I know this is a topic that can start on-line battles, end friendships, and reveal some of the most colorful language ever. Yet I’ve been asked to talk about Marvel Heroes Vs DC Heroes, which implies that I have to choose a side. I collected a lot in High School, but it was mostly Marvel. Spider-Man and X-comics to be specific. I still have Superman stories that involved his Death and Return as well as Batman Knightfall. A few other odds and ends from DC, but not much. It was the DC cartoons and movies I went after, but then Marvel took the lead in the cinema. All of that has led me to this thought:
Why not both?
I’m very much out of the loop with the comics now. A lot of changes have been made and I walked away when Spider-Man lost his marriage. If you thought that was cool then fine, but I didn’t like it. It happened when I didn’t have enough money to keep up with things, so it made the decision easier. I still hope to gather more graphic novels of ‘Fables’, but that’s another company. I think. Anyway, Marvel and DC seem to be big into reinventing all of their characters and erasing the history to start anew. So my knowledge is useless. Both are obsessed with big events while I enjoyed the one issue story or something that didn’t involve the fate of everything. Very little low scale stuff from what I’ve been told by my friends who are still reading. So this is really the opinion of a former comic book collector/reader. Which means it isn’t much.
Both companies have larger than life heroes that border on ridiculous when you really think about it. Superman is obscenely powerful due to the era that was originally made in. Batman seems to be even more unbeatable simply because he’s Batman. Hulk’s strength is actually limitless as long as he stays angry. Wolverine’s healing factor ranges from immediate regeneration to an hour to heal a papercut. Take any heroes in comics and you’ll find logic flaws.
If that’s the case then how can you claim one company is better than the other? You pick a favorite and stick to it, I guess. I admit that there’s something to brand loyalty, but what if there’s a really good story on the other side? Batman will not show up to take away your comics if you get into the Ms. Marvel comic. Iron Man doesn’t care that you’re also reading Wonder Woman. This probably shows that I have little interest or knowledge of competitive business. Stems from thinking that one should enjoy their entertainment and never block themselves off from another venue.
I think isn’t what the person asking was expecting. They probably wanted me to say which I prefer (hence the versus) or simply point out differences. The thing is that there really aren’t many differences any more. Heroes still die and come back on both sides. Powers are still at the whim of the writers. Villains are still alive and escaping jail whenever they feel like it. Only the specific stories are different and those are starting to seem oddly similar. Seriously, can someone tell me how ‘Secret Wars’ isn’t simply the Marvel version of ‘New 52’ or how ‘Necrosha’ isn’t the X-Men version of ‘Blackest Night’? We really are at a point where the two companies are singing this song:
What does everybody else think? Keep it civil.
(Sorry that was a big rant. I really do like most of the characters on both sides. Just frustrated that it seems like they’ve become lazy with a lot of their storytelling and that’s what I got into back in high school.)
Dark Horse 😉
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Gotta love Hellboy. The person who posed the question was more into the big ones, so I didn’t really stray. Still, I really wish they would’ve done a Hellboy 3.
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Or a Firefly sequel. Or a Twin Peaks one. Sorry, knee-jerk reaction…
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I heard they’re going to do another Twin Peaks thing. As for Firefly, I think it’s better that they don’t do a sequel. Only because it has a high risk of not meeting expectations and tarnishing the legend. That’s just my opinion and I know it isn’t a popular one.
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Lol – nope, it sure isn’t 😀 Although I can see what you mean. Still, how bad can it be?
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Considering some of the later Buffy seasons and who died in the movie? I’d be scared.
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What are you talking about? I loved Buffy – all of it. As I did Angel, but that’s another sad story.
But yes, I have no words for the Firefly death…
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I just vaguely remember Spike taking over the vampire lover role and there being a robot/double thing. My wife knows more about it and she’s one of the people who stuck through it to the end. She said it ended on a good note.
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It ended on an epic note, but it could have easily gone on for a couple or more seasons. My impression was that it ended just as it was finally starting to find its pacing. Shame really.
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They continued in the comics. Forgot the company that put them out.
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True. I’ve seen a couple of these. Still miss the series 🙂
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I read both for years. Even had them delivered to my house. Marvel got to the point where you had to take four or five different Spider-Man titles just to follow the story. DC went that way for a while, but toned it down somewhat. I got tired of “The story continues next week in Really Super Cool Spider-Man #492.” I never subscribed to RSCSM and refused to scramble for a copy. Love comics, but not getting milked for more money.
