DC has been the dominant comic book company since it started publishing in 1934, with Marvel being its top rival. But what makes DC so great? In this article, we list 5 reasons why DC is better than Marvel.
DC Consistently Puts Out High-quality Content
Marvel occasionally releases great comics but often they’re overshadowed by duds (e.g., Civil War). Conversely, DC always puts out quality content whether it’s an ongoing series or one-shots. Plus, their iconic characters never fall into stale jokes or tropes. They always remain fresh and entertaining to read about even years after their debut.
DC Is More Willing to Experiment With Its Format
Marvel has a strict “mutants vs. supersoldiers” formula that they stick to religiously. However, DC has been known to mix things up. This is by releasing miniseries that focus on a single character such as Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne or Aquaman: The Trench. This allows for greater depth and storytelling possibilities. This is why some people consider DC’s format to be more “epic” than Marvel’s.
DC Has a More Diverse Cast of Characters
Marvel is predominantly white and male. At DC, you can find characters from all walks of life. This includes Latino, Asian, and even disabled heroes (see: Animal Man). This diversity makes comics more relatable. It opens up new storytelling opportunities that weren’t possible before.
DC’s Characters Are More Relatable
Marvel’s characters are often very powerful and invulnerable. This can make them difficult to relate to. DC’s characters, on the other hand, are usually just regular people who are struggling to cope with the challenges of life. This makes them easier for fans to connect with and care about.
DC Has More Iconic Characters
Marvel has a lot of great characters, but they’re not as well-known as some of the characters in DC Comics. For example, Batman is much more famous than Spider-Man. This means that there’s a bigger fan base for DC’s iconic characters, giving them more potential to be successful on the market.
DC Villains Are More Effective
Marvel’s villains tend to be one-note villains who aren’t very well-developed or memorable. DC’s villains, on the other hand, are usually much more complex and interesting. This makes it easier for fans to sympathize with them and root for them during fights against the heroes. DC also has a more well-rounded cast of superheroes. This gives their villains more opportunities to stand out.
DC’s Character Development Is Unparalleled
This is most evident in the way that Batman and Superman have been developed over the years. Each iteration of these characters has become infinitely more complex and interesting than their predecessor. Marvel does an excellent job of developing its characters too, but nowhere near as well as DC does.
DC Has a Bigger History
DC Comics has been around for decades now, while Marvel only started publishing comics in 1939. This means that DC has amassed a much larger library of stories and characters over time. This makes it easier for them to create new stories and introduce new characters into their universe without having to start from scratch (as Marvel did at first). This also makes it easier for DC to crossover between different universes. This is because they have an established continuity to work off of.
DC Comics Universe Is Vastly Larger Than Marvel’s
In terms of total pages published, DC has vastly outpaced Marvel over the years (though this may be changing). This means that there are more opportunities for stories to be told and explored within DC Comics’ universe than within Marvel’s comparatively small universe.
DC’s Continuity Is Better Plotted
Marvel’s continuity is often confusing and hard to follow. DC’s continuity, on the other hand, is usually much more linear and easy to understand. This makes it easier for fans to follow the story and understand what is happening.
DC Movies Are Better Than Marvel Movies
Marvel has had some great successes, but they have also had some terrible ones. DC has never failed to produce a good movie adaptation, no matter the genre. This is especially apparent in the superhero genre. This is where DC has produced movies that are consistently better than Marvel. Marvel movies tend to be formulaic and boring. DC movies, on the other hand, are usually much more action-packed and fun to watch. This makes it easier for fans to get into the story and enjoy watching it unfold on screen.
DC Has a More Cohesive Storyline
Marvel has a lot of different stories running concurrently, which can make it difficult to follow. This is especially true for new readers, who may not be familiar with all the different characters and storylines. By contrast, DC’s storylines are more cohesive and easy to follow. This makes it easier for longtime fans to appreciate the nuances of each universe.
DC Has a Better Overall Design Aesthetic
Even if you don’t particularly like superheroes, it’s hard not to appreciate good-looking comics! Marvel sometimes suffers from inconsistent art styles across different titles. But DC always manages to produce high-quality visuals no matter what the artist is doing. DC Comics’ style is generally cleaner and sharper than Marvel’s. This gives their comics a more polished appearance overall. This doesn’t just apply to the visual aspect of the comics. Many aspects of the plot and dialogue are also smoother in tone with fewer rough edges compared to Marvel’s comics.
DC Has a Better Overall Story Arc Structure
DC comics tend to have longer and more complex story arcs than Marvel comics. This gives their stories a more satisfying overall arc. This is especially noticeable in the current era of DC Comics, where their story arcs are often divided into smaller ” chapters ” that are released over several months or years rather than being all lumped together in one big storyline (like Marvel’s recent event series).
DC Has a Better Overall Tone
DC comics tend to have a darker and more serious tone than Marvel comics. This gives their stories a more realistic and intense feel. You can see this in both the superhero genre as well as in more general genres such as crime fiction.
So, in conclusion, DC is better than Marvel. DC has a bigger fan base, more iconic characters, a better story arc structure, and a darker and more serious tone.