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Cry for Beloved Canada!
Northeast Saskatchewan, near the banks of the Churchill River, has some of the most beautiful woodlands in all of Canada. Ever since their wedding day, four blissful years ago, James and Patricia Matthews have spent their vacations here - enjoying the fishing, the scenery and the serenity. Which, on this chill October morning is all too suddenly shattered. At their campsite, James looks up and points to the sky: ‘Patty! Get a look of that!’ he tells his wife as something streaks through the sky towards them. ‘My goodness, James! What is it?’ Patty asks as she holds a frying pain in her right hand. James replies that he doesn’t know, but points out that it is headed this way.
Indeed, the energy that streaks through the sky is actually Ranark. In times long past, his enemies called him the Ravager. Once, he was the most feared shaman of all - an Indian sorcerer who made obscene pacts with the dark spirits…until he became unto a god himself. Fearing his power, the medicine men of nearby tribes banded together, using mystic spells to imprison his spirit within a sacred urn…until now, that is. The massive Ranark suddenly lands at the campsite, and exclaims ‘Rejoice, mortals! Exult in the privilege of being the first to worship Ranark, the all-powerful!’ he booms.
Patty and James look worried - ‘James, he can’t be real! This can’t be happening!’ Patty exclaims. James tells his wife to take it easy, that there has to be a rational explanation. Ranark leans down and picks up a small radio and remarks that he senses the world has changed greatly during his enforced slumber. ‘I have much to learn!’ he declares, while wondering what power resides within this oddly shaped talisman. Suddenly, the voice of Elvis Costello resonates through the forest, courtesy of the radio. ‘Bah! It is obviously a weapon meant to befuddle the senses of an enemy…but Ranark shall not fall prey to its magic!’ Ranarak booms as he tosses the radio aside.
Looking at a small canoe, he calls out it a dugout and declares that it must also be a thing of sorcerery, He smashes the canoe and declares that it is made of metal and now wood, so surely it would sink without the aid of magic. For long moments, Ranark rages through the Matthews’ camp! Within seconds, the young couple witness their most prized possessions reduced to rubble. ‘He’s destroying everything! James exclaims. Patty rushes towards Ranark and tells him that it is not fair, that her husband and she worked like dogs to buy this equipment. ‘You can’t just take it away!’ she screams at him. ‘Patty, don’t!’ James calls out. But Patricia does not heed her husband’s warning - and is brushed aside with a casual swipe of Ranark’s hand.
‘That tears it, buddy!’ James exclaims as he picks up a shovel. ‘I don’t know who - or what - you think you are…but nobody manhandles my wife!’ James declares. Ranark merely smiles as he increases his size. Men and women have not significantly altered their relationships in the last three hundred years. Yet, this mortal must learn to address his god with the proper humility - and twin beams of concussive force flash from the immortal demon’s eyes. James Matthews is suddenly bathed in a sea of searing agony. Every movement, every thought is laced with excruciating pain! James screams, and is still screaming four hours later, when the local constabulary arrives to remove him from the arms of his hysterical wife.
Meanwhile, over eight hundred and fifty miles away in a middle-class suburb of Ottawa, the capital of Canada. Number 138A Laurier Drive, the home of James and Heather Hudson, where at this precise moment, a most unlikely council of war is in progress! Present, gathered in the Hudsons’ living room, are James MacDonald Hudson a.k.a. Vindicator, Dr Walter Langkowski a.k.a. Sasquatch, Dr Michael “Shaman” Twoyoungmen, all of Alpha Flight, and Ben Grimm a.k.a. the Fantastic Four’s ever-loving Thing. The topic of conversation is Ranark - and these grim-faced champions know that the survival of Canada - indeed of the very world itself, may hang in the balance.
‘You jokers claim to be half of a super hero team called Alpha Flight, Canada’s answer to the Avengers…but if yer such a bunch of hotshots, how come ya gotta operate outta Hudson’s apartment like some two-bit sideshow?’ the Thing asks. The handsome Walter Langkowski explains that the government discontinued their funding in a budget crunch. ‘But our resources are hardly the issue now’ Walt adds, before suggesting that he review the specifics of the case at hand before they proceed.
Flashback illustrations, narrated by Sasquatch:
Sasquatch explains that he and Shaman had gone on holiday to northwest Alberta, which is when Shaman’s magics began acting up, warning them of incredible danger. The next morning, they discovered a fabled Indian burial ground, rumored to be the repository of ancient power and knowledge. But when Sasquatch returned to their campsite for supplies, he noticed the arrival of an unexpected visitor, and after Shaman’s prophecy of doom, he was not going to take any chances. So he transformed himself into Sasquatch, and moments later, due to a silly misunderstanding, and an unhealthy dose of machismo, he soon found himself in savage combat with the Thing! While Sasquatch and the Thing were making fools of themselves, Shaman had problems of his own - falling victim to a powerful mind spell, he was led to an ancient urn, and forced to free Ranark from his centuries long slumber. Needless to say, the Thing and Sasquatch were quite taken aback by the Ravager’s sudden appearance.
Present:
Sasquatch concludes by explaining that common sense prevailed, and he and the Thing joined forces. Walt adds that they quickly found Shaman, and then Grimm flew them here in his Pogo Plane. Mac points out that he knows all of that, and tells Walt that his call from the airport caught him off guard. Mac remarks that Shaman is looking much better now, and asks him what he cant tell them about Ranark. ‘Not much!’ Twoyoungmen replies, explaining that legend describes him as a were-wraith - an unholy synthesis of man and demon. Shaman adds that they must not underestimate him, as he is incredibly ruthless and is supposed to have dominion over the earth, wind and fire.
‘Sheesh! What’re we fighting…a boogy man or a rock band?’ the Thing asks, referencing the music group “Earth, Wind and Fire”. Vindicator tells the Thing that he really wishes he would keep such comments to himself. ‘The gravity of this situation is -’ Mac begins, before being interrupted by the Thing who snaps ‘Bag it, sonny! You clowns may be the best Canada has to offer…but I usually work with a first class team…the Fantastic Four!’ he adds that he is not used to jawing over tea and biscuits while lives are in danger.
The Thing adds that he has things on his mind. ‘Didn’t come up north for my health!’ he exclaims. ‘What was your reason?’ someone asks. ‘I was hoping you’d ask’ the Thing begins, as he reveals that a close friend of his is dying from a rare form of radiation poisoning. ‘He’s called Giant-Man, and the only one who has a chance of saving him is the world’s foremost authority on radiology - Dr Walter Langkowski!’ Walter looks confused, ‘Me? Under normal circumstances, I’d be honoured to help your friend, but now…’ his voice trails off. ‘I kinda figured you’d say something like that…so I’m gonna help ya against Ranark!’ the Thing announces.
At that moment, Vindicator rises and walks towards a filing cabinet against the wall, thinking that he is glad the Thing has decided to join them, as his strength will greatly add to their raw power. James tells himself that he is not anxious to go into action again. ‘This battle suit I designed utilizes a localized control over the Earth’s magnetic fields! I enjoy using it -  but I don’t like risking my life as a super hero!’ Mac pulls three files from the cabinet and adds that he never wanted to be leader of Alpha Flight. But he knows that Ranark might be the single greatest threat they have ever faced, so they will need the full team. Looking at the files for Snowbird, Aurora and Northstar, Mac regrets that Snowbird is off on manuevers and cannot be reached, which leaves only Aurora and Northstar.
Elsewhere, at that precise moment, the Canadian Air Force has been launched. ‘Flight leader to Canadian Air Command - we have spotted an unknown intruder in violation of our air space!’ one soldier announces, as several jets fly towards Ranark. The officer announces that the unknown intruder refuses to acknowledge their radio signals, and will not identify itself. The reply tells the flight leader to proceed with caution, as they have been getting some strange civilian sightings today. But, as the flight squadron draws nearer to the mysterious flying object, the leader realizes that it looks like a man.
Ranark is intrigued by what he perceives as oddly-shaped metal birds. He veers towards them, However, his curiosity is misinterpreted as an act of aggression. ‘He’s aiming right for us…on a collision course!’ the flight leader calls out. ‘We have no choice! We must blast him out of the sky!’ he orders. Rockets thunder towards the man-demon, each possessing sufficient payload to level a medium-sized football stadium. But with a murmured incantation, Ranark instantly surrounds himself with a shield of mystic force which easily deflects the exploding missiles.
Angers glazes his eyes as the Ravager uses his supernatural powers to increase his size to incredible proportions…he knows not the why or wherefore of his unexpected attack. He merely knows that his response will be as brutal as it is swift. ‘Oh, no! He’s coming right at me! There’s no way I can avoid him!’ the flight leader calls out - but Ranark crashes through the jet. For three startling seconds, the battle rages - then, it is over as quickly as abruptly as it began. As state-of-the-art technology is reduced to molten slag with ease, as Ranark rips the jets apart. The pilots were skilled professionals, the very best - but they never had a chance, as their limp bodies fall from the wreckage.
Elsewhere, specifically an exclusive estate in Lavalle, Quebec. ‘You can’t be serious!’ Jeanne-Marie Beaubier a.k.a. Aurora exclaims to her twin brother, Jean-Paul “Northstar” Beaubier. Inside, the super fast twins are relaxing at a bar, and Northstar tells his sister to give it a rest, remarking that Hudson and the rest of Alpha Flight can go hang for all he cares. ‘I’ve had enough of these super hero games! I’m not answering this latest summons!’ Northstar declares. Aurora tells her brother that he is acting the obstinate fool, but Jean-Paul declares that he is being realistic. ‘Alpha Flight was ill-conceived from the very start! The government realized that…and tried to disband us!’ he exclaims. Holding his glass to his face, Jean-Paul reminds Aurora that the Ministry of Defense brought them together, that they wanted a team of super powered agents - ‘So they trained us - and used us!’
Leaning against the bar, Northstar remarks that Alpha Flight were puppets, forced to act in the Ministry’s grim scenarios of costumes and death. ‘But then, we became too good at our work…and they began to fear us!’ Aurora throws her arms into the air and reminds her brother that is all in the past. ‘We’ve severed our ties to the government! We’re on our own now!’ Aurora points out. Jean-Paul agrees that the Ministry no longer pulls their strings - ‘James Hudson sees to that chore!’ he declares. ‘That’s not fair’ Aurora tells her brother, adding that James and the others need them, as they may be in danger.