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I stuck through that era of Marvel and left when I couldn’t afford to keep up with all the big events. Hung in there with the smaller heroes for a bit until they all seemed to tie into other storylines. Got rather ridiculous
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I’m totally with you. I couldn’t possibly decide on a favourite! I love characters from both and enjoy a variety of heroes and villains for different reasons. I could rant on about my love of comic books for hours, but I’ll save you that. It’s the same with movies and television. Take Arrow and Daredevil for example – I love both these adaptations. It would not be fair to choose!
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I haven’t seen Daredevil yet. I have a feeling a part of the current fan rivalry is caused by the movies. With DC attempting a set up for a Justice League film, people are being made to feel like they should take sides.
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Nah! It’s good to love em both – they both bring different things to the table. Daredevil is a great, great show. I hope it continues 🙂
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I hear they’re doing Luke Cage ad Jessica Jones too. Possibly Punisher down the road.
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I hadn’t heard that. I really hope those projects pan out 🙂
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I know they cast the first two and are supposedly filming. Punisher just started getting mentioned.
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It’s so exciting! I heard that Atom is getting a standalone too, which I’m unsure about but still willing to give it a go!
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Atom? That’s an odd choice for DC. I thought he was only showing up in Arrow.
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Yeah. He’s proved a popular character so they’re doing a spin off – like they did with The Flash. Or at least there’s talk!
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Interesting. There is a lot they can do with a guy that shrinks to atom size. It’ll depend a lot on the writers.
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True. I won’t spoil what they’ve done so far, cause I know you’re not up to date with Arrow and it’s fun to watch. But there’s definitely potential 😀
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Isn’t one of the Superman actors playing the Atom? Brandon Routh (sp?) I think.
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That’s right. When he first appeared I couldn’t get CK out of my head! He does the bumbling thing a little too well – but he’s more eccentric genius now, and he’s grown on me. He’s like a big kid at times and can be entertaining!
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I find it interesting that he’s playing a different superhero in the same comic universe. Then again, he isn’t the first. Chris Evans was Human Torch & Captain America. Ryan Reynolds was Hannibal (Blade 3) and Deadpool. Really looking forward to Deadpool.
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Me too! I’m looking forward to so many upcoming movies. I loved Chris as the Human Torch, and am not particularly looking forward to the remake – but I’ll give it a go 😉
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Not sure what to think of the remake. I have limited movie days throughout the year, so it’ll have to be really good to earn one. 🙂
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I’ll let you know! My children are older, so I drag them with me – kicking and screaming!
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Thanks. So far I think the movies on my definite list are Avengers 2 and Jurassic Park 3. Think there’s a 3rd one somewhere.
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Age of Ultron is released here Thursday (I’ve probably mentioned that several times 😉 Let me know what you think when you get to see it.
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This Thursday? I thought it wasn’t going to be until next week. We’re still trying to figure out a time to see it due to family events. Don’t forget the post-credit scene. 🙂
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Yeah, it’s early in the UK, and that rarely happens! Thanks for the reminder about the post credits – I’ve missed vital information in the past!
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Whedon said there isn’t one, but I’ve heard that one was added after he said that. Or he lied. I wonder why they’re releasing it early in the UK.
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I’m not sure. I couldn’t believe it when I saw the release date. We usually have to wait weeks (sometimes months) after the US. I’m not complaining 😀
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Enjoy. I’ll plug my ears to avoid spoilers. Though I’m sure it’ll be easy to figure some stuff out.
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Thanks 😀
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Lol… I have to agree. I love them both, but was partial to the fantastic four as a kid… guess who I was… Flame On! 😀
I was so happy when they started doing movies. I honestly thought… Oh wow, and I get to see this in my lifetime… how lucky! 😀 A dream come true and I think they’ve done and awesome job! 😀
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I paid a little attention to the FF when I was a kid. Though I wanted Mr. Fantastic’s powers. At least when I didn’t want to be Spider-Man. Probably stemmed from being short and having to climb counters to get to things.
I haven’t seen the new FF movie. Heard Dr. Doom was poorly done and that was kind of a downer. Not sure why it’s so hard to do that character.
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