5 Wildest Hero Mash-Ups We Need in the Next DC/Marvel Amalgam Revival

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Back in the late 1990s, DC Comics and Marvel Comics embarked on a groundbreaking and imaginative crossover event, one of the earliest among their joint superhero universe collaborations. Unlike past partnerships, this initiative aimed to foster stronger links between heroes from both worlds. To make this happen, these two comic giants established Amalgam Comics – a shared publishing label that appeared as an independent entity, free from DC and Marvel control. However, the real thrill of the project wasn’t its corporate setup; what truly mattered were the tales published by Amalgam, which had lasting effects within both the DC and Marvel multiverses.

Amalgam Comics stands out due to its unique take on the standard superhero team-up concept. Typically, this involves a character or group from one universe joining forces with their equivalents from another reality to combat a shared menace, only to return to their home universes later. Yet, Amalgam Comics didn’t follow this traditional crossover pattern. Instead, it introduced two separate realities within the DC and Marvel multiverses: Earth-1996 in the DC universe and Earth-9602 in the Marvel universe. The collaboration arises because characters from these distinct realities are blends of figures from both DC and Marvel Comics.

Back in the 1990s, publications like Amalgam Comics introduced some truly unforgettable character combinations, such as Dark Claw (a mix of Batman and Wolverine), Amazon (Wonder Woman meets She-Hulk), and Justice League X-Men (just imagine DC’s Justice League merged with Marvel’s X-Men!). These unique crossovers weren’t just imaginative punches; they made perfect sense, combining the finest aspects of both DC and Marvel universes to delight fans. Unfortunately, production of Amalgam Comics came to a halt in 1997. However, with DC and Marvel planning to team up once more this year – their first major collaboration in twenty years – excitement for an Amalgam Comics reboot is stronger than ever. As we eagerly wait, here’s our list of dream hero mashups we’d love to see if Earth-1996 and Earth-9602 were revived.

1) Stargirl/Spider-Girl

Since the 1990s, there have been significant shifts in the worlds of DC and Marvel Comics, with a standout development being the emergence of a new generation of heroes. Unlike their predecessors from comic book eras like the Golden, Silver, and Bronze, these new heroes balance their heroic duties with everyday life commitments such as school or early careers. They are also more emotionally nuanced, dealing with issues that resonate with many young people, including identity crises, self-doubt, and navigating a complex, technologically advanced, and morally ambiguous world. The fusion of characters like Courtney Whitmore’s Stargirl and May “Mayday” Parker’s Spider-Girl best symbolizes the evolutions in both comic universes.

Essentially, although they are similar in age, Spider-Girl and Stargirl possess complementary traits that could make an extraordinary next-generation hero. The blend of Spider-Girl’s “spider-sense” and spider-like strength with Stargirl’s Cosmic Converter Belt and Cosmic Staff would make her a formidable foe, potentially underestimated by many adversaries to their own disadvantage. Furthermore, they both share a resilient mindset that could help mold the new hero into one of the most grounded heroes in their community, despite her tendency to talk a big game. In essence, the fusion of Spider-Girl and Stargirl showcases how the amalgamation of powers, personalities, and legacies can result in a sum greater than its individual parts.

2) Alfred Pennyworth/Edwin Jarvis

One lesser-known truth about the DC and Marvel worlds is the crucial part support staff play in many hero’s missions and lives. From making sure they have balanced meals and adequate rest, to providing tactical help when no one else can, these unsung figures are vital yet frequently overlooked within the superhero community. Characters like Bruce Wayne’s trusted butler, Alfred Pennyworth, and the Avengers’ dedicated head butler, Edwin Jarvis, exemplify this role perfectly. They serve not only as caretakers but also as confidants, strategists, and emotional pillars for their respective heroes. Combining these characters into a single figure from Amalgam Comics would be an appropriate homage to the often unacknowledged work they do, serving as a potent reminder that even the mightiest heroes require someone to rely on.

