JLA/AVENGERS #1 ANNOTATIONS

[Eric J. Moreels]

With the recent release of the long, long, long awaited JLA/Avengers #1, some fans may not be aware of the vast number of references to characters, places, and events in both the Marvel and DC Universes. To help everyone keep abreast on what's happening in the epic story, the Comixfan staff have taken on the task of compiling an exhaustive and complete list of annotated references.

Without further ado, here is the list for issue #1. Comixfan invites readers to contribute additions and corrections to this and subsequent lists.


JLA/AVENGERS #1 ANNOTATIONS

Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: George Pérez
Colorist & Separator: Tom Smith
Letterer: Comicraft
Logo Design: John J. Hill

For Marvel:
Assistant Editors: Mark Sumerak & Andy Schmidt
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Managing Editor: David Bogart
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas

For DC:
Associate Editor: Stephen Wacker
Editors: Dan Raspler & Mike Carlin
VP - Editorial: Dan Didio
President: Paul Levitz

Cover Date: September 2003
Cover Price: $5.95 US $9.50 CAN

Wraparound Cover: (front, top to bottom, right to left) Iron Man, Batman, Atom, Captain America, Wasp, Wonder Woman, Thor, Superman (back, top to bottom, right to left) Starro, Vision, Yellowjacket, Scarlet Witch, Hawkeye, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Flash, She-Hulk, Quicksilver, Terminus, Plastic Man, Warbird, Jack of Hearts, Aquaman, Triathlon

Page 1, Panel 4: Arkon and his realm of Polemachus first appeared in Avengers (1st series) #75.

Page 1, Panel 5: Thundra first appeared in Fantastic Four (1st series) #129.

Page 2, Panel 8: The destruction of Polemachus and, subsequently, Qward (on page 4, panels 4-5) are reminiscent of the destruction of various Earths in DC's Crisis on Infinite Earths maxi-series, also drawn by Pérez.

Page 3, Panel 3: The Weaponers of Qward first appeared in Green Lantern (2nd series) #2.

Page 3, Panels 4-7: The Crime Syndicate first appeared in Justice League of America #29. The current incarnation first appeared in JLA: Earth 2. Both the aforementioned Qwardians and the Crime Syndicate exist in DC's Anti-Matter Universe, an "opposite" universe in which good is evil and vice-versa. Hence, the Crime Syndicate are evil counterparts to the JLA as follows: Ultraman/Superman, Superwoman/Wonder Woman, Power Ring/Green Lantern, Johnny Quick/Flash, Owlman/Batman.

Page 4, Panel 9: The hand surrounding the universe is a homage to how the DC Universe was created, first shown in Green Lantern (2nd series) #40 and featured prominently in Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Page 5: The physical manifestation of Eternity in the Marvel Universe first appeared in Strange Tales (1st series) #138. The story title, "A Journey into Mystery", is a homage to the classic Marvel Comics series Journey into Mystery in which Thor first made his appearance in issue #83.

Page 6, Panel 4: The Grandmaster, one of the cosmic Elders of the Universe in the Marvel Universe, first appeared in Avengers (1st series) #69.

Page 7, Panels 2-7: Krona, or Entropy as he later became known in the DC Universe, first appeared in Green Lantern (2nd series) #40. Krona was also instrumental in setting up events for the Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Pages 8-9: The Justice League of America from the DC Universe battle Terminus from the Marvel Universe. JLA members pictured are: (top to bottom, left to right) Batman (first appeared in Detective Comics #27), Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner, first appeared in Green Lantern (3rd series) #48), Plastic Man (first appeared in Police Comics #1), Martian Manhunter (first appeared in Detective Comics #225), Superman (first appeared in Action Comics #1), Aquaman (first appeared in More Fun Comics #73), Flash (Wally West, first appeared in Flash (1st series) #110), Wonder Woman (first appeared in All Star Comics (1st series) #8).