Jeanne-Marie reminds Jean-Paul that they were born with special abilities, that they are different from normal people. ‘We can move and fly at super speeds! When we are in physical contact, we can generate bursts of light! We must have been given these special powers for a purpose - a reason!’ she exclaims. Aurora spins around at super speed, while telling Jean-Paul that he may be able to turn his back on his birthright and his friends, but she cannot. When she stops spinning, Aurora displays her costume, and storms away, telling Northstar that his experiences have left him feeling bitter and betrayed. ‘But I have always loved the thrill and exhilaration of being Aurora!’ Jean-Marie bids her brother goodbye, telling him that she hopes he regrets his decision. ‘You will learn to rue yours…’ Jean-Paul whispers.
The capital of Manitoba, Winnipeg, is the fourth largest city in the dominion of Canada. At this exact instant, it is also a city that faces imminent devastation! Blazing from the heavens, a blurred streak makes its way toward the center of this sprawling metropolis -and then, ‘Greet your new god, mortals!’ Ranark booms as he hovers over the civilians below. ‘Bow before Ranark the Ravager!’ he declares. Ranark stands tall over the fleeing civilians as he watches them run in mindless panic, like fawns seeking to escape the ravenous wolf. Ranark decides that these people seem weak and soft-willed, but that they have achieved much during the years of his slumber. ‘They have buildings which caress the heavens…and machines of incredible power!’ Ranark knows that he will never possess their unswerving loyalty, so if he is to rule them, then he must do so through fear.
Ranark decides that the very sight of him must cause the humans to cringe in absolute terror, so he must display his full power so that they will never seek to rebel against him. Suddenly, he raises his hands above his head, and causes giant fast-growing trees to spring from the streets, which crumble around him. Ranark tells himself that once he has reduced this city to rubble, he will fly to others, forcing them to fall one by one, until at last, the entire planet kneels before him. Suddenly, a blast of pure magnetic force thunders towards the would-be world conqueror, knocking him to the ground. ‘Good work, Vindicator! You caught him by surprise…and managed to stagger him!’ Sasquatch exclaims.
Vindicator thanks Sasquatch as they, Shaman and Thing move towards Ranark, with Vindicator pointing out that a blast like that exhausts his suit for a moment, but that it will recharge in seconds. Shaman warns his friends to be cautious, as Ranark still possess the power of unlimited enchantment. ‘Nuts! I’ve seen three-week old kittens that looked tougher than this clown!’ the Thing declares. The Thing adds that he probably won’t even get a chance to clobber him - when suddenly, Ranark turns around and looks at the heroes. The Thing declares that Ranark was only stunned, and is beginning to revive already. ‘Arrogant mortal fools! You shall learn that Ranark is not so easily defeated!’ the ancient one exclaims. He boasts that, ages ago he learned to bend the Earth, the wind and the fire to his very will. ‘I could crush you with the merest gesture…but I prefer to demonstrate my power in a far more satisfying manner!’ he tells them as he slaps his hand against the concrete under him.
Suddenly, tremors rock the Earth…buildings quiver in fear, and a city screams! Alpha Flight and the Thing are shaken about, as Sasquatch declares ‘Unbelievable! He generated an earthquake by merely slapping the ground!’ Sasquatch points out that they are lucky it seems to be confined to this one city block. ‘Langkowski, ya may look like a far out fuzz ball…but ya still talk like an egghead researcher!’ the Thing remarks, adding that it is not all that lucky for the people who live here. And as rubble from buildings begins to tumble to the streets below, the Thing exclaims that it is downright dangerous.
Vindicator tells Alpha Flight that the Thing is right, and that they must affect rescue operations. As Aurora arrives on scene, Vindicator informs everyone that he and Shaman will follow Ranark, while Sasquatch, Aurora and the Thing are to help where they can. ‘Will do, cutie!’ Aurora exclaims. Up in the air, Ranark tells himself that it is so easy to establish his utter supremacy over these primitives. He adds that before he has finished, no one on Earth will fail to shudder at the mere mention of his name. ‘But, I have more work to do - far, far more!’ he adds.
Sasquatch approaches an apartment building that is teetering, while the Thing remarks that although the tremors have stopped, the earthquake shattered the apartment building’s foundations. ‘It’s coming down!’ he shouts. Sasquatch realizes that it is filled with people, and presses against the base, holding it up, he announces that he has stopped it, but that the strain is unbearable. He asks the Thing to help him, and so together they may be able to hold it upright until everyone can be evacuated. ‘I hear ya talking, fur-face!’ the Thing replies.
Knowing full well that too much pressure will crack the building into a million fragments, the man-brutes slowly, painfully struggle against it. And soon, are holding the building steady. ‘We…did it!’ Sasquatch exclaims. The Thing points out that they still have to get people out before it crumbles all over them, when suddenly, a woman in the apartment building screams as her son slips from a window. ‘He’s falling!’ she screams. However, Aurora flies by, and collects the child. ‘Hold on, child! I’ll get you to safety!’ she tells him. ‘You - you’re flying!’ the boy exclaims. ‘That’s merely one of my talents - and you’re too young to appreciate the others!’ Aurora exclaims as she lands the boy on the ground.
However, the apartment wall begins to give way, and Sasquatch and the Thing struggle to hold it up. The Thing declares that they cannot let it fall, as people may still be inside. Inside the building, Aurora has been zipping from apartment to apartment, looking for stragglers. It seems that everyone is out already, but she must be sure. Seconds later, Aurora flies from the apartment building, with the mother of the boy she rescued. ‘Sasquatch! Thing! The building’s empty!’ Aurora calls out, telling them to get away from the wall, as it cannot take anymore stress. ‘It’s coming down!’ Aurora shouts. Reacting instantly, Sasquatch leaps to safety - but the Thing pauses to insure his comrade’s escape…and that hesitation proves to be his undoing, as he is buried beneath tons of twisted steel and concrete!
Meanwhile, back in the United States, the world-famous sky-scraper headquarters of the Fantastic Four, Bill Foster a.k.a. Giant-Man, fights back a wave of nausea as he struggles to stand. Bill tells himself that he must be weaker than he thought, and realizes that his condition is desecrating rapidly. ‘May as well face facts - I’m going to die’ he tells himself. Walking slowly across the lab, he remarks that he never even had the chance to prove himself as Giant-Man. ‘As Giant-Man, I was a loser from the start’ he thinks to himself, recalling how battling Atom Smasher infected him with the radiation which is now killing him, and things went downhill from there.
Suddenly, Bill begins to keel over, but Reed Richards a.k.a. Mister Fantastic appears, and extends his arms out to hold Bill upwards. Retracting Bill back towards him, Reed tells Bill that he belongs in bed. Reed tells himself that Bill is looking worse, and decides that he will not last the week at his present rate of decline. ‘Small wonder that he’s beginning to lose hope’ Reed thinks to himself as he puts Foster back in bed. Reed offers to call the doctor, but Bill tells him that he doesn’t think the doctor can help, before he asks where his clothes are. Reed holds the Giant-Man costume up, and explains that he was in his costume when the Thing brought him here. Reed gives Bill the costume and tells him not to give into despair. He assures him that Walter Langkowski is a specialist on the effects of radiation on the human body. ‘He can help you - I’m certain of that!’ Reed exclaims, adding that Ben and Dr Langkowski are probably on their way here. ‘Somehow I just can’t believe things will work out…’ Giant-Man whispers.
Back in Winnipeg, Aurora and Sasquatch are searching through the rubble. Aurora points out that there is no trace of the Thing, and suggests he must have been killed instantly. But Sasquatch replies that they cannot stop sifting through the rubble, not while there is a chance he is still alive. Suddenly, Sasquatch detects more tremors. ‘What on Earth?’ one of them calls out, as a large chunk of concrete from the rubble is blasted into the sky. ‘Grimm! You’re a sight for sore eyes!’ Sasquatch calls out as he sees the Thing amongst the rubble. Walter tells Ben to hang on, that they will get him free. ‘The heck you will. I was just resting till ya got here!’ the Thing replies, boasting that spectacular stunts like this are hardly any fun unless you have an audience to appreciate them! Seconds later, the Thing is free of the rubble, and Sasquatch and Aurora gather beside him. ‘We were very worried about you!’ Sasquatch tells the Thing, who replies ‘So was I!’ and remarks that he thinks he sprained his beer-drinking arm.
Meantime, at that exact second, on a nearby freeway, the traffic is at a stand-still, as Ranark hovers in the air above the freeway, with many people getting out of the cars to look up at him. ‘So! The fools seek to escape my wraith by fleeing the city!’ Ranark exclaims. He remarks that since his awakening, he has learned that these people use technology, and not magic, to create their many miracles. ‘Those vehicles are called “cars”…and I find them not to my liking!’ he exclaims. The Ravager sets down amongst the cars and begins swatting them aside with ease, remarking that they sear his ears with their glaring howls, and taint the air with their noxious fumes. ‘He’s going crazy!’ one of the fleeing civilians exclaims.
Up in the air, Vindicator tells himself that it looks like they have arrived just in time, although it was not hard to follow Ranark’s path of destruction. Mac strains as he catches the vehicles Ranark tossed about with his electromagnetic field, and lowers them gently to the ground. Mac recalls that he managed to convince the military not to mount a concentrated assault, until after Alpha Flight took their shot. ‘After all that’s happened, we’re still doing the dirty jobs for the Ministry! I guess we always will!’ Mac tells himself, while wondering what Shaman is up to. Shaman approaches Ranark, who exclaims ‘You! You are the one who set me free!’ Shaman replies that he did, but to his ever-lasting shame.
‘Ha! You seek to repair your mistake…by using your sacred powders to encircle me within a wall of living flame!’ Ranark declares as the flame surrounds him. Ranark boasts that he can assume any size, shape or substance that he desires, and thus, with a casual thought, he transforms his body into a whirlwind, snuffing out both Shaman’s fire and his pretensions to victory. Shaman is battered about, as the wind caused by Ranark’s whirlwind disrupts the air currents, making it impossible for Shaman to coast upon them. Sasquatch tells his teammate to go limp as he catches him. ‘Sasquatch!’ Shaman exclaims. Walter points out that their side does not seem to be scoring many points, and asks Shaman if he has any suggestions. Shaman replies that the ancient medicine men possessed many magicks capable of keeping a man-demon like Ranark in check, but that knowledge has been lost over the centuries. ‘I have but one spell which may defeat him - but I fare not unleash it yet!’ Shaman declares.
