgment League Avengers - Justice League + Avengers) whose powers are mutant in origin turn against their teammates and, forming their own team, leave to find Atlantis. The JLX returned in another title in the 1997 series of Amalgam comics.

Magneto & The Magnetic Men
Writing by Gerard Jones and art by Jeff Matsuda and Art Thibert. The story concerns a 'Magneto' comprising Marvel's Magneto and DC's Dr. Will Magnus, accompanied by his team of magnetic versions of the Metal Men. These characters returned with another title in 1997.

Speed Demon

Written by Howard Mackie and James Felder with art by Salvador Larroca and Al Milgrom. The story concerns a composite of Ghost Rider, The Flash, and The Demon

Spider-Boy
Writing and art by Karl Kesel, Mike Wieringo and Gary Martin. A combination of Spider-Man and Superboy, he is a clone whose gravity powers enable him to mimic the wall-crawling abilities of a spider. This character returned in another Spider-Boy title in 1997.

Super Soldier
Super Soldier #1 was written by Mark Waid and illustrated by Dave Gibbons. It stars the Super-Soldier (an amalgam of Superman and Captain America), who fights the Green Skull (a combination of Superman's arch nemesis Lex Luthor and Captain America's Red Skull) and his robot Ultra-Metallo (Ultron + Metallo).

The character also appeared in JLX as a member of the JLA, and also appeared a year later in Man Of War and as part of the Judgment League Avengers (a combination of the Justice League and the Avengers) in JLX Unleashed. Along with Dark Claw, he is considered on the of most central characters in the Amalgam Universe.

X-Patrol

A combination of Marvel's X-Force and DC's Doom Patrol. The group is brought together by mysterious cyborg time-traveller Niles Cable, a combination of X-Force founder Cable and Doom Patrol founder Dr. Niles Caulder, to alter history and prevent the apocalyptic future in which he was born. Their first mission is to thwart a scheme by Doctor Doomsday (a combination of Fantastic Four villain Doctor Doom and Superman villain Doomsday), who has discovered the existence of the Marvel and DC Universes and intends to draw their heroes and villains into the Amalgam Universe for use as his minions. At the end of the mission, Niles Cable is surprised to realize that something has happened that his knowledge of the future did not prepare him for: he has received a spinal injury that renders him paraplegic (just as Niles Caulder of the Doom Patrol was).

1997 books

Bat-Thing

Written by Larry Hama, with art by Rodolfo Damaggio and Bill Sienkiewicz. The Bat-Thing is an amalgam of Marvel's Man-Thing and DC's Man-Bat.

Challengers of The Fantastic

Written by Karl Kesel with art by Tom Grummett and Al Vey. This title was a fusion of Marvel's Fantastic Four and DC's Challengers of the Unknown.The members were scientist Reed "Prof" Richards, SHIELD agent Susan "Ace" Storm, her daredevil brother Johnny "Red" Storm and fighting senator Ben "Rocky" Grimm. Their enemies included Doctor Doomsday (Doctor Doom + Doomsday) and Galactiac (Galactus + Brainiac).

Dark Claw Adventures

Writing and art by Ty Templeton and Rick Burchett. The "Animated Series" version of the Dark Claw comic, with an art style that mirrored The Animated Series and a title that referenced the Batman Adventures comic.

Exciting X-Patrol

The second outing of the X-Patrol, written by Barbara Kesel with art by Bryan Hitch and Paul Neary. The team fought against Brother Brood, based on Marvel's Brood and DC's Brother Blood.

Generation Hex
A combination of Marvel's Generation X and DC's western comic Jonah Hex as well as an assortment of other western titles. Written by Peter Milligan with art by Adam Pollina.

Iron Lantern

Written by Kurt Busiek, with pencils by Paul Smith, this comic features an amalgamation of Hal Jordan, Green Lantern and Tony Stark, Iron Man.

JLX Unleashed

The second outing of the JLX sees them joined by Amazon. Credited to Priest, Jiminez and Rodriguez.

Lobo The Duck
A Lobo and Howard the Duck amalgamation, by Al Grant, Val Semeiks and Ray Kryssing.