Page 8: Big Belly Burger is a franchise restaurant chain in the DC Universe. Fallville, Iowa in the DC Universe was the birthplace of the second Flash, Barry Allen.

Page 9: Terminus first appeared in Fantastic Four (1st series) #269. The Sekowsky's store is a homage to Mike Sekowsky, the first artist to ever draw the Justice League. Lexmart is a retail store chain in the DC Universe that is patterned after Walmart. Keystone City is located near Topeka, Kansas in the DC Universe and is home to the current Flash, Wally West.

Page 13, Panel 3: The Spectre first appeared in More Fun Comics #52. The current Hal Jordan incarnation of the character first appeared in Day of Judgement #5. Hal Jordan was originally the Green Lantern of Earth and a long-time member of the JLA, hence the team's reaction to his appearance.

Pages 14-15: The Avengers from the Marvel Universe battle Starro the Star Conqueror from the DC Universe. Avengers members pictured are: (top to bottom, left to right) Thor (first appeared in Journey Into Mystery (1st series) #83), Quicksilver (first appeared in X-Men (1st series) #4), Iron Man (first appeared in Tales of Suspense (1st series) #39), Vision (first appeared in Avengers (1st series) #57), Triathlon (first appeared in Avengers (3rd series) #8), Captain America (first appeared in Captain America Comics #1), Jack of Hearts (first appeared in Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #22), Wasp (first appeared in Tales to Astonish (1st series) #44), Warbird (first appeared as Carol Danvers in Marvel Super-Heroes (1st series) #13, as Warbird in Avengers (3rd series) #4), She-Hulk (first appeared in Savage She-Hulk #1), Yellowjacket (first appeared as Ant-Man in Tales to Astonish (1st series) #27, as Yellowjacket in Avengers (1st series) #59), Scarlet Witch (first appeared in X-Men (1st series) #4). Starro the Star Conqueror first appeared in The Brave and The Bold (1st series) #28.

Page 20, Panel 1: Avengers Mansion, home of Earth's Mightiest Heroes in the Marvel Universe, was first seen in Avengers (1st series) #2.

Page 20, Panel 2: Quasar III, cosmic protector of the Marvel Universe, first appeared as Marvel Man in Captain America (1st series) #217 and as Quasar III in Incredible Hulk (2nd series) #234.

Page 20, Panel 4: DC's Lobo, a character inspired by Marvel's Wolverine who first appeared in Omega Men #3, is shown fighting Marvel's Imperial Guard, a team patterned after DC's Legion of Super-Heroes who first appeared in X-Men (1st series) #107. The members shown and their Legion equivalents are as follows: (top to bottom, left to right) Hobgoblin/Chameleon Boy, Oracle/Saturn Girl, Starbolt/Sun Boy, Smasher/Ultra Boy, Nightside/Shadow Lass, Fang/Timber Wolf, Manta/Lightning Lass, Warstar/Duo Damsel, Impulse/Wildfire, Magique/Princess Projectra, Flashfire/Lightning Lad, Neutron/Star Boy, Astra/Phantom Girl, Hussar/none, Mentor/Brainiac 5, Scintilla/Shrinking Violet, Electron/Cosmic Boy, Titan/Colossal Boy.

Page 20, Panel 5: The Aakons (right) from the Marvel Universe, who first appeared in Captain Marvel (1st series) #8, are shown fighting the Khunds (left) from the DC Universe, who first appeared in Adventure Comics #346.

Page 21, Panel 2: The Barry that the Flash mentions is Barry Allen, the second bearer of the Flash name in the DC Universe and the current Flash's uncle. Allen died in Crisis on Infinite Earths #8.

Page 21, Panel 8: The Speed Force is an extra-dimensional energy source that is vibrationally attuned to the Earth of the DC Universe. It was first mentioned in Flash (2nd series) #97.

Page 22: Mutant racism and prejudice is a vast social problem in the Marvel Universe but not in the DC Universe, hence the Flash's confusion.

