Marvel and DC have always had a rival relationship. Sometimes it’s more friendly and give us “JLA/Avengers.” These days its a little bit less so, with Marvel offering deals to retailers who tear up “Blackest Night” tie-ins. The latest crossover event, though, is something that seems to be a bit unspoken at the moment, even though it’s pretty fun to watch – who gets the most Gaiman.
It started when Paul Cornell had Death pop up in his pre-New 52 “Action Comics” and DC began reprinting volumes of Sandman with the re-mastered coloring of the absolutes (which, in my opinion, was a great idea, as anti-upgrading comics as I usually am). When this was received well, DC began slowly putting more out of print Gaiman books on the market — “Black Orchid,” “Midnight Days,” “Books of Magic” and a complete hardcover full of all the “Death” comics for those who don’t want to buy an absolute edition. Next thing you know Tim Hunter is in “Justice League Dark” and Matthew the crow pops up in the “Unknown Soldier” back-ups of “GI Combat,” and before you know it it was also announced that DC would be releasing a new “Sandman” comic set before the events of the book, and everyone rejoiced. New Gaiman comics! JH Williams III art! Yay!
So what does Marvel do? They get Gaiman to write comics for them! In a recently somewhat-confusing announcement, Marvel revealed that their latest event would end with Angela joining the Marvel Universe (which, honestly, is a bit weird) and that Gaiman would be co-writing “Guardians of the Galaxy” with Bendis while Angela proceeds to make a tour of the Marvel Universe. Why? Because why not, I’d imagine. If you can get Gaiman to write a comic for you, the sky is the limit, and its not like Gaiman hasn’t worked for Marvel before. It’s something that very much sounds of “anything you can do, we can do too/better,” and with so many theories floating around that Angela in Marvel comics is Marvel’s way of getting more Marvelman with Gaiman, it’s pretty unsubtle of a move on Marvel’s behalf.
Because, really, this is Sandman vs Marvelman in slow motion. Just you wait. Whenever “Before Sandman” comes out, we’re probably going to see something more from Marvel shortly after.
DC isn’t letting this slide, mind you. They’ll soon be reprinting Children’s Crusade as well as releasing all of “Sandman” in Omnibus format over two hardcovers for $150 each (because you can never have enough $300 versions of that book you probably already own) as well as new collections of Carey/Gross’ “Lucifer” book (in a move probably known around the offices as “REPRINT ALL THE SANDMAN”), and Marvel is responding in kind by putting out a deluxe anniversary edition of “1602” (another book you probably already own). I’d guess an updated version of “Eternals” isn’t too far behind either.
So what’s next? Someone in the DCU opens a door to find a world full of people with buttons for eyes? A star falls in the Marvel U, revealing Claire Danes? It’s always funny to see Marvel and DC fire off at each other like this, in an unspoken but clearly obvious fashion where each one tries to get the better version of a similar product out to their market. But one thing is for sure: in the War of Gaimans, everyone wins. Because who doesn’t want to read more things by Neil Gaiman?
(Photo via Gaiman’s site, because we can never have enough cats on this site)
