boyajian@akov68.DEC (03/12/85)
I would like to apologize for the lateness of this. I mentioned this
crossover about 3 months ago, and got a few requests for an elaboration
(I'd offered to elaborate if anyone requested). Anyways, the whole thing
lay forgotten by me until fairly recently. Anyways, on with show...
Contrary to popular belief, the first crossover between Marvel and DC was
not the Superman/Spider-Man special in 1976. It occurred in 1972/73 with
AMAZING ADVENTURES (Featuring The Beast) #16, THOR #207 [both January 1973],
and JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #103 (December 1972). [It should be noted that
even though the JLA issue had an earlier cover date, it appeared in the same
month as the two Marvel comics.] The crossover appeared as a sub-plot running
through the three comics that involved three comic book writers --- Steve,
Gerry, and Len (Steve Englehart, Gerry Conway, and Len Wein, respectively,
wrote the 3 comics in question --- Glynis Wein, who colored at least the two
Marvels (DC wasn't crediting colorists at the time) also appeared).
AMAZING ADVENTURES #16: The Beast, on his way to Canada with his old flame,
Vera, runs into out four intrepid comics pros on their way to the annual
Halloween festivites in Rutland, Vermont. Steve's car, being a junker, just
had its muffler fall off. Also, during a fight with the Beast in which he
loses his helmet, Juggernaut tries to steal Steve's car, but it won't start.
This becomes the running joke throughout the crossover.
THOR #207: Steve, Gerry, Len, and Glynis appear here and there throughout the
story, but the only major event happens on the laast page, following Thor's
fight with Loki. Here, Steve cries out, "My car! Blast it, some dude's steal-
ing my car!!" Len responds with, "Five to one the cops stop it 'cause of the
bad muffler, Steve."
JLA #103: Again, we find our intrepid foursome making their way to Rutland
sans muffler. This time, at the end, when the JLA squelches the plans of
Felix Faust, the villain tries to escape by stealing --- you guessed it ---
Steve's car. And, of course, he is stopped in his getaway by the local police
who, as Len predicted at the end of THOR, stop him because of the faulty
muffler on the car.
Certainly, this wasn't quite the same kind of crossover that we've since come
to appreciate, but for its time, it was quite an enjoyable little tale.
--- jayembee (Jerry Boyajian, DEC, Maynard, MA)
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