Marvel doesn’t agree with one of DC’s laws, that’s why I love Marvel’s heroes so much

Comic book fans are always trying to pinpoint the exact differences between Marvel Comics and its eternal rival DC Comics, and I think that difference is encapsulated in the just-released issue of The Amazing Spider-Man. One day it will be forgotten by history, a philosophy that stands in stark contrast to DC lore.

The Amazing Spider-Man #65 – written by Joe Kelly, illustrated by CAFU – has this existential element beyond Peter Parker that I think relates to the difference between Marvel Comics and DC. I felt it.

Whether it’s the story of Booster Gold (who works in a 25th century superhero museum), the story of the Legion of Superheroes (who based their 31st century philosophy on Superman), or the story of Future State. Whether it’s the revelation of DC’s heroes in “Wonder Woman” that the universe will continue to immortalize as gods for years to come, DC is clear: their heroes will be remembered forever. Marvel, on the other hand, takes a completely different approach.

Marvel Comics aims for “the world outside the window”

The perspective that shaped the “House of Ideas”

There’s a line often attributed to Stan Lee that says the Marvel Universe represents “the world outside your window.” So it’s basically just our world, but with superheroes taking on cosmic threats. Unlike DC, most books are set in New York rather than fictional cities like Metropolis or Gotham. As a fan, I’ve always felt that much of the character’s appeal lies in their humanity and vulnerability. When the Marvel Universe was built, DC’s heroes were all perfectly fine. Marvel’s decision to give their heroes relatable human problems was crucial to their popularity.

A great way to explain the difference involves time travel. In 1994, Alex Ross and Kurt Busiek created Marvels, a comic that told the story of the Marvel Universe through the eyes of an average Joe, a New York photojournalist who happened to be covering all the biggest events. The film became so important that Ross, along with Mark Waid, was given the opportunity to similarly redefine the DC Universe. It’s the same thing they did with Kingdom Come, a book about the apocalypse told through the eyes of a preacher who compared heroes to gods. .

In the DC Universe, the Old Gods are dead and superheroes are taking their place

DC superheroes wrestle with their heritage

The “divinity” of DC’s heroes is generally understood to be primarily metaphorical, although in some cases it can be an actual plot point. Grant Morrison’s crossover event DC One Million not only sees DC heroes remembered in the 853rd century, but also theoretically sees Action Comics reach 1,000,000 issues per month based on circulation. It was time to reach it. Plus, Superman himself is still alive and more powerful than ever. And they live isolated from humans in the sun. His happy ending is kind of the opposite of his self-imposed banishment to the Fortress of Solitude at the beginning of Kingdom Come.

Let’s take another example of a literal God in the DC Universe: the New Gods. The New Gods, the successors to the “Old Gods” of mythology, are literal gods…but still, for the most part, not as powerful or influential as Superman or Wonder Woman. Now, while Spider-Man realizes that he will one day be forgotten, the entire DC multiverse is embroiled in a cosmic, spiritual battle between the forces of ultimate good and ultimate evil. Combine that with his presence at the head of DC’s “Trinity” and you’ve got enough Christian tropes to fill Kingdom Come.

Superman vs. Spider-Man Embody the Core Marvel Vs. DC Rivalry

The publisher’s signature characters tell the story

Going back to the beginning, I would argue that what characterizes this conversation is actually the story of Superman and Spider-Man. While the Man of Steel had an idyllic upbringing, loving parents, and was quickly accepted into the city and the world, Spider-Man struggled to survive and was treated in unpleasant and violent ways by his parents (and later He loses his father (who was like a father to him) and is conflicted. With a city that often rejected him. Perry White follows Superman and records his every good deed, while J. Jonah Jameson famously believes Spider-Man is a “threat” that must be stopped at all costs.

In DC, even “typical” heroes who technically have no powers can be elevated to the level of gods. A clear example of this is Batman, who is often treated like a character who can do anything and defeat anyone if given enough “preparation time”, and stories tell us that he has been around for years. It depicts him single-handedly defeating both Superman and Darkseid. Despite his apparent mortality, this character is even part of the “Trinity”, three of DC’s greatest heroes, whose very name is derived from Christian teachings. The “Trinity” is the three parts of God Himself.

Marvel’s Universe is more familiar than DC’s: Here’s why

It’s always been the superpower of the Marvel Universe

At the heart of this conversation is the question, “Do you want a hero you can relate to, one who is grounded and exists in a familiar reality?” Or do you want to read a fantasy tale in which a god-like being confronts apocalyptic odds befitting the gods?When the Marvel universe first began coming together in the 1960s, the answer that resonated with readers was…More We wanted a character that was human and had his feet on the ground. Although there have been exceptions, that philosophy has led the comics sales race for many years. In movies, Zack Snyder’s highly mythical DCEU failed to connect in the same way as the MCU’s conniving, flawed characters.

To me, neither opinion is “wrong”. Many people prefer DC’s mythical approach to storytelling and appreciate the epic stories that tend to come out of characters like Wonder Woman and the New Gods. In fact, Marvel even has a Thor! Still, most readers (including this author) seem to prefer shared worlds that feel like places they can actually visit. DC’s Mount Olympus may not be as relatable, both literally and figuratively, as Marvel’s New York.