DC Vs. Marvel

[TiQuinn]

Which is the better comic book company? Feel free to interpret that any way you choose, and explain why. :)

[Northcott]

Where's the "I think that corporate loyalists are half-wits" option? :D

[TiQuinn]

Where's the "I think that corporate loyalists are half-wits" option? :D

One doesn't have to be a corporate loyalist to think one side or the other is better overall.

This thread is accepting of nuanced opinions. :snooty:

[Bagpuss]

I voted Marvel, but then I haven't bought a comic in years. When I was buying comics it was mainly short-run independents with X-Men thrown in, but all the spin-off titles made that nearly pointless, so I stopped buying them in the end.

I think Watchmen is the only DC title I ever bought. There heroes and style of drawing never appealed to me.

Too me as a company Marvel seem to have a much higher profile due to their films and toys.

[Droid101]

I voted Marvel because the only two DC characters I'm even sure are DC characters are Batman and Superman, and I only like one of thsoe two.

Yes, you can take my comic book nerd card and decoder ring.

[Space Cadet B^3]

DC, the only reason, is the town I grew up in didn't get much in the way of Marvel in the grocery and convenience stores, so DCs what I collected.

[Dr_Avalanche]

How can I not pick the option that says Indie? :p

Honestly, I have no big attachment to either DC nor Marvel. I've read some comics from both and liked them, but I've never been all that into super heroes; I read a lot more French and Belgian comics growing up.

[Keeper of Secrets]

I'd like to say DC because I am typically more drawn towards their characters. But deep down I love DC and Marvel equally. Night now, Marvel is putting out the better stories because I think Dan DiDido (DC's EIC) has completely lost touch with reality.

I expect him to be fired in say, April.

[azrael]

I voted dc, strictly because that happens to be the majority of what I buy...

however, I"m loving the current run of captain america and some toher stuff I've seen coming from marvel is intriguing

and indies are always good
what can I say, I love my funny books:p

a

[Space Cadet B^3]

I voted dc, strictly because that happens to be the majority of what I buy...

however, I"m loving the current run of captain america and some toher stuff I've seen coming from marvel is intriguing

and indies are always good
what can I say, I love my funny books:p

a
Cap's alive?

[Northcott]

Currently I'd rather work for DC -- it's widely spoken among pros that you get better/more professional treatment there. At Marvel, the word is that unless you're in solid with Joe Q, you're treated as a 2nd class citizen.

Though to be frank, I haven't picked up a comic by either in a couple years, at least. Indy stuff produces some of the most original, entertaining work on the market, but it pays for shit and gets rotten exposure. Now if DC and Marvel were to start acting like every other publisher on the planet, the best of both worlds could be married: original indy-type stories could be given top-notch production values and exposure, allowing a greater diversity of genres and talents to expand the scope of the industry.

Of the two companies, DC is the only one who's explored that direction with their Vertigo line (thank you, Neil Gaiman!). Marvel has said that they were going that way, and even went so far as to accept ideas -- then yanked the rug out from under the feet of the creators and dumped the notion even as people were nailing the ideas down for publication.

Hell, I take that back. I'd not only rather work for DC, but I think they've got a proven track record of having a better idea of what's good for the industry overall. They're more weighed down with bureaucracy, however, and that's a weakness, but Marvel has proven inconstant again and again with failed line after failed line of attempting to expand their scope.

[Droid101]

Recent/upcoming big movies;

Marvel: Spiderman 1, 2, 3, X-Men 1, 2, 3, Fantastic 4 1, 2.
DC: Batman Begins, Batman Dark Knight.

Recent/upcoming stinkers;

Marvel: Ghost Rider, DareDevil, Elektra, The Hulk
DC: Superman Returns

New movies that we aren't sure about:

Marvel: Iron Man, a new The Hulk movie with Edward Norton/Tim Roth.
DC: ??

[Harry]

When I was a kid, my comics were Batman, Superman, Spiderman and the extant Marvel Universe. If I voted then, it would have been a tie, but I slightly favored Marvel. I only recently got back into comics, however, and looking at the shelves now Marvel does nothing for me at all, for the most part. Some of the one shots are nice, like Last of the Mohicans. The rare comics I do buy are DC [Jonah Hex], Vertigo, or independents.