At that moment, ‘What manner of creature?’ Ranark asks as the Thing rushes towards him. ‘I ain’t got time to pussyfoot around with you!’ the Thing exclaims, remarking that a friend of his is dying, and he cannot get the help he needs until they stop Ranark. ‘Lights out, sweetie!’ the Thing shouts as he punches Ranark, hard, causing him to fall to the ground. ‘You insolent, orange-skinned gargoyle! You dare lay hands upon a god!’ Ranark declares, warning the Thing that he will pay for this, a thousand fold. Ranark uses his power to cause branches to move towards the Thing and snare him. The Thing asks where they came from, and Ranark boasts that he summoned them. ‘Good! I was hoping you’d say that, ‘cause…that officially makes it clobberin’ time!’ the Thing shouts. Sasquatch watches and reminds himself that this is not even the Thing’s fight, yet he is here, risking his life, along with the rest of Alpha Flight. Walter hopes that he can repay Ben in some small measure by helping his friend when the battle ends - if it ever ends.
Nearby, a reporter, Ted Anesly, has gathered with his camera crew, and begins reporting the situation from the Red River Crossing, at Middlechurch. He announces that the American super hero, the Thing, has joined forces with an as-yet unidentified Canadian task force. ‘Wait one moment…something seems to be happening…yes! According to my sources, the creature known as “Ranark” has apparently conjured a lightning storm…to come to his aid’. Back in Quebec, Northstar is watching the report, as he pours himself another drink. The reporter announces that their science editor and meteorologist will comment on the event after the next commercial break, before pointing out that someone appears to be in trouble. ‘I believe it is the woman who was referred to as “Aurora”!’ the reporter exclaims. Northstar watches intently as Aurora appeared, for a moment, to be in danger of being struck by lightning - but she negotiated her way out of the storm with a skill never before witnessed by the reporter. An instant later, Northstar is gone.
At that moment, Shaman hovers in the air as he explains that this potion, in conjunction with the right incantation, will calm Ranark’s storm clouds. For a moment, at least, Shaman’s medicine seems to work - but then, Ranark again invokes his clouds! This time they spew forth hail - the size of boulders - and they quickly plummet towards the cars below. ‘Ranark has more trick plays than the Dallas Cowboys!’ Sasquatch remarks, before adding that his ploy is working, and while the others pull back to discuss strategy, it is up to him to buy them enough time to cook up a plan to beat their foe. Sasquatch smashes the large pieces of hail up, causing them to break into smaller pieces, as he makes his way towards Ranark.
‘You appear far stronger than the other orange-skinned one!’ Ranark points out. ‘And I’m cuddlier, too!’ Sasquatch jokes. ‘Bah! I am not interested in your pitiful attempts at wit!’ Ranark booms as he lifts a bus over his head. ‘I merely wish to make an example of you!’ he declares as he throws the bus at Sasquatch, ‘By crushing you totally…mercilessly!’ he adds. Sasquatch steps out of the way of the bus and tells Ranark that he was hoping to convince him to go one-on-one with him. ‘Up until now, you;’ve been the only one up on the scoreboard - you’ve been hurting my friends and making a shambles of my country - NO MORE!’ Sasquatch shouts as he smacks Ranark in the face.
‘Maybe you do possess the powers of a god. Maybe you truly are invincible! It doesn’t matter! You have severely underestimated the spirit - the courage - of Canada! We’ll never stop fighting you - never!’ Walter booms as he continues to punch Ranark, who, suddenly, shouts ‘Enough! I shall still your mocking tongue - by willing my own strength to increase until it is far greater than yours!’ he declares as he increases his form, and smacks Sasquatch over.
Nearby, the rest of Alpha Flight and the Thing watch in helpless horror as Sasquatch is rocked by blow after thunderous blow. ‘Langkowski purchased us a few moments respite - but at what cost?’ Shaman asks, adding that Sasquatch’s sacrifice must not be in vain. He tells his comrades that he believes he can destroy Ranark, but that he must be rendered unconscious, if only for an instant. Vindicator tells everyone that they will pull out all stops, that they will put everything into one last concentrated assault, and hit Ranark from ever front imaginable.
But at that moment, ‘Sasquatch!’ Ranark booms. ‘Your hands have soiled my immortal presence!’ Ranark declares, warning Sasquatch that he must suffer, as not man has ever suffered before. Sasquatch watches as two massive earthen hands rise from the ground, which suddenly latch on to Sasquatch. ‘Have you not guessed the reason why?’ Ranark asks as the hands begin to crush Sasquatch down to the earth. ‘Ranark means to bury me alive!’ Sasquatch gasps, and as he is pushed further and further down, he finds that he cannot break free. ‘Feels like the entire planet is tugging against me!’ Walter calls out as he struggles valiantly, heroically - but only in vain, as he is swallowed whole by the hungry earth!
Then, as Ranark laughs in triumphant glee, Vindicator attacks! Mac realizes that the others are not in position yet, that he is jumping the gun, but Sasquatch has not got a chance unless he acts quickly and decisively. Never before has Vindicator unleashed such a concentrated blast of electro-magnetic energy! He hopes and prays that it will stun Ranark - but as he fires at the villain, his power does nothing, as Ranark simply absorbs the energy. Ranark boasts that he will return the energy to Vindicator, magnified by the power of his own body. Mac tells himself that his impulsiveness has jeopardized any chance they had, and realizes that the approaching blast may penetrate his force field.
Vindicator hovers in the air - and suddenly, the second before Ranark’s return fire reaches him, Mac quite literally pops out of existence - only to reappear an instant later on the other side of the globe, hovering over an island. ‘That stunt always takes it out of me!’ Mac thinks to himself, reminding himself that his battle suit can negate the effects of the Earth’s magnetic field, so he comes to a complete stop, while the rest of the planet continues to rotate at an average speed of eighteen and a half miles per second. Mac tells himself to pour on the speed and get back to the others.
Aurora lies on the ground, while Shaman and the Thing look up at Ranark, who declares that he is no longer amused by their efforts to distract him. Shaman tells the others to spread out, as Ranark is going to attack. Suddenly, at Ranark’s silent command, the Earth heaves - and explodes beneath the feet of the heroes, who are left momentarily dazed and helpless. But then before the man-demon can continue his attack, reinforcements arrive! ‘Arise, Alpha Flight - and we shall crush this monster!’ Northstar shouts. ‘Northstar!’ Aurora exclaims, smiling that she knew her brother would not fail them. No man can say whether Jean-Paul has come out of a sense of duty to his country, or concern for his sister’s safety - but his unexpected arrival catches Ranark completely off guard, as Northstar darts around the villain, unleashing a thousand blows upon the Ravager before he even realizes he is under siege.
Suddenly, ‘Something must have distracted Ranark! I’m free!’ Sasquatch shouts as he bursts up through the ground. Thing tells Shaman and Aurora that the ball is in their court now, that they have to make a move before Ranark can get his head together. ‘Aurora, you know what to do’ Shaman tells the young mutant. Aurora streaks upwards and reaches for her brother’s hand. Suddenly, their mutant bodies generate a blinding burst of pure elemental light. So dazzling is the resulting display that even Ranark must avert his eyes. In that instant, the Thing and Sasquatch quickly heft two nearby cars - which are sent hurtling upwards, where they collide amid the cataclysm of exploding gas tanks. This unexpected concussion knocks Ranark from his feet - and for the briefest of moments, the would-be god lies still, unmoving.
Shaman rushes over to the fallen Ranark, knowing that he will revive almost immediately, as he is practically indestructible. Shaman recalls that magic imprisoned Ranark once, and can do so again, but the spell that Shaman has to weave could cost him his own immortal soul. Ignoring the danger to himself, Shaman quickly makes his preparations, and begins to chant in a slow, high-pitched voice. For long moments, nothing happens, and then Ranark’s body begins to lose substance, and shrink, until finally, he vanishes, leaving only his soul in the form of a glowing ball of energy.
‘It…is over!’ Shaman declares, explaining that Ranark’s soul, his very essence, how resides within this mystic cocoon. Shaman informs everyone that he will secret the device in a place far away from the prying eyes of unwary men. The Thing asks Shaman why they went through so much grief if he could have done that spell at any time. Shaman explains that if he attempted the spell while Ranark was conscious, they would have all been destroyed. ‘Oh…’ Thing mutters, before telling Alpha Flight that, for a bunch of amateurs, they really have it together. ‘We’ll take that as a compliment’ Sasquatch replies.
Later, after Vindicator has arrived to rejoin the team. ‘Perhaps someday we can meet the rest of the Fantastic Four!’ Shaman exclaims, while Sasquatch tells everyone that he hates to break the party up, but he and the Thing have to be going. Thing tells Sasquatch to hurry up and change back into his human self, as they have some unfinished business to get out of the way.
Later, at the Baxter Building, the Thing has paced the halls of the Fantastic Four’s home for seven consecutive hours, while Walter examines Bill Foster - performing every test conceivable on the dying super hero. ‘What’s the verdict, Doc?’ Thing asks as Walter approaches he and Susan Storm a.k.a. the Invisible Girl. Walter explains that Foster is suffering from a unique form of radiation poisoning, the like of which he has never seen before. Walter announces that Foster’s body has already been irreparably damaged. ‘I don’t believe there’s any way to save him! I’m sorry…’ Walter tells the Thing, who hangs his head. ‘Yeah…sure…so am I…’ he mutters, before walking solemnly down the corridor, all alone.


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
DC Versus Marvel Comics: Round One
Manhattan…
While making his usual rounds one night, Spider-Man realizes that he is glad to be back in the super-hero business. He enjoys a relatively quiet night of crime-fighting, but this rare luxury quickly comes to an end when he detects incoming danger with his spider-sense. He hones in on the signal in an attempt to find its source, but the only things in the area are a large cardboard box and a grubby, homeless man.
 The box begins to glow, sending beams of bright light in every direction. While he tries to avoid getting hit by these shafts of light, Spider-Man slips up and takes one right in the chest. He begins to comment that the light does not hurt; however, before he can finish his sentence, his body begins glowing brightly and he vanishes into thin air.
