This is just based on personal preference, nothing more.
Round 1- Characters/Comics:
I’m lumping these two together because characters are what interest me in picking up (or not picking up) a comic. DC seems to emphasize that their characters are incredibly powerful and godlike, while Marvel goes more towards making their heroes vulnerable and easier to relate with (I’m sure that there are exceptions on both sides, but this seems to reflect the majority of both sides). I like Batman… because he’s Batman. Batman is actually kind of how I got into comics (“kind of”… it’s a long story). However, Marvel’s characters are what really got- and kept- my attention. At the end of the of the day, I would rather read about Spider-Man/Peter Parker trying to balance school work and battling Doc Ock and the X-Men fighting prejudice than bullet-proof aliens or space cops. Marvel’s characters feel a little more human- and I like that. Also, DC’s comics seem to be all about grit lately (or at least, the few I’ve picked up), while Marvel’s titles are more bright and optimistic (though both companies aren’t producing stories with the depth they used to).
Round 1 Winner- Marvel
Round 2- Films:
The Dark Knight is my favorite superhero film. It’s a brutal masterpiece. However, where DC wins the sprint, Marvel wins the marathon. Though a lot of Marvel’s films are similar in tone and structure, their model for a connected cinematic universe changed the way franchises are approached (like when DC kind of copied them…). Basically, they have consistency down. Also, Marvel finds new angles to approach their films. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a political thriller, Ant-Man is a heist film, and Doctor Strange is… something strange (and visually wonderful). Again, humor and optimism beat out… whatever Man of Steel was trying to do.
Round 2 Winner- Marvel
Round 3- Television:
This one’s weird because, for the most part, Marvel and DC’s television shows seem to go the opposite directions of their respective companies’ films in terms of tone- and it pays off for both of them. Marvel’s Netflix shows embrace grit over fun in a way that works, and DC’s shows are colorful and campy- also in a way that works. The Flash, for example goes full Silver Age of Comics on us- it’s not the most intelligent show, but it sure is fun. We’ll just not talk about Gotham, because the goodness of DC’s other shows outweighs that one. Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is alright, and slowly getting better.
I would almost say this is a tie- but taking animation into account means that DC wins with its fantastic shows like Batman: the Animated Series and Young Justice.
Round 3 Winner- DC
Round 4- Video Games:
DC has the groundbreaking, wonderfully crafted Arkham series and Marvel has… I’m kind of drawing a blank here… I guess if you count arcade games… hmmm…
Round 4 Winner- DC
Overall, I would say I’m more of a Marvel fan, but as you can see by this tie, both “sides” have made plenty of great contributions to the entertainment industry with their “modern mythologies”. Honestly, I think it’s kind of silly that fans of one company or the other claim that DC/Marvel is truly superior to the Marvel/DC. Can’t we all get along?
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