[Northcott]

Recent/upcoming big movies;

Marvel: Spiderman 1, 2, 3, X-Men 1, 2, 3, Fantastic 4 1, 2.
DC: Batman Begins, Batman Dark Knight.

Recent/upcoming stinkers;

Marvel: Ghost Rider, DareDevil, Elektra, The Hulk
DC: Superman Returns

New movies that we aren't sure about:

Marvel: Iron Man, a new The Hulk movie with Edward Norton/Tim Roth.
DC: ??

You forgot Catwoman. Eeeugh.

Iron Man looks like it's going to rock, and rock hard.

Marvel's also trying to get a Sub-Mariner film done, as well as Thor and the Avengers, apparently.

DC's been fumbling with Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Green Lantern for ages. At one point there was talk of Jack Black as GL. All three could be damned fine movies in the right hands. Chances are that there'll be some stench involved instead.

[Droid101]

You forgot Catwoman. Eeeugh.

Iron Man looks like it's going to rock, and rock hard.

Marvel's also trying to get a Sub-Mariner film done, as well as Thor and the Avengers, apparently.

DC's been fumbling with Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Green Lantern for ages. At one point there was talk of Jack Black as GL. All three could be damned fine movies in the right hands. Chances are that there'll be some stench involved instead.

I heard about a Flash movie as well for DC, but they can't get anything done.

Yes, I based my vote for Marvel on movies. :)

[Northcott]

I heard about a Flash movie as well for DC, but they can't get anything done.

Yes, I based my vote for Marvel on movies. :)


These days that's about as valid as anything else. I like looking at the cartoon series as well. DC's owned the television in that genre for years now. Dini and Timm rocked the tube with their version of the DCU -- it had its weak points, but it's strengths more than made up for it. The subsequent Batman cartoon seemed decent from what little I saw of it. The Teen Titans had a really strong youth vibe, and a great deal of popularity among kids. The current Legion of Super Heroes cartoon looks like it's going to be a success as well.

Marvel's had a couple of lukewarm direct-to-video Avengers releases and the current Fantastic Four cartoon... which seems decent. A few years back they had a good Spider-Man jones going, after the first movie, with Bendis overseeing an animated version on MTV that only made it (iirc) one season. They're relaunching Spider-Man again, focusing on his early, awkward teen years -- and they're getting Warner (DC's owners) to do it. Funny, that. :)

[King Vyper]

Well lets see...

DC has really jumped the fucking shark. The only thing good right now is The Brave and the Bold, JSA, GL & the GLC (Sinestro War fucking rocks). They really blew it with the failure of the Wildstorm relaunch and The Boys Debacle. Great books like Stormwatch: PHD and Welcome to Tranquilty never really had a chance.

In my mind Image seems to be bringing out some great stuff. Invincible, Walking Dead, Brit, Astonshing Wolfman, Death Dealer

[doc]

Not a comic reader, but I like Darkhorse's stuff

You forgot all the toons on cartoon channel, Droid

[GreyOne]

Dark Horse produces much more interesting comics.

The Vertigo part of DC is the only part worthy of respect, producing many great titles.

Marvel wins by default.

[Northcott]

Dark Horse produces much more interesting comics.

The Vertigo part of DC is the only part worthy of respect, producing many great titles.

Marvel wins by default.

Hold it... Dark Horse produces more interesting comics, DC produces many great titles... and Marvel wins by default? 'Splain yourself, Lucy!

[Hastur T. Fannon]

Are we including Wildstorm and Vertigo? Or just mainstream DC?

To be honest, I'm not, in any way, a loyalist. I go with the writing (the words "Anything by Warren Ellis" are on the top of my pull list)

As King Vyper has pointed out, DC have messed up with Wildstorm relaunch and then alienated one of the few writers who can consistently write a good Wildstorm story (it's not "Justice League with swears" and it's most definitely not Batman/Superman slash fiction - Mark Millar, we're looking at you). On the other hand, they do make good cartoons :)

I followed one huge Marvel cross-over through to completion and now I've kind of lost interest. I'm even on the verge of canceling Thunderbolts

[Ergeheilalt]

At one point there was talk of Jack Black as GL.

