It’s Official, DC Is Beating Marvel At Every Turn (& There’s an Obvious Reason Why)

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Both DC and Marvel Comics are currently thriving. They’ve each launched successful new storylines with alternate universes – DC’s is a year in, and Marvel’s is two years in. Popular characters are also getting fantastic new stories, like Spider-Man with Joe Kelly and Thor with Al Ewing, alongside fresh takes on Batman by Matt Fraction and Superman by Joshua Williamson. Both companies are innovating and exciting fans, but currently, DC seems to be performing stronger than Marvel.

It’s not about which company sells more comics each month – the top spots are usually split between DC and Marvel. The real difference is in the overall quality and the unique feel of their stories. Both companies are currently producing a lot of excellent comics, but DC has a distinct advantage. DC has a strong, consistent vision for its universe that’s present in all of its titles, something Marvel currently lacks. This lack of a unified vision is what’s preventing Marvel from truly standing out.

Hope Is the Center of Everything in DC

For years, DC Comics has explored what it truly means to be a hero within its stories. They’ve established that being a DC hero means fighting for what’s right, even when things look bleak, and always believing in a brighter future. They’ve also made it clear that Superman is the most important figure in their entire universe – he represents hope and inspires all other heroes, with each one taking something from his example.

Marvel doesn’t have a single, unifying vision like DC Comics. While characters like Spider-Man and Captain America embody strong heroic ideals, those ideals aren’t always shared across the board. Unlike DC’s Justice League, which brings most heroes together as a cohesive group, Marvel feels fragmented. The Avengers, X-Men, Guardians of the Galaxy, and magic-based heroes like Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch all operate as separate entities. This individuality isn’t necessarily a flaw, but it can make the Marvel universe feel a bit disconnected, hindering its ability to tell truly epic stories. Looking at alternate universes created by both companies helps illustrate this difference.

An Absolute Identity vs a Messy Execution

Both the Absolute and Ultimate Universes originated from a single core concept: a fundamentally altered reality. In the Absolute Universe, Darkseid’s power created a world of hopelessness, forcing heroes to fight for optimism. The Ultimate Universe was reshaped by the Maker’s twisted vision, and new heroes emerged to correct the injustices. While the premise seems similar, the way each universe unfolded is quite different.

Both DC and Marvel are developing overarching storylines, but DC’s feels more focused with a clear central theme. Marvel seems to be aiming for a similar large-scale event, but its approach is less organized. DC’s major storylines, like the Absolute books, feel unique yet connected by ideas of hope and fighting against authority, and they all subtly point towards the influence of Darkseid. In contrast, Marvel’s Ultimate Universe is heading towards a conflict with the Maker, but the progression feels disjointed and inconsistent.

While the Ultimate Universe references its creator and heroes more often than the Absolute Universe references Darkseid, Darkseid feels like a stronger presence in the Absolute Universe. This is because all the Absolute Universe comics work together to create a consistent feel, while still allowing each story to explore shared themes through its own hero’s perspective. The Ultimate Universe, however, is built around a strict monthly schedule in an effort to establish its own unique identity. This approach *could* be effective, but it often leads to problems, like the story in *Ultimate Spider-Man* feeling disconnected from the larger universe.

The Ultimate line of books sometimes feels inconsistent, lacking the clear direction found in the Absolute editions. While the Absolute line has a defined vision, the Ultimate line relies heavily on its format. This format only works when it enhances the story’s emotional impact, and it’s hit or miss. The Ultimate Universe seems unsure of its own identity, trying to create one rather than having one naturally emerge. It knows what it *wants* to be, but doesn’t fully commit, leading to a disappointing result despite promising starts.

DC Comics has deliberately focused on building a strong, consistent emotional core for its stories, while Marvel hasn’t needed to do so. This doesn’t mean Marvel’s comics are poorly made, but DC’s emphasis on emotional themes gives its stories a greater impact and is a key reason why DC currently has an edge.

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2025-10-13 17:12