Page 23, Panel 1: The Watchtower, located in the centre of the Moon's Sea of Tranquillity in the DC Universe, is the current headquarters of the JLA as first seen in JLA #4 and modified to its current appearance in JLA #52. (left) The shape-shifting alien Skrulls from the Marvel Universe, who first appeared in Fantastic Four (1st series) #2, are shown fighting the Wingmen of Thanagar from the DC Universe, who first appeared in The Brave and The Bold (1st series) #34. (right) Mongul II from the DC Universe, who first appeared in Superman (2nd series) #151, is shown fighting the parasitic alien Brood from the Marvel Universe, who first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #154.

Page 24, Panels 2-3: Uatu, a member of a race of cosmic beings in the Marvel Universe known as the Watchers who monitor events of universal importance and are sworn to an oath of non-interference, first appeared in Fantastic Four (1st series) #13.

Page 26: The six items of power from the DC Universe that Grandmaster shows the JLA are as follows (clockwise from top):

The Eternity Book is a powerful magical tome created by the sorceror Merlin in the DC Universe that contains a narrative of the entire history of existence to the present day. First seen in The Demon (1st series) #1.

The Orb of Ra is an ancient weapon created from a fallen meteor by an Egyptian priest named Ahk-ton. Unearthed centuries later by Rex Mason, the Orb's energies transformed him into Metamorpho. First seen in The Brave and The Bold (1st series) #57.

The Power Battery is what gives Green Lanterns in the DC Universe their power. Linked to the central power battery on the planet Oa, each battery could originally recharge its wielder's power ring for a period of 24 hours. When Kyle Rayner took over as Green Lantern of Earth, the 24 hour limitation was removed. Now the ring only needs to be charged periodically. The original battery was first seen in All-American Comics #16, whilst the current battery was first seen in Green Lantern (3rd series) #55.

The Spear of Destiny is an artifact of enormous magical power that was used by a Roman centurion to pierce the side of Jesus Christ after he was crucified. In the DC Universe, it was used by Hitler during World War I to keep the allied super-heroes out of Axis territory. First seen in Weird War Tales (1st series) #50.

The Medusa Mask, possessed by the villainous Psycho-Pirate II in the DC Universe, allows whoever uses it to control other people's emotions. First seen in Showcase #56.

The Green Bell of Uthool, the Silver Wheel of Nyorlath, and the Red Jar of Calythos are occult artifacts in the DC Universe that can summon three powerful elder demons - Abnegazar, Ghast, and Rath. First seen in Justice League of America #10.

See the annotation for page 39 for the six items from the Marvel Universe.

Page 28, Panel 3: Ray Palmer, a.k.a. the Atom II, first appeared in Showcase #34.

Page 29, Panel 3. Clint Barton, a.k.a. Hawkeye, first appeared in Tales of Suspense (1st series) #57.

Page 30, Panel 1: The ruined city mentioned by the Atom in the Marvel Universe is in the Blue Area of the Moon, home to Uatu the Watcher (see page 24), first seen in Fantastic Four (1st series) #13. It was constructed millennia ago by the alien Kree with the assistance of the Skrulls.

Page 30, Panels 4-6: Latveria is a fictional Eastern European country in the Marvel Universe, ruled by the armored despot Doctor Doom, as first seen in Fantastic Four (1st series) #5.

Page 30, Panels 8-10: Genosha is the fictional island nation in the Marvel Universe that was once ruled by Magneto, who appears on a propaganda poster in panel 10. Genosha was first seen in Uncanny X-Men #235 and was destroyed by giant robotic Sentinels in New X-Men #115. Magneto first appeared in X-Men (1st series) #1 and was mistakenly believed killed in Genosha's destruction.

