REVIEW: In MARVEL DOUBLE ACTION #1, Bat Week Begins!
In Marvel Double Action #1 by Tim Seeley, Dan Jurgens, Scott Hanna, Chris Sotomayor, and Cory Petit, with a main cover by Dave Johnson, readers get a glimpse into the history of the Nighthawk of the brave new Heroes Reborn world… and he’s something of a blend between Spider-Man and Batman!
Marvel Double Action #1. Photo: Marvel Comics
Don’t understand what that means, Marvel Blog True Believers? No worries: just like the world’s greatest detective (Colombo), I’m going to lay it all out for you! Lovers of Amalgam Comics rejoice!
I promise that these comics are amazing. Check out Legends of the Dark Claw by Larry Hama and Jim Balent. Photo: Amazon
Marvel’s Justice League
As readers of the ongoing Heroes Reborn event are aware, the story concerns a world where the Avengers never formed, and Earth is instead defended by a team called the Squadron Supreme.
Marvel Double Action #1. Photo: Marvel Comics
The Squadron Supreme has long been a feature in the Marvel Comics universe, and they’ve always seemed sort of like the Justice League of DC comics, but this event goes to great lengths to draw a comparison between Nighthawk and Batman… as well as Spider-Man!
Batman and Spider-Man
Marvel Double Action #1 makes the compelling argument that Batman and Spider-Man are more similar than you might realize.
Photo: Mr_PoodlePants on Reddit
Both are masked vigilantes with awesome cars, for one thing.
Photo: Marvel Comics
Both have an origin story that sees their father figures murdered in front of their eyes.
Then, he has to watch his friends die too. Photo: Marvel Comics
And both Batman and Spider-Man are known for having the biggest rogues galleries of their respective comic book universes.
In fact, we even see how one of Spidey’s biggest enemies, the Green Goblin, bears a striking resemblance to the Joker, Batman’s arch nemesis.
Green Goblin, A.K.A. The Joker. Photo: Marvel Comics
Plus, this issue also draws a comparison between the death of Batman’s loyal sidekick, Robin, and the death of Spidey’s first love, Gwen Stacey… two iconic stories that have a serious effect on the respective characters moving forward!
Photo: Marvel Comics
More Meta Madness in Marvel Double Action #1
Just like many other issues in this ongoing event, Marvel Double Action #1 has some serious meta elements.
Is that a Batarang? Photo: Marvel Comics
First of all, this issue is a “reprint” of an issue from the history of the Heroes Reborn timeline, just like Hyperion and the Imperial Guard #1.
And second, there are loads of meta elements literally crammed into the margins of the issue. Not to mention the letters page, which includes a special letter from a 9-year-old Jason Aaron, the writer of the main Heroes Reborn event!
Photo: Marvel Comics
Have you had a chance to pick up Marvel Double Action #1 at your local comic shop, Marvel Blog True Believers? Did you manage to get one of the variant covers? Let us know in the comment section!
