Because publishers want you to buy their product every month, comics are typically serial in nature. However, occasionally (and more often nowadays than ever before) publishers launch a comic title that is only meant to last for one issue. While ongoing series often have multiple chances to hook in new readers, the comics highlighted in this ongoing investigations only had One-Shot At Greatness!
Publisher: Amalgam Comics
Cover Date: April 1996
Cover Price: $1.95
Writer: Chuck Dixon
Artist: Cary Nord
When the DC and Marvel Universes merged in Marvel vs DC, a new one was created: the Amalgam Universe. This one-shot invisioned Bruce Wayne (Batman’s alter ego) as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
In this tale, the Green Skull is deposed as ruler of Hydra by his daughter and her lackeys. Meanwhile, against Nick Fury’s orders, the loose cannon S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, Bruce Wayne, has an assault against Hydra planned. In the invasion, both sides learn that the Skull’s last move was to set in motion a doomsday device that can’t be stopped. And, as it goes off in the last page, the question begging to be asked is “how far-reaching are its effects; and can our heroes possibly survive it?”
This is a quick, action action action read. Lots of cool characters thrown in on both sides of the book. The heroes have got Bruce Wayne, Nick Fury, Sgt. Rock, Moonwing (Moon Knight/Nightwing) and Huntress (Barbara Gordon). On the eeeeeeeeevil side we’ve got the Green Skull, Madam Hydra (Selina Luthor), a Mr. Freeze/Baron Strucker combo, a Nuke/Bane combo and Deathlok (the brought-back-from-the-dead Jason Todd cyborg). I wasn’t overly impressed with Nord’s art here but, long-time comic fans are sure to appreciate the amount of combo characters created here. And, even though it’s extremely action-oriented, the story hints at a lot of characterization, as well … including a romance between Wayne and Huntress … and the circumstances that led to Jason Todd’s death. The last page ends on a cliffhanger that’d make me want to read the next issue, which qualifies it as a success in my book.
On Ebay: Amalgam | Chuck Dixon | Cary Nord
On AtomicAvenue: Amalgam Comics
This one was my favorite, for all the reasons you stated and the awesomeness that is MoonWing 🙂
Comment by blaqueSaber — June 26, 2010 @ 5:45 pm
MoonWing did have a pretty neat character design. But, storywise, I think I’d be a little more curious to know more about Jason Todd as Deathlok!
Comment by Doorman — June 26, 2010 @ 6:00 pm