Page 31, Panels 5-6: Hulk II first appeared in Incredible Hulk (1st series) #1, and was also a founding member of the Avengers in Avengers (1st series) #1. He and Superman have met thrice before, in Marvel Treasury Edition #28, the Incredible Hulk vs Superman one-shot and in the DC vs Marvel Comics mini-series, however Superman doesn't recognize him here. Conway's Market is a homage to veteran JLA writer Gerry Conway, who was also slated to write the JLA/Avengers crossover when it was first conceived two decades ago.

Page 31, Panels 9-10: The skull-chested vigilante known as the Punisher first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man (1st series) #129. He and Batman have also met twice before, in the Batman/Punisher: Lake of Fire and Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights one-shots, but as with Superman and the Hulk, Batman does not recognize him here.

Page 32, Panel 7. The island in the Sea of Okhotsk in the Marvel Universe is Monster Isle, home to the subterranean Mole Man and his creatures, which first appeared in Fantastic Four (1st series) #1.

Page 33, Panel 1: Three of the Marvel Universe's classic monsters appear (from left to right): Fin Fang Foom (first appeared in Strange Tales (1st series) #89), Van Doom's Monster (first appeared in Tales To Astonish (1st series) #17), and Tricephalous (first appeared in Fantastic Four (1st series) #1).

Page 35, Panel 3: H'ronmeer, the god of death and fire in Martian culture in the DC Universe, was first seen in Justice League of America #256. The Ultimate Nullifier, a weapon of immense destructive power in the Marvel Universe, was first seen in Fantastic Four (1st series) #50.

Page 36, Panel 11: Metropolis, home to Superman, is located south of New York City in Delaware and first appeared in Superman (1st series) #2. Star City, home to Green Arrow, is located north of San Francisco in California and was first seen in Adventure Comics #258. St. Roche, home to Hawkman and Hawkgirl, is located near New Orleans in Louisiana and was first seen in Hawkman (4th series) #1.

Page 37, Panel 8: Galactus, a powerful cosmic entity in the Marvel Universe who first appeared in Fantastic Four (1st series) #48, is mentioned by Thor. Hawkeye's comment about the JLA seeming familiar to him is a prelude to his later comment about the Squadron Supreme (see page 46).

Page 38, Panel 5: Metron first appeared in New Gods (1st series) #1.

Page 39: The six items of power from the Marvel Universe that Metron shows the Avengers are as follows (clockwise from top):

The Soul Gems, also known as the Infinity Gems, are a set of six items of power in the Marvel Universe that offer their users control over space, time, power, reality, the mind, and the soul. Collectively, the gems combine to form the powerful Infinity Gauntlet. First mentioned in Avengers (1st series) Annual #7.

The Wand of Watoomb is a mystic artifact in the Marvel Universe that greatly enhances its wielder's magical energies. First seen in Amazing Spider-Man (1st series) Annual #2.

The Ultimate Nullifier is a weapon of immense power in the Marvel Universe, capable of destroying an entire universe. First seen in Fantastic Four (1st series) #50.

The Cosmic Cube was created by the subversive organization known as Advanced Idea Mechanics in the Marvel Universe. Incredibly powerful, the Cube is able to grant its wielder anything they desire. First seen in Tales of Suspense (1st series) #79.

The Evil Eye is a powerful weapon from the mystic realm of Avalon that was presented by Prestor John during the time of the Crusades in the 12th Century of the Marvel Universe. First seen in Fantastic Four (1st series) #54.

The Casket of Ancient Winters is an object from Norse mythology in the Marvel Universe which contains the legendary Fimbulwinter, a powerful magical frigid force. First seen in Thor (1st series) #345.

Page 40, Panel 7: Metron gives the Avengers a Mother Box, a tool used by the New Gods for transportation via Boom Tube, knowledge, healing, detecting danger, transmuting matter, controlling emotions, and much more. First seen in New Gods (1st series) #1.

Page 41, Panel 2: Loophole first appeared in Adventures of Superman #505. His assistant, Myrna, is a homage to the wife of Loophole's creator, Karl Kesel.

