DC Is Beating Marvel (So Why Won’t Marvel Do the One Thing to Stop It?)

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For decades, it appeared that Marvel Comics reigned supreme in terms of sales, with DC Comics’ Batman titles being the only consistent competitors. Occasionally, DC would manage high sales figures during major relaunches like New 52 and DC Rebirth, but overall, Marvel held the dominant position. As a dedicated DC fan, I assumed this would be an ongoing trend. However, the quality of DC’s comics started to surpass that of Marvel’s with initiatives such as Dawn of DC and DC All-In offering superior storytelling. The game-changer was the Absolute Universe, which saw DC regularly outselling Marvel in the top ten charts. Even iconic characters like Wonder Woman and Superman have found their way into the top ten. The landscape of comic book sales has shifted dramatically.

Reflecting on DC’s triumphant rise, it’s evident they achieved their lofty position by valuing their audience’s opinions. For years, DC followers had voiced concerns about various aspects of the publishing house – such as reinstating the infinite multiverse, reducing the number of Batman titles relative to other series (a concern raised during the Infinite Frontier initiative), resurrecting beloved character versions, and ultimately dismantling the remnants of the New 52. By addressing these fan concerns, DC saw an increase in book sales. Now, while DC is thriving, can Marvel regain its footing? The answer lies in yes, but to accomplish this, Marvel must take a step it’s been reluctant to – actively listen to their fans.

Marvel Refuses to Learn Anything from Fan Complaints

DC All-Star series has been consistently delivering content that resonates with fans, as they’ve managed to fulfill their expectations. Conversely, Marvel’s Ultimate books enjoy a devoted following, but the rest of its publishing line hasn’t garnered the same level of enthusiasm. When was the last time you heard positive feedback about Spider-Man or X-Men titles? The number of X-Men books launched and subsequently canceled since Tom Brevoort took charge as editor for X-books is significant. Can you recall a recent period of excitement surrounding Avengers comics? While Marvel boasts notable titles such as “Immortal Thor” and “Fantastic Four,” the rest of its line struggles to maintain audience interest. Even “The Amazing Spider-Man,” once a consistent top seller, has seen its popularity wane. The X-Men series soared in sales following “From the Ashes,” but aside from “Uncanny X-Men” and “X-Men,” the rest of the line has slipped from the top spots on the sales charts. The Avengers have failed to excite readers for quite some time. Fans haven’t been shy about voicing their discontent with Marvel’s output, quite the contrary – fan spaces are filled with criticisms aimed at the company’s creative choices.

Despite being Marvel’s top-selling comic series, Spider-Man and X-Men, fans of both aren’t too pleased with the current storylines. However, Marvel seems unwilling to alter anything in the books. It’s easier for me to suggest changes than it is for Marvel to implement them, as comics are typically created months ahead of time. In the short term, major adjustments can’t be made quickly. The complaints about Spider-Man have been ongoing for years, and if the Ultimate books continue in their current form, they may lose popularity once the initial excitement wears off. Marvel can’t rely solely on the Ultimate series to boost sales; they need to figure out a way to satisfy fans. Marvel has long held the belief that upset readers are engaged readers (as stated by Tom Brevoort), but this anger is now causing them problems.

Marvel Needs to Start Listening to the Fans

It’s not always necessary to heed every criticism from fans, as creators should strive to produce stories that captivate and surprise readers rather than catering solely to their demands. However, there are instances where it pays to listen to the fanbase. This is what DC has mastered, leading to their current success in publishing outstanding comics across their entire line. At present, DC is outperforming Marvel, a feat achieved by striking a balance between giving fans what they desire and maintaining creative integrity. Unfortunately, Marvel seems resistant to change and at times appears to deride those who don’t wholeheartedly endorse their work.

Although not every fan criticism requires immediate attention, the longstanding complaint about the dissolution of Peter Parker and Mary Jane’s marriage in Spider-Man comics has been ongoing for nearly two decades without any resolution from Marvel. This situation can be seen as Marvel deliberately antagonizing fans, particularly with the character of Paul Rabin in All-New Venom, a character whom writer Al Ewing appears to dislike and frequently mocks.

Once upon a time, The Amazing Spider-Man was consistently the best-selling comic every month. However, this is no longer the case. While Marvel doesn‘t have to cater entirely to fan demands, they might benefit from addressing some of the fans’ concerns. If they did, they could regain control from DC and remind everyone why Marvel, the House of Ideas, was once the industry leader for such a long time.

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2025-07-22 23:11