Written by Gerard Jones & Mark Waid
Art by Howard Porter; John Dell; Chris Eliopoulos; Gloria Vasquez; & Heroic Age
Cover Art by Howard Porter
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics and Marvel Comics’ Amalgam Comics crossover for April 1996, this one-shot mash-up assembles further composites of numerous DC and Marvel characters. Over the North Atlantic Ocean, the JLA (Judgement League of Avengers) engages in a showdown with its renegade mutant members (the JLX) for protecting the fugitive aquatic hero, Mariner, after the destruction of several oil tankers. Escaping underwater, the elusive JLX investigates the deserted Kingdom of Atlantis. Attacked by arch-enemy Will Magnus’ destructive Sentinels, the infuriated squad makes some shocking discoveries fighting back.
Quick Amalgam Guide:
Phoenix/Fire: Firebird
Angel/Hawkman: Angelhawk
Cyclops/Ray: Apollo
Hawkeye/Green Arrow: Hawkeye
Sub-Mariner/Aquaman: Mariner
Rogue/Gypsy: Runaway
(Kree) Captain Mar-vell/ (Shazam) Captain Marvel: Captain Marvel
Wolverine/Batman: Dark Claw
Nightcrawler/Creeper: Nightcreeper
Captain America/Superman: Super-Soldier
Quicksilver/Impulse: Mercury
Goliath/Green Arrow: Goliath (?)
Gambit/Obsidian/Nightcrawler(?): Wraith
Mockingbird/Black Canary: Unidentified
Jocasta/female Sentinel: Jocasta
Bolivar Trask/Will Magnus: Will Magnus
Skrull/Martian Manhunter: Marco Xavier / Mr. X
Note: There’s a subsequent sequel to this issue: JLX Unleashed # 1, which guest-stars Amazon (Storm/Wonder Woman). Instead of searching for it as a back issue, another option is DC/Marvel’s 1997 Return to the Age of Amalgam Comics trade paperback, which also offers solo sequels for Super-Soldier (Superman/Captain America) and Dark Claw (Batman/Wolverine).
REVIEW:
If the above character quick study is any indication, either this wacky storyline is either wild fun … or just wildly confusing. Suffice to say, JLX # 1 is both. Boasting terrific artwork and some nifty surprises (including its false sense of continuity), this issue is geared for fans readily familiar with both DC and Marvel characters. With so many Amalgams present, it’s distracting trying to decipher names and who’s combined with whom. Even if ‘Mercury’ and ‘Firebird’ are obvious what composites they are, then there is the Cyclops/Ray composite dubbed ‘Apollo.’ For that matter, in cameos, one must infer the Hawkeye/Green Arrow composite is a Green Arrow named ‘Clint Barton,’ or the Goliath (a presumed mix with Hank Pym) is evidently named ‘Ollie Queen.’
Still, co-writers Gerard Jones and Mark Waid conjure up an entertaining ride, including references to the Avengers-X-Men rivalry; the Sentinels; and Atlantis, that somehow meshes into a mildly coherent storyline. If anything, the bizarre JLX # 1 is a keeper solely for its uniqueness.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There is a single-page, mock “JLX-Press” letters-and-answers column. Including a ‘Carwald’s Cornerbox,’ the single-page “Amalgamnation” hypes the other dozen Amalgam one-shots released in this second wave.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5½ Stars
