The Age old Question: Marvel Vs. DC?

[Chad (Grilled Cheese Sandwich)]

I've read a LOT of Spider-man in my day. He was my favorite hero for a long, long time.

Older and (somewhat) wiser me wouldn't trade a single Superman comic for all the Spider-man books to date.

Love Spidey, but IMO he ain't nothin' when compared to Big Blue.

Big Blue am the BEST.

All-Star showed why he's an icon and has survived for as long as he has...but...for the most part...(and I'm just saying)...specifically without a great writer...he's kinda' gotten boring...um...that's all

[VinceB]

No need to cry . . .

Hee.

*sniff*

Jeez, where to start with Superman...

 

[Matt Kramer]

Hee.

*sniff*

Jeez, where to start with Superman...

 

DC Universe - The Stories of Alan Moore has two of the best Superman stories around, "For the Man Who Has Everything" and "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?".  I'd say that's a great place to start.  And the recent "Superman & the Legion of Super-Heroes" arc was beyond fantastic.

[VinceB]

And the recent "Superman & the Legion of Super-Heroes" arc was beyond fantastic.

YES! Good answer! A great Superman AND Legion tale. Two great tastes that taste great together (especially Dawnstar...).

I'd say one can't go wrong with ANY of the Byrne revamp stuff (especially the first year of Action...Byrne draws a MEAN Donna Troy. You just know she's not wearing anything under that red costume with the stars...), though I know appreciation has dimmed for it over the years in the eyes of many, Death of Superman/Reign of the Supermen is still the awesome sauce for me.

Come on, Doomsday repeatedly slams Blue Beetle's HEAD in a CAR DOOR!

Our Worlds at War is a lot of fun, as is Emperor Joker.

Thing is, Superman comics are not always what we'd call "great" comics, but they are quite enjoyable, IMO.

[siren3-4]

Thanks for the recs . . . 

I am pretty jaded though so I will try the Alan Moore books and the Superman & the Legion of Super-Heroes arc if I can get it collected . . .

I do have the All-Star Superman HC on the way as many people said it was excellent . . .

[Chad (Grilled Cheese Sandwich)]

Death of Superman/Reign of the Supermen is still the awesome sauce for me.

I'll give ya' that...did love that run of books...

Thing is, Superman comics are not always what we'd call "great" comics, but they are quite enjoyable, IMO.

True...they're just fun...once you read them, they don't have the greatest replay value, but most of the time, you're aren't mad that you read them...

And there were great tales told around Supes...I liked Steel...loved Loeb's early work on Superman/Batman...

[Steeven]

Frankly, I enjoy both Marvel and DC products.  But, it's still fun to see some discussion about which company gets first billing in your heart of hearts.

The first 2 comics I owned were Marvel comics. G.I.Joe and Captain America. But then John Byrne's Man of Steel and Action Comics were put in front of me.

I grew up reading both Marvel and DC and asking me to choose between the two the like Sophie's Choice!

I can't do it. I CAN'T DO IT!!!

[siren3-4]

The first 2 comics I owned were Marvel comics. G.I.Joe and Captain America. But then John Byrne's Man of Steel and Action Comics were put in front of me.

I grew up reading both Marvel and DC and asking me to choose between the two the like Sophie's Choice!

I can't do it. I CAN'T DO IT!!!

Just let the little girl go . . . 

[VillainsVision]

I think i was always a DC guy.. the first books i bought were Marvel, Spider Man, The First Gambit Mini, But that was really before i was actually buying comics.. then when i got Batman Black and white i was hooked to DC.. i could hardly even look at Marvel books.. and i think about 5 years ago is when i really dove in and i found that there were a couple Marvell books i enjoy as well as some other publishers, but I am primarily a DC guy.. and there off shoots i love me some Vertigo and Wildstorm.