Page 42, Panel 2: Metropolis was restructured by Brainiac 13 into a futuristic city in Superman: Y2K #1.

Page 42, Panel 5: The JSA, the Justice Society of America, were the first superhero team ever created in All-Star Comics #3. The Titans mentioned are the Teen Titans, a group of teenage former sidekicks that first appeared as a team in The Brave and the Bold (1st series) #54. The Kirk that asks Hawkeye for an autograph is modelled after Kirk Philbrick, a fan who posts on the Avengers Message Board under the alias "Avenger Fan".

Page 43, Panel 2: The third screen depicting DC's Captain Marvel, who first appeared in Whiz Comics #2, makes mention of a new movie starring the character. A Captain Marvel movie project is currently in the works at New Line Cinema.

Page 43, Panel 3: The second screen depicts Supergirl, who first appeared in Action Comics #252. The third screen depicts Superman's arch-enemy Lex Luthor, who first appeared in Action Comics #23. Luthor became President of the United States in the DC Universe in Superman: Lex 2000.

Page 43, Panel 4: The Fox Storage building is a homage to veteran JLA writer Gardner Fox.

Page 43, Panels 5-6: The Flash Museum, located in Central City, Missouri in the DC Universe, was originally established to celebrate the career of the city's greatest champion but was later expanded to follow the careers of all those who bore the name Flash. It was first seen in Flash (1st series) #154.

Page 44, Panel 6: Booster Gold, seen on the back cover of the magazine Scarlet Witch is reading, is a hero from the future of the DC Universe and a former JLA member who first appeared in Booster Gold #1.

Page 45: Toth Towers is a homage to veteran comic book artist and animator Alex Toth.

Page 46, Panel 1: The Squadron Supreme are a team of heroes in the Marvel Universe, currently appearing in Marvel Comics' Supreme Power MAX series, that were originally patterned after the JLA.

Page 46, Panel 4: Captain America's declaration "Nuts!" is an historical allusion to American General Anthony McAuliffe, who said the same thing during the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes in Belgium during World War II to a German delegation who asked the Americans to either surrender or be killed.

Page 47: Superman is vulnerable to magic, hence Thor being able to bloody him with his enchanted hammer, Mjolnir.


Al Harahap, Vu Nguyen, Tom Smith, Zen Harawada, Dwight Williams, Bob Hughes, "DarkLantern", and Sean McQuaid added/corrected information that was used in this list.


Check out Comixfan's review of this highly-anticipated issue by clicking here!

Also, don't forget Comixfan's character guide for the cover of JLA/Avengers #3 (see JLA/AVENGERS #3 COVER CHARACTER GUIDE), and the annotated list for issues #2 (see 'AVENGERS/JLA #2 ANNOTATIONS'), #3 (see 'JLA/AVENGERS #3 ANNOTATIONS')[/size]), and #4 (see 'AVENGERS/JLA #4 ANNOTATIONS')[/size]).


Order JLA/Avengers #1 online now from X-World Comics and save!

REMINDER: Pre-order the complete JLA/Avengers mini-series signed by writer Kurt Busiek online now from X-World Comics and help support Comixfan!

[Youri Zoutman]

Thank you very very much, this helps a lot, especially since i'm a Marvel Zombie!!!

[Tan K.]

Incredible work and research, Eric!

[EnriquefromMTY]

Very nice research,thank you Mr. Eric

[Dan20]

Nice work!
But, a couple of minor quibbles:
Hawkeye's remark that the JLA seem familiar isn't a nod to the DC vs. Marvel series; it's in anticipation of his Squadrom Supreme gag later on in the issue.
Also, I think the reason the characters don't recognize each other is because they've never met. Obviously, this story is being written as if the previous crossovers never happened. Since all those previous series and one-shots really had no major effect, I don't see that as a problem. Plus, it would take away from the magic and import of this series if the characters all already knew each other.

