It all started in 1984. Well that's not really true, it's been going on decades before that. Even during 1946 the idea of superheroes teaming up was first used in All Star Winners. In the 60's Stan Lee made mini event of hero cross overs. The Hulk would appear in the Fantastic Four, the Human Torch made guest appearances in Spider-man, Dare Devil and Thor would guest star in the F.F, the X-Men would pop up in the Avengers and F.F. and every Marvel hero and villain would turn up to the wedding of Reed and Sue Richards. The list goes on and on. But then it was always special. You didn't need to buy every single comic to follow the story line. A simple flash back would get you up to date in no time. But I think that 84 was a point where I see the raise of the cross over.
In the 80s, 90s, 00s and 10s the multi title cross-over has become an annual event. And I hate it! For me it started in 1984 with Marvel Superheroes Secret Wars. Although some would say that Contest of the Champions in 1982 was the first cross over event. Don't get me wrong it wasn't all bad. I'm guilty of enjoying the series like many comic fans. On a school trip to London I dragged my school friends in to a comic shop, Comics ShowCase I think, and bought issues 2 and 8 to 12 of the first Secret Wars limited series, 'cause I couldn't find them my home town. I even entered a competition to win the Secret Wars action figures in the MarvelUK comic of the same name. But to me this series changed the game. Within one month, the Hulk had broken his leg, the Thing had left the F.F. to be replaced by the She-Hulk, Magneto had become closer to the X-Men and Spider-man had got a new black costume. The reader easily became hooked.
The mid 80's was a period when I really increased the number to American Marvel comics I bought. I read everything I could afford. All the group books and big star heroes. The cross-overs The Mutant Massarce, Armour wars, Fall of the Mutants, Inferno, Operation Galactic Storm, the list goes on and on. Some where great, some less so.
In the years that came I took the train to Odyssey 7 in Manchester every two weeks to buy my fill of superhero shenanigans. I loved it! But looking back not all those books where of a good quality. I got bored with the same old cross-overs just in a different order. You had to buy comic who's characters, artists or writers you didn't like just to complete the story. There was still some great tales, cool artists and creative writers. But I felt editors where always pushing for the big name guest star or multi-title event that would sell a couple of hundred more issues instead of a gripping tale of drama, action and adventure. Spider-man, Wolverine, Punisher or Deadpool made guest appearances in every book that needed a sales boost.
I drifted towards Dark Horse and DCs Vertigo lines to feed my hunger for graphic desires. Image comics also became regular purchases, though that may be seen as part of the problem, not the cure.
Maybe I'm just a boring old comic lover, who analysed every panel instead of just enjoying it for what it is, escapism.
Maybe I can have both. Thought provoking escapist drama. Yes that would be good.
Make Mine Marvel.