Right around the corner, a man witnesses the light emanating from the alleyway. He peers into the alley to investigate. What he sees completely bewilders him. He asks the groggy homeless man for an explanation, but what the man says in response does not make a lot of sense. “It’s starting! But at least you’re here! It’s all coming together, boy! I need your help,” the homeless man says. The bystander refuses to offer assistance, as he does not want to get involved with a strange man and his glowing cardboard box. The last thing I need is to get tangled up with some crazy dude, he says to himself while walking away.
Elsewhere, Spider-Man reappears in the middle of some heavy rain. He looks around this new urban environment, but does not recognize his whereabouts. “Where am I?” he asks.
“No. No. No,” a voice says out of the darkness. “The question is, who are you?” Spider-Man looks up and sees a creepy man with a green hair, white make-up, and an unnatural, unpleasant smile on his face. The man seems to know who Spider-Man is, but Spider-Man has no memory of ever meeting him. When Spidey mentions the name “New York,” he confuses the villain even further, as it turns out he is no longer in New York, but in Gotham City.
Spider-Man quickly tires of bantering with this joker and asks him what he is doing on the rooftop of a building in the middle of a torrential rainstorm. “Oh, I thought I might blow it up,” the creepy man replies, “…but fireworks are so abysmally dull in the rain.” Spider-Man laughs sarcastically, not fully understanding that the man actually isn’t joking. He asks for more clarification on this strange situation, and asks the man to identify himself. Instead of answering outright, he simply hands Spider-Man his calling card, and walks off the edge of the building. Spider-Man tries to grab him, but when he looks over the edge he sees the man drifting away through the rain with a parachute.
“Would somebody please tell me what’s going on here?” Spider-Man says as he examines the card in his hand. It depicts nothing but the Joker from a standard deck of cards.
Westchester…
Gambit also holds in his hand, a joker card. However, he intends to use his joker not as a calling card, but as a weapon. He charges it up with kinetic energy and hurls it at the X-Men’s nemesis, Juggernaut. Storm and Wolverine attempt to flank Juggernaut from two sides, but he fights them off without breaking a sweat. He knocks Wolverine onto the ground, and is about to clobber him with a punch when he begins intensely glowing and vanishes.
Juggernaut instantly reappears and continues his punch, but hits a concrete wall instead of the downed X-Man. He looks around, confused, and asks where Wolverine went. His punch left a gaping hole in the wall of a building that bears the sign for something called “The Daily Planet.”
Out of nowhere, Juggernaut receives a hard punch to the side of his face. The force of this punch sends him sprawling to the ground. He looks up, and sees a large man with a bold “S” across his chest. “I don’t know who you are or where you came from, but I do know you’re in the wrong place, mister,” Superman says.
Manhattan…
The grungy homeless man has succeeded in containing energy within the cardboard box. He taped up all the holes and stands before it, admiring his work. “Can’t have no more crossing over. If the two of them get together,” he says, “…don’t even wanna think about what’d happen then!”
His satisfaction is cut short, however, when the light breaks through his make-shift patches and pours out of the box once again. He tries to plug the holes with his hands, but his effort is too little. The energy spills out of the box and glows blindingly bright.
All around both parallel realities, heroes begin to disappear in their tracks. Captain America vanishes while fighting agents of HYDRA. Wonder Woman disappears in a flash of bright light while rescuing people from a bridge collapse. The Incredible Hulk chats amiably with his wife, Betty Ross Banner, before disappearing right before her very eyes. After getting caught by flirting with other women by his girlfriend, Tana Moon, Superboy disappears as well. Lobo fades out of his plane of existence while slaughtering some aliens in space.
Westchester…
Storm, Gambit and Wolverine relay the story of Juggernaut’s disappearance to their fellow X-Men. The tale of his disappearance completely stumps both Professor X and Beast, who comments that he found no instances of this type of disappearance in their computer’s records.
“One of the great tragedies of my life is that my stepbrother has been among our deadliest enemies,” Xavier says. “We have an obligation to find out what happened to him, and why.”
Wolverine disagrees. “I say good riddance, Chuck. Let Marko be somebody else’s problem.”
Storm reprimands him for his insensitivity. “Logan, you know we cannot turn our backs on anyone, mutant or human. If we do so, we are no better than--”
Before she can finish her thought, Storm, Gambit and Wolverine all find themselves engulfed in the same light that preceded Juggernaut’s disappearance. Their teammates watch helplessly as the trio disappears without a trace. Cyclops asks aloud what is going on, but Professor X poses a more pertinent question. “Who’s next?”
The Green Lantern. Elektra. Flash. Thor. Aquaman. Silver Surfer. Captain Marvel. Namor the Sub-Mariner. Quicksilver. Catwoman. All these heroes get ripped right out of their position in space and reappear in unfamiliar locations.
One such unfortunate mix-up is the sudden presence of Daredevil’s arch-nemesis, Bullseye, in the Bat Cave. Batman tries to talk down this unfamiliar villain, who holds his sidekick, Robin, at knife-point. Bullseye is completely confused and demands an explanation from Batman, without realizing that the Caped Crusader is not at all responsible. He demands to know who Batman is. Batman stares at him without betraying any emotion. “If you hurt the boy…I am your worst nightmare. I am the Batman.”
Bullseye refuses to be scared. He runs his knife along the edge of Robin’s face and threatens to do much worse. Robin takes a chance and fights back. He elbows Bullseye in the throat and dives out of the way. Batman follows his side-kick’s lead and hurls a throwing star at the villain. Normally, an attack such as this would maim its target, but Bullseye demonstrates his mastery of projectiles by safely catching the weapon in his hand. He throws it back at Batman with a sadistic smile on his face. “Catch.”
Batman ducks under the projectile weapon and lunges at Bullseye. He socks Bullseye in the jaw, causing him to fall unconscious. With the threat neutralized, Batman checks in with Robin and they ponder the mysterious interloper together. “Called himself Bullseye. I’ve never heard of him,” Robin says. “How could he have gotten into the Bat Cave?”
“I don’t know. He’s not one of Gotham’s usual rogues gallery, and he seemed more surprised by his presence here than we were,” Batman responds. Before Robin can comment, he too is hit by a shaft of light and vanishes from sight, to Batman’s complete bewilderment.
Robin rematerializes in a fancy bedroom at the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters in Snow Valley, Massachusetts. Paige Guthrie can barely believe her eyes at the sudden presence of this mysterious boy. “Jubes? Were you expecting a boy to be delivered?” she asks.
“Nope,” Jubilee responds, “…but I like his fashion sense already.”
Metropolis…
The editor of The Daily Planet hollers at his truant employee, Clark Kent. “The Planet’s a daily, Kent, not a weekly! Maybe the word deadline didn’t hold too much meaning for you before, but now that I’m the editor around here, you’ll get your stories in on time!” the editor-in-chief yells. “People are coping with all the weirdness going on out there, but they want to know what’s happening! We’re going to find out and tell them…” he says, pulling his cigar out of his mouth.
“…or my name isn’t J. Jonah Jameson!” Clark accepts his scolding like a true gentleman, but then reminds his new boss that they work in a non-smoking building. After Jameson leaves, Clark and his co-worker Lois Lane discuss the differences between this mysterious new editor and their previous boss. They agree that this sudden switch is probably related to the strange occurrences all over the world.
Their friend and co-worker Jimmy Olsen enters the office and interrupts them. He asks one of them to show a new photographer around the news station, so Lois takes up the task. Before he leaves, he hands Clark a new photo from the news wire. By this point, the contents of the photo come as no surprise to Clark: it depicts the well-known superhero Steel battling some unknown villain. The man in the photo uses a heavy ball-and-chain as a weapon, and Clark notices that the man seems to be absorbing the substances around him. He dubs him the “Absorbing Man,” but merely writes it off as yet another unfamiliar face amidst some already strange circumstances. He then works at composing his column for the latest edition of The Daily Planet.
He proceeds to write an eloquent column examining the mystery of the missing heroes and the sudden emergence of several new powerful beings. Everyone from school children to Superman is asking the same question as our reality inexplicably changes around us, Clark writes.  Nothing, apparently, is safe. Not the buildings in which we live and work, not the people we know and love, not even the heroes on whom we depend.
Among the most visible reminders of our suddenly unstable reality are the disappearances of familiar, costumed heroes, coupled with appearances of new and different ones, sporting names like Captain America or Daredevil, the man without fear.
We concern ourselves with heroes because they are mirrors in which we see ourselves. Their reactions during this crisis reflect the range of our reactions. Some face threats posed by unfamiliar villains as bravely as ever, Clark writes, referring to photographs of Batman battling Venom and Captain Marvel confronting the antagonistic Dr. Doom, …while encounters between those more likely to be considered anti-heroes have erupted in violence bred of fear or confusion. Kent refers to people like Punisher and Ghost Rider engaging in violent confrontations with Deathstroke and Demon Etrigan.
Although misunderstanding has led to blows in some cases, more often we have risen above our differences, united by a spirit of learning, or friendship, or teamwork. Doctor Strange and Dr. Fate explore the mystic arts together. Archangel and Hawkman take to the skies in a display of a mutual understanding. She-Hulk and Supergirl work together to battle a group of gun-toting thugs.
Clark’s editorial continues: We all want to find a cause for our fractured reality, and we have no answers. So all of us, from super hero to common man, are left to fight our individual battles. Heroes, both familiar and unfamiliar, battle new menaces, while the rest of us fight the battle of everyday lives buffeted by forces beyond our control.
We must hope that in trying to win these battles, we’re not losing a more epic war we don’t yet understand…
Lois interrupts Clark’s writing process so she can introduce him to their new photographer, Ben Reilly. Ben recently took a stellar photo of Spider-Man battling the Man-Bat, so Clark makes sure to compliment him on the photo. Ben, who says his professional name is Peter Parker, plays it off like it was just a lucky shot. After their introduction, Clark comments that while working together, maybe they can figure out what is happening to the world. “Oh, I dunno about that,” Ben says. “I think it’ll take somebody bigger than either of us to really grasp it.”
Unfortunately, it turns out that even the highest of beings lack understanding of the multi-dimensional anomaly. The Spectre comments that the entire universe ripples with disturbance, caused by some power that thwarts his own. Likewise, the Living Tribunal struggles with this disturbance. “The cosmic balance tilts, and for the first time, I cannot right it,” the Living Tribunal says.