[Al_Nickerson]

Hey gang,

Yeah, it appears that Kurt Busiek wants this to be the first meeting between Marvel and DC characters. Which is fine by me.

Also, if we're including all the meetings between the Hulk and Superman, they also met (and for the first time) in that second SUPERMAN/SPIDERMAN treasury comic. I can't remember the exact name of it right now.

Nice job with the details, Eric. Keep up the good work.

best,
Al Nickerson
http://www.arggh.com

[Zachary J. Morrison]

Excellent work & research, Eric

[Wolverine]

Wow this is great but I have one small correction for you. While Gerry Conway was a famous JLA writer he was also the original writer of the JLA/Avengers crossover which is why he probably has his name in it.

[Patrick James]

I still wish both companies used the editorial boxes...those things were awesome!!! But this is helpful too...

[Gat0r-ManX]

wow.. dat's pretty cool

I went back and read the book again.. and compare it to your notes. VERY HELPFUL INDEED!

Thank YOU!!

[ronaldmcdonald]

this is very helpful.
thanks.

[Jon]

Originally posted by Al_Nickerson
Hey gang,

Yeah, it appears that Kurt Busiek wants this to be the first meeting between Marvel and DC characters. Which is fine by me.

Have these characters met since the Marvel vs. DC series? If not it could be that they don’t remember each other because when their memories were erased about that event so was all knowledge of the other universe. Just an idea...

[DCUnited]

I had been led to believe that most Marvel/DC crossovers were just Elseworld or What If kind of stories since they had no effect on either character involved. Hence no one from one universe recognizing someone from the other universe.

[Somebody]

Originally posted by Eric J. Moreels
He and Batman have also met twice before, in the Batman/Punisher: Lake of Fire and Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights one-shots,

Wasn't it AzBats (John Paul Valley, Azreal II) who was the "Batman" in one of them?

Originally posted by Eric J. Moreels
Page 36, Panel 11: Superman mentions three fictional cities in the DC Universe - Metropolis, Star City, and St. Roche. Metropolis is home to Superman, Star City is home to Green Arrow, and St. Roche is home to Hawkman.

St Roche is a typo (yes, in the comic itself too). It should be St Roch (no "e")

Originally posted by Eric J. Moreels
Hawkeye's comment about the JLA seeming familiar to him is another nod to the DC vs Marvel Comics mini-series.

Its been said, but that IS a precusor to the Squadron Supreme line later - all previous crossovers are being ignored here.

Originally posted by Eric J. Moreels
The second screen depicts Supergirl, who first appeared in Action Comics #252.

Pointing out that its almost certainly not Kara Zor-El, who existed only briefly in the post-Crisis timeline (in Supergirl 75-80), and only interacted once with the real Superman (Superman/Darkseid: Apokolips Now)

Originally posted by Eric J. Moreels
The Squadron Supreme are a team of heroes in the Marvel Universe, currently appearing in Marvel Comics' Supreme Power MAX series, that were originally patterned after the JLA.

And pointing out that the team in Supreme Power is a rebooted team, which bares little resemblence to the original Squadron Supreme (first in Avengers 85, using the designs of the Squadron Sinister, first in Avengers 70 - who were, to loop it into here, empowered by the Grandmaster)

[Al_Nickerson]

Originally posted by DCUnited
I had been led to believe that most Marvel/DC crossovers were just Elseworld or What If kind of stories since they had no effect on either character involved. Hence no one from one universe recognizing someone from the other universe.

Right. That's what I'm thinking.

Also, the previous Marvel/DC crossovers weren’t consistent even with each other. Sometimes the characters from both companies existed on the same Earth, and then in some stories the characters existed on separate Earths.

So, it’s just easier to say these previous crossovers didn’t happen, or were Elseworld type stories.

Kurt Busiek said that these characters never met before, so I’m gonna go by what he says.

