Marvel vs DC Comics

https://aaron.kr/content/talks/marvel-vs-dc-comics/

This presentation was put together as a kind of "cultural study" for the Jeonju University Teacher Trainer program in July 2020. I introduced DC and Marvel comics, and detailed many of the differences and similarities between the two biggest comic book publishers in the US.

"Slugfest: Inside the Epic 50-Year Battle Between Marvel and DC" by Reed Tucker was instrumental in helping me prepare for this presentation.

Transcript

1. This is your presentation title
2. DC vs Marvel
5. DC vs Marvel What do you know about
6. Marvel vs. DC Introduction Heroes • Villains • Sidekicks • Teams-ups • Themes
8. A Brief History of DC Comics 1934: National Allied Publications 1935: Superman 1937: Detective Comics 1939: Batman 1940: DC Logo 1966: Batman TV show 1967: Purchased by Kinney National (WB) 1970: Jack Kirby 1976: Jenette Kahn - directorial editor 1980: New Teen Titans 2005: Batman Begins + DC spin logo 2009: WB Restructuring 2011: The New 52 2012: Rebrand + Dark Knight Rises + Arrow TV show 2016: Rebirth / rebrand
11. A Brief History of Marvel Comics 1932: Magazine publishing company 1939: Timely Comics (later Atlas) #1 1941: Capt America 1961: Stan Lee + Jack Kirby (Marvel) 1962: Spiderman 1963: X-men 1986: Company sold 1988: McFarlane’s Spiderman 1991: IPO (40% sold) 1992-1995: Numerous acquisitions 1996: Bankrupt 1998: Emerges from bankruptcy 2000: X-men movie 2002: Spiderman movie 2009: Bought by Disney ($4.3 billion) 2015: Disney + Sony = Spiderman in Capt America Civil War
13. DC vs Marvel Company Comparison
14. Marvel vs. DC Comic Companies Which is more successful?
15. DC vs Marvel Characteristics • Old-fashioned, traditional • Sluggish, conservative • 50% sell-through rate • 1930s-40s • Eisenhower • Great Depression / WWII • Establishment • Capes • Targeting youth • Edgier, hipper • Progressive • 70% sell-through rate • 1950s-60s • JFK • Hippies / Vietnam War • Anti-establishment • No capes • Targeting young adults
16. DC vs Marvel Characteristics • Old-fashioned, traditional • Sluggish, conservative • 50% sell-through rate • 1930s-40s • Eisenhower • Great Depression / WWII • Establishment • Capes • Targeting youth • Edgier, hipper • Progressive • 70% sell-through rate • 1950s-60s • JFK • Hippies / Vietnam War • Anti-establishment • No capes • Targeting young adults
17. DC vs Marvel Heroes • Superman • Batman • Wonder Woman • Gods, super-powered beings trying to be human • “God” struggles • Unlimited resources • Flawless, too perfect, clean & tidy, boy scouts • Born good guys, perfect hero • Fantastic Four • Spiderman • X-men • Humans, accidentally granted super-powers • “Real” struggles • Limited resources • Flawed, imperfect, messy, regular people • Anti-hero (ex in notes, page 2)
18. DC vs Marvel Heroes • Superman • Batman • Wonder Woman • Gods, super-powered beings trying to be human • “God” struggles • Unlimited resources • Flawless, too perfect, clean & tidy, boy scouts • Born good guys, perfect hero • Fantastic Four • Spiderman • X-men • Humans, accidentally granted super-powers • “Real” struggles • Limited resources • Flawed, imperfect, messy, regular people • Anti-hero (ex in notes, page 2)
19. DC vs Marvel Universe • Perfect art • Lacked flair, danger, energy (esp covers) • Individual fiefdoms • Not reading other books, not using other talent • Characters rarely cross-over • One-off stories, disjointed universe • Characters only = stars • Imperfect, stylized • “Stand across the room and know a Marvel cover” • Cornucopia of creativity • Reading, sometimes stealing, poaching from DC (and vice versa) • Characters exist in the same universe • Coherent Marvel universe • Writers / artists = stars
