It’s been over 20 years since Marvel and DC Comics did a crossover. The last time it happened was 2003 in the JLA/Avengers. Before that, it was DC vs. Marvel, which had matches like Wolverine vs. Lobo, Superman vs. Hulk, and Captain America vs. Batman. After so long, both companies have decided to collaborate again in an event that no one saw coming. It’ll be the “Merc With A Mouth” Deadpool and “The Dark Knight” Batman.
The recently-announced crossover titled Deadpool/Batman will be written by Zeb Wells (Amazing Spider-Man and Deadpool and Wolverine) with art by Greg Capullo (Batman and Wolverine: Revenge). Together, they’ll create a one-shot where Wade Wilson is on a job that sends him to Gotham City. And, shocking to no one, Batman doesn't have the patience for Wade's shenanigans. However, according to Marvel.com, thanks to The Joker, the two will team up to stop him. And that’s not all. This one-shot will feature adventures from other characters.
"In Batman, we've found someone who has even less time for Deadpool's antics than Wolverine."Zeb Wells
On the DC Comics side of things, writer Grant Morrison (All-Star Superman) and artist Dan Mora (Absolute Power) are the team behind Batman and Deadpool. Like the Marvel team, Morrison couldn't hide his excitement. "I don't do many comics these days, but there was no way I could turn down the chance to work with Dan Mora again, one of my all-time favorite artistic collaborators — and definitely no way I could turn down Batman and Deadpool!
"This is more than I ever imagined I could do in my career, and it is a huge honor to be part of this crossover: it doesn't happen too often, and I am a huge Deadpool fan!"Dan Mora
And while that’s all there is to go on, we should expect more details on this sooner rather than later, especially since it’s scheduled to be released on September 17, 2025. It wouldn't be shocking if interior art and variant covers start popping up on social media in the next few weeks.
Marvel.com quotes Zeb Wells saying, "After writing AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2022) for 60 issues, I told Marvel I needed a break. Marvel told me I could do that or I could write a comic starring Deadpool and Batman with the best Batman artist of our generation. I no longer needed a break." Greg Capullo shared his excitement too. "Am I dreaming? This crossover is likely to be the high point of my career...and, I’ve had a great career,"
"The idea that I get to do a crossover event with Deadpool and Batman... If I am dreaming, please don’t wake me!""Greg Capullo
Crossovers featuring different heroes and villains from completely different comic book companies aren’t a new concept. For example, DC Comics has done three crossovers with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Batman. The Ninja Turtles have also crossed over with the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the kids from Stranger Things, and the characters from Street Fighter. Meanwhile, Marvel hasn’t been in the game as much, but Invincible did appear in Robert Kirkman’s Marvel Team-Up, and Wolverine teamed up with Top Cow’s Witchblade.
If this does well, Marvel and DC Comics will likely do more crossovers like this. Who are we kidding? This isn’t an “if” scenario. People who don’t read comic books will likely be buying digital and physical copies of this one-shot. Once both companies see how much people love this, there are going to be more one-shots. After that, maybe we could see an event like the 1990s showdown crossover, where the best of the best fight each other, and the winners are voted on by the fans. It may sound like I'm getting ahead of myself, but that's doubtful. More of Marvel and DC collabs would be very welcome indeed.
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