Best,
Al Nickerson
http://www.arggh.com

[kiyotee]

great research, it cleared up some points and showed me a couple things I never would have noticed.

[Joey Meyers]

Right, probably easier that way. Besides, if they did, Flash would have known what a mutant was, since as Kid Flash, he was in Uncanny X-Men/Teen Titans.

[Frostfire Rockwind]

Just to add a couple thoughts:

1) In the defense of the listed facts at the beginning of this thread, "Marvel vs. DC" was the first thing to immediately pop into my head too, when Hawkeye started mentioning how they looked familiar (although, now that I think of it, I only recall seeing Hawkeye once in the entire series, and that was just a cameo (firing an arrow alongside the Green Arrow, as part of the collage of Jubilee's reflection on past events, forming the obligatory exposition in the form of her journal). After having read further, though...yeah, it was all on the Squadron Supreme crack.

2) As far as the "Squadron Supreme" crack goes, Marvel and DC have been making good-natured jabs at one another for quite some time. Not only did Marvel create the Squadron Supreme, modeled rather shamelessly off the JLA, but DC also had a group, pre-Crisis, called the Assemblers (They also occasionally went by another name, which escapes me), who were likewise shamelessly cast from Avengers molds. Considering that DC is much bigger on cameos and allusion than Marvel, I was somewhat disappointed that none of the JLA wondered who these Assembler rip-offs were. Then again, I'm a solid Marvelite, and Hypertime confuses the heck outta me, so I'm not sure if the Assemblers ever existed at this point.

3) There is a problem with the memory-wipe theory: namely, there have been later comics in which our heroes recognized one another. I've heard of an issue of Green Lantern which guest-starred Access, and I own a giant-sized comic featuring Superman and the Fantastic Four. Cyborg remembers learning of Galactus from the Silver Surfer (in the Green Lantern/Silver Surfer crossover that acted as a prelude to the whole Marvel vs. DC epic), and goes out of his way to trick Superman into taking him to the Marvel Universe. Superman gets tricked, because he a) recognizes the name Galactus, which he heard from "those heroes from that other universe," b) remembers Mr. Fantastic as being a brilliant scientist from the Marvel Universe who is familiar with Galactus, and c) thinks to go find Access so that he might cross over and seek answers.
Then again, Jubilee claimed somewhere in the Marvel vs. DC storyline that most of the other heroes only remembered it in "a hazy, cosmic sorta way."

4) I wish I could remember the site, but somewhere on the web is a very long, involved, well-thought-out explanation of every crossover preceding Marvel vs. DC, and why they all still work. I'm pretty sure looking up Amalgam Comics on Google will find it for you in the first couple sites or so, but here's the gist:
The Brothers (beings which embodied the respective multifaceted realities of Marvel and DC) woke up and remembered, but not immediately; it was a process. Brief periods of consciousness, which did not occur at the same time in each Brother, caused the semi-conscious Brother to be "dominant," and so unwittingly in control of both existences, merging them temporarily, in a manner less complete than that of Amalgam. For these short periods, the histories of each world became entwined, and the heroes shared their world. (Think of DCs Hypertime, with those little temporal tributaries flowing back into the timestream, and out again) For the most part, in the pre-Crisis days, this was the primary Marvel continuity merging with DC's Earth-1, although there were some that differed. One important merger between Marvel and DC Earth-1 involved Dr. Doom kidnapping Wonder Woman, and using a secret underground railroad that he'd constructed between New York and Metropolis to spirit her away. Here's where the theory gets interesting. After this crossover, when the worlds separated again, that railroad was still there. In Marvel, it started beneath New York, and proceeded to some vanishing point, while in DC's Earth-1, it started in Metropolis, and likewise proceeded to some vanishing point. No one noticed this bizzare rail system, however, because it was after all a secret railroad. This one fragile rail stretched between Marvel and DC, binding them together, and causing more crossovers (including retroactive ones, like when Galactus tries to devour New Genesis. After all, the histories of these worlds merged as well). When DC went through its Crisis on Infinite Earths, the mystery railroad was one of the aspects of Earth-1 that remained on the new Earth. Because of this railroad bridging the gap between the worlds (and perhaps having something to do with Thanos messing around where he shouldn't) the Brothers' sleep grew more fitful, until they finally awoke at the same time, and then all Hell broke loose.
If you can, I highly recommend trying to find the original explanation, as it was explained much better than it is here.

