How did 'DC vs. Marvel' (1996) come about, and what was its reception?

The crossover was a promotional event created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of both DC and Marvel Comics. It was a collaboration between both publishers, aiming to generate excitement and sales. While commercially successful, the story itself was criticized for its simplistic plot and focus on spectacle over character development. It's largely considered a fun novelty rather than a landmark crossover.