Magnetic Men Featuring Magneto
Written by Tom Peyer with art by Barry Kitson and Dan Panosian. Magneto with upgraded Magnetic men, features 'Mister Mastermind' (Mastermind/Mistermind,) 'Quasimodox' (Quasimodo/Modox), Chemodam (Chemo/Modam) and 'The Sinsiter Society' (Sinister Six/Secret Society), representing various special metals from both universes; the members and their associated metals include: Kultron (Kobra/Ultron--Adamantium), SoniKlaw (Sonic/Klaw--Vibranium), Black Vulture (Black Condor/Vulture--Nth Metal), Deathborg (Deathlok/Cyborg--Promethium), Vance Cosmic (Vance Astro/Cosmic Boy--Inerton).

Spider-Boy Team-Up
Written by R.K. Sternsel with art byLadronn and Juan Vlasco. The second outing of Spider-Boy. The title is based on Marvel Team-Up, which frequently featured Spider-Man. In this comic, Spider-Boy teams up with characters based on Marvel and DC comics based in the far future and/or outer space, including DC's Legion of Super-Heroes and Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy and 2099-era heroes, creating the 'Legion of Galactic Guardians 2099'.

Super Soldier : Man Of War
Story and art by Dave Gibbons, Mark Waid and Jimmy Palmiotti. This comic presented Super Soldier in the style of Golden Age WWII comics.

Thorion Of The New Asgods
By Keith Giffen and John Romita Jr. Based on Marvel's Thor and Orion from Jack Kirby's New Gods.

Collected editions

  • The Amalgam Age of Comics: The DC Comics Collection (ISBN 1563892952)
  • The Amalgam Age of Comics: The Marvel Comics Collection (ISBN 0752222589)
  • Return to the Amalgam Age of Comics: The DC Comics Collection (ISBN 1563893827)
  • Return to the Amalgam Age of Comics: The Marvel Comics Collection (ISBN 0785105611)

