DC vs Marvel: Then vs Now
Marvel Comics and DC are both comic book publishers whose stories feature well-known superheroes, many of whom have been adapted to movies, TV, and games in recent years.
DC Comics First Comic
1935
New Fun #1
In February 1935, DC Comics formerly known as National Allied Publications, published New Fun #1. This would be the company’s first comic book and the first ever comic book consisting of completely original material.
Marvel's First Comic
1939
Marvel Comics #1
Synopsis:
The Sub-Mariner's curiosity quickly led to violence and the deaths of the two surface men. After being spotted by a third, Namor found his prey trying to sail away, so he incapacitated the craft before presenting the bodies and gaining the praise of his mother. She recalled how, in 1920, she worked as a spy on a nearby boat and fell in love with Commander Leonard McKenzie, Namor's father. The man had no idea that the experiments being conducted on his ship were killing the undersea dwellers far below.
Look Inside the First Marvel Comic Ever | Marvel
DC Latest Comic
2022
BATMAN & THE JOKER: THE DEADLY DUO #1
Synopsis:
The Joker will go to any lengths to get Harley Quinn back after she is abducted by a strange culprit. But who? Mysterious, Joker-like monsters are stalking the streets of Gotham, collecting severed heads. But why? Jim Gordon is missing, and after receiving a package containing a bloody piece of Gotham’s commissioner, Batman knows he must be willing to do anything to save him. But how? When The Joker proposes an uneasy alliance with Batman, the answers to those questions begin to become clear— and they will shake Gotham City and the Bat-Family to their core. This meticulously crafted tale of the Dark Knight’s deadliest team-up will introduce you to a grim and gritty Gotham that only Marc Silvestri could bring you.
Marvel's Latest Comic
2022
A.X.E.: Avengers #1
Synopsis:
DRUIG, the current Prime Eternal, determined that Earth's mutants represent excess deviation-and therefore, he has set out to destroy them all. Druig unleashed the HEX, giant Eternals, to attack the mutant nation of KRAKOA, triggering war. A faction of the ETERNALS opposed to Druig's plan worked together with the AVENGERS and the kidnapped mutant geneticist, MR. SINISTER. Together, they used the Avengers' headquarters, the deceased body of a Celestial, to create a new, living god--the PROGENITOR. However, once awakened, the Progenitor announced to everyone on Earth that within 24 hours they would all be judged. And if found lacking... all will die! The Progenitor carried out its judgment and has now set out to destroy the Earth. A small team of AVENGERS, X-MEN and ETERNALS have gone inside the Progenitor in an attempt to activate its self-destruct mechanism.
Marvel's A.X.E.: Avengers #1 - Comic Book Preview (flickeringmyth.com)
DC's First TV Show
1952
Adventures of Superman
Synopsis:
The first incarnation of Superman on TV was the longest running live-action version of Superman. Adventures of Superman debuted in 1952, having been preceded by the 1951 film Superman and the Mole Men. Mole Men actors George Reeves and Phyllis Coates reprised their roles from the feature as Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane. Definitely a product of its time, the series was a low-budget affair, and filmed in black and white the first two seasons before going to color in season three.
https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/10/09/the-history-of-dc-comics-on-tv
Marvel's First TV Show
1977
The Incredible Hulk
Synopsis:
In the TV series, Dr. David Banner, a widowed physician and scientist who is presumed dead, travels across America under assumed names and finds himself in positions where he helps others in need despite his terrible secret: Following an accident that altered his cells, in times of extreme anger or stress, he transforms into a huge, savage, incredibly strong green-skinned humanoid, who has been named "the Hulk". In his travels, Banner earns money by working temporary jobs while searching for a way to either control or cure his condition. All the while, he is obsessively pursued by a tabloid newspaper reporter, Jack McGee, who is convinced that the Hulk is a deadly menace whose exposure would enhance his career.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Incredible_Hulk_(1978_TV_series)
DC Latest Show
2022
The Sandman
Synopsis:
The Sandman is an American fantasy drama television series based on the 1989–1996 comic book written by Neil Gaiman and published by DC Comics. The series was developed by Gaiman, David S. Goyer, and Allan Heinberg for the streaming service Netflix, and is produced by DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television. Like the comic, The Sandman tells the story of Dream/Morpheus, the titular Sandman. The series stars Tom Sturridge as the title character, with Boyd Holbrook, Vivienne Acheampong, and Patton Oswalt in supporting roles.
