Fusion (Three issue mini) (Top Cow ft Marvel/2009)

 

Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning (w) Tyler Kirkham (a)

Having just read the Captain Atom crossover with Wildstorm I thought I'd re-read this mini series published by Top Cow utilising Marvel characters in an obvious attempt to promote their lesser known properties including Hunter Killer which was new at the time and Cyberforce one of their nineties efforts that were occasionally revived.

The Marvel characters involved included the Avengers and for me the unfamiliar Thunderbolts who were also a "thing" back then, certainly Venom has become a major part of the Marvel Universe in the decade that followed this series but I have to confess have never read.

The story takes place just after the Civil War (for which I will never forgive Tony Stark) and in order for the reader to understand what is going on and who is who there is a character guide at the front of each issue. Reminded me so much of Mighty Comics' Crusaders story Too Many Superheroes published very tongue in cheek back in the sixties.....

Deep in the woods Ellis is sitting by a fire when something happens and the Avengers are alerted to fact  and head towards a reported "superhuman incident".  A lorry thrown in the sky knocks their Quinjet out of the sky and the team find themselves up against a creature that looks like a cross between Lobo and Wolverine. 

Turns out this is some kind of alien symbiote that has an effect on Ripclaw (an actual Wolverine rip off) who is part of the Cyberforce team who suddenly appear and the inevitable hero on hero fight takes place. Add the Thunderbolts, Norman Osbourne and The Morningstar (from the Top Cow Universe) and all you have to is allow for other Hunter Killer operatives to arrive and it's all a bloody mess.

Not a bad story, not a great one either.  Great art though! Far too many characters in too few issues and the mix that suggests they all exist in the same shared universe is best ignored. I can't remember if this crossover was reciprocated by Marvel using Top Cow's characters but if I find it whilst going through my collection I'll let you know.