Are you sure? I heard it was going to be the blonde Jewish guy from 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and Superbad.

I voted Marvel as that's what I dig the most. I've never, ever been tempted to pick up a DC comic (despite loving the Animated Series when I was a kid), but when my dad handed me Bring on the Bad Guys when I was 8 or 9, I got a heavy dose of Marvel goodness. I read Frank Miller's Dark Knight stuff, but even that was just kind of underwhelming I guess.

[azrael]

about the flash movie, I'd heard rumors of it being a wally west movie starring ryan reynolds... this makes it a good idea in my book

a

[GreyOne]

Hold it... Dark Horse produces more interesting comics, DC produces many great titles... and Marvel wins by default? 'Splain yourself, Lucy!

Well I attribute the post to a brain cramp between reading the original post and making a post myself.

But, to save face I will justify my response in the following manner:

Dark Horse is not independent in my view, since it's been around for 20 plus years and has a huge library of titles. Thus it is eliminated from the options.



DC is eliminated because, though Vertigo creates many fantastic titles, it is kind of a separate entity from DC, geared towards adults. DC comics have never appealed to me in the slightest, despite the fact that I think Batman is a cool character and completely superior to Superman who is the Deus ex machina of comicdom. ;) Thus it is eliminated from the options.


Thus, leaving you with Marvel which despite its problems, has the cooler characters and world.

:D

[Sobek]

At one point there was talk of Jack Black as GL.

My first thought was "ick", but Black could be a decent Guy Gardner.

I wasn't a follower of the comic, but what I gathered about it, Black would be good.

[King Vyper]

To be honest, I'm not, in any way, a loyalist. I go with the writing (the words "Anything by Warren Ellis" are on the top of my pull list)

As King Vyper has pointed out, DC have messed up with Wildstorm relaunch and then alienated one of the few writers who can consistently write a good Wildstorm story (it's not "Justice League with swears" and it's most definitely not Batman/Superman slash fiction - Mark Millar, we're looking at you). On the other hand, they do make good cartoons :)

I followed one huge Marvel cross-over through to completion and now I've kind of lost interest. I'm even on the verge of canceling Thunderbolts

1) Ellis can be hit or miss much like Millar. You can always tell when there just mailing it in. I am really enjoying Ellis's Black Summer, But Doktor Sleepless is not doing much for me.

2) Wildstorms Editor just quit because of The Black Dossier Debacle. Gen-13 and Stormwatch: PHD :(are getting the axe. There is a lot of internal fighting going on between the Editors at DC.

3) One of the best Stories in marvel right now isn't World War Hulk, which is good. I picked up the hard cover of the Annilahtion Trades, WOW:eek:! Way better than Civil War. I am getting the Annilhation: Conquest Mini's now and the goodness keeps coming. Nova and Starlord (Rocket Racoon!) are two of the best titles in Marvel for my money. With Iron Fist and Captain America a close second .

[shabois]

Both have cons.

I think Marvel has the better comic lines going right now. Led by Bendis, Loeb, etc., I think the better stories are @ Marvel. But the crossovers are gratuitous and overdone. The fact that drunk lawn gnomes could get comics out on a more regular basis reflects on the complete lack of focus on the business side of the industry. The one thing Marvel has done in the last decade that is clearly better than DC (besides firing Leifield!), is the Ultimate lines. They have really recharged interest in comics.

DC is very confusing for beginners, it is not a user friendly universe for people new to comics which is also not healthy for business growth. Dido seems to have no idea how to run a comic BUSINESS. He can get comics out on time way better than Marvel-that’s it.

He has been beaten badly by Marvel in the movie industry as of late. He does not understand how to get new readers, he treats minorities like I treat dog shit on the bottom of my shoe, he lacks innovation- a weekly comic is not innovative as much as a short term bullish move that ultimately sucks the limited monies out of his customers and will kill the industry in the future.

Both companies are struggling to find leadership that understands how to balance the creative and business side.

