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: Gerard Jones and Mark Waid
Artist: Howard Porter
When the DC and Marvel Universes merged in Marvel vs DC, a new one was created: the Amalgam Universe. This one-shot combined the Justice League with the X-Men.
The mutant members of the Judgment League Avengers left to join a new team led by Mr. X. The current team includes:
- Apollo (Cyclops & the Ray)
- Nightcreeper (Nightcrawler & the Creeper)
- Runaway (Rogue & Gypsy)
- Firebird (Jean Grey & Fire)
- Mercury (Quicksilver & Impulse)
- Wraith (Gambit & Obsidian)
The JLX embroils themselves in a deadly battle to free Mariner (the first mutant, an Atlantean/human hybrid; a combo of Sub-Mariner & Aquaman) from imprisonment by the JLA. Once freed, they hope that Mariner will lead them to Atlantis (the birthplace of mutant-kind). But, once they finally get there, they find it all but abandoned. Although they discover someone beat them there. Someone who wants them and all mutants dead: William Magnus. Armed with his Sentinels, Magnus intends to wipe out mutant-kind, starting with the JLX. Naturally, our heroes aren’t going to let that happen but, before they send Magnus and his mutant-killing robots packing, Mr. X‘s true identity is revealed! Finally, with the threat removed, the JLX are now free to discover the secret of why the Atlanteans deserted their city and where they’ve gone.
This book’s got colorful, dynamic art, action, politics, more action and mystery going for it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer much room to develop the eight main characters and I was certainly interested to learn more about Nightcreeper. The book unveils a secret identity and motivation behind Mr. X and leaves a new mystery to be unveiled but it doesn’t really leave me with much desire to actually care about the fate of the Atlanteans. And, truth-be-told, the JLA look like a very cool team and I think I’d actually rather have read a story about them instead.
On Ebay: Amalgam | Gerard Jones | Mark Waid | Howard Porter | JLA | X-Men
On AtomicAvenue: Amalgam Comics