Why should I make mine Marvel?

[Poe1809]

I'm not a Marvel fan by any stretch; I pick up a marvel comic and I'm bored to tears by the third page. The characters, the issues; I simply don't understand the appeal iron man, spiderman, and the like.

What am I missing?

Help me out here. Tell me why Marvel isn't the comic equivalent of Lunesta. What do you like? Why should I make mine marvel?

[carabas]

What is Lunesta?
Honest question. I tried Google but that just gives me some sleeping pilol, which doesn't seem to make any sense in this context.

[Joe Acro]

What is Lunesta?
Honest question. I tried Google but that just gives me some sleeping pilol, which doesn't seem to make any sense in this context.
He's saying Marvel comics put him to sleep.


To answer your question, though, Poe, it'd be helpful if we knew a bit more. Why do you find the characters and stories boring? What about them is different from other comics you've read that makes them particularly blah to you?

[Poe1809]

Yeah, it's a sleeping pill. Marvel comics have put me to sleep without exception for the past 30 years. I must, therefore, be missing some larger context in them, or simply reading the wrong titles.

And I'm not trying to bash marvel here. I'm honestly curious about what keeps people reading their stories and what draws you folks in. I love comics, and anything that can increase the available pool of titles is great.

[SuperCooper]

What comics are you talking about? Try Amazing Spider-Man or Thunderbolts, those will wake you up.

[Poe1809]

He's saying Marvel comics put him to sleep.


To answer your question, though, Poe, it'd be helpful if we knew a bit more. Why do you find the characters and stories boring? What about them is different from other comics you've read that makes them particularly blah to you?

My opinion is that comics are one of the most readily accessible forms of escapism, and one of the only that can legitimately be called an artform on several different levels. The characters and stories that I enjoy are fantastic at their core, similar in ways to the real world but ultimately brighter and more colorful, with a sense of ultimate possibility. I pick up a comic and if everyone's done their jobs, I should be taken somewhere between the covers of that magazine that i couldn't dream of otherwise.

That's a rather long way of saying I want read a comic and believe anything is possible. I just don't get that with marvel. Their entire line seems entirely too grounded, if you follow. This isn't an argument about the silver age, either, even though it kind of sounded like it.

[Joe Acro]

That's a rather long way of saying I want read a comic and believe anything is possible.
For you, then, I recommend collections of the series Exiles. Anything being possible is built into the premise of the comic.

[Poe1809]

What comics are you talking about? Try Amazing Spider-Man or Thunderbolts, those will wake you up.

I have read through on occassion and all I got was 'meh.'

[Poe1809]

For you, then, I recommend collections of the series Exiles. Anything being possible is built into the premise of the comic.

I will check it out.

As to the original question, what does marvel bring to the table that I'm missing?

[Telos]

My opinion is that comics are one of the most readily accessible forms of escapism, and one of the only that can legitimately be called an artform on several different levels. The characters and stories that I enjoy are fantastic at their core, similar in ways to the real world but ultimately brighter and more colorful, with a sense of ultimate possibility. I pick up a comic and if everyone's done their jobs, I should be taken somewhere between the covers of that magazine that i couldn't dream of otherwise.

That's a rather long way of saying I want read a comic and believe anything is possible. I just don't get that with marvel. Their entire line seems entirely too grounded, if you follow. This isn't an argument about the silver age, either, even though it kind of sounded like it.

If it feels too "grounded" try something like this (http://www.amazon.com/Thor-Omnibus-J-Michael-Straczynski/dp/0785140298/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1303603326&sr=8-1) or this (http://www.amazon.com/Guardians-Galaxy-Vol-1-Legacy/dp/0785133380/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1303603357&sr=1-1).

[Poe1809]

If it feels too "grounded" try something like this (http://www.amazon.com/Thor-Omnibus-J-Michael-Straczynski/dp/0785140298/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1303603326&sr=8-1) or this (http://www.amazon.com/Guardians-Galaxy-Vol-1-Legacy/dp/0785133380/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1303603357&sr=1-1).

Tried. Can't do it. There's just something lacking.

[carabas]

That's a rather long way of saying I want read a comic and believe anything is possible. I just don't get that with marvel. Their entire line seems entirely too grounded, if you follow. This isn't an argument about the silver age, either, even though it kind of sounded like it.Well, which comics have you enjoyed in the past?

[Hulk_Is]

I believe that Marvel's characters are :cool: in and of themselves. It's like that factor preceeds them and it seems like they don't really have any depth to many of their stories; a whole lot of flashing lights and hype, but no substance.

I love Marvel's characters, grew up on them, and like the basic appeal of most of them because they are just so :cool: on the surface. Also, I feel like Marvel's characters are so liked is because they pretty much stand on their own and you don't have to understand the Marvel Universe in order to understand the characters - you can just simply like them. :smile:

You should try to - at least - make yours Marvel because alot of the franchises don't necessarily have alot of stellar back issues that you'd have to buy - and IMO - that includes Spider-Man. Not to mention some of the best runs are collected in cheaper formats.

I also suggest that you take a look at Marvel's miniseries (and one-shots even) to see their characters in more immeadiate situations instead of in long and drawn out ongoings - which may or may not work in drawing you in right away without having to invest in reading a larger amount of issues (several modern day arcs and the like).

