Marvel vs DC Films

Upon taking requests for my next blog post subject someone decided they would like to hear about my take on comic book movies, specifically Marvel vs DC. I accept your invitation. I'll take some time to compare and contrast and give my opinion on which are more enjoyable and overall better films. I would like to state that I am not a comic book fan/collector but I am generally familiar with the story lines. I will not discuss the differences between comics and graphic novels at this point.

First, let us take a look at what I feel are some of my favorite comic book films:

300
30 Days of Night
Blade (Marvel)
Sin City
Batman (DC)
Batman Return (DC)
Batman Begins (DC)
The Crow
Dark Knight (DC)
Iron Man (Marvel)
Iron Man 2 (Marvel)
Kickass
Scott Pilgrim vs The World
Spiderman (Marvel)
Spiderman II (Marvel)
Superman: The Movie (DC)
Superman II (DC)
Thor (Marvel)
V for Vendetta
Watchman
Wanted
X-Men (Marvel)
X2: X-Men United (Marvel)
X-Men: First Class (Marvel)

I guess a Punisher and a Hulk movie or two might make this list too...

Of my favorite comic films 9 are Marvel and only 6 are DC titles.
Ok, I guess that could make for a compelling argument for Marvel.


But before we go crowning Marvel let us examine some of the WORST comic book films:

Batman Forever (DC)
Batman and Robin (DC)
Catwoman (DC)
Daredevil (Marvel)
Elektra (Marvel)
Fantastic 4 (Marvel)
Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer (Marvel)
Ghost Rider (Marvel)
Judge Dredd
Green Lantern (DC)
Spiderman 3 (Marvel)
Superman 4 (DC)

Now there may be more bad ones out there but those have always stuck out at me as awful. Many could argue X-Men 3 could be on the list... or a Punisher or Hulk film... but that's a completely different argument.

So in this list Marvel also has the most mentions. 6 awful Marvel titles to 5 DC films.

When it comes down to it, you could easily argue that either Marvel or DC films have a better track record. Because when you really think about it, both have some really great films and both have some incredible pieces of shit that even I couldn't match on the drunkest of holidays.

Well what's my favorite? I'm going to have to go with DC. Are there more Marvel films I like, sure. But there is only one word I have to say. Batman. Batman is a DC character and while there have been two incredibly awful Batman films there have also been 4 simply amazing Batman films. Just like any other comic book series... somewhere down the line mistakes happen. Think X-Men 3, Spiderman 3, Wolverine, etc. Batman however made a pair of awesome films, made a pair of deuces, and then came back with another pair of amazing films.

It is kind of hard for me to say I enjoy DC films more simply because I just watched Green Lantern last week. I feel like they gave 300 Million dollars to several 14 year olds and told them to take this camera and Compaq Pressario and make a neat movie. I mean, The Green Lantern is DC's new "golden boy" and they just delivered this decades equivalent to Batman and Robin.

This may not be the definitive answer you may have hoped for, but I give DC the slight edge over Marvel in the film department. The Dark Knight is arguable the greatest comic book film of all time and that weighs heavily with me.

So there you have it. My take on Marvel vs DC. They both make some great films, shitty films, and OK films.

I'd love to hear your opinions. What comic book movie did I fail to mention?
What is your all time favorite comic book film? Is it Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

What is the next subject you would like me to not take a side on?