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JLA/Avengers #1
JLA/Avengers #1
THE EVENT 20 YEARS IN THE MAKING!·WITH APPEARANCES BY EVERY AVENGER & JLA MEMBER ... EVER! THE WAIT IS OVER! The most eagerly anticipated comic book crossover of all time has finally arrived, with alternating Prestige Format issues by Marvel & DC Comics! What cataclysmic threat could endanger two universes - and dwarf the combined power of both Earth's Mightiest Heroes and the World's Greatest Super-Heroes? The world finally learns the answer in September 2003!
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
About the author
Kurt Busiek
1,858 books641 followersKurt Busiek is an American comic book writer notable for his work on the Marvels limited series, his own title Astro City, and his four-year run on Avengers.
Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil #120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and future writer Scott McCloud practiced making comics. During this time, Busiek also had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.
During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern #162 (Mar. 1983).
Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Avengers, Icon, Iron Man, The Liberty Project, Ninjak, The Power Company, Red Tornado, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, JLA, and the award-winning Marvels and the Homage Comics title Kurt Busiek's Astro City.
In 1997, Busiek began a stint as writer of Avengers alongside artist George Pérez. Pérez departed from the series in 2000, but Busiek continued as writer for two more years, collaborating with artists Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer and others. Busiek's tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Perez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.
In 2003, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics, which he wrote for four years.
In December 2005 Busiek signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc (called Up, Up and Away) that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues 40-49. Busiek was the writer of Superman for two years, before followed by James Robinson starting from Superman #677. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries called Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue (except for issue #1) featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.
Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996–1998, as well as in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.
Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has also received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998,
Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil #120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and future writer Scott McCloud practiced making comics. During this time, Busiek also had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.
During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern #162 (Mar. 1983).
Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Avengers, Icon, Iron Man, The Liberty Project, Ninjak, The Power Company, Red Tornado, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, JLA, and the award-winning Marvels and the Homage Comics title Kurt Busiek's Astro City.
In 1997, Busiek began a stint as writer of Avengers alongside artist George Pérez. Pérez departed from the series in 2000, but Busiek continued as writer for two more years, collaborating with artists Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer and others. Busiek's tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Perez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.
In 2003, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics, which he wrote for four years.
In December 2005 Busiek signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc (called Up, Up and Away) that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues 40-49. Busiek was the writer of Superman for two years, before followed by James Robinson starting from Superman #677. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries called Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue (except for issue #1) featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.
Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996–1998, as well as in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.
Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has also received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998,
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 21, 2026
Both the Justice League and Avengers are told to gather a dozen items in order to save the destruction of their world and that they won't be the only team searching for them, so anyone else also looking for said items are seen as the enemy. That leads to the JLA and Avengers meeting and facing off against eachother.
So far, so good! It's one of the better reasons for heroes clashing in a crossover. The writing is pretty good and the artwork is superb! Looking forward to book two.
So far, so good! It's one of the better reasons for heroes clashing in a crossover. The writing is pretty good and the artwork is superb! Looking forward to book two.
May 7, 2020
I have always wanted to read this DC/Marvel crossover, and I finally found time to read it during quarantine. This volume seems to collect just the first issue of the 4-part event, but it is collected in a nice paperback format (not the typical magazine style of a single issue).
The first volume sets the stage for the crossover, and gives us the why of the event, as well as the MacGuffins that need to be sought out. The Justice League and Avengers did cross paths already, but we haven't seen an all-out battle between the two super teams yet.
Some aspects of this story have a "Crisis on Infinite Earths" feel, and the Grandmaster, Metron, and Krona are three of the powerful beings that seem to be pulling the strings.
The first volume sets the stage for the crossover, and gives us the why of the event, as well as the MacGuffins that need to be sought out. The Justice League and Avengers did cross paths already, but we haven't seen an all-out battle between the two super teams yet.
Some aspects of this story have a "Crisis on Infinite Earths" feel, and the Grandmaster, Metron, and Krona are three of the powerful beings that seem to be pulling the strings.
November 1, 2014
As a long time nerd, this series is catnip to me. George Perez supplying the art is merely icing on the cake. Even though our two teams don't meet until the end, they continually deal with the other team's universe throughout the issue, and the plot isn't as straight forward as these things often are, making it more unpredictable. Love it!
December 14, 2020
Quizás el evento mainstream más importante de la historia. El cruce de las dos editoriales entre sus dos grupos icónicos más toda la galería de reservistas de ambos bandos.
El equipo creativo no podría ser mejor. Dos autores que conocen a fondo cada personaje, su personalidad y cómo dibujarlo. La historia en sí es quizá hasta ridícula.
Un par de seres infinitamente poderosos requieren que cada supergrupo junte seis artefactos de cada universo en una suerte de combate para entretenerse.
Pero lo bueno está que dada la calidad y conocimiento de Busiek, no falta ningún guiño, el fan service está servido.
Memorable el martillazo de Thor que se come Superman.
Buen comienzo.
El equipo creativo no podría ser mejor. Dos autores que conocen a fondo cada personaje, su personalidad y cómo dibujarlo. La historia en sí es quizá hasta ridícula.
Un par de seres infinitamente poderosos requieren que cada supergrupo junte seis artefactos de cada universo en una suerte de combate para entretenerse.
Pero lo bueno está que dada la calidad y conocimiento de Busiek, no falta ningún guiño, el fan service está servido.
Memorable el martillazo de Thor que se come Superman.
Buen comienzo.