20. DC vs Marvel Universe • Perfect art • Lacked flair, danger, energy (esp covers) • Individual fiefdoms • Not reading other books, not using other talent • Characters rarely cross-over • One-off stories, disjointed universe • Characters only = stars • Imperfect, stylized • “Stand across the room and know a Marvel cover” • Cornucopia of creativity • Reading, sometimes stealing, poaching from DC (and vice versa) • Characters exist in the same universe • Coherent Marvel universe • Writers / artists = stars
21. DC vs Marvel Multimedia • First, best to TV / movies ◦ 1966: Batman TV ◦ 1978: Superman I ◦ Innovative, risk-taking ◦ Retained rights ◦ Live action TV • First to publish European style books (no ads) ◦ 10% direct sales • Shoddy movie / TV work ◦ More conservative, controlling of universe ◦ Sold rights ◦ Animated TV • First to direct sales ◦ 20% direct sales ◦ Multiple covers ◦ Collectibles
22. DC vs Marvel Multimedia • First, best to TV / movies ◦ 1966: Batman TV ◦ 1978: Superman I ◦ Innovative, risk-taking ◦ Retained rights ◦ Live action TV • First to publish European style books (no ads) ◦ 10% direct sales • Shoddy movie / TV work ◦ More conservative, controlling of universe ◦ Sold rights ◦ Animated TV • First to direct sales ◦ 20% direct sales ◦ Multiple covers ◦ Collectibles
24. DC vs Marvel cinematic Universes
26. Marvel vs. DC Videos Top 10 Differences
27. DC vs Marvel Movies & TV • Zack Snyder (Man of Steel) ◦ Director controlled • Team-up / fighting first, then individual intro films • Superman vs. Batman ◦ Straight men ◦ Dark, gritty, violent • DCEU - no overlap, more variety (not as strong, cohesive) • Kevin Feige (Avengers?) ◦ Overseen from above • Individual intro films first, then team-ups • Capt America: Civil War ◦ Pranksters ◦ Colorful, humor, light • MCU - all characters together, united vision (more planning = payoff)
28. DC vs Marvel Movies & TV • Zack Snyder (Man of Steel) ◦ Director controlled • Team-up / fighting first, then individual intro films • Superman vs. Batman ◦ Straight men ◦ Dark, gritty, violent • DCEU - no overlap, more variety (not as strong, cohesive) • Kevin Feige (Avengers?) ◦ Overseen from above • Individual intro films first, then team-ups • Capt America: Civil War ◦ Pranksters ◦ Colorful, humor, light • MCU - all characters together, united vision (more planning = payoff)
31. Scene Fights! From ScreenCrush
32. Batman v Superman.... Captain America: Civil War Justice League.... Avengers Wonder Woman.... Captain America Suicide Squad.... Guardians of the Galaxy Aquaman.... Black Panther The Dark Knight.... Logan Man of Steel.... Iron Man Wonder Woman.... Thor SnyderVerse.... MCU Snyder Cut.... Josstice League
33. Batman v. Superman Captain America: Civil War
34. Avengers Justice League
35. Wonder Woman Captain America
36. Guardians of the Galaxy Suicide Squad
37. Black Panther Aquaman
38. Logan Dark Knight Rises
39. Iron Man Man of Steel
40. Thor Wonder Woman
41. MCU SnyderVerse
42. Snyder Cut Josstice League
43. All Differences from Theatrical Version Top 10 Biggest Changes Film-making Comparison 23 Biggest Changes
44. DC vs Marvel Upcoming features
45. The Suicide Squad (8.6.2021) The Batman (3.22.2022) Black Adam (7.29.2022) (alternate) TV: Titans Season 3 (8.12.2021)
46. Black Widow (7.7.2021) Shang-Chi (9.3.2022) Eternals (11.4.2021) TV: What If…? (8.11.2021)
47. Venom 2: Let There Be Carnage 9.15.2021 ?
49. DC vs Marvel Winner?
50. Team Coco Batman Wants to Join the Marvel Universe
52. Brand battle!
53. DC vs Marvel Other Big Rivalries B a
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66. DC vs Marvel Others? Vs Korean comics?
68. THANKS! Any questions? Watch some more trailers? 68