Marvel vs. DC. For as long as we can remember, these two comic-book-publishing juggernauts have been waging a war of super-heroic proportions — each trying to win the hearts and minds (and cash) of fans. (They’ve even done battle on the comic-book page, perhaps most famously in the 1976 one-shot Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man.) These days, they’re slugging it out at the box office, with DC’s rejuvenated Superman and Batman franchises squaring off against Marvel’s Spider-Man and Fantastic Four. The companies’ Spandex-ed rivalry calls to mind another clash of titans: Mac vs. PC. As this Apple ad-spoofing video reveals, it turns out our favorite superheroes aren’t so different from their computerized counterparts after all.
You can see the other clips on YouTube: here, here, and here. Me, I’ll stick to the guy with the webs when it comes to Underroos. But what do you think, PopWatchers? Are you a citizen of the DC Nation? Or do you still have your Merry Marvel Marching Society membership card? And who would prevail in a Brandon Routh/Tobey Maguire Superman vs. Spider-Man movie?
I saw these a few months ago and just cracked up. They’re witty and spot-on in the parody of the Mac-PC dynamic. The one with Superman’s kid is my favorite.
In your face DC!
Marvel only had one lame era, which was the 1990′s (part one of a twelve part mini series that spans six titles, three of which you’d never pick up!). They’ve since come back with a renewed vigor, and reclaimed their throne as the kings of superhero comics.
Now, DC DOES get some redemption. Their adult line ups (Vertigo in particular), link ups to British series and connections to Frank Miller will always give DC some merit. In that sense, they’ve done a ton of movies they never get credit for (ie, V for Vendetta)
But when it comes to superheroes, DC is like a Norman Rockwell Painting. They portray an ideal of a time and place that never truly existed. DC’s heroes may have real life problems now, but it’s because they wanted their heroes to appeal to folks the same way Marvel’s heroes always did.
Excelsior!
I may not have bought a comic in a while, but I’m definitely still one of Stan Lee’s true believers. Glad the guy making these parodies is too. The baby one is priceless. Excelsior!
Still, DC has the best superheroes! The mythology is just brialliant!!!!!
Have you even read any DC comics…ever? I have been an avid reader of BOTH DC and Marvel comics since Batman had his back broken/Superman “died” and the relaunch of the X-men and I prefer DC hands down. Marvel is not fluid in its story lines, and more often than not, you pick a marvel comic up and then think “hmm. I think I’ve missed a couple of issues” when you hadn’t. Marvel plots are freakin confusing if you haven not read them from the beginning of time. And quietly referencing some huge event that happened 30 years ago does not help in the understanding Marvel!
My favorite superheroes are X-Men and Batman, and I don’t really like Superman or Fantastic Four. It’s a toss-up.
Both are good but DC is iconic. Doesn’t surprise me that EW would side with Marvel. It’s the “hipster” choice for comics. Superman rules all.
To yet ANOTHER anon-
I had every single issue of every Marvel and every DC SERIES from 1977 until 1987. Purchased from a comic fanatic’s wife a few weeks after he died and left her with his debt. Check with Joe Sarno (he started the Wizard World cons) if you don’t believe me.
Let’s Contrast: Green Lantern vs. Iron Man. Green Lantern called his Asian cohort “Pie face” well into the 1990′s. Meanwhile, Iron Man had not one but TWO brothers in the suit (Rhodes and a boxer who wore the suit in #’s 21-22). Sure enough, once Rhodes became Iron Man, Green Lantern became a brother a few months later. And GL’s own readers hated on DC for being copycats. DC’s always a step behind Marvel in terms of creativity. DC’s heroes were always too vanilla for my taste, save maybe Batman, Lobo and Guy Gardner.
That said, I mentioned how Marvel dropped the ball in the 1990s and DC came back. I also gave props to Vertigo and DC’s great non hero books: Watchmen, Ronin, etc.
’nuff said!
I stopped buying Marvel in the 80s. I was at University and realized that I couldn’t afford to keep up with both “universes”. I don’t regret that day at all. However, I also believe that Marvel versus DC is less PC versus Mac, and more Oasis versus Blur. You can go out and buy a few titles from each and enjoy them on your own, as owning one doesn’t discount you from owning another. Just for the record…I prefer Macs, Blur(most of the time), and Nintendo!
“But when it comes to superheroes, DC is like a Norman Rockwell Painting.” – Ep Sato
I could not agree more. DC is all fine and good, but I feel like most of its superheroes are kind of outdated. Superman is just too perfect, IMO, because he was created in a time of difficulty for America when people needed that kind of superhero. As times changed, superheroes became a bit more complex with actual shortcomings and weaknesses to overcome which gives them more humanity than I feel Superman has (yeah, I know he’s technically an alien, but you know what I mean).
However, I do have to say that Batman is one of my favorite superheroes ever. I’ve never really cared for Superman and I really dislike the Fantastic 4. The rest of my favorites all come from Marvel so I have to say I’m definitely more on the side of Marvel than DC.
Everyone is basing their views of Superman off of the old cheesey cartoons and old comics. The man went crazy a few years ago and stopped sleeping so he could control everything on earth including the weather. he figured that if he stopped sleeping he could stop everything bad from happening. he also created an army of superman robots to watch what he couldnt.
Yeah. He has is too perfect and the ideal hero. Dont criticize things you havent read for 10-30 years. things change.
DC/Marvel Part 1
Superman, The Movie (1978, Christopher Reeve, Richard Donner) will always be the Ultimate Superhero movie.
Yes during the 90′s and up till now, DC/WB (which owns Entertainment Weekly) cranked out a load of crap (with the exception of Batman Begins, although they totally ruined Ras Al Ghoul). Superman Returns was unwatchable except for the plane saving scene.
Marvel never had any sucess bringing their heroes to life, (Ok the Hulk TV series was great), until 7 years ago when Singer made the X-Men dance. Sorry lets not forget Blade, who was far more popular as a movie star than a comic book hero. Spiderman followed suit, by wowing us, and getting us involved with the characters. Oddly the first 3 Spiderman films, mirror the first 3 Superman movies for character and storyline development.
Marvel crapped out on Daredevil, Elektra, Punisher (both times) and the Fantastic Four films, (anybody catch the really bad one made in the 80′s).
DC/Marvel Part 1
Superman, The Movie (1978, Christopher Reeve, Richard Donner) will always be the Ultimate Superhero movie.
Yes during the 90′s and up till now, DC/WB (which owns Entertainment Weekly) cranked out a load of crap (with the exception of Batman Begins, although they totally ruined Ras Al Ghoul). Superman Returns was unwatchable except for the plane saving scene.
Marvel never had any sucess bringing their heroes to life, (Ok the Hulk TV series was great), until 7 years ago when Singer made the X-Men dance. Sorry lets not forget Blade, who was far more popular as a movie star than a comic book hero. Spiderman followed suit, by wowing us, and getting us involved with the characters. Oddly the first 3 Spiderman films, mirror the first 3 Superman movies for character and storyline development.
Marvel crapped out on Daredevil, Elektra, Punisher (both times) and the Fantastic Four films, (anybody catch the really bad one made in the 80′s).
Oh you got me!!! One time like a decade ago….wooo how can I fight that? read the comics today. you will see a big difference in the two. DC is more concerned with the human side of heroes. thats different than marvel.
Oh David, you lost me at Brandon Routh. But I still consider myself a D.C. nationalist, for BATMAN alone, that and for WONDER WOMAN… come on, where is that movie?