Superman and Spider-Man are crossing over next year, and it looks perfect
Following decades of ups and downs, a miracle has been happening in the world of superhero comics: new crossover comics between DC and Marvel. After fans were treated to a two-issue meeting between Batman and Deadpool earlier this fall, the next two will center around Superman and Spider-Man, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their first meeting in 1976’s Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man.
That occasion alone was already enough to get people hyped… but now, the official lineup has fans buzzing. On Tuesday, DC revealed new details surrounding Superman/Spider-Man #1, ahead of its debut in comic shops on March 25, 2026. The issue’s main crossover story will be brought to life by Mark Waid and Jorge Jiménez, as Clark Kent and Peter Parker chase the same dangerous mystery, one tied to the villainous machinations of Brainiac and Doctor Octopus. Naturally, their investigation quickly turns into a full-blown superhero crisis once Superman and Spider-Man step into the spotlight.
Unlike this year’s string of Batman/Deadpool crossovers, which featured pairings of characters from throughout both universes, the lineup of additional stories seems pretty laser-focused on the worlds and supporting casts of Superman and Spider-Man. You can find the full list below:
- Tom King and Jim Lee on Lois Lane and Mary Jane Watson
- Matt Fraction and Steve Lieber revisiting Jimmy Olsen—with a Carnage twist
- Sean Murphy on Superboy (Legion) and Spider-Man 2099
- Gail Simone and Belén Ortega bringing together Power Girl and Punisher
- Christopher Priest and Daniel Sampere exploring a meeting between Superboy Prime and Spider-Man during the black-suit era
- Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott staging a rivalry between the Daily Planet and the Daily Bugle
- Plus Jeff Lemire and Rafa Sandoval delivering a heartfelt flashback centered on Pa Kent and Uncle Ben
Jimmy Olsen and who?!
There’s a lot to unpack here, starting with the synopsis of the main story of Superman/Spider-Man #1. The duo having to work together to stop a pairing of their existing villains, Brainiac and Doc Ock, just feels right, especially while paying tribute to the original crossovers from the 70s. The issues, which will be reprinted in 2026 to celebrate the anniversary, centered around similar combos of villains, with Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man partnering up Lex Luthor and Doc Ock, and the 1981 sequel Superman and Spider-Man joining together Doctor Doom and Parasite. Brainiac and Doc Ock feels like a fun escalation of that (and I can only imagine how many tentacles might enter the fray).
And beyond that, the backup stories of Superman/Spider-Man #1 sound like they will be an absolute joy. The list makes you stop and think about just how similar the two characters’ trajectories have been, especially since they last crossed over with each other. The idea of peak ’90s Superboy Prime and black-suit era Spider-Man meeting, as well as the future-flung Superboy and Spider-Man 2099, both feel so genius that I’m shocked nobody had thought of it sooner.
And then there are some that just sound fun as hell: particularly Power Girl and Punisher, especially from the team of Simone and Ortega. But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Jimmy Olsen and Carnage, a combination of words that is so perfectly unhinged that it has already led to countless fun tweets. How will Superman’s pal (and soon-to-be TV star) fare against the evil symbiote? If Jimmy’s ridiculous comic precedent is any indication, it could be something to behold… especially from the creative team of Fraction and Lieber, whose run of Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen is a modern classic. I have no idea what’s going to happen, but I just know that I can’t wait.
(featured image: DC / Marvel)
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