What he fails to detect is that two cosmic beings, so close in appearance they may be twins, have sensed each other’s presence and now reach out across the void between them. The Living Tribunal then utters a statement of truly ominous severity. “I fear something is terribly wrong.”


[User]
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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Marvel Comics Versus DC: Round Two
Axel Asher recalls the most traumatic memory of his life. When he was a child, he caught his kid sister playing with their father’s loaded handgun. Axel rushed forward and snatched the weapon out of her hands, accidentally discharging it in the process. It shot him in the leg. However, Axel was not as angry about being shot as he was about the fact that he would now doubtless get in trouble for fighting with his sister. Likewise, his sister was only upset because her brother stole her toy.
This was Axel’s most traumatic experience ever, until the two brothers appeared in his mind. Nearly paralyzed by their anger, Axel stares off into the distance, while the image of the two brothers rest on his eyeballs. He begins to faint and supports himself on the hood of his car. This stumble draws the attention of a nearby police officer, who calls out and asks if Axel is alright. He assures the policeman that he is just fine, and climbs into his vehicle to get away. The cop is not pleased. He approaches Axel, orders him to step out of the vehicle, and then reprimands him for not following his instructions. Axel worries that the cop will think he is on drugs, as he cannot fully explain the battle of cosmic importance that is occurring within his consciousness.
Luckily, another police officer approaches and confuses the first one of being a fake. He denies this accusation, saying that he has worked the streets of Gotham City for over nine years. This name only confuses the other officer even further, as he was under the impression that they were in New York City. Axel observes this dispute from his vehicle and comments that this confusion seems pretty par for course with recent events.
Suddenly, a nearby manhole cover shoots into the air, propelled by a surge of green gas. Wolverine and Killer Croc jump out of the hole, engaged in a ferocious battle. “Now I know why you call yourself ‘Killer Croc’,” Wolverine says to his opponent as he slashes at him with his bone claws. “Because you’re nothing but a crock of--”
“Shoot!” Axel yells as he dives out of the way of the projectile manhole cover. It crashes into his windshield and lands in the recently vacated driver’s seat. Nearby, Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent observes the battle, accompanied by his news photographer, Ben Reilly. Have to change to my costume, both men think simultaneously, …if only I can ditch this guy without his getting suspicious. As they were only recently acquainted, they have not yet figured out that the other is a superhero.
Axel sneaks away in the confusion and decides he needs to leave town. In his past, he has felt the need to roam, as if he were seeking some destination unknown to even him. He realizes now might be a good time to go wandering once again. He heads to the nearest ATM and tries to withdraw all the cash he can. The machine, however, fails to recognize his bank card. Caught completely by surprise, Axel looks around and realizes he does not recognize this section of town. However, he notices a familiar light pouring out of an alleyway, and heads over to investigate.
In the alleyway, he sees the grungy homeless man from earlier frantically trying to contain the light inside his large box. The homeless man begs for Axel’s help, but Axel asks to know what is going on. “When there’s a universe to save, you can’t stop for exposition!” the man yells back.
Elsewhere…
Thanos, the consort of death, smiles on the chaos that grips the universe. His pleasant solitude is quickly interrupted by the arrival of Darkseid, the lord of destruction.
Back on one of the Earths, Captain America continues his fight with Bane. Cap hurls his shield at his burly assailant, but Bane ducks under the projectile shield and charges toward the superhero.
In a novelty Warner Bros. store, a confused customer asks the clerk what happened to all the X-Men merchandise that used to be on display. The clerk, who busily rings up two Pinky and the Brain statuettes, asks who the X-Men are. At this very moment, Wolverine and Killer Croc come crashing through the display window.
Nightwing observes this battle from a nearby rooftop, and remarks that Killer Croc’s opponent seems just as dangerous as Croc himself! “I’ll have to take ‘em both down before anything else happens,” he says, unaware that another superhero sneaks behind him and charges a playing card in preparation for his own attack.
Up above, in the night skies, Storm encounters Wonder Woman for the first time. “Goddess!” Storm explains. Wonder Woman corrects her. “No…Amazon.”
Meanwhile, the battle between Captain America and Bane has taken a turn for the worst. Bane has subdued Captain America, and holds him over his head. He prepares break the superhero’s back over his massive knee. Moments before he completes this spine-shattering maneuver, Captain America’s shield comes back around and collides with the back of Bane’s head. He falls to the ground, unconscious.
Also up overhead, Batman tracks the Lizard throughout the skyscrapers of the sprawling city. He follows Lizard high up onto the steel girders of an under-construction skyscraper. While the Lizard has not yet attacked anyone in his new environment, Batman does not expect this to last. However, from his perch, he witnesses a fight break out between his former protégé, Nightwing, and the X-Man Gambit. He decides to go help out.
Meanwhile, Axel and the homeless man struggle to contain the light in the glowing cardboard box. The mysterious man frantically covers all the holes with duct tape while Axel observes. “So! You came back,” the grungy man says. “Should’ve recognized you when you came poking around before! Must be getting senile! So, you gonna help or not?”
Axel does not quite know what to do, but it appears the situation has progressed beyond the point of no return. The box goes nova and emits a dazzling display of light. Both the Spectre and the Living Tribunal sense this eruption of energy, and cry out in fear.
Back at the Warner Bros. shop, Batman comes to the aid of Nightwing. With the Caped Crusader distracted, Gambit and Wolverine sneak away and steal his Batmobile. They head for Westchester, leaving the frustrated Batman and Nightwing in a cloud of dust. “What else can go wrong today?” Nightwing asks, unaware that at that very moment, Mole Man and his Moloids have invaded the Bat Cave. Batman assures his former sidekick that he has the situation under control, as he intends to follow the X-Men. “With any luck, we’ll even get a clue to Robin’s whereabouts,” Batman says. “God only knows what sort of danger he’s in.”
Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters…
Robin sits next to Jubilee on her comfy bed. “Have I told you how much I love your fashion sense?” she asks her new crush.
“Only, like, thirty times,” Robin replies.
Finally, the mysterious box comes undone, and everyone in both universes sees the brilliant light that emerges. The homeless man tries to prepare Axel for what is coming. Trying to be heard over the ruckus from the box, he shouts that he has failed in his job to keep the “Brothers” from noticing each other. Now that they have made contact, he says, the universes will begin to unravel. He encourages Axel to try and retain his sanity.
Every living being witnesses what happens next. As the Brothers acknowledge the existence of one another across the universal void, the story of their ancient enmity is immediately impressed upon the minds of everyone in existence. The Brothers fought once before, and that conflict ended creation. When the universe was reborn, it separated the Brothers, and they forgot of the other’s existence. Now, they have finally learned of the other, and it has unsettled their individual senses of identity.
They each seek to resolve this manner by destroying the other. However, the memory of their last encounter lingers, and neither Brother wishes to see all of creation ended once again. Using the wisdom provided by the Spectre and the Living Tribunal, the Brothers reach an agreement: they will pit their finest super-heroes against one another. The outcome of these eleven battles will determine which universe is superior, and therefore worthy of the right to exist. The losing Brother will be forced to end his existence and all of his universe’s creations.
These one-on-one matches will have one condition in determining victory: whoever mobilizes his or her opponent first, in each instance, will be declared victor. Additionally, if any heroes refuse to battle, the Brothers will have no choice but to go to war themselves, a conflict which will doubtlessly lead to the end of all existence once again.
Back on Earth…
In the dingy alleyway in the city, Axel sits dumbfounded of what he has just learned. He asks the homeless man if he just had the same vision, and the man responds that everyone in existence shared the vision. He adds, however, that he has always known that story, and so has Axel.
Axel declines to comment on that last part, and instead shifts the focus to the mysterious box before them. The homeless man explains that the box is a remnant of the last battle between the Brothers. He explains that the Brothers lost pieces of themselves in the explosion, the box being one such piece. Other fragments became the life-forces of living beings. They became souls, “beings in various states of self-knowledge, always seeking purpose in life, never happy, always wandering…certain they’re part of a greater whole, but never knowing what part of what hole,” the grubby man says. “Many go nuts and destroy themselves. A few spend their lives wandering and unfulfilled. And every so often, one or two become aware. Like me. And you.”
Elsewhere, Thor and Captain Marvel face each other on an asphalt parking lot surface. The time has come for them to battle, and neither man underestimates the severity of this encounter. As both men are divine warriors, wielding the powers of various gods, they decide to partake in a private prayer before battle. Both men kneel, and pray for victory.
All throughout creation people turn their attention to the critical clashes at hand. Lois Lane passes two people on the street and overhears them placing bets on the fight between Superman and the Hulk. She scoffs at this, but her inattentiveness turns out to be detrimental. A hand reaches out of the nearby alleyway and pulls her into the darkness. Two villains, both named Scarecrow, discuss what they want to do with this new hostage.
Luckily, Ben Reilly happens by and comes to the rescue. He incapacitates both Scarecrows with a roundhouse kick. Finally managed to ditch Kent and was about to switch to Spidey, he thinks to himself, ...but with Lois in trouble, I didn’t dare take the time to change. Lois thanks him for the rescue as he caringly walks her back to work. Up above, Superman observes this interaction and wonders if he needs to feel jealous.
In a nearby carnival fairground, Thor and Captain Marvel exchange blows. Captain Marvel tells his opponent that instead of fighting, they should be seeking an alternate solution. Thor says he agrees, but as he hits Marvel across the face with his hammer Mjolnir, he adds that they may not find such an easy solution. In retaliation, Captain Marvel lifts an entire Ferris wheel off its supports and hurls it at Thor. Thor deflects the attack using the power of his mighty hammer. The Ferris wheel tumbles towards Captain Marvel, who is buried under the twisted steel and rubble. Pinned to the ground, he reverts to slighter form of his alter-ego, Billy Batson. Little Billy manages to slip out from under the girder and avoid forfeit. Thor uses this to his advantage and hurls his hammer at the boy. “Shazam!” Billy yells, summoning his lightning-based powers. The lightning collides with Mjolnir, producing a concussive blast that knocks both men to the ground. However, as Thor manages to retain consciousness, he is deemed the victor.
