Thousands of fans around the world cheered on Oct. 4, as Barry Allen, a character of hit show “The Flash,” zoomed across Central City, leaving trails of orange lightning behind him in the debut episode of the show’s third season. It was yet another moment that signified DC Comics’ accomplishments in the vast world of superhero stories.
DC Comics derives its appeal from its television shows and animated movies. As of now, a few of flagship heroes such as The Flash, Green Arrow and Supergirl are the stars of various CW network shows. Not only do these shows help promote the heroes, but they also develop their personalities and backstories in a way that publishing company Marvel’s biannual movies can’t.
For example, The Flash has slowly transformed from a relatively unknown character into one of the most popular heroes. Most of the attention can be attributed to the hit TV show, which aired for the first time in 2014.
For the past two years, the show has followed the adventures of Barry Allen, starting from the discovery that he possesses super-speed. The show has immersed the audience in shocking betrayals, chilling villains and the sheer excitement in The Flash’s daily and superhero life.
On the other hand, Marvel heavily focuses on several two-hour movies, where there just isn’t enough time to fully captivate the viewers. On top of movies, DC Comics creates TV shows to track every movement of the superheroes, putting the viewers in the character’s shoes.
The DC Universe trumps Marvel once again with its comic series Batman, arguably the most developed and popular character among all of the superhero plotlines. Batman and his archenemy, the Joker, are entwined in a conflict so complex that the series’ focus goes down to the moral roots of their characters, rather than just the characters going head to head in superficial and physical battles over Gotham City.
No character in all of Marvel’s comics compares to Batman and his crusade to end crime. Marvel might have a diverse selection of crimefighters, but the two essential factors in making a great story are plot and character development — two fields that DC Comics triumph in.
In addition, DC Comics also appeals to female audiences much more than Marvel does. Through the superhero Wonder Woman, DC Comics creates a character with an entertaining backstory. The Black Widow from Marvel, who doesn’t have much background or popularity, pales in comparison.
However, the biggest and most complex debate lies in the superhero teams: Marvel’s Avengers vs. DC Comics’ Justice League. The Justice League has a few clear advantages that place DC Comics miles ahead of Marvel. First of all, the seven original members of the League — Batman, Aquaman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Superman and Wonder Woman — are each given equal screen time throughout their animated movies, television shows and comics.
This storytelling technique brings out the most action and creates the best stories, whereas Marvel places emphasis on only characters like Iron Man or Captain America, detracting from the rest of the team. In essence, The Avengers becomes a story of just two or three characters.
I’ve always been a fan of superhero stories, and although there are Marvel characters that I enjoy and love to follow, the DC world feels more complete. Special effects and cool powers such as X-ray vision and super strength are just extra effects and don't make an entertaining story — character and plot development do, and that’s where DC succeeds the most.
