I'm a sucker for a graphic novel with a cast of thousands. The cosmic entity, Krona, is trying to solve the mystery of what came before the Big Bang and his questions are destroying universes. The Grandmaster, a similar entity, challenges Krona to a contest pitting the Avengers against the JLA. The team that gathers the most items of power from each world saves their reality.

There are many time shifts with different versions of superheroes appearing and disappearing as they fight. It is rather funny to see how many costume changes these characters have gone through over the years. It was great comparing the superhero equivalents from the two universes as they were matched up or pitted against one another. There are two archers, two speedsters and Wonder Woman battles Hercules. Batman matches wits with Captain America and Superman fights Thor. George Perez is an amazing illustrator to be able to depict so many different characters, all originally drawn by different artists, on one page. There are dozens of heroes packed into each frame.

The comparison of the two comic book universes is quite interesting. Superman thought the Marvel superheroes weren't doing enough for their people where as Captain America thought the citizens of the DC Earth were controlled by their heroes. The superheroes in the Marvel universe had to overcome prejudice and the superheroes in the DC world were revered. ( )

Retro-necro nullity.

Sometimes it rubs you right and sometimes it rubs you wrong on a thrills-per-page level, but in a larger sense, the safe, dead, smug, ossified, arch-Tory view of the world this shows grates over four issues.

In New York they save people, but Captain Britain and Sabra protect monuments.

The dialogue, of course boringly expositionary, is also essentialist and nerdishly concerned with establishing minute gradations in all areas - "See? Hawkeye is more annoying than Green Arrow! Green Arrow even said it! He said Hawkeye is even better at being a pain in the butt!" Archers are apparently intrinsically obnoxious and noble, and we can sleep easy knowing that will always be the case.

Krona destroys universes, but the Grandmaster is taken by surprise not knowing he would be that ruthless in their single combat, because c'mon, the universe obeys '40s pulp law. Square your jaw and fight like a man, enigmatic cosmic being! The fucking laws of story - fuck you very much, Neil Gaiman - will always protect the universe from destruction.

And, y'know. Everyone says their catchphrase, trots out their persona in a little pantomime for the casual fan, and gives their all. Has there ever been a Kurt Busiek comic where everyone didn't give their all? ( )