By merging Alfred and Jarvis, we wouldn’t just enhance the household management of Wayne Manor and Avengers Mansion; they would offer a wealth of knowledge beyond their housekeeping skills. Picture Alfred’s dry humor, espionage background, medical wisdom, and unexpected fighting abilities joining forces with Jarvis’ calmness under pressure and his role as the unofficial COO of the Avengers. This union would forge the ultimate “invisible hand” – a vital team member who avoids the limelight many heroes seek, but whose absence could determine the world’s destiny.

3) Black Canary/Elektra

One of the standout traits of the top mashups in the original Amalgam Comics group was their ability to merge similar qualities with opposing viewpoints. Among the latest hero pairings, none embodies this dynamic quite like the amalgamation of Dinah Lance’s Black Canary and Elektra Natchios – two powerhouses from the DC-Marvel universe. Both are exceptional in hand-to-hand combat and boast extensive backgrounds, but they possess strikingly different ideologies and skill sets. Combining their strengths would result in a formidable entity that commands authority with deadly effectiveness.

The formidable fighting abilities of Black Canary and Elektra would give any adversary pause before engaging them in battle. No one questions Elektra’s impressive “kill/death” record, and following her recent victory over Lady Shiva, it’s clear what Black Canary is capable of in a fight. What sets this duo apart is their distinct moral codes. Black Canary fights for justice, using her skills to uphold principles when the system falls short. On the other hand, while Elektra isn’t evil, she doesn’t always adhere to traditional notions of goodness. However, she is incredibly practical. The result is an intriguing hero whose actions may lie beyond the confines of the law, but who still fights for a higher purpose or cause.

4) The Question (Renee Montoya)/Misty Knight

In essence, many crimes are committed at a local level, even while superheroes like the Avengers and X-Men are known for their epic battles against cosmic threats. However, most of these heroes spend their time battling petty criminals who cause harm to ordinary citizens. This gritty, often overlooked aspect of their work is what makes it so important and rewarding, even if the recognition isn’t always there. This is the kind of street-level storytelling that DC and Marvel should delve into more in a new Amalgam Comics series. It’s the ‘essence of life’ that forms the backbone of all gripping crime dramas, which is what superhero comics are essentially about. Characters like Renee Montoya’s The Question and Misty Knight would be ideal for shining in this kind of narrative.

A fusion of Montoya-Knight could yield an exceptional outcome, as both characters, seasoned cops with roots in their cities’ most troubled precincts, are well-acquainted with the darker aspects of crime and police corruption. The amalgamation would bring together Misty Knight’s robust spirit and mechanical limb, along with Renee Montoya’s relentless drive and penchant for covert operations. This hybrid character would emerge as a distinctive private investigator and grassroots hero, straddling the line between the caped crusaders and the unnoticed alleyways they often bypass. Their connections within the superhero community would further position them uniquely, offering a gritty, impactful take on street-level crimefighting in a universe dominated by deities, extraterrestrials, and armored billionaires.

5) Atom (Ray Palmer) /Acroyear

In terms of size, both the Atom and Acroyear have minimal impact, yet their influence is immense. This unusual duo, Acroyear from the Micronauts team, presents an intriguing contrast. Upon initial observation, their contrasting personalities – the cool rationality of the Atom versus the fiery emotion of Acroyear – appear as incompatible as oil and water. However, upon closer examination of their backgrounds, objectives, and techniques, a striking harmony emerges – a harmony potent enough to ignite an engaging Amalgam Comics series. The real power behind this Atom-Acroyear combination doesn’t solely lie in the appeal of opposites attracting, but rather in how these contrasts can blend into something more powerful than the individual components themselves.

The Atom, an original member of the Justice League, has never been your typical mainline hero. His abilities have primarily been utilized for undercover assignments and special ops missions. Furthermore, his exceptional intelligence has come in handy for strategic planning, data analysis, and tackling complex problems. On the other hand, Acroyear was essentially the sharp end of the Micronauts’ spear. As their sole warrior, he was their emotional anchor and battlefield strategist. The fusion of these two characters would result in a well-rounded hero – someone who feels at home in both micro and macro environments. They possess a logical mind combined with a warrior’s spirit, courage, and martial prowess. Who wouldn’t tremble before someone who can shrink, move stealthily at lightning speeds behind enemy lines, and then grow into an armored colossus?

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2025-06-22 23:40