“Although I mislike the nature of my victory,” he adds. Thor then looks around and notices his mystical hammer is nowhere to be seen. The hammer soars through the sky and lands at the feet of Wonder Woman. She bends down and examines the hammer more closely, only to see it bears an inscription. Whoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of…Thor, the inscription reads. Wonder Woman comments that worthiness is an awfully subjective quality, but picks up the hammer anyway. It sends a painful surge of power through her body, and she screams.
Elsewhere…
Aquaman and Namor the Sub-Mariner duke it out beneath the ocean. Aquaman easily dodges all of Namor’s punches, and taunts his opponent’s attempts. “How lost you the hand, pray tell?” Namor snaps back, commenting on Aquaman’s prosthetic hook. “Did it snap off from having patted yourself on the back too often?”
Aquaman ignores this jab, and swims over Namor’s head. “Face facts, pointy ears…we’re too evenly matched,” he says. “At this rate, neither of us will ever land a--”
It turns out Aquaman spoke too soon. Namor smirks and delivers an insanely powerful uppercut that propels his opponent out of the water and into the sky.
On a rural highway, a father chats with his son while driving an 18-wheeler with a fully loaded gas tanker connected to the back. His son asks if his dad just had the same vision he had, and the dad responds affirmatively. He adds that it was like a waking dream.
Suddenly, a flurry of activity intersects their path up ahead. It is Flash and Quicksilver, fighting for the right of their universe’s continued existence. Flash commends his opponents speed, but adds that it is nothing compared to his own. While pummeling Quicksilver with a barrage of blows from all sides, Flash adds that it’s a shame they have to fight, as they would make better friends than enemies. “I have more than enough of both!” Quicksilver retorts. “What I need is a triumph, so my universe can survive!” He then lunges at the Flash and pushes them both directly into the path of the oncoming semi-truck.
The truck-driver turns the wheel sharply and ends up jackknifing his load. The gas tank ruptures and explodes in an intense ball of fire. The driver and his dad struggle to escape the flames, but it seems as if they are doomed. Then, out of nowhere, Flash emerges and carries both people to safety. Quicksilver grants him no mercy for his heroism, and sucker-punches the hero. What a wonderful triumph this will be, he says as he repeatedly clobbers the Flash, …taking down an opponent after he risked life and limb to save others. Even taking joy in it because I was angry to find someone faster than I. Some “friend” I would have been, even if things had worked out.
However, Quicksilver gets ahead of himself. The Flash stands up and, catching his opponent by surprise, knocks Quicksilver unconscious with a powerful blow to the head.
Back in the ocean, Aquaman finally returns from his excursion into the sky and plummets into the water near a marina. He emerges from the water, but immediately receives a warning from his killer whale friend that Namor is on the way. Aquaman turns and sees the Sub-Mariner flying toward him. “You purport to be an Atlantean King, eh, Aquaman?” Namor says. “I am neither amused nor impressed by you!”
“You know, at my worst, I was morose,” Aquaman says. “But you’re really insufferable, Namor. Must be the job.” Namor commands his opponent to surrender, as that might give them time to develop a constructive plan with the other heroes. Aquaman refuses, and ensnares Namor with an unbreakable rope. After Aquaman cracks a joke using a clever pun, Namor yells at him, infuriated. He asks if Aquaman has any respect at all for the predicament they face. “Namor, if I dwell on it too much, I’ll curl up into a ball until it’s over,” Aquaman says in response. “So you’ll pardon me if I keep my sanity and focus my own way.” With that, he summons his killer whale friend from the water. It jumps into the air and comes crashing down onto the unsuspecting Namor, immobilizing him. Aquaman salutes his fallen opponent and notes that his weakness was that he was too noble to cheat.
The Daily Planet…
Ben makes sure that Lois is alright after being attacked in the alley. She assures him that she is fine, and jokingly calls him her hero. Ben interprets this as flirting, and begins to think Lois may have a crush on him. Lois, however, thinks that while Ben is certainly a nice guy, he is no Clark Kent.
Their flirting is interrupted by the arrival of their new employer, Wilson Fisk. He reprimands them for “lollygagging,” but Ben merely stares in shock at the man he knows as the Kingpin. Fisk tells them to mind their manners, as they do not wish to anger him. “Anger, after all, is the first step to full-scale war,” Fisk says. “And full-scare war can be such an unpleasant business.”
At various places in the universe, Thanos and Darkseid stare at each other in preparation of battle, Wonder Woman wields the powers of Odin, the mysterious creation box continues to glow, and the Brothers observe the chaos they have created.


[User]
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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Marvel Comics Versus DC: Round Three
Jubilee sits on a rock in the Danger Grotto and writes in her diary. In this informal entry, she explains the recent crossover of the two different universes, and discusses the ramifications it has for all of existence. I’m still not sure I understand what I do know, she admits, referring the ambiguous story of the two Brothers and their recent encounter with one another. She explains that the Brothers have decided to settle their conflict by pitting each universe’s champions against one another. Unfortunately for Jubilee, she is included in this tournament.
And it’s not like we have a choice, because the losing universe…Well, here’s the scary part…when it’s all over, only one universe is going to survive! Like I need that kind of pressure, she writes. With three of the battles already out of the way, Jubilee’s universe is losing two-to-one.
She continues. It’s weird – creepy weird, I mean – how people are reacting, treating this like it’s the Super Bowl or something. Maybe it’s easier to do that than really think about the consequences. Sort of whistling in the dark, she writes.  But you want to know the worst thing? I finally find the right guy…I mean Mr. Right…and I’ve gotta fight him for the fate of two universes. Does that stink or what?
Robin, “Mr. Right” himself, approaches Jubilee from behind and places his hand on her shoulder. This startles her out of her writing-induced trance. He tells her the waiting is driving him crazy, and asks if she will accompany him on a walk to relieve some of the tension. “Yeah, sounds great,” she says. “I was just catching up on my diary. Didn’t know when…or if…I’d get the chance again.” She takes just another moment to conclude her entry, admitting that she is trying very hard to be brave. Hope this isn’t the end, diary, she writes. But if it is…well, it’s been fun.
Jubilee and Robin have no time to share their walk, however, as they are immediately whisked away to their battle. They reappear in a large, spacious warehouse that apparently lodges parade balloons. The two share an awkward moment before fighting, as Robin cannot decide whether or not he wants to wish his opponent good luck. Jubilee gently places her hand on his cheek and kisses him softly on the lips. The awkwardness sufficiently dispelled, they begin their contest. “Let’s get this over with,” Robin says, springing off the ground. Jubilee concurs by tossing a few of her signature firecrackers his way.
Despite having the advantage of mutant powers, Jubilee loses the battle almost as quickly as it begins. Robin disappears into the shadows and tricks Jubilee into attacking his hanging cape. After she takes the bait, he lassos her with his grappling hook and completely immobilizes her. She falls to the ground in a heap of frustration. “You didn’t even have to land a punch. That’s so lame,” she says.
“God, no! I was never planning to hit you,” he assures Jubilee. He crouches over his entangled opponent, and the two share yet another awkward romantic moment as they realize they are now free of their cosmic duties…for now.
Deep space…
Silver Surfer and the Green Lantern converse as they pit their powers against each other. Green Lantern admits that he really does not want to be fighting the Silver Surfer, to which the Surfer concurs. He adds that in the past, they teamed up to save their two universes, and now they battle to destroy one instead. However, they agree that they have no choice in the matter, and continue duking it out. After a high-speed collision and a brilliant flash of green light, only the Silver Surfer stands. “The victory is mine,” he says, “…yet never have I more regretted an opponent’s defeat.”
Gotham…
Battling on steel girders in an unfinished skyscraper, Catwoman draws first blood in her battle with the Elektra. The assassin is undeterred by her wound and marches toward Catwoman, brandishing her sais. “I don’t even know what I’m doing here,” Catwoman says to her vicious opponent. “Nobody ever accused me of being a hero, so why was I picked as a champion?” She adds that Elektra does not seem to fit the traditional hero mold, either.
 Elektra ignores her attempts at conversation and hurls one of her sais at Catwoman. She dodges it with a graceful arch of her back, and pounces to a higher girder. In one fluid motion, she shifts her momentum into the whip she uses as a weapon and strikes Elektra’s arm. Elektra uses this attack to her advantage. Her arm now lashed to the whip, Elektra jerks Catwoman over her head and off of the building. Catwoman hangs on for dear life, her whip acting as a rope. “Strong little thing, aren’t you,” she says to Elektra, managing to keep her sense of humor even when faced with imminent death.
“I’m an assassin. I kill my opponents gladly,” Elektra responds. “But our combat was not of my choosing. I won’t slay you to merely appease the beings who force this battle…but I will win.” With that, Elektra releases the whip and drops Catwoman off the skyscraper. The terrified woman does not fall to her death, however; her fall is broken by a truckload of sand.
Metropolis…
The Daily Planet reports to the world that the battle of the champions now stands at 3-3. Ben Reilly takes to opportunity to compliment Lois Lane on her reporting skills. She accepts his praise, but adds that if he had not saved her from the Scarecrows, she would not have been alive to write her story! “Just one of the services of your friendly neighborhood…um, photojournalist,” Ben says, nearly revealing his secret identity.
He follows this awkward comment with the proposition of taking Lois on a date. Unfortunately, this too turns awkward, as Lois is compelled to let Ben know about her engagement to Clark Kent. Too make the situation even more uncomfortable, Clark himself appears right behind Ben and indicates that he overheard the entire exchange. Ben profusely apologizes to both Clark and Lois, and slinks away in embarrassment. “I’ll just be going now. To the dark room. To roll some film. Or develop some. Or die of embarrassment,” he sheepishly says as he leaves the room. As soon as he gets out of an earshot, Ben berates himself for his clumsy interaction with Lois. He is spared in his humiliation, however, as he is soon summoned by the Brothers to do battle.
Clark and Lois are busy discussing Ben’s awkward crush when J. Jonah Jameson bursts into the office with urgent news. He tells his reporters that the Hulk is in the middle of a cataclysmic fight with “some freak named Metallo.” Because they are fighting downtown, innocent lives and property are at risk, and it should make for a great story. Before he finishes his announcement, Clark sneaks out of the office and heads to the fight.
The alley…

Axel Asher has trouble processing all the new information given to him by the mysterious vagrant. While the news about the two Brothers and their respective universes is certainly shocking, Axel finds himself struggling with the concept that he is a residual shard from their last confrontation. Refusing to believe that this is the cause of his wandering tendencies, he calls the vagrant a “crazy, homeless guy”.
