Every Crossover in Superman/Spider-Man, Ranked

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Superman and Spider-Man are arguably the most iconic superheroes ever created. From the very beginning, they’ve defined what it means to be a hero for both DC and Marvel Comics, embodying the core values of each company. What makes them truly special is their unwavering commitment to doing good simply because they can – they see it as their duty to help others. For decades, these two have been the primary faces of their respective publishers, and now, after fifty years since their first team-up, they’re joining forces once more in DC/Marvel: Superman/Spider-Man.

This comic is packed with action and features not only Spider-Man and Superman, but also a fantastic team-up of their supporting characters. It’s a large issue filled with great stories, and we’ve ranked all eight to help you find the very best. Any story with these two heroes is a guaranteed hit, and we think this comic is well worth reading – though ultimately, that’s for you to decide! Be warned, there are spoilers ahead, so let’s jump right in and explore this amazing issue!

8) Superboy/Spider-Man 2099 — “Beyond the Cobwebs of Tomorrow”

The story brought together two popular time travelers—Spider-Man 2099 (Miguel O’Hara) and Superboy from the Legion of Super-Heroes—in Neo-Gotham. After an initial fight over buildings owned by Lex Corp, they teamed up with Terry McGinnis, Batman’s future successor. They discovered both heroes came from terrible futures dominated by the combined power of Lex Corp and Alchemex. Realizing Lex Luthor, who disappeared into the Source Wall years ago, was their only clue, the three heroes launched into space to find him.

This story suffers from being too short – only three pages long. It introduces a compelling idea that could easily support a longer series, but it focuses entirely on building up a plot that never gets to unfold. The story doesn’t really become engaging until the very end, and then it abruptly stops. The way Batman and Spider-Man talk feels a bit off, with dialogue that’s typical of Sean Murphy’s style. While the artwork is great and fits the cyberpunk aesthetic, the story tries to do too much in too little space for a three-page comic.

7) Daily Planet/Daily Bugle — “Bias”

The story featured a lively debate on television between Lois Lane and J. Jonah Jameson, the heads of two famous newspapers. They argued about Jameson’s strong dislike of Spider-Man, which seemed unfair considering Spider-Man’s bravery. Jameson countered that he preferred heroes who didn’t hide behind masks, pointing to Superman as an example. The discussion ended with Spider-Man, Superman (Clark), and Lois all sharing a laugh at Jameson’s stubborn prejudice, as he didn’t realize Superman also kept his identity a secret, just like Spider-Man.

Honestly, this story just felt like it was missing something. The main point seemed to be that Jonah’s stubbornness clouded his judgment, which was okay, but it didn’t really explore the interesting setup it had. It wasn’t the clash between the Daily Bugle and the Daily Planet that I was hoping for – it just felt like a simple, predictable Jonah joke. I was really looking forward to seeing how Lois would react to his views, especially after all the build-up about his biases, but we didn’t even get that. Overall, it just didn’t really grab me.

6) Lois Lane/Mary Jane — “The World’s Finest”

The story begins with Lois and MJ in a precarious situation – stuck on a bus hanging off a bridge – and surprisingly calm about it, discussing the ups and downs of dating superheroes. Meanwhile, Superman and Spider-Man battle a Sentinel-428. They eventually discover the Sentinel was actually after Gambit, and cleverly use a deck of cards to defeat it. The couples then walk off together into the sunshine. While the story is enjoyable and doesn’t have any major flaws, it doesn’t delve very deep into its themes. It’s ultimately a light and entertaining read, but doesn’t offer much beyond that.

5) Jimmy Olsen/Carnage — “Jimmy Con Carnage”

Jimmy Olsen went to New York City hoping to make a name for himself, and quickly found work at the Daily Bugle. Predictably, his editor, Jonah Jameson, wanted photos of Spider-Man, and Jimmy rushed to get them, ignoring Peter Parker’s warnings. He ran right into an alley where Carnage was attacking people and, in a moment of panic, yelled “Spiderman” – though that wasn’t even his worst error. Unfortunately, Carnage immediately killed Jimmy, just as Jimmy’s Signal Watch was receiving an update. Jonah then published Jimmy’s last photograph – a gruesome shot of the attack – as evidence that Spider-Man was dangerous, and hailed Jimmy Olsen as the greatest photographer ever.

While this story feels a bit too short, the narration is fantastic. The unexpected twist of Jimmy dying right after arriving in New York was genuinely funny, especially given everything he’s overcome. I was a little disappointed it was the ending, as seeing Jimmy defeat Carnage would have been amazing. Overall, it’s a brief, slightly dark, and very funny story, earning it a solid fifth-place ranking.

4) Pa Kent/Uncle Ben — “The Bridge”

Superman and Spider-Man had a conversation about their similarities and differences, with Superman believing they had a lot in common and Spider-Man pointing out their very different backgrounds. As they talked, the story flashed back to when Pa Kent and Uncle Ben met years earlier. During a terrible storm, a flooded bridge left Ben stranded in Smallville. Pa Kent offered him shelter, but they soon heard cries for help from people trapped under the bridge. Together, they bravely rescued those in danger, forging a friendship and ultimately showing the heroes that they weren’t so different after all.

As a huge comic book fan, seeing Pa Kent and Uncle Ben team up, even just in this story, was amazing! I especially loved the conversation between Spider-Man and Superman – it really highlighted how much their adoptive dads shaped who they are and what they believe in. Honestly, I was hoping for some really profound wisdom from these two, but just seeing them be the good men they always were was enough. If you’re a fan of Spider-Man, Superman, or just great characters in general, you absolutely need to check this out.

3) Power Girl/Punisher — “Blind Date”

I never would have guessed that a story about Power Girl’s disastrous blind date with Paul Rabin – the most disliked character in comics – would become one of my favorites, but here we are! Frank managed to get a job as security at a restaurant full of villains, which happened to be where Karen (Power Girl) was meeting Paul. Everyone in the restaurant immediately mistook Paul for Vandal Savage and tried to kill him for the reward money. Power Girl and the Punisher ended up working together to save Paul, and they decided to go on a date of their own afterward.

This story is a fun, quick read. Power Girl and Punisher have surprisingly good chemistry and play off each other really well. It’s always enjoyable to see Paul get teased, and the joke about him being mistaken for Vandal Savage is hilarious. Overall, it’s a funny and surprisingly sensual story about a hardened veteran finding a connection with someone who has experienced immense loss. It’s impressive how much the author accomplishes within the story’s short length.

2) Superboy-Prime/Spider-Man — “Pages”

Spider-Man returned home to a strange sight: Superboy-Prime, wearing only his underwear, was trying to get his suit to attach to him, mistakenly believing it was a living symbiote. Prime explained he’d been imprisoned by the High Evolutionary for a year and needed Spider-Man’s help. He grabbed Spidey and punched a hole through reality to reach the Evolutionary’s base, initially planning to leave Spider-Man there as a replacement, but ultimately decided to team up. They agreed to fight the villain together, despite the risk of being transformed into something ridiculous, like goat accountants.

Superboy-Prime remains a relatable fanboy, and his interactions with Spider-Man are fantastic – Spider-Man manages to be both overwhelmed and completely in charge. A genuinely touching moment occurs when Spidey inspires Prime to embrace his potential as a hero, even when it’s difficult. My main criticism is that Prime’s change of heart felt a bit too quick, but overall it’s a strong story filled with action, humor, and genuine emotion. Prime clearly needed direction, and Spider-Man is uniquely suited to deliver a grounded and inspiring message about heroism.

1) Superman/Spider-Man — “Truth, Justice, and Great Responsibility”

The ultimate team-up was saved for the main event. Doctor Octopus, determined to showcase his brilliance, teamed up with Brainiac. When Peter Parker discovered Doc Ock stealing Kryptonite in Metropolis, Superman and Spider-Man joined forces to stop them. Brainiac’s plan was to unleash a mind-controlling virus on the entire planet, leading to a final showdown: Superman versus Doc Ock, and Spider-Man versus Brainiac. As you’d expect, the heroes won, saving the world and celebrating their victory as newfound friends.

This team-up between Superman and Spider-Man is a true highlight of the Bronze Age. The characters interact brilliantly, giving everyone a moment to stand out, and the story beautifully captures what makes these heroes so beloved. It’s packed with both touching scenes and satisfying references to classic moments. The art by Jorge Jiménez is exceptional – every page feels carefully crafted and stylish. Overall, this crossover is a fantastic tribute to Superman and Spider-Man, showcasing them at their peak. It’s everything a fan could hope for when these two icons team up.

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2026-03-27 00:46