The Age old Question: Marvel Vs. DC?

[GlowInDarkDork]

I know that the giant (and sometimes confusing) history of the DCU puts a lot of people off but I was absolutely fascinated by it, I started buying as much as I could and reading as much on the internet to fill in the gaps in my knowledge (which were enormous) I just LOVED learning about all the complicated histories and story's that had gone on.

I agree whole-heartedly now, the DC History was a big, convoluted, scary thing until I got a good taste.  Then I felt like an archaeologist digging threw old issues, trying to sort out the truth(Did Jor-El wear a red and green jumpsuit or a scaly black bodytard with green robe?).  Like Chris, I wish I would have been exposed to Starman early on,  that is the perfect bait to draw anyone into DCU's history.

[Alec B.]

It's Marvel for me when it comes down to one thing: Characters.

Both compnaies produce great stories. Both companies have great writers and artists. But, for me, the most important thing you can care about in either universe is the characters that it contains. The characters make the universe. At the end of the day I will care more about what happens to Daredevil then Booster Gold so that will make me more compelled by the stories, the artwork, etc.

DC has a complex history, but I really don't think that matters. My first DC read was 52 and it showed my a side of the DCU I had never seen. I was confused by continuity I did not understand yes, but just by the characters I gained an interest to go farther into the universe and research its past.

Marvel is my roots. That was were I started in comics and that is where I will die in comics. It's the same conection you have with your home town. You grew up there, so no matter how far away from it you travel you will still go out of your way to travel back to it. It is constantly on your mind and you care about what happens there. I know in my mind that Marvel is the universe that I feel most comfortable at. I know the characters of the Marvel U much better than I do the DCU. Marvel characters feel like family while DC characters feel like people I am just beginning to get to know and no matter how long I know them they will never be my family.

Alec

[VinceB]

It's Marvel for me when it comes down to one thing: Characters.

Stop being so damn level-headed.

Looking at your karma, it seems your good nature and propensity for intelligent discourse has ruffled the feathers of some evil bastard lurking in our ranks. They'll get theirs. 

[Matt H.O.W.L.]

It's Marvel for me when it comes down to one thing: Characters.

Both compnaies produce great stories. Both companies have great writers and artists. But, for me, the most important thing you can care about in either universe is the characters that it contains. The characters make the universe. At the end of the day I will care more about what happens to Daredevil then Booster Gold so that will make me more compelled by the stories, the artwork, etc.

DC has a complex history, but I really don't think that matters. My first DC read was 52 and it showed my a side of the DCU I had never seen. I was confused by continuity I did not understand yes, but just by the characters I gained an interest to go farther into the universe and research its past.

Marvel is my roots. That was were I started in comics and that is where I will die in comics. It's the same conection you have with your home town. You grew up there, so no matter how far away from it you travel you will still go out of your way to travel back to it. It is constantly on your mind and you care about what happens there. I know in my mind that Marvel is the universe that I feel most comfortable at. I know the characters of the Marvel U much better than I do the DCU. Marvel characters feel like family while DC characters feel like people I am just beginning to get to know and no matter how long I know them they will never be my family.

Alec

You get the good karma from moi, mon ami. Aw, what the hell, you too, Vince.

[Alec B.]

Stop being so damn level-headed.

Looking at your karma, it seems your good nature and propensity for intelligent discourse has ruffled the feathers of some evil bastard lurking in our ranks. They'll get theirs. 

I said the same thing looking at yours, buddy.  

Hey, I'm not bashing DC. I just spoke my opinion of how I feel. Nothing harmful in that is there? 

You get the good karma from moi, mon ami. Aw, what the hell, you too, Vince.

And I shall return.

[VinceB]

I said the same thing looking at yours, buddy. 

Bah, bring it on, I say. If that kind of stuff gives someone a chubby, have at it. Doesn't make any difference to me. 

[Alec B.]

Bah, bring it on, I say. If that kind of stuff gives someone a chubby, have at it. Doesn't make any difference to me. 

No. I will not participate in that. I just noticed that we are tied at negatives.

I do not wish to harm or negate anyone here.

[VinceB]

No. I will not participate in that. I just noticed that we are tied at negatives.

I do not wish to harm or negate anyone here. 

I think some wires are being crossed, here.