“Am I? And that’s just a cardboard box?” the man says, pointing at the mystical object. He reassures Axel that everything he has said is true, and to prove it, he grabs Axel by the wrist. This physical contact triggers an instantaneous transformation. Axel looks down and sees that his body now glows with light, and he wears an unfamiliar, futuristic outfit. Completely astonished, he asks what the man did to him. “Unleashed what’s inside of you,” he responds. “Each of us chooses the guise best suited to who we are. This is mine; that’s yours.” The grubby vagrant reveals that he, too, is a shard, and his role is that of gateway keeper. His time is coming to an end, and now he needs to pass the role of keeper to the next successor. “You have to take up the mantle,” he tells Axel, “…you have to become the Access.”
Axel copes with his transformation rather well and immediately gets into character. The grubby man informs Axel that it now falls on him to preserve the balance between the universes. “Yeah, but, how do I do that?” Access asks.
Far, far away…
Lobo and Wolverine are in the midst of their cosmically ordained battle. The chosen location is one of Lobo’s favorite bars, presumably somewhere in space. Several aliens sit nervously in their seats and watch the two feral men claw at each other. Dodging Lobo’s hook-ended chain, Wolverine takes a running leap at his opponent off of the bar, but Lobo grabs him by his clothes and holds him at arm’s length. As Wolverine begins to throw insults at his opponent, Lobo jams his hook into Wolverine’s chest. Logan gasps, but then informs Lobo that the injury poses no real danger. “Got this healing factor that lets me take a lot of punishment,” Logan says, ripping the hook out of his chest, “…almost as much as I dish out!”
He slashes furiously at Lobo and forces him back behind the bar, completely out of the line of sight of the alien observers. The two men grapple, taunt, and slice each other seemingly without end. Eventually, the sounds of them fighting fade away. The pub patrons stare at the bar in anticipation as a hand reaches up from behind the bar. Wolverine pulls himself up, grabs a smoldering cigar out of an ashtray, and enjoys a victory smoke.
Outside Fawcett City…
Having retrieved Thor’s hammer Mjolnir, Wonder Woman now possesses the powers of the Norse god. When Storm arrives for their battle, she immediately realizes she may have to face the combined powers of Thor and Wonder Woman. She gracefully accepts the challenge anyway.
“I fear you’ve no hope of winning such a contest while I wield this weapon,” Wonder Woman tells her. Storm agrees, but insists that she will not yield. Wonder Woman decides that such a battle would not be fair, and willingly drops Mjolnir to the ground. She reverts back to her default form and soars up into the sky. “We face one another as was intended,” she says. “I may have given up an advantage, but the victory’s still going to be mine!” Lightning strikes and a storm sets in as Ororo hoists herself into the air to meet her foe.
Storm directs a powerful gale at Wonder Woman, but she slips behind the X-Man and grabs her by the ankle. Using Storm’s leg for leverage, Wonder Woman pulls her own body around and delivers a powerful kick to the back of Ororo’s head. Storm frees herself from the grip and electrocutes Wonder Woman with a surge of lightning. She refuses to give up, but Storm has no choice but to finish the battle. “Forgive me, sister,” she says, delivering one final current of electricity into Wonder Woman’s body. Defeated, she begins to fall to the ground. Storm swoops in and catches her motionless body before she gets injured any further.
Greenwich Village…

“No fair!” Superboy screams as Spider-Man shoots webbing onto his sunglasses. Superboy rips off his shades and searches around frantically for his opponent. Spider-Man, who clings to a nearby water-tower, taunts Superboy from a distance. Using his tactile telekinesis, Superboy turns and demolishes the water tower with a mere wave of his hand. This distance attack completely surprises the web-slinger. “Neat trick,” he says. “So what’s your story, kid?”
“I’m a clone,” the snarky Superboy says. “Try to grasp the concept.”
This remark unintentionally elicits sympathy from Spider-Man. Ben Reilly is, after all, a clone of Peter Parker. Superboy interprets his reaction as mockery, however, and springs forward to give Spidey a beating. Spider-Man parries the attack and delivers a flying kick to Superboy’s chin. He then pushes off of the wall and flips into the standing water. However, Superboy is nowhere to be seen.
Spider-Man looks around, confusedly, for his opponent. “This sneaky stuff is supposed to be my gag,” Ben says. Suddenly, Superboy emerges from the water directly beneath Spider-Man and knocks him off of his feet. While Spider-Man regains his senses, Superboy swoops around and flies headlong toward his bewildered opponent. Ben senses the incoming attack, spins around, and fires a shot of impact webbing right at Superboy. He then steps out of the way, revealing a high-voltage electrical box immediately behind him. Superboy careens out of control and crashes into the circuitry, sending a powerful electrical shock through his entire body. Spider-Man offers a sarcastic apology as Superboy collapses to the ground.
Metropolis…
Superman arrives downtown and witnesses the Hulk clobbering Metallo with a giant, golden statue. Superman’s reputation precedes him; the Hulk immediately recognizes the infamous super-hero and introduces himself as Dr. Bruce Banner. Metallo attempts to interrupt their cordial exchange with threats of destruction, but the two super-heroes turn in unison and deliver a pair of punches to his face. Suddenly, Bruce and Clark are pulled from Metropolis, and they reappear in the middle of the Grand Canyon.
Superman begins to resume their conversation, but the Hulk sucker-punches him and sends him flying into the canyon walls. Superman immediately picks himself back up and flies toward the Hulk. They exchange a series of heavy blows, until Superman remembers what is at stake. Empowered by his goal of saving his world, he delivers a final punch to the Hulk’s and sends him soaring into the canyon wall. Upon impact, the sides of the canyon collapse and bury the Hulk in a mountain of rubble.
Manhattan…
The final battle, this one between Batman and Captain America, has reached a stand-still. In the sewers under Manhattan, Captain America searches desperately for his stealthy opponent. He looks down into the sewer water, and surmising that Batman is probably hiding beneath the surface, drops a brick into the water. As the reflection reforms, Captain America spots Batman sneaking up behind him.
He tries to react, but is too slow. Batman delivers a flying kick to his head. Cap turns and slams Batman into a wall with his shield. “I’ve never fought against someone with whom I’m so evenly matched!” Captain America says as he fights. Batman swings around on a sewer pipe and lunges back toward his opponent. He strikes Captain America, but then finds his momentum turned against him as he is hurled into the water.
“We’ve been at this for hours. We could battle for days,” Batman says during a reprieve. “We should be looking for some other option.” While Cap agrees, he sees no alternative. Batman reminds him that either way, billions of people will lose their lives, but Captain America reminds him that if they do not fight, it may mean the end of both universes. They each assert that it is their duty to protect innocent lives, and as such, they cannot concede defeat. They agree to keep fighting until someone goes down.
Batman and Captain America hurl their projectile weapons at one another just as a deluge of water pours into the sewer. Batman dodges Cap’s shield, but his Battarang hits Captain America square in the head. He loses his balance and falls into the surging water, instantly disappearing beneath the surface. Batman is not about to let his noble opponent drown, however. He dives into the current himself, finds Captain America, and drags his limp body to the surface. With the battle over, Batman carries his fallen adversary out of the sewer and into the streets above.
Batman asks Cap how he is doing as they emerge from the sewer system. Captain America says he feels okay physically, but is understandably disappointed. “I lost, and maybe doomed an entire universe.” However, as they pick themselves up, they look around and realize that nothing has changed. “We’re both still here, so this isn’t over yet,” Captain America says. “What now?”
Coincidentally, the two heroes happen upon Access and the homeless man. The former gatekeeper greets them excitedly and states that they may be the universes’ last hope. Access begins feeling power coursing through his body, and suddenly knows what to do. He places a hand on the chest of each displaced super-hero and begins transferring some unknown power into them.
The box flares up right in the middle of this process, and the keeper screams that time has finally run out. With the battles over, the one of the universes must cease to exist.
However, the losing universe is not eliminated, nor is the winning universe spared. The worlds, as well as the Brothers, begin to merge into one.
Instead of two Brothers, there now exists just one singular being. And instead of two universes, there now only exists one amalgam universe.


[User]
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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
DC Versus Marvel Comics: Round Four
The Amalgam Universe…
The hideous, green-haired villain Hyena is on the run. He leaps from building to building, and judging by the horrible grin plastered across his face, he enjoys every moment of it. Hot on his trail is Dark Claw, who repeatedly shouts for Hyena to surrender. After hearing the latest refusal, the frustrated Dark Claw hurls an explosive capsule at Hyena. Using a broken ventilation pipe as a bat, Hyena repels the projectile like a baseball and sends it flying toward a crowd of innocent bystanders.
Just then, Super-Soldier springs forth and blocks the hand bomb with his shield, absorbing the brunt of the explosion. This irritates Hyena because in addition to not successfully slaughtering a bunch of civilians, he now has to deal with yet another formidable super-hero. Dark Claw and Super-Soldier continue their pursuit, completely focused on the task at hand. However, all the parties involved neglect to comprehend their cosmic insignificance, as their current existence is merely the result of an inter-dimensional anomaly.
In a forgotten alleyway directly beneath these buildings, the nexus of this disconcerting universe continues to shed its light. The homeless man, who was only recently young and vigorous, now slumps against the brick alley walls in a nearly lifeless heap. His ashen skin sags off his face as he comes to a horrible realization: this amalgam universe is not the doing of the Brothers at all, but is a desperate last-ditch effort of the Spectre and the Living Tribunal to save one of the realities. It seems that the Brothers were ready to cast the losing universe into oblivion, but in that fateful moment, the Spectre reached out to the Living Tribunal for help. In order to save one universe, they merged them together, much to the ire of the Brothers.
And the Brothers are not beings one should ever anger.
Back in the city, Hyena’s escape comes to a halt when he finds himself trapped on a rooftop by Dark Claw and Super-Soldier. They ask him to surrender, but the devious villain scoffs at their demand. He flips off the roof and crashes through a window. Dark Claw and Super-Soldier split up in order to find him.
