DC/Marvel: Superman/Spider-Man #1: Truth, Justice, and Great Responsibility Review
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Jorge Jiménez
Colorist: Tomeu Morey
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Cover Artists: Jorge Jiménez, Arthur Adams, Rafael Albuquerque, J Scott Campbell, Olivier Coipel, Clayton Crain, Gabriele Dell'Otto, Mitch Gerads, Adam Hughes, Mikel Janin, Dave Johnson, Scott Koblish, Stanley "Artgerm” Lau, Jim Lee, Steve Lieber, Josh Middleton, David Nakayama, Daniele Sampere, Rafa Sandoval, Evan “Doc” Shaner, Jeff Spokes, David Talaski & Chrissie Zullo-Uminga
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $7.99/$8.99 Card Stock
Release Date: March 25, 2026
Dr. Otto Octavius has a list of achievements that many scientists would envy. Yet, as he works in his laboratory, Otto wonders how people regard him. When he confers with his artificial intelligence assistant, D-Cern fails to give him the answers he seeks. Can Doc Ock ensure people remember him as someone who pushed science forward? And who can help him realize his potential? Let's leap into DC/Marvel: Superman/Spider-Man #1: Truth, Justice, and Great Responsibility, and see!
Story
When Peter Parker follows a story to Metropolis, he teams with his friend Clark Kent to investigate a break-in at STAR Labs. The journalists may have arrived too late to grab the headlines. But while Peter studies the forensic evidence, Clark approaches Dr. Klyburn as a friend. Because of their relationship, Dr. Klyburn shares something with Clark beyond the official STAR Labs press release. But if Clark was troubled before, her announcement shocks him even more.
In DC/Marvel: Superman/Spider-Man #1: Truth, Justice, and Great Responsibility, Mark Waid alternates the spotlight between Peter and Clark and Otto Octavius and his new partner. While Spider-Man is happy to investigate, Superman drives their investigation. As he forces Spider-Man to keep up, Superman needs help now and then. Yet their concern for others outweighs their worries about protecting themselves.
In Mark Waid's story, Otto Octavious fears an inadequate legacy, while his new partner fears for his life. The villains may seek strength by weakening others. But in DC/Marvel: Superman/Spider-Man #1: Truth, Justice, and Great Responsibility, the heroes demonstrate that empowering others uplifts everyone.
Art
While Otto focuses on his workbench, his tentacles attend to related tasks in his laboratory. After one tentacle flicks away his phone, the artificial arms take over Otto's project. As Clark Kent and Peter Parker pass through security at STAR Labs, Clark wears a suit while Peter showcases more casual attire. Peter takes photographs of a gaping hole in the wall with the camera hanging from his neck, while Clark opens his spiral-bound notebook as he speaks with Dr. Klyburn. Compared with the industrial setting of Doc Ock's lab, the white walls, glass doors, and gleaming floors imbue STAR Labs with a high-tech appearance. Still, they cannot compare with the futuristic interior of Brainiac's workplace.
In DC/Marvel: Superman/Spider-Man #1: Truth, Justice, and Great Responsibility, Tomeu Morey lavishes a rich palette of colors on Jorge Jiménez's art. Dr. Klyburn’s red hair and skirt link with Peter's red polo shirt. But while the journalists don their familiar red and blue costumes, Doc Ock dons a white lab coat to match Brainiac's white clothes. The android's green skin forms a further link with Doc Ock's suit and the power they wield. As Superman and his friend from Manhattan protect Metropolis, his blue and white X-ray vision harkens back to the interior of STAR Labs.
Tom Napolitano fills white balloons with black uppercase dialogue that grows bold for intonation, swells for raised voices, and shrinks for lowered voices. Brainiac's white speech inhabits black balloons with red borders. The same sound that hits Superman as he stands near a golden globe attacks the driver of a golden vehicle as Metropolis descends into chaos. Yet amid the sounds of rescues and battle, the dialogue filling straight-edged balloons with jagged arrows strikes fear into the heroes' hearts. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.
Final Thoughts
Like his friend Peter Parker, Clark Kent strives to help others. It troubles him when he sees his friend embroiled in a bad situation. Yet he holds his tongue, knowing every hero must walk their own path in DC/Marvel: Superman/Spider-Man #1: Truth, Justice, and Great Responsibility.
Rating 9.6/10
To look inside this first story, see my preview of DC/Marvel:Superman/Spider-Man #1.
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