The other day, I was discussing the differences between Marvel and DC Comics. So, I thought I would write it down.
Many people believe that comics are comics. These people thing that the only thing that is different is the characters that they own, but I think that it is a more distinct difference.
This is not all inclusive, but I think the main difference between DC and Marvel characters are their plae of birth. Most of Marvel’s characters were born in the US somewhere. Most were normal people until something drastic happened–radioactive spider, going blind, or scientific experiment gone bad.Â
On the other hand, one could make the argument that most (excluding Batman, of coarse) of the DC Universe is from another planet (Krypton) or were influenced by other planets (Green Lantern). It may sound like a simple division–but the differences are great when the story lines begin to flesh out.
So,next time you are asked–so what’s the difference–just mention the place of birth.Â
Shlepzig says
I would have to say that you are at the head of the trail on this one, but need to go further down the path.
The main difference as I have seen it is that DC presents comics as mythology, where Marvel has always presented them as Biography. Your comment about birthplace is a good one, follow that down to the place-names in both comics. Until very recently you would never see an actual city named in DC comic, you would only see analogies of actual cities. Marvel always placed their characters in the real-world.
In example DC had Metropolis (Understood to be Chicago) and Gotham (Always known to be NYC). Marvel placed Spiderman right in the middle of Manhattan and drew the rest of the set-pieces right from the city.
The differences between the philosophies of both houses run much deeper than that. Because Marvel was rooted in the world which we lived in, the characters shared that catharsis. Peter Parker had to make rent, worry about school, etc. The human element, and the consideration of the mundane details of life (which is why I user the term biography) were a major part of the story. Superman lived pretty much above all that, even his alter ego of Clark Kent really never dirited his hands with any of that. He was a modern Zeus, powerful and above human frailty. The same can be said for Wonderwoman, Green Lantern, or the most human Batman. You could sense how each DC hero served as an ideal above mortal concerns(I would liken it to Ayn Rand in many ways), where Marvel charaacters struggeled with these concerns against their status as heroes.
The writer I feel you get the best sense of this from for both sides are the great works of Frank Miller on both sides of the fence. Where he tackled Daredevil for Marvel and Batman for DC. These two very similar characters were portrayed within the views of their respective houses to great effect. Comparing say the Dark Knight arc to the First Elektra saga, the characters are cut from the same cloth, but the stories diverge along the same lines. Daredevil is drawn deeper and deeper into the human condition, whereas Batman rises further and further above it as the stories progress.
That’s my 2 cents on the topic.
Shlepzig.