Efforts to adapt The Sandman to film began in 1991 but floundered in development hell for many years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sandman_(TV_series)#Premise
Marvel's Latest Show
2022
She-Hulk
Jennifer Walters has a complicated life as a single attorney in her 30s who also becomes the 6-foot-7-inch (2.01-meter) green superhero She-Hulk.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is an American television series created by Jessica Gao for the streaming service Disney+, based on the Marvel Comics featuring the character She-Hulk. It is the eighth television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios, sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It follows Jennifer Walters, a lawyer specializing in cases involving superhumans, who also becomes the green superhero She-Hulk. Gao serves as head writer with Kat Coiro leading the directing team.
DC Comics First Movie
1941
Adventures of Captain Marvel
Synopsis:
To protect a magic talisman from being used for evil, a teenage boy named Billy Batson is given the power to become an adult superhero, Captain Marvel, with a single magic word: "Shazam!" Frank Coghlan Jr.
DC Movies-1978-1990
Marvel's First Movie
1944
Captain America Serial
Synopsis:
The serial sees Captain America, really District Attorney Grant Gardner, trying to thwart the plans of the Scarab, really museum curator Dr. Cyrus Maldor - especially regarding his attempts to acquire the "Dynamic Vibrator" and "Electronic Firebolt", devices that could be used as super-weapons.
Marvel Movies 2000-2008
DC Latest Movie
2022
Black Adam
Synopsis:
In ancient Kahndaq, Teth Adam was bestowed the almighty powers of the gods. After using these powers for vengeance, he was imprisoned, becoming Black Adam. Nearly 5,000 years have passed, and Black Adam has gone from man to myth to legend. Now free, his unique form of justice, born out of rage, is challenged by modern-day heroes who form the Justice Society: Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher and Cyclone.
DC Movies 2000-Now
Marvel's Latest Movie
2022
Thor Love & Thunder
Thor embarks on a journey unlike anything he's ever faced -- a quest for inner peace. However, his retirement gets interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher, a galactic killer who seeks the extinction of the gods. To combat the threat, Thor enlists the help of King Valkyrie, Korg and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster, who -- to his surprise -- inexplicably wields his magical hammer. Together, they set out on a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher's vengeance.
Marvel Movies 2010-Now
DC's First
Animated Show
1992
Batman: The Animated Series
Synopsis:
After billionaires Thomas and Martha Wayne were gunned down in Crime Alley, their son Bruce Wayne vowed to avenge his parents by becoming Gotham City's avenger of the night: The Batman. Fighting Gotham City's worst criminals without rest, Batman is the one-man-war against crime saving his city from eternal damnation.
Marvel's First Animated Show
1966
The Marvel Superheroes
Synopsis:
The Marvel Super Heroes is an American animated television series starring five comic book superheroes from Marvel Comics. The first TV series based on Marvel characters; it debuted in syndication on U.S. television in 1966.
I was an umbrella series of five segments, each approximately seven minutes long, broadcast on local television stations that aired the show at different times. The series ran initially as a half-hour program made up of three seven-minute segments of a single superhero, separated by a short description of one of the other four heroes.
The segments were "Captain America", "The Incredible Hulk", "Iron Man", "The Mighty Thor" and "The Sub-Mariner".
DC Latest Animated Show
2019-
Harley Quinn
Synopsis:
The series focuses on a single Harley Quinn, who sets off to make it on her own in Gotham City.
Marvel's Latest
Animated Show
2021-
What If...?
Synopsis:
What If...? is an American animated anthology series created by A. C. Bradley for the streaming service Disney+, based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name. It is the fourth television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios, and the studio's first animated series. The series explores alternate timelines in the multiverse that show what would happen if major moments from the MCU films occurred differently. Bradley serves as head writer for the first two seasons, with Bryan Andrews directing.
Jeffrey Wright stars as the Watcher, who narrates the series, alongside many MCU film actors reprising their roles. Marvel Studios was developing the series for Disney+ by the end of 2018, with Bradley and Andrews on board. It was officially announced in April 2019. Marvel Studios' head of visual development Ryan Meinerding helped define the series' cel-shaded animation style, which was designed to reflect the films and take inspiration from classic American illustrators. Animation for the first season is provided by Blue Spirit, Squeeze, Flying Bark Productions, and Stellar Creative Lab, with Stephan Franck as head of animation.
The first season of What If...? premiered on August 11, 2021, and ran for nine episodes until October 6 as part of Phase Four of the MCU. A second nine-episode season is expected to premiere in early 2023 as part of Phase Five, and a third season is in development. The series has received generally positive reviews, with praise for the voice acting, animation, creative storylines, and scenarios, although the episode length and writing received some criticism. A Marvel Zombies series, based on one of the What If...? episodes, is in development.
