Warning! Spoilers for Justice League Incarnate #1 by DC Comics
DC's version of the Avengers just took some fun shots at their Marvel Comics counterparts in a new look for Justice League Incarnate #1. In a preview for the upcoming limited series, the Retaliators of Earth-8 get the spotlight, where the parodies become clearer. The universe has its own version of the Smart Hulk, Captain America, and even a version of Thanos.
The heroes and villains of Earth-8 first debuted in Grant Morrison and Ivan Reis' epic The Multiversity initiative, which took a deep dive at characters from across the DC Multiverse. The team featured some pretty clear homages to Marvel characters, including Lady Bug (Spider-Woman), Lord Havok, Deadeye (Hawkeye), (Doctor Doom), American Crusader (Captain America), David Dibble (Bruce Banner aka the Savage Hulk), Major Max (Captain Marvel), and Kite (Falcon). The most prominent member of the team is Machinehead, DC's Iron Man parody, who played a key role in the recent Infinite Frontier event. Machinehead teamed up with Darkseid to further protect Earth-8 and was killed by the villain.
In a new preview for Justice League Incarnate #1, by Joshua Williamson, Dennis Culver, Brandon Peterson, Andrei Bressan, Tom Derenick, Hi-Fi, and Tom Napolitano, readers are taken to New York City, where the Reatliators meet up about the missing hero, Machinehead. In the conversation, Big Baby (aka David Dibble) compliments Wandjin on the tea he's drinking, leading the hero to compliment the big blue baby on his "newfound intelligence." Yes, Big Baby has become Professor Hulk on Earth-8. Meanwhile, American Crusader worries about Machinehead as Doctor Multiverse appears warning them about a soon-coming threat.
The Retaliators are met by Tartarus, a Thanos-like villain who tells the team his "Eternity Conquest" is beginning, which sounds like Thanos' "Infinity" quests. The Retaliators gather together as American Crusader calls out his version of "Avengers Assemble," as he shouts, "Retaliators Rampage!"
The Earth-8 content is an excellent nod to DC's most prominent rivals as each hero and villain clearly is an homage to Marvel. While it might seem odd that the publisher is poking fun at its competition in such an obvious way, Marvel just did an entire event that basically asked the question, "What if the Justice League was the Earth's Mightiest Heroes," using the Squadron Supreme. So, this is relatively tame.
It's doubtful the Retaliators will play a significant role in the upcoming Justice League Incarnate #1, but still, seeing the characters - such as their takes on Captain America, Hulk, and even Thanos - interact and poke fun at their Marvel Comics counterpart is hilarious. DC Comics continues to embrace the Multiverse, and what better way to do so than a callback to the Avengers-inspired heroes? We can't wait to see what other references are in store when Justice League Incarnate #1 by DC Comics is in comic book stores later this week.