I meant that it looks like you (and, now that you mentioned it, I) have a nasty stalker that doesn't take too kindly to your demeanor. I wasn't making a comment on anything you said in your post.

[Alec B.]

I think some wires are being crossed, here.

I meant that it looks like you (and, now that you mentioned it, I) have a nasty stalker that doesn't take too kindly to your demeanor. I wasn't making a comment on anything you said in your post.

Oh, may bad, Vince. I thought we were playing the sarcasm game. By you saying that someone is out to get me, I thought you kind of meant you were the one doing it. I had a hard time believing it though.

Well then, we are in a bit of a spot. But who could it be?? And why?? Will I awake from my sleep tomorrow or be strangled as I shut my eyes?? 

(Yes, dramatic I know)

Glad to know it was not you, my friend.  And neither is it I.

Alec

[VinceB]

By you saying that someone is out to get me, I thought you kind of meant you were the one doing it. I had a hard time beliving it though.

For the most part, I don't do negatives, and certainly not for someone like yourself. 

That kind of stuff always bites you in the backside.

[Matt H.O.W.L.]

You guys both made sound statements about yr publisher of choice and supported them with solid reasons and were respectful of others' positions...which is just what the thread-starter wanted. Too bad people are chipping over difference of opinion. Too bad the karma robot isn't set up so that positive karma granted takes away from negative karma and vice versa, you know, like how it is in THE UNIVERSE 

[Pat Loika]

Don't care. I'm a COMICS guy.

P.

[Alec B.]

For the most part, I don't do negatives, and certainly not for someone like yourself. 

That kind of stuff always bites you in the backside.

Cause it's Karma, damnit!

And I love you too, buddy. 

Now, back to the discussion for which this thread is designed!

Alec

[VinceB]

Don't care. I'm a COMICS guy.

Best. Reply. EVER.

[Matt Kramer]

I'm reading more DC than Marvel right now, but that doesn't mean that I prefer DC over Marvel outright.  I'm reading all comics that I like and it just so happens that I like more DC books right now, but damn, books like Skaar and Thor and X-Factor are top notch.  Also, I may be enjoying some indy books like Proof or Hack/Slash over some Marvel or DC books.

Like Pat said, I'm a comics guy!  

[Alec B.]

Don't care. I'm a COMICS guy.

P.

Pat:

I dig the reply and all, but don't you feel any attachment to one of the companies. I mean, everybody started somewhere. What about you? Don't you feel attached to your homeland more than the foriegn place?

Just playing devil's advocate.  

Alec

[VinceB]

Knowing Pat and Kramer, I would say that their replies are not exaggerated, but for a lot of us, it's an either/or scenario as far as to which company our hearts truly belong.

[JimN]

When I first got into comics as a kid, I was a Marvel junkie. I still like those characters, although I barely buy anything Marvel publishes anymore. My favorite current "Marvel" book is Criminal. I'd probably buy FF if they had a creative team on it that appealed to me but that hasn't happened since Waid and Wieringo were doing the book.

I got into the DC universe as a kid too, after years of shunning it in favor of Marvel. Batman was my pathway to DC and it was the art of Neal Adams, Berni Wrightson, Jim Aparo and a few other artists (including Kirby and Ditko) that kept me coming back. Other than Batman, DCs main heroes never did much for me although I've always liked their supernatural characters. I think Marvel has more interesting characters.

If Vertigo is considered DC, then my current answer to the age old question is DC. However, these days, the question "Dark Horse or Image?" would have more relevance for me. I buy more comics from those two companies than I buy from the "Big Two".

Maybe we should explore these questions:

Dark Horse or Image?
Fantagraphics or Top Shelf?
AdHouse or Ape?

There's a whole world of good comics beyond Marvel and DC!

Jim

[Colonel2Sheds]

It's Marvel for me when it comes down to one thing: Characters.

I think that I used to feel the same way. I used to decide what I was going to read based on the characters. Which I still do to a certain extent. But, I think that over time I've come to care less and less about the characters and more about the creators. For example, I love Daredevil as a character, but unless someone interesting is working on him and doing something that I think is somewhat original I am not likely to buy it. At a certain point I find some of the characters (Daredevil being a prime example) become very repetitive and need someone to do something interesting to make me care... that said I will buy anything that they throw Booster Gold, the Metal Men or any of the wacky D-list DC characters into 

[Chris]

Image