Well, that's all I've got for now. Oh, and hi! I suppose I really should say "hi!", this being my first post here and all...:-P

[Eric J. Moreels]

Some goood points there, Frostfire, thanks for the input!

Also, just a note for all that I've edited the list to remove a couple of items that Kurt Busiek himself pointed out to me were inaccurate. Thanks for keeping things straight for us, Kurt!

[Youri Zoutman]

Frostfire Rockwind,...impressive!!:O

[mdg1]

I believe this is the link that Frostfire referred to:

http://www.multimania.com/scarletti/explanation.htm

[Janus]

Thanks for the annotations, I find the reference to Kirk, (Avenger Fan), hilarious. That's the type of thing I love in a company crossover.

[mrsage]

I just posted this in another thread sometime ago:

Originally posted by mrsage
Liked the concept. If only I can read an annotation for this series....

Did I hear someone saying "Be careful what you wish for!". Thanks! This is really a great help.

[astrocitizen]

Originally posted by Frostfire Rockwind
Just to add a couple thoughts:

2) As far as the "Squadron Supreme" crack goes, Marvel and DC have been making good-natured jabs at one another for quite some time. Not only did Marvel create the Squadron Supreme, modeled rather shamelessly off the JLA, but DC also had a group, pre-Crisis, called the Assemblers (They also occasionally went by another name, which escapes me), who were likewise shamelessly cast from Avengers molds. Considering that DC is much bigger on cameos and allusion than Marvel, I was somewhat disappointed that none of the JLA wondered who these Assembler rip-offs were. Then again, I'm a solid Marvelite, and Hypertime confuses the heck outta me, so I'm not sure if the Assemblers ever existed at this point.

The name you're trying to think of is "The Heroes of Angor", and many of their enemies later popped up in _Justice League Europe_, who were all marvel villains (Dr. Doom, Magneto, etc). Only the JLE members fought them, as I remember, and the Flash is the only holdover from that group in the current JLA, so only he could possibly recognize them.

BTW, there were rip-offs and spoofs of each other company's characters for _years_ during the '60s and '70s...
The Inferior Five fought the crime group Vendetta (Avengers), and later served as substitute teachers at Dean Egghead's Academy for SUper-Heroes (Professor X and the X-Men).
The X-Men fought the Shi'ar empire's Imperial Guard (LSH).
The LSH villains the League of Super-Assassins started on the sketches as an X-Men group type.
The Invaders fought the Super-Axis (Superfriends) and got into a misunderstanding with a UK super-team called the Crusaders (Freedom Fighters).
Almost simultaneously, the Freedom Fighters were nearly framed as traitors by criminals posing as a super-team also called the Crusaders (Invaders).
I think the last bunch of DC/Marvel ripoff groups was Hank Henshaw's doomed space shuttle crew back in the early, early '90s Superman titles, showing a more realistic result of space radiation bombardment.

[astrocitizen]

Somethign I noticed that you may want to add to your annotations:

After their fight with Starro, Iron Man mentions Jack of Hearts having "scanalyzed" it. According to his MU Handbook entry, while working with Iron Man during his original run, Jack was exposed to a device called the Scanalyzer, which was powered by his body's energies. His encephalic patterns were overlaid by the Scanalyzer's A.I., enabling him to think at computer-like speed, as well as retain and retrieve information likewise. I'm not sure how this makes him into a human tricorder but...