[shabois]

Are you sure? I heard it was going to be the blonde Jewish guy from 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and Superbad.

I voted Marvel as that's what I dig the most. I've never, ever been tempted to pick up a DC comic (despite loving the Animated Series when I was a kid), but when my dad handed me Bring on the Bad Guys when I was 8 or 9, I got a heavy dose of Marvel goodness. I read Frank Miller's Dark Knight stuff, but even that was just kind of underwhelming I guess.


You are refering to Seth Rogen, who indeed is writing the new Green Hornet
and may star.

Also I view DC as seperate from Vertigo. Vertigo for the most part ROCKS! It is everything DC is not- innovative, cutting edge and creative.

[shabois]

Currently I'd rather work for DC -- it's widely spoken among pros that you get better/more professional treatment there. At Marvel, the word is that unless you're in solid with Joe Q, you're treated as a 2nd class citizen.

Though to be frank, I haven't picked up a comic by either in a couple years, at least. Indy stuff produces some of the most original, entertaining work on the market, but it pays for shit and gets rotten exposure. Now if DC and Marvel were to start acting like every other publisher on the planet, the best of both worlds could be married: original indy-type stories could be given top-notch production values and exposure, allowing a greater diversity of genres and talents to expand the scope of the industry.

Of the two companies, DC is the only one who's explored that direction with their Vertigo line (thank you, Neil Gaiman!). Marvel has said that they were going that way, and even went so far as to accept ideas -- then yanked the rug out from under the feet of the creators and dumped the notion even as people were nailing the ideas down for publication.

Hell, I take that back. I'd not only rather work for DC, but I think they've got a proven track record of having a better idea of what's good for the industry overall. They're more weighed down with bureaucracy, however, and that's a weakness, but Marvel has proven inconstant again and again with failed line after failed line of attempting to expand their scope.

I appreciate your insight as an artist! I have differing opinions as a pure consumer but I found your perspective very interesting...:)

[Northcott]

DC is eliminated because, though Vertigo creates many fantastic titles, it is kind of a separate entity from DC, geared towards adults.

Trust me. They're not a seperate entity. Not at all. It's just a different department.

Marvel tried similar imprints with Tsunami, the Mangaverse, etc. Those were supposed to be aimed at teenage girls, trying to fight back Tokyopop's domination of the young female market. So, of course, Marvel did them all about their current freakin' superheroes, and loaded the covers (and often stories) down with gratiutous cheesecake art -- cause that's what 14 year old girls really crave.

I think that Vertigo's mandate makes them more flexible than the super-hero lines, and that's why it ends up raking in the critical acclaim. Marvel often suffers from the same thing: this myopic clinging to a genre, even when that genre isn't being done well. There's nothing wrong with a western now and again -- as DC loves to remind us with Jonah Hex. :)

[Harry]

Until I read it here today, I had no idea that DC and Vertigo were connected. Drat. Guess that means I voted wrong. Never thought I'd do it, but I'm filling up a box of comics, and it looks like DC got most of my money.

[Northcott]

I appreciate your insight as an artist! I have differing opinions as a pure consumer but I found your perspective very interesting...:)


My pleasure. It's funny, but it took me a little while of thinking over a serious answer before I realized that my perspective was different because of my time talking with other guys in the industry. I started out thinking about the stories that have entertained me the most over the years, and sort of slipped into the other stance without thinking about it. I figured I may as well post those thoughts to add a new dimension to the ideas present. :)

Now watch my ramblings somehow make it to the wrong people and kill certain contracts in the coming year. :p

[TiQuinn]

DC has always been my personal favorite, mostly due to its run in the 60s and 70s of War, Western and Horror. Edgier characters through and through, with incredible artwork and stories. During that same period you had great work being done with Batman and Green Arrow and Green Lantern. The 80s were largely owned by Marvel, but they wasted what was a good thing by the early nineties when they went special cover happy. DC was doing much the same, but they had some kickass stuff like Hellblazer and The Sandman to keep me interested.

[Thoth-Amon]

I'm a Marvel man. As a child the Marvel Heroes grabbed my attention and imagination something most DC heroes never could.