Amalgam characters


Character DC Character Marvel Character Appears or Referred To in
Apokalips Darkseid Apocalypse Thorion of the New Asgods #1
All Highfather Odin Highfather Odin Thorion of the New Asgods #1
All-Star Winners Squadron All-Star Squadron All-Winners Squad Super-Soldier #1
Super-Soldier: Man of War #1
Amazon \ Princess Ororo Wonder Woman Storm Amazon #1
Ambush The Lunatik Ambush Bug Lunatik Lobo The Duck #1
American Belle Liberty Belle Miss America (Marvel Comics) All-Star Winners Squadron #1
Angelhawk Hawkman Archangel JLX Unleashed #1
Antimony Platinum Scarlet Witch Magneto and the Magnetic Men #1
Apollo Ray Cyclops JLX #1
Aqua Mariner Aquaman Namor the Sub-Mariner All-Star Winners Squadron #1
Baron Zero Mr. Freeze Baron Zemo Bruce Wayne: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1
Bat-Thing Man-Bat Man-Thing Bat-Thing #1
Beastling Beast Boy Beast X-Patrol #1
The Big Question RiddlerKingpin Assassins #1
Bismuth Tin Toad Magneto and the Magnetic Men #1
Bizarnage BizarroCarnage Spider-Boy #1
Blackhawk Black Condor the Vulture Magneto and the Magnetic Men #1
Brother Brood Brother Blood Brood (comics) Exciting X-Patrol #1
Bruce Wayne Bruce WayneNick Fury Bruce Wayne: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1
Captain Marvel Captain Marvel (DC Comics)Captain Mar-Vell JLX #1
Challenger Haters of Evil League of Challenger Haters Masters of Evil Challengers of the Fanastic #1
Challengers of the Fantastic Challengers of the UnknownFantastic Four Challengers of the Fantastic #1
Catsai CatwomanElektra Assassins #1
Chemodam Chemo (comics)Modok Magneto and the Magnetic Men #1
Dare The Terminator Deathstroke the TerminatorDaredevil Assassins #1
Dark Claw Batman Wolverine Legends of the Dark Claw #1
Dark Claw Adventures #1
Dr. Strangefate Doctor Fate Doctor Strange and Professor X Dr. Strangefate #1
Dial .H.U.S.K. Dial H for Hero Husk X-Patrol #1
Doctor Bongface ScarfaceDoctor Bong Lobo the Duck #1
Dr. Doomsday DoomsdayDoctor Doom Challengers of the Fantastic #1
Super-Soldier: Man of War #1
Spider-Boy #1
X-Patrol #1
Elastigirl (Amalgam) Elasti-Girl Wasp (comics), Domino (comics) X-Patrol #1
Ferro Man Ferro (comics) Colossus X-Patrol #1
Firebird FireJean Grey (Phoenix) JLX #1
Fin Fang Flame BrimstoneFin Fang Foom JLX Unleashed #1
Galactiac Brainiac Galactus Challengers of the Fantastic #1
Generation Hex Jonah Hex Generation X Generation Hex #1
Gold Kidney Lady Kidney LadyGoldstar Lobo The Duck #1
Green Guardsman Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner)Guardsman (comics) Iron Lantern #1
Green Skull Lex LuthorRed Skull Super Soldier #1
Hawkeye Green Arrow Hawkeye JLX #1
Human Lantern Green Lantern (Alan Scott) Human Torch Iron Lantern #1
Hyena Joker and Harley Quinn Sabretooth Legends of the Dark Claw #1
Iron Lantern Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) Iron Man Iron Lantern #1
Iceberg Ice Iceman JLX Unleashed #1
Impossible Dawg Dawg Impossible Man Lobo The Duck #1
Jade Nova Jade Nova (Frankie Raye) Dr. Strangefate #1
JLX JLAX-Men JLX #1
Jono Hex Jonah HexChamber Generation Hex #1
Judgment League Avengers Justice LeagueAvengers JLX #1
King Lizard King SharkLizard Spider-Boy #1
Legion of Galactic Gaurdians 2099 Legion of Superheroes Galactic Gaurdians, Marvel 2099 Spider-boy Team Up #1
Lobo the Duck LoboHoward the Duck Lobo the Duck #1
L'ok D'saad DesaadLoki Thorion of the New Asgods #1
Madame Cat (Selena Luthor) CatwomanMadame Hydra Bruce Wayne: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D #1
Madame Sapphire Star SapphireMadame Masque Iron Lantern #1
Mandarinestro Sinestro Mandarin Iron Lantern #1
Mistress Maxima Maxima White Queen JLX Unleashed #1
The Magnetic Men Metal MenBrotherhood of Evil Mutants Magneto and the Magnetic Men #1
Magneto Doctor PolarisMagnus Magneto and the Magnetic Men #1
Mephisatanus Satanus Mephisto Doctor Strangefate #1
Mercury ImpulseQuicksilver JLX #1
Mr. X (Amalgam comics) Martian Manhunter Super-Skrull, Professor X JLX #1
Nightcreeper CreeperNightcrawler JLX #1
Nuke Bane Nuke Bruce Wayne: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1
Oa the Living Planet Oa Ego the Living Planet Iron Lantern #1
Olivia Stane Olivia Reynolds Obadiah Stane Iron Lantern #1
Rä's-A-Pocalypse Ra's Al Ghul Apocalypse Dark Claw Adventures #1
Runaway Gypsy Rogue JLX #1
JLX Unleashed #1
Scarecrow Scarecrow Scarecrow Speed Demon #1
Shaggynaut Shaggy ManJuggernaut Generation Hex #1
Shatterstarfire StarfireShatterstar X-Patrol #1
Sinister Society Secret Society of Super VillainsSinister Six The Magnetic Men Featuring Magneto #1
Skinhunter Skin Scalphunter Generation Hex #1
Skulk Solomon Grundy Incredible Hulk Doctor Strangefate #1
Sparrow Robin Jubilee Legends of the Dark Claw #1
Dark Claw Adventures #1
Speed Demon Flash and Etrigan Ghost Rider Speed Demon #1
Spider-Boy Superboy Spider-Man Spider-Boy #1
Spider-Boy 2099 M'Onel Spider-Man 2099 Spider-Boy Team-Up #1
Spider Clone #1 Bizarro Scarlet Spider
Super-Soldier Superman Captain America Super-Soldier #1
Thanoseid DarkseidThanos Thorion of the New Asgods #1
The Whiz The Flash The Whizzer All-Star Winners Squadron #1
Thorion OrionThor Thorion of the New Asgods #1
Trevor Castle Steve TrevorFrank Castle Bullets and Bracelets #1
War Monarch MonarchWar Machine Bullets and Bracelets #1
White Witch ZatannaScarlet Witch Doctor Strangefate #1
Wraith ObsidianGambit JLX #1
Xcel XS Meanstreak Spider-Boy Team-Up #1
X-Patrol Doom PatrolX-Force X-Patrol #1

External links


See also


Amalgam Comics | Marvel Comics imprints | DC Comics imprints | Fictional universes | Fictional crossovers | Marvel Comics dimensions

Amalgam Comics | Amalgam Comics | Amalgam Comics | アマルガム・コミックス

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Amalgam Comics".

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