[Ted Falconi]

I guess Marvel will always be more important to me because, like alot of the Marvel partisans here, I merely dabbled in a little bit of Batman for a long time.  I collected a good dozen Marvel titles throughout the 80s, and in that same timespan my DC purchases probably totalled under 25 single issues.
These days, the only essentials on the Marvel side are DD and Cap.  I'm actually really enjoying Secret Invasion, though I'm not sure I'll really be interested in following too many books after it's all over.  These days I'm reading much more DC, but I don't think the DCU will ever replace my lifelong attatchment to the Marvel U.

[Alec B.]

 . . . I actually hate Superman . . .

I don't hate him, but I'm not the big fanboy on him. Superman continues to grow boring in my eyes. I'm in the wheel-house of I like him everyonce and a while in a good story, but there is no way I will follow a Superman title long term. I really want to see the character drive on, but I think someone needs to come in and do something really new, creative, and amazing to him. Something for the ages.

If that cannot happen I would ike to see Superman die (this time for good) and let his sprirt and legend continue to inspire generations of super-heroes for centuries.

"Superman & the Legion of Super-Heroes" arc was beyond fantastic.

Exactly.

That is an example of a good Superman story I can dable on everyonce and a while.

 

Alec

[Matt Kramer]

Thanks for the recs . . . 

I am pretty jaded though so I will try the Alan Moore books and the Superman & the Legion of Super-Heroes arc if I can get it collected . . .

I do have the All-Star Superman HC on the way as many people said it was excellent . . .

If you do pick up the Alan Moore collection, make sure you're snagging the most recent printing, as older printings don't include "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?".

[siren3-4]

If you do pick up the Alan Moore collection, make sure you're snagging the most recent printing, as older printings don't include "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?".

Thanks for the heads up . . . I will definitely pick this up . . . 

[Colonel2Sheds]

Thanks for the heads up . . . I will definitely pick this up . . .  Smiley

I believe that this collection also includes my favorite Green Lantern story ever. If memory serves it's about a new recruit named Rot Lop Fan who comes from a planet where the inhabitants have no eyes and thus no concept of "green" or "lantern" for that matter and so she gets the power of the "F# Bell" I seem to recall the oath being something like: (In spoiler text in case you'd rather read it yourself in the book)

In loudest din,
In hush profound,
My ears hear evils slightest sound,
Let those who toll out evils knell
beware my power,
The F Sharp Bell.

Totally awesome.

[Dave Wyndorf]

DC Universe - The Stories of Alan Moore has two of the best Superman stories around, "For the Man Who Has Everything" and "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?".  I'd say that's a great place to start.  And the recent "Superman & the Legion of Super-Heroes" arc was beyond fantastic.

May I add "Supreme, Story of the Year"? oops, that aint Supes but still.....

[Tim B]

I really want to see the character drive on, but I think someone needs to come in and do something really new, creative, and amazing to him. Something for the ages.

Totally.  Like, he could turn into a being of pure energy that can manipulate energy fields.  There could be a blue and a red version...

Oh wait...

[deadcowaroma]

This might be a different take on the question, but I think in terms of attracting talent, Marvel is kicking DCs butt. Don't get me wrong, DC has some great talent on their side. But in terms of young guns in the industry (Matt Fraction, Jonathan Hickman, etc.) it seems people are just more interested in working for Marvel. It's to the point that even guys DC already have working for them jump the fence when given the opportunity (Jason Aaron).

In terms of what my personal tastes are though, it's a little strange. I buy significantly more Marvel books than DC books, but I'm more interested in the DC Universe. How the heck does that happen?!

[Colonel2Sheds]

Even though the thread title was Marvel VS DC, i think it would be a fairly safe bet that the majority of the folks on these here forums get more from outside publishers than either Marvel OR DC, am I way off base here?

[deadcowaroma]

Not off base for me.

[Jefferson]

May I add "Supreme, Story of the Year"? oops, that aint Supes but still.....

Dy-no-mite suggestion Dave!!!