Comics Are Better Off Without Gimmicky Crossovers

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Comics have always featured crossovers – stories where characters from different series and universes team up or clash. Nearly every publisher has done them, both within their own titles and even with characters from other companies. Crossovers used to be special events with a clear reason for happening, but lately, they’ve become much more common. Unfortunately, these frequent crossovers often prioritize surprising readers over telling a good story.

As a huge comic book fan, I’ve been really frustrated with these massive crossover events lately. They often feel more about the idea of a big event than about a good story, and the recent DC K.O. is a perfect example. The premise – a fighting tournament between heroes and villains to gain power and stop Darkseid – is actually pretty cool, but it just feels…excessive. It got me thinking about where we draw the line between a fun gimmick and something that actually hurts the comics. I honestly think we’ve crossed that line, and it’s starting to impact the quality of the stories we’re getting.

Superman Doesn’t Need to Fight Homelander (That’s What Fanfic Is For)

The concept of DC heroes competing to defeat Darkseid is a smart one. Darkseid is a powerful and significant villain, and exploring new ways to challenge him feels natural. However, the upcoming DC K.O.: Boss Battle #1 takes this idea too far. To gain more power, the heroes aren’t just fighting within the DC Universe – they’re crossing over into other franchises, even those owned by different companies, and bringing in other famous characters to help.

So what’s the point of all these crossovers? While gaining readers and making money are obvious benefits, it doesn’t really serve the story itself. It feels more like simply giving fans what they want rather than adding any real substance. We already know characters like Sub-Zero, Vampirella, Red Sonja, and Samantha from Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees will appear, which is odd enough, but adding Annabelle from The Conjuring feels completely out of place. And then there’s Homelander, seemingly included just to satisfy the desire to see him fight Superman. Honestly, it doesn’t add anything meaningful. This one-time event won’t establish any lasting story changes or turn Homelander into a DC hero—it’s just a temporary spectacle. Ultimately, no matter the outcome of the Homelander versus Superman fight, fans will be disappointed. Some will want Homelander to win, others will want Superman to win, making an official confrontation pointless. Let fans explore that dynamic in fan fiction, where it’s arguably more enjoyable.

Crossover Gimmicks Hurt Good Stories More Than They Help

The first issue of DC K.O.: Boss Battle feels like a simple, fun crossover meant to please fans, but crossovers aren’t always harmless. They can sometimes seriously damage good comic series. Killadelphia is a prime example. For its first 31 issues, this horror comic from Image was a standout, telling a grim and compelling story about police officer James Sangster Jr.’s fight to stop a vampire uprising led by the ghost of President John Adams. It was a bloody, imaginative series that explored difficult truths about American racial history, making readers confront uncomfortable parts of the past. However, issue #31 unexpectedly introduced characters from across the Image Comics universe, including Spawn and Savage Dragon, along with classic monsters like Blacula and Dracula.

The recent addition of characters from Blacula and Spawn to Killadelphia felt strange. While it wasn’t necessarily bad, it didn’t quite mesh with the established story. Killadelphia had previously been self-contained, with its own unique mythology. Introducing outside elements, even if done well, made the series feel less like Killadelphia and seemed to push the plot further from a satisfying conclusion. This was particularly frustrating considering the universe had already been expanded with the Nita Hawes Nightmare Blog spin-off.

The crossover event may have contributed to the series’ problems. The most recent issue, #35, was released in August 2024. Issue #36 was originally scheduled for September 2024, but the publisher canceled it. Although the writer, Rodney Barnes, mentioned on social media that it might still be released in 2026, there’s been no official confirmation. The reason for the cancellation or delay remains unknown, but many suspect the unusual crossover played a role.

Crossovers Can Be Fun, But They Aren’t Necessary

Crossovers have always been a common part of comic books, and when done right, they can be really enjoyable. They work best when they’re rare and have a clear reason for bringing characters together – like uniting heroes from different time periods within the same universe, or even revisiting classic team-ups. However, constantly using crossovers just to include popular characters as a quick way to attract fans cheapens the idea. If anything can happen, it loses its impact, and it prevents creators from telling more meaningful stories. Ultimately, comics are stronger when they focus less on these gimmicky crossovers and explore better, more original narratives. There are plenty of great stories out there waiting to be told.

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2025-11-30 20:13