Elsewhere…
Axel Asher, now wielding the supreme power of the Access, now finds himself witnessing the cosmic struggle of the Living Tribunal and the Spectre. The enormity of this scene threatens to destroy Access’ mind, but in a subconscious act of self-preservation, his power transports him back to the amalgam Earth. He appears in the alleyway, next to his aged predecessor. The decrepit appearance of his old protégé shocks Access, but the old homeless man merely laughs this off. “With all the contests to worry about, a beauty contest ain’t one of ‘em,” he jokes. The man then addresses Access in a serious tone. “Listen fast, kid: I pulled fate’s strings to get Soldier and Claw nearby, with some help from Spec and the Trib, but now it’s up to you. I’ve done almost everything I could.”
Access replies that he still does not know what to do. The homeless man grabs his arm, and transfers the rest of his power to his protégé. “When I said I’d done ‘almost’ everything…well, here’s the rest. Bye, kid,” he says as he begins to vanish. “By the way…my name’s Morty. Glad we met.” With that, Morty disappears forever.
This sudden burst of light draws the attention of Super-Soldier. Unfortunately, it also attracts Hyena, who comes crashing through a window into the alley. He sees Access and begins taunting him. Access pays him no attention, as he is currently mourning the loss of his friend and mentor. Just like all antagonists, Hyena hates being ignored, so he escalates the cruelty of his derision. Access turns, faces the irritating villain, and calmly tells him to go away. With a mere wave of his hand, Access banishes Hyena from the universe.
Just then, Dark Claw and Super-Soldier enter the alley in pursuit of the villain. They ask Access where he went, but the melancholy Access responds that it does not matter. Super-Soldier begins to angrily respond, but Access assures him that nothing matters. Nothing, that is, except for the fragments of the separate realities that he hid within each these two heroes. He explains that this was the only way to protect the two universes from being completely destroyed by the Brothers, and begins to draw the universal energy out of both Dark Claw and Super-Soldier. “I’m giving Spectre and Living Tribunal access to the power within you,” he explains, “…and we’re using it to restore the universes.”
The remains of these realities begin to return to their protectors as Access utters the powerful, restorative phrase, “let there be light.” With this, the amalgam universe is torn asunder, and reverts to its component realities. Amazon, Dark Claw, Doctor Strangefate, Emerald Eye, Spiderboy, and Super-Soldier cry out as their souls are cleaved in two. However, the original heroes, back in their pure forms, spring forth from this blinding flash of light.
The cosmic explosion propels Access across the chasm between realities before returning him to solid ground. He looks around his new surroundings, only to realize that he is once again in the same mysterious, fateful alleyway. Further, Batman and Captain America both find themselves there as well. Access is happy to see that the amalgam universe no longer exists, but sighs at the fact that the two universes still overlap.
The Bat Cave…
With the universes now separate but still overlapping, the heroes and villains resume exploiting their new surroundings. Mole Man and his Moloids continue exploring the Bat Cave, but the Hulk shows up and crashes their party. At their master’s request, the Mole Men begin swarming on Hulk. They do not represent a severe threat individually, but the Hulk quickly finds himself overcome by their sheer numbers. The situation turns even more dangerous when a group of them bring out a large gun.
Fortunately, Superman intervenes and absorbs the blast from the powerful weapon. He tells Mole Man that this cave belongs to one of his associates, and kindly asks him to leave. Mole Man does not need to be told twice; he recognizes that he is outmatched, and flees with his Moloids.
As the cave empties out, Dr. Banner thanks Superman for the assistance. “So…do you have any idea what just happened?” Hulk asks in reference to the recent cosmic synthesis.
“None,” Superman responds, adding that he has a feeling the affair is not quite over.
Sure enough, the end of everything may be close at hand. The Living Tribunal and the Spectre converse about recent events while frantically trying to restore order to their worlds, only to realize that they still overlap. More frightening, however, is the sight of the Brothers engaging each other directly instead of proceeding through less destructive channels. Both cosmic beings gasp at the destruction before their eyes. As the Brothers exchange blows, they inadvertently destroy entire galaxies. Neither the Living Tribunal nor the Spectre has ever bore witness to such awesome power, and the display makes both beings quiver.
The Daily Planet…
The Daily Planet’s irate editor Perry  White and his associate, J. Jonah Jameson, attempt to reprimand their owner, the notorious Wilson Fisk. Scoffing at their harmless threats, Fisk  nonchalantly throws Perry over his shoulder and into the wall. As Lois rushes to aid her injured boss, Kingpin asserts that he thinks he made his point. Fisk’s confidence is quickly shattered by the timely arrival of both Spider-Man and Superboy. They double-team the corrupt mob boss and hurl against a chalkboard, while demanding that he sell The Daily Planet back to its original owners.
Venice…
Jubilee and Robin share a passionate kiss on a gondola in the scenic waterways of Venice. Neither of them understands how they arrived in this romantic setting, but they waste none of their remaining time together worrying about it.
Elsewhere…
“Where is he?!” Thanos shouts as he thrashes his urban surroundings. Buildings crumble around the merchant of death as he searches for his new nemesis, Darkseid. Wolverine and Lobo reluctantly team up in order to put an end to his menace, but Thanos overpowers them both. After blasting Lobo to the ground, Thanos elicits a response from Wolverine.
“Can’t say I care what you do to Lobo, Thanos,” Logan says as he rips a chunk out of Thanos’ chest. “But I can’t stand by and let your tussle bring the city down around innocent people’s skulls.”
“It’ll be a cold day in Hell before I need your help, ya puny bastich!” Lobo snaps back. Finally, Darkseid arrives and tells Thanos to prepare for death.
All around the dual Earths, heroes unite to stop rampaging villains. Catwoman and Elektra, who only moments before fought to the death, now team up to subdue Abomination in Central Park. Flash and Quicksilver team up to take down Venom. In what promises to be an awe-inspiring display of power, Captain Marvel, Green Lantern, Silver Surfer, Storm, Thor, and Wonder Woman unite to put a stop to the threat of Darkseid and Thanos.
Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel and Green Lantern attack Thanos in unison, while the others engage Darkseid. Darkseid blasts his unfamiliar opponents and sends Mjolnir flying out of Thor’s hands. Once more, the mighty hammer lands at the feet of Wonder Woman. She picks up the divine weapon, but this time, willingly hands it back to its rightful owner. Thor stares at the hammer in confusion, as it did not induce a transformation in Wonder Woman. Before he can ponder this mystery, something else draws his attention. In fact, this new event draws the attention of every being in existence.
The fighting halts, and the champions and villains look up into the sky as it is torn asunder. It turns red and inexplicably begins dripping to the ground below. “Is…is what I think is happening…happening?” Wonder Woman asks aloud.
“Aye,” Thor responds. “The sky is…bleeding.”
The alleyway…

The sky pours down onto Access, Batman and Captain America. Cap lifts his shield and protects his companions from the falling sky while pleading with Access to do something. Access refuses to go argue with the supremely powerful Brothers, but after Batman asks him to merely transport them someplace helpful, he agrees. He grabs onto the two heroes and transports all of them to a realm of nothingness.
They arrive into this nebulous void, which Access explains is the source of such perplexing phenomena as racial memory and déjà vu. “It’s not a geographic place…it’s more a state of consciousness,” he explains to his traveling companions. Before them, they are able to glimpse the Brothers in the midst of their epic battle. However, their human minds only comprehend and translate a fragment of what lies before them.
Earth…
Heroes, villains, and civilians stare helplessly as the universe hemorrhages. In these final moments, lovers embrace, former enemies make amends, and everyone dreads the end of all that is. Everyone, that is, except for one servant of death, who sees nothing but wonder in the death of the universe. “It’s…it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Thanos utters, practically on the verge of tears.
The in-between…
In the distance, Access, Batman and Captain America are able to see tiny figures desperately trying to restrain the warring Brothers. Access explains that the figures are indeed the Spectre and the Living Tribunal, but their efforts to stop the fighting are futile. “We…we have to go back. Form an army,” the stunned Captain America says.
Access rebuffs this suggestion. “The Spectre’s more powerful than a billion armies, and you see how he’s faring,” he says. With no other options before them, Batman and Captain America decide to intervene. They leap up to the almighty Brothers and plead with them to stop. Unsurprisingly, they fail. The Brothers’ swords clash once again, this time destroying everything in the vicinity, including the nearby heroes.
As their bodies and minds are obliterated, both Batman and Captain America have an epiphany: they finally understand that mankind’s insatiable desire to destroy itself has always been a mere echo of the destructive will of its creators. After this final thought, their minds open up and spill their contents.
Providently, in this final moment, the sums of their collective life experiences are laid bare for the Brothers to see. Their full attention turns to Bruce Wayne’s painful memory of the murder of his parents. They witness how this loss if innocence led the young man to devote his entire life to stopping such evil deeds from occurring to anyone else. They realize he and his companions were not merely powerful beings, but heroes for justice.
They also witness a young Steve Rodgers willingly undergoing painful augmentations to his own body, simply so he could better defend the world from evil. They witness him finding friends who shared his courageous spirit. At the same time, the Brothers understand that while each of these creations fights for the common goal of justice, they are also completely and utterly unique.
The Brothers halt their battle as they reflect on these observed memories. As eons pass around them, they reach an epiphany of their own: through their petty fighting, they have become lesser beings than their own heroic creations. With their conflict settled, they reach out, shake hands, and speak to each other for the first time in the history of the universe. “You’ve done well,” they say to each other. They leave it at that.
Using the immense power at their disposal, the Brothers restore the universes to their original, separate states. The various super-heroes struggle to remember the details and cope with the emotional fallout of what they just experienced. Jubilee sheds a tear at the memory of her lost love, Robin. Wonder Woman ponders the divine power she wielded, even if it was for just a brief moment. Thor struggles to provide answers to those who seek them. Aquaman and Namor, both dumbstruck by the enormity of creation, re-evaluate their status as rulers. Batman and Captain America, the true saviors of existence, find themselves humbled by the glimpse of truth they encountered. They bow their heads in respect.
Elsewhere…
Access, the only mortal being who comprehends the full truth of what happened, stands in his familiar alleyway. He decides to reject the knowledge impressed upon him. His true nature is that of a wanderer, and without some distant truth to seek, his life would lack purpose. With that, he rejects the ultimate knowledge in his possession, opens up a trans-dimensional portal, and steps through. However, it is not Access the all-knowing who steps into the great unknown, but Axel Asher, the restless wanderer.