Superman/Spider-Man #1 - DC Comics/Marvel Worldwide [Part One]

SUPERMAN/SPIDER-MAN No. 1, May 2026

It’s probably a tough task to open up a publication specifically touted as celebrating fifty years of DC/Marvel crossovers. But Mark Waid’s “Truth, Justice And Great Responsibility” arguably does it rather well, thanks largely to its American author wasting absolutely no time in explaining how the two leading comic book franchises somehow share a merged existence together, and instead simply throwing his audience knee-deep into an enthralling adventure which sees Doctor Octopus and Brainiac joining forces to ensure that “world upon world will bow before the genius of Otto Octavius.”

Furthermore, the notion of the Daily Bugle’s photographer and Daily Planet’s reporter sharing an assignment together makes perfect sense, and logically allows the story’s protagonists to soon get into combat with their deadly adversaries. Splendidly sketched by Jorge Jimenez, these face-offs even contain a few surprises for fans of such team-ups, most notable of which is Superman encountering Doc Ock wielding a set of arms powered by synthetic Kryptonite; “I read about you… before the accident that turned you..! It’s not too late… to reform..!”

Similarly as scintillating has to be this anthology’s second yarn “The World’s Finest”, which rather cleverly follows the exploits of Lois Lane and Mary Jane as their beloveds battle a giant Sentinel-248. Penned by Tom King and dynamically drawn by Jim Lee, this nine-pager provides a genuinely intriguing insight into the lives of two of the central protagonist’s most beloved secondary cast members. Indeed, the sheer number of coincidences between the two characters is sincerely surprising as the women swap numerous notes with one another as to how dangerous their lives are.

In addition, the tale features a rather impressive cameo by Gambit, as the X-Man comes to both Spider-Man and Superman’s aid as they tackle their huge indestructible foe. However, this short-lived appearance by the smooth-talking Cajan mutant is also particularly welcome as it subsequently provides Lois with a wonderful moment in the spotlight as she scrambles around in her handbag for the set of playing cards she uses to gain detainee access with a guard at Stryker’s Island - a deck which is immediately put to good use by Chris Claremont’s co-creation, and brings the pulse-pounding punch-up to a suitably satisfying end.

Writers: Mark Waid & Tom King, and Artists: Jorge Jimenez & Jim Lee