April 13, 2016
This is just the first few issues, essentially the exposition, of a big-deal crossover with the classic format of superheroes fighting each other when they meet because of a misunderstanding. That misunderstanding is what makes this cool. The story does an original job of pointing out a kind of fundamental difference between the Marvel and DC comics universes. Marvel is chaotic, with Scarlet Witch's magic, crime and unrestrained vigilantes like the Punisher, and the bigoted hatred that is the back drop of the X-men. DC is larger than life archetypes with hero-worship and a kind of absolutist morality that begs the question of what right superheroes have to so heavily influence the lives of regular people. That clash of ideas is really interesting, but the story seems kind of ordinary otherwise.
June 1, 2026
Finally, after a long wait, I got to read this issue. Let me start by saying that this is an incredibly difficult book to find. If it were not for the recent facsimile edition, I would not have had the opportunity to read it without spending an outrageous amount of money. If you come across this issue, or any of the others in the series, for under $10, I highly recommend picking them up.
As for the story itself, I had an absolute blast reading it. Issue #1 is packed with action, character moments, and exciting interactions from beginning to end. There is a lot going on, but I enjoyed seeing all the cameos and watching the characters interact with one another. At this point, I am not completely sold on Superman's and Captain America's reactions and attitudes, but that could easily change as the story progresses.
This issue does an excellent job of establishing the larger conflict and setting up how both teams will work together and against each other throughout the series. With such a massive cast, it is difficult for any one character to truly stand out, but the way the teams function as units and the interactions between the characters are handled very well.
I am enjoying the story so far, but it is a lot to take in and is not especially friendly to new readers. Even so, I still recommend checking it out.
Grade: B+
As for the story itself, I had an absolute blast reading it. Issue #1 is packed with action, character moments, and exciting interactions from beginning to end. There is a lot going on, but I enjoyed seeing all the cameos and watching the characters interact with one another. At this point, I am not completely sold on Superman's and Captain America's reactions and attitudes, but that could easily change as the story progresses.
This issue does an excellent job of establishing the larger conflict and setting up how both teams will work together and against each other throughout the series. With such a massive cast, it is difficult for any one character to truly stand out, but the way the teams function as units and the interactions between the characters are handled very well.
I am enjoying the story so far, but it is a lot to take in and is not especially friendly to new readers. Even so, I still recommend checking it out.
Grade: B+
August 15, 2026
When the Oan, Krona, traveled to the Marvel universe demanding to know how the universe was born, he faced the Grandmaster. He proposed a game, use the champions from both DC and Marvel to gather incredibly powerful items, and if his team won, he’d get the information he wanted.
Both sets of heroes are approached by incredibly powerful beings from each other's universe, and they’re given their missions. Or their worlds would perish.
Basic plot setup aside. The novelty of having both teams come to blows is enough to carry the story.
Although… it’s a bit odd how Superman and Captain America are acting… well out of character. Enough to even make their allies raise an eyebrow.
Both sets of heroes are approached by incredibly powerful beings from each other's universe, and they’re given their missions. Or their worlds would perish.
Basic plot setup aside. The novelty of having both teams come to blows is enough to carry the story.
Although… it’s a bit odd how Superman and Captain America are acting… well out of character. Enough to even make their allies raise an eyebrow.
October 4, 2025
Your typical crisis event. A very convoluted story that’s made up to have all these characters of the Marvel and DC universes interact with each other, the first 2 issues fighting with each other and the next 2 issues joining forces to fight the big bad baddie. 4 issues of total chaos and it could not keep my attention. So in the end I thought this event was pretty underwhelming. But hey, it’s the team-up of the millenium, so therefore 3 stars.
March 22, 2025
JLA/Avengers #1
Arte de George Perez su talento es dibujar una gran cantidad de personajes como ¿Donde esta Wally? Del arte de George Pérez lo mejor fue como dibujada a Kory Starfire, demasiado sexy. Buen arte por parte de Perez. Pero el arte de Perez fue anticuado Avengers de Kurt Busiek y JLA/Avengers.
Arte de George Perez su talento es dibujar una gran cantidad de personajes como ¿Donde esta Wally? Del arte de George Pérez lo mejor fue como dibujada a Kory Starfire, demasiado sexy. Buen arte por parte de Perez. Pero el arte de Perez fue anticuado Avengers de Kurt Busiek y JLA/Avengers.
July 11, 2026
So glad the facsimile's of these comics are being released. I never had chance to get these in my younger days
R.I.P. to the icon George Perez. What incredible art
Just need to aquire the foil cover eventually 🤞
R.I.P. to the icon George Perez. What incredible art
Just need to aquire the foil cover eventually 🤞
December 27, 2017
Alasan yang paling pas buat mempertemukan DC dan Marvel ya multiverse.
Dan alasan paling pas buat tim superhero berantem ya... diadu domba.
Tertipu.com
Dan alasan paling pas buat tim superhero berantem ya... diadu domba.
Tertipu.com
September 13, 2021
An interesting beginning; I'm interested in seeing where the story goes from here
May 29, 2026
Very cool concept. Looking forward to how the story unfolds!
September 5, 2026
Can Captain America chill out?
May 18, 2016
This was an abomination that never should have been. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the collaboration they did during the amalgam books but this was so painful to read. Heroes and villains crossing over between the two universes ...such a mess.
November 4, 2009
kenapa yg jadi penjahat utama krona, kenapa bukan galactus ?
August 19, 2012
Interesting crossover
January 30, 2015
Edición argentina, tomo 1 de 4 publicado por Conosur, que en aquel entonces editaba Marvel en Argentina con irregular calidad.
Want to Read
July 16, 2016Edición argentina, tomo 1 de 4 publicado por Conosur, que en su momento poseía los derechos de Marvel para Argentina.
September 17, 2019
Edición argentina, libro 1 de 4. Incluye la historia Un viaje al misterio.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews