There is nothing like a good crossover. It’s the reason why “The Avengers” was the number one movie last year, and why there is so much fan-fiction written that attempts to blend two different universes. There is just something inherently exciting and geek-tastic about two (or more) of your favorite characters meeting and interacting. I remember how excited I was, sitting in the movie theater waiting for “Star Trek: Generations” to begin. Kirk and Picard were going to meet! We had been debating “Kirk vs. Picard” for so long, and now it wasn’t an either or sort of proposition. It was now an “and.”
Crossovers are one of the reasons I made those paintings for my daughter that you may remember s reading about, and I am thinking about them again today because a trailer was just released for what may be the most highly anticipated (in my house anyway) crossover of all time: “Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel.” Superheroes and Phineas and Ferb? I think all of the collective brains in my house just exploded. But there have been many great crossovers along the way that have paved the way for this monumental event.
1) Superman and Spider-Man
Back in the 70’s, before crossovers were the thing, Marvel and DC teamed up to put out “Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man.” Highly entertaining, and everything you’d want out of a story putting these two heroes together for the first time, this comic kicked off years of begging for larger scale inter-company crossovers.
2) Secret Wars
This 12-issues series is kind of the gold standard for Marvel crossovers, matched by “Crisis on Infinite Earths” over at DC. The Marvel characters had always popped up in each other’s books, but this was really the first time that we got an extended story featuring almost all of the heroes and villains together. X-Men! Avengers! Spider-Man! Fantastic Four! They were all there, and it was sweet.
3) Archie Meets the Punisher
Do I need to say more than this? Crazed gun-toting vigilante anti-hero mixed with the most wholesome kids at Riverdale. Plus Josie and the Pussycats!
4) JLA/Avengers
It finally happened, though it took decades of whining and fighting. From Superman and Spider-Man, to a full on DC/Marvel crossover. And it didn’t hurt that it was extremely well done.
5) The 2013 Ford Escape
Standout styling, class-leading fuel economy and a robust technology package are three reasons to include the new Escape on your list when shopping for a new crossover.
6) The Jetsons Meet the Flinstones
I know the plot involved a time machine, but I always thought it would be more interesting to imagine that the Flintstones were living on the ground under the clouds, while the Jetsons were in fact a more advanced sub-race of humans living in the sky above them. Like in “The Time Machine.”
7) Star Wars and The Muppets
Now that was an amazing episode of “The Muppet Show.” You remember the one. Luke Skywalker, Kermit the Frog, C-3P0, Miss Piggy, R2-D2, Gonzo the Great, and more! I can still watch that episode on repeat all day long.
8) Allen Iverson
Although Iverson did not invent the crossover, I think we can all agree that he perfected it. Agree?
9) Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel
I’m calling it right now. Greatest Crossover of all time.