Personally, that's partially how I go about getting a satisfactory fix on the Marvel characters. For example, I like the characters of Iron Man and Captain America, but I'm not interested in reading about them in their current ongoings and how they react to personal problems, family and friends, their rouges, and all the drama. But, I still wanna get my fix of these characters, so how do I do that: I look at the the solicitations of interest on limited series and may proceed to buy them because those stories aren't always so mired in continuity. But, that doesn't mean that miniseries are light on material or characterization (some self-proclaimed Marvel fans would have you believe otherwise).

It's really about getting to know the characters. :smile:

[Hulk_Is]

My opinion is that comics are one of the most readily accessible forms of escapism, and one of the only that can legitimately be called an artform on several different levels. The characters and stories that I enjoy are fantastic at their core, similar in ways to the real world but ultimately brighter and more colorful, with a sense of ultimate possibility. I pick up a comic and if everyone's done their jobs, I should be taken somewhere between the covers of that magazine that i couldn't dream of otherwise.

That's a rather long way of saying I want read a comic and believe anything is possible. I just don't get that with marvel. Their entire line seems entirely too grounded, if you follow. This isn't an argument about the silver age, either, even though it kind of sounded like it.

Well, you may want to try out Fear Itself; it has that grounded reality you generally don't appreciate, but it also has a complete escapism side to it of literal mytholgical proportions. :smile:

[Post Monster]

Ah, I kind of know what you mean. My Marvel poison of choice is currently Journey into Mystery(which is just starting). Generally I find Thor and Herc stuff benefits from the stability and groundedness due to its subject matter (gods). JIM has a nice Gaiman-ish touch to it; it's very fantasy unlike anything Marvel is doing anywhere else. I wish Marvel would stop ignoring the fantasy/mythology in their universe.

[Poe1809]

I believe that Marvel's characters are :cool: in and of themselves. It's like that factor preceeds them and it seems like they don't really have any depth to many of their stories; a whole lot of flashing lights and hype, but no substance.

I love Marvel's characters, grew up on them, and like the basic appeal of most of them because they are just so :cool: on the surface. Also, I feel like Marvel's characters are so liked is because they pretty much stand on their own and you don't have to understand the Marvel Universe in order to understand the characters - you can just simply like them. :smile:

You should try to - at least - make yours Marvel because alot of the franchises don't necessarily have alot of stellar back issues that you'd have to buy - and IMO - that includes Spider-Man. Not to mention some of the best runs are collected in cheaper formats.

I also suggest that you take a look at Marvel's miniseries (and one-shots even) to see their characters in more immeadiate situations instead of in long and drawn out ongoings - which may or may not work in drawing you in right away without having to invest in reading a larger amount of issues (several modern day arcs and the like).

Personally, that's partially how I go about getting a satisfactory fix on the Marvel characters. For example, I like the characters of Iron Man and Captain America, but I'm not interested in reading about them in their current ongoings and how they react to personal problems, family and friends, their rouges, and all the drama. But, I still wanna get my fix of these characters, so how do I do that: I look at the the solicitations of interest on limited series and may proceed to buy them because those stories aren't always so mired in continuity. But, that doesn't mean that miniseries are light on material or characterization (some self-proclaimed Marvel fans would have you believe otherwise).

It's really about getting to know the characters. :smile:

I appreciate your answer. I grew up on DC; the first comic I ever purchased was Justice League of America #160, and it was off from there. I remember picking up some issues of Spiderman around the same, and a few more here and there, and I tried desperately to get into it, because my friends were all running around pretending to be him. Even at that age, I couldn't do it, and really, could you blame me? Compared to the JLA and JSA and Enemy Ace and Jonah Hex and Dinosaurs, do you think some kid with web shooters and a marriage proposal had a chance? Basically, DC made a big noise over here, and I looked and decided I liked that, and I've been reading the characters ever since.

I just think marvel appeals more to the kids that want to believe they can have some gene and turn into a hero, while DC appeals to the kids who just want to have fun. At least that's how I saw it.

[Hulk_Is]

I appreciate your answer. I grew up on DC; the first comic I ever purchased was Justice League of America #160, and it was off from there. I remember picking up some issues of Spiderman around the same, and a few more here and there, and I tried desperately to get into it, because my friends were all running around pretending to be him. Even at that age, I couldn't do it, and really, could you blame me? Compared to the JLA and JSA and Enemy Ace and Jonah Hex and Dinosaurs, do you think some kid with web shooters and a marriage proposal had a chance? Basically, DC made a big noise over here, and I looked and decided I liked that, and I've been reading the characters ever since.

I just think marvel appeals more to the kids that want to believe they can have some gene and turn into a hero, while DC appeals to the kids who just want to have fun. At least that's how I saw it.

I think you're right about that Marvel characters appeal more to kids and those same kids will actually believe that they can get bitten by a spider and start clinging to walls! I mean, I'm a full-grown adult, but that fantasy element is still cool I believe.

I know when I was young, I looked at Superman and he was so larger than life and filled with so many powers that you could only pretend to be him ultimately (and get hurt in the process). Batman was cool, but... he has no powers. And