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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 741
EAN num: 9781401219574
ISBN number: 1401219578
Label: DC Comics
Manufacturer: DC Comics
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 208
Printing Date: November 18, 2008
Publishing house: DC Comics
Release Date: November 18, 2008
Sale Popularity Level: 25114
Studio: DC Comics
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
The most powerful characters in two universes collide as DC's premier super-heroes meet Marvel's. Collected in a gorgeous two-volume oversized slipcased hardcover is perhaps the most eagerly anticipated and memorable crossover of all time, as the Justice League of America unites with The Avengers. Superman, Batman, and the other members of the JLA join forces with Captain America, Iron Man, and the many other Avengers to fight a threat so immense it threatens two entire dimensions. The second hardcover in this deluxe set features art and articles chronicling this historic crossover--which has been over twenty years in the making.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
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I thought that the dialogue of the Avengers was very juvenile; it seemed that Hawkeye, Cap, and Thor didn't like the idea that the JLA were well respected by their world. Rather than trying to solve their problems and work together like adults (as Scarlet Witch intimates), Thor unleashes a savage attack on Superman--and for what purpose? I am looking forward to Supes teaching a little bit of humility to the god of anger and hubris. Perhaps the comic illustrates the one of the common problems we readers experience in the real world: we fight with our fists rather than with our ideas. The storyline is pretty good, I would have liked to see the Martian Manhunter actually intelligently communicate with the Watcher. If I were part of the cast of heroes, I would have seriously questioned the story they were given by these demigods. So much for logic, but the artwork is good, except Aquaman appears with both arms in one scene and with a spear prosthetic limb in another scene--very sloppy.
Rated by buyers 
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The book starts off well enough, but by the end it dissolves into the kind of visual muck you might find in a "Where's Waldo" book. But let's start with the good. There haven't been many crossovers between DC and Marvel, and those that have come before Busiek's story have usually been of very questionable quality (I'm looking at you, DC Versus Marvel Comics). Busiek is a decent writer--probably one of the best B-List writers in superhero comics today--and during the very first two and a half issues he manages to keep a pretty solid handle on the narrative.
The very first two issues notify the reader that villains from the opposing universes are crossing over and causing trouble in their respectively alien worlds. Here is also set up what will be a short-lived quest narrative that sends the DC and Marvel heroes on a hunt for a dozen or so macguffins, during which the heroes (who have met many times in the aforementioned crossovers but seem to have forgotten this) get into brawls about who takes better care of their earth, who is more respected by non-powered civilians, and whose mother is ugliest. Superman and Captain America act like jerks for no good reason (though I recall it is explained by something concerning cosmological differences), and the JLA and Avengers simply go out of their way to find fault with the other party. Are they this rude when visiting superheroes on other planets in their own universes?
Issue three is the "mash-up" chapter, imagining what the DC and Marvel histories might have been like if they had enjoyed decades of regular and entertaining crossovers, rather than crossovers that were spotty and soul-deadening. At least, this is the very first half of the issue. The last half is sparked by even more extreme rudeness from Superman and Captain America, leading to a realization that their universes were never meant to be this close together because of an inherent incompatibility. Insert meta-commentary here. Then the heroes are led to a moral dilemma which isn't really a moral dilemma (split the universes or be annihilated, which would you choose?), and is actually an excuse to have a multi-page spread of panels depicting the least enjoyable story lines from both publishers over the last few decades.
Issue four, by all rights, should have been the ultimate cosmic climax of any superhero narrative. Here we have the two greatest superhero teams from the two greatest comic publishers, fighting the villain who pridefully caused the greatest destruction ever in the DC universe, in his citadel built on the bones of one of the greatest Marvel villains. Instead we are treated with an all-out brawl featuring a constantly shifting cast of heroes against an bizarre cast of lesser villains. Don't these villains wish to prevent their own annihilation? I guess not. The big villain is defeated in a disappointing occurrence that can only be likened to a child demolishing a skyscraper with a pebble.
Parts of the story are thoroughly entertaining: the imagined history of team-ups, a bit of the commentary by the heroes about the opposing earths, Krona's wager, Metron's interference, the delicious art by George Perez. These things keep my review at three stars.
Still, the deficits are galling. Why is Krona still drawn like a blue pudgy man? Why do the heroes need to hate each other at the start and then switch to brown-nosed fawning at the end? Why is Krona's ultimate cosmic weapon so easily destroyed? Why did every single member of the JLA and Avengers have to make an appearance, including multiple versions of the same character, when sticking to just the "present" versions would have made for a more readable and enjoyable story? Still, kudos to Busiek for remembering that The Phantom Stranger was once a JLA member.
All in all, it's a fun read, but probably not worth paying full price to read.
Rated by buyers -
The Justice League and the Avengers in one of those inter company crossover things that everybody had wanted to see for a long time, it seems. Lots of chasing around the cosmos for very bits and pieces to ultimately stop a big bad guy from doing very bad things. There is also a question of power levels at work, here.
Rated by buyers -
A lifetime in the making, this was the dream project for George Perez - one of comics' giants. JLA/Avengers is bound to disappoint someone - Kurt Busiek is not my favorite writer and Perez is popular but still a polarizing artist. If the dialogue is often overwrought, it hits the nail on the head when the timelines start to shift and we start to see the different eras intersect like only a fanboy could dream of. Perez is known for giant spreads and this large format hardcover really lets that work shine. Not all of the pencils for the characters work (the She-Hulk's facial features in particular wash out noticeably) but taken as a whole, this is a must-have for die-hard fans of either/both teams. (It would however, be nice if Marvel & DC would put out an AFFORDABLE softcover trade now that they've made their money. It's cheaper to buy up the original miniseries than to get this edition!)
Rated by buyers 
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One of the very first stories to get me buying comics properly, I was kin da casual before this story, this is so rich! And now to have it in deluxe edition, nice!! Now I have around 350 comics and graphic novels!!
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