While theJustice Leagueand theAvengershave crossed paths a few times throughout comic book history, one adventure never actually made it to print. The originalJustice League/Avengerscrossover planned in the 1980s ultimately fell apart, but a close look at 2003’sJLA/Avengersreveals that the story did take place—just not in the way anyone expected.
…the original, unrealized Justice League/Avengers crossover has, in a way, become part of official continuity—ensuring its legacy endures.
Crafted by the legendary creative team of Kurt Busiek and George Pérez,JLA/Avengerssaw both universes collide in an epic, once-in-a-lifetime story. At one point during the crossover, the Marvel and DC universes merge to fend off the multiversal threat of Krona.
In this newly combined reality,theJustice League and Avengerscoexist as separate super-teams, each with a history as rich and complex as in their original universes. Readers are given glimpses of their past adventures in this reality, including one involving a mysterious egg created by Kang and the Lord of Time—an adventure that bears a striking resemblance to the lostJustice League/Avengerscrossover.
The Justice League/Avengers’ Lost Battle Actually Happened
Both Teams Fought Kang & the Lord of Time
Internal conflicts prevented the originalJustice League/Avengerscrossoverfrom materializing, but for years, it remained the stuff of legend among comic book fans. Pérez had even begun illustrating the project before it was officially canceled. The original plot centered onboth teams being manipulated by Kang and the Lord of Time into retrieving powerful artifacts.Though the story was never published, its inclusion inJLA/Avengersretroactively makes it part of official continuity, preserving its place in comic book history.
The brief flashback panel depicting the Justice League and Avengers battling Kang and the Lord of Time is more than just a fun Easter Egg for longtime fans—it canonizes an otherwise lost story. Unlike many intercompany crossovers that exist outside continuity,JLA/Avengersdirectly influenced later DC storylines.JLA#107-114 explored the aftermath of Krona’s actions during the crossover, which later played a role in theTrinityweekly series. In this way,the original Justice League/Avengerscrossover became an official part of both companies’ legacies, even though it was never published in its intended form.
Sorry Marvel Fans: The Justice League Have Officially Surpassed Avengers as the Best Superhero Team
With a completely overhauled base, a bold new mission, and fresh faces joining the ranks, the Justice League officially outranks the Avengers.
What MakesJLA/AvengersSuch a Special Crossover
JLA/AvengersStands as One of the Last Major Crossovers Between Marvel and DC
Crossovers between Marvel and DC were fairly common in the 1990s, culminating in theAmalgam Comics initiative, which fused heroes from both publishers into hybrids like Spider-Boy (Spider-Man and Superboy) and Dark Claw (Batman and Wolverine). However, rising tensions between the companies in the 2000s made such collaborations increasingly rare, withJLA/Avengersstanding as the last major crossover between Marvel and DC to date. While fans can still hope for future team-ups, they can take solace in knowing that the original, unrealizedJustice League/Avengerscrossover has, in a way, become part of official continuity—ensuring its legacy endures.
