Tom Brevoort, Marvel's Executive Editor, has a long-standing regret over a 2003 crossover between the Avengers and the Justice League, a collaboration with DC Comics. This regret stems from a dropped universe swap plot, a concept that Brevoort and his team initially found exciting. The idea was to merge the Marvel and DC universes, creating a scenario where Marvel characters would exist in the DC world and vice versa. However, the execution faced significant challenges.
Brevoort and his colleagues, including Kurt Busiek and George Pérez, encountered a major hurdle: the Marvel and DC universes had evolved to the point where the swap felt forced rather than fresh. By 2003, the tone, style, and structure of both universes had converged, making the universe swap feel like a contrived plot device. Brevoort explains that the team had to 'crack the story back open' to address this issue, leading to a replotting process that caused further complications.
One of the most memorable moments from the series was the Superman vs. Thor fight in issue #2, which sparked a fan backlash. Brevoort recalls the intense fan feedback, with readers demanding a clear winner and loser, no 'mealy-mouthed' resolutions. The team delivered what the fans wanted, but the outcome caused a stir among Thor fans, who were disappointed with the result. Brevoort humorously admits that his greatest crime in comics was letting Superman beat Thor, despite the initial fan demand for a decisive victory.
Despite these challenges, the JLA/Avengers crossover remains a fan-favorite, and Brevoort acknowledges that most readers have not complained about it over the years. The series is currently being reprinted in facsimile editions, and Marvel is exploring future team-ups and anniversary editions. Brevoort's regret over the universe swap plot remains a personal sticking point, though he chooses not to elaborate further, attributing it to a difference of opinion.
This incident highlights the complexities of creating inter-company crossovers and the challenges of maintaining the integrity of the source material while catering to fan expectations. Brevoort's reflection on this regret provides an intriguing insight into the creative process and the delicate balance between innovation and tradition in the world of comics.
