Remember When Crossovers Didn’t Need a 10-Year Setup?

 


Back in the day, comics didn’t over explain anything.

Characters would just show up, team up, or even fight each other without lengthy backstories or convoluted reasons. Spider-Man could swing into a Fantastic Four issue, or Batman might meet the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the most you’d get was a throwaway line like, ‘Huh, weird we’ve never crossed paths before!’—and that was enough. No multiverse rules, no crossover events requiring six prequels, just pure, uncomplicated fun.

Comic books thrived on spontaneity and imagination. Crossovers between different companies—like Marvel and DC’s Superman vs. Spider-Man (1976) or Batman/Daredevil (2000)—happened simply because it was exciting, not because some grand cinematic universe demanded it. Fans didn’t need every detail spoon-fed to them; they were happy to fill in the gaps themselves.

Now, everything has to be set up. A Disney+ series introduces a character, a mid-credits scene teases a team-up, and three films later, we might get the payoff. Studios act like audiences won’t understand a hero showing up unless there’s a 20-hour homework assignment first. But the truth? People just want good stories. They don’t need a PhD in franchise lore to enjoy a movie.

Maybe it’s time for these companies to take a step back—trust the audience, embrace simplicity, and let fun be the priority. And fans? We could stand to relax a little too. Not every plot hole needs a 10-page Reddit thread, and not every Easter egg has to ‘mean something.’ At the end of the day, comics—and their adaptations—are supposed to be fun. Let’s not forget that.


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