Writer: Gerry Conway
Pencillers: Ross Andru, Neal Adams & John Romita Sr
Inkers: Dick Giordano, Terry Austin & Bob Wiacek
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Letterer: Gaspar Saladino
Cover Artists: Carmine Infanto, Ross Andru & Neal Adams
Editors: Carmine Infanto & Stan Lee
Consulting Editors: Roy Thomas, Julius Schwartz, Marv Wolfman & E Nelson Bridwell
Producers: Sol Harrison with Jack Adler
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $19.99/$24.99 Foil
Release Date: January 7, 2026
When the temperature falls, the affluent flee Metropolis for warmer climes. But Superman can't leave his adoptive city, because some villain always uses Metropolis as a testing ground for their superweapons. Still, it’s not every day that someone sends a giant robot stomping and crashing through Metropolis.
Sadly, the falling mercury in New York City doesn’t discourage criminals from making Spider-Man’s neighborhood less friendly. When Spider-Man notices thieves absconding with priceless artifacts from the Metropolitan Museum, he thwips into the fray. What villains are behind the giant robot in Metropolis and the art theft in Manhattan? And how will they plague Superman and Spider-Man when the two heroes meet? Let’s leap into this 50th Anniversary Treasury Edition Facsimile issue of Superman vs The Amazing Spider-Man: The Battle of the Century #1 and see!
Story
In Metropolis, the towering robot seems resistant to Superman’s abilities. Clark Kent may not be the world’s greatest detective. Still, he soon discovers that Lex Luthor is behind the giant robot. Clark's deductive skills prove an equal partner with his superpowers, whether battling the giant robot or navigating office politics. But impressing Morgan Edge and Lois Lane proves more difficult than shrugging off the effects of Kryptonite.
In Manhattan, Spider-Man soon discovers who is behind the art theft. But his wonky web-shooters make apprehending Doctor Octopus difficult. Like Clark, Peter Parker struggles in his relationships. But while Lois gets frustrated with Clark, Mary Jane Watson calls him “Tiger” or “Wolf.”
Clark Kent and Peter Parker meet in New York at a World News Conference. While the setting places Superman on Spidey’s home turf, Spider-Man nonetheless struggles. Mary Jane wonders if he had nails for breakfast. Peter makes a better impression on Lois Lane. But when a confusing incident occurs, Spider-Man regards Superman not as a potential ally, but as his enemy.
Superman vs The Amazing Spider-Man: The Battle of the Century #1 includes lots of action as the two heroes battle separately, against each other, and together. Gerry Conway contrasts Lex Luthor and Doctor Octopus when the two meet and decide to work together. Like Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot, Superman and Spider-Man criticize themselves when they realize they’ve messed up. But once they join forces, they work together like one of Lex Luthor's or Doc Ock's well-oiled machines.
Art
After a credits page in which the two superheroes face off, each section of Superman vs The Amazing Spider-Man: The Battle of the Century #1 opens with a two-page spread or layout. The art also flows across pages when Superman and Spider-Man come to blows. Ross Andru, Neal Adams, John Romita Sr, Dick Giordano, Terry Austin, and Bob Wiacek contribute highly detailed art. Cityscapes contrast modern towers with the architecture of past ages. Even if they don't play a pivotal role in the story, the people in the two heroes' lives make an appearance. The artists showcase the inventiveness of the villains, with high-tech vehicles, robots, and space vehicles.
While Superman and Spider-Man wear red and blue costumes, Jerry Serpe adorns Clark Kent and Peter Parker with hints of their secret identities. As Lex Luthor and Doc Ock wear green, it also links the two ladies in the superheroes' lives. But in this brightly colored comic, blue proves the dominant color. It links the villains amid their initial defeat and immediately afterward. Blue also links the superheroes with the pop culture of 1976, as a light-blue and pink Superman evokes the Six Million Dollar Man, and Spider-Man pays homage to a sport growing in popularity.
Gaspar Saladino places uppercase black letters in white dialogue balloons and colored narrative boxes. The letters grow bold for emphasis and enlarge for raised voices. Balloons grow spiky in tense situations, while characters’ thoughts float in clouds. Colorful sound effects enhance the action, as Superman and Spider-Man circle the globe through the atmosphere and above it in Superman vs The Amazing Spider-Man: The Battle of the Century #1. Thanks to DC Comics for providing a review copy.
Final Thoughts
Clark Kent and Peter Parker are both storytellers. Yet their superhero exploits hamper their journalistic success. In the 50th Anniversary Treasury Facsimile Edition of Superman vs The Amazing Spider-Man: The Battle of the Century #1, Clark and Peter team up to save the world from Lex Luthor and Doctor Octopus. Still, their bosses wish their most promising employees could live up to their promise.
Rating: 10/10
To look inside see my preview of Superman vs The Amazing Spider-Man: The Battle ofthe Century #1.
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