I took to thinking not so very long ago that the epic (but exactly highest quality) DC vs Marvel could do with another sequel. Both companies have moved on in their continuities quite dramatically, even if Marvel has returned to something approximating the original status quo.
We have seen the spirit of it in the very-definitely epic JLA vs Avengers, and it would be nice to see a sequel to that. (Lawyers take note here.) One could of course say that Kurt Busieks Trinity was indeed that sequel, but that only looked at one side of the dimensional/commercial divide. Personally, I think Access (or more to the point Dark Access) has a lot of potential in the hands of the correct writers, especially if the space is given for a good story to develop.
Take for instance the aforementioned sequel Trinity, a timeline in and of itself (briefly), and one as deserving of longevity as that of The Kingdom. Mirroring that is the House Of M, how indeed was the battle between to two great Brothers fought in those timelines? Darkseid is returning (it appears) in the current issues of the Legion Of Super-Heroes, despite his very final, never coming back, he is definitely dead this time death in Final Crisis. Who better to resurrect him than his corrupted future self of Axel Asher?
Infinite Crisis resurrected the multiverse, where did that leave Kismet of the Superman/Dominus stories? M-Day that wiped the vast majority of mutants from the mainstream timeline and according to Forge and the Beast, all neighbouring realities as well (even if it did not seem to affect the Exiles all that much), was an event that could have been felt by the Red Brother himself. Plus we saw that interdimensional tsunami (what a concept) in the Uncanny X-Men House Of M crossover, a plot thread that could be used to kick off events. A total excuse for a series of relaunches, the Ultraverse, the New Universe, another Squadron Supreme, the list goes on. (You just knew I had to get the relaunch concept in somewhere, eh?)
The two companies could really make a meal out of this. I mean, if they can overcome the licensing issues for the various four-issue mini-series, then they could do a year long series. And I don’t just mean a twelve issue run, because this would definitely be a biweekly series I would invest in. Hell, make it another weekly, with lasting ramifications for both continuities. Surely they could write something into the agreement where they can be allowed to refer to these events later? Possibly in a less clumsy form than DC have in the case of JLA/Avengers. (Still, you have to give DC credit, they at least didn’t ignore it unlike Marvel).
Researching this gave me hope, as I found the following quote online:
While at Comic-Con, recently promoted C.B. Cebulski was asked at the Marvel Mondo Panel on Thursday if we can expect a Marvel vs. DC Crossover in the future. Cebulski’s answered for the panel by stating that Marvel would be more than willing to do it again, and that the ball is in DC’s court. He then tasked the room to extend that challenge back out to DC in Marvel’s name. DC has yet to respond.
I would ask the two companies to seriously consider this, and really go to town on the idea. In fact, we should all start badgering them at every possible opportunity. (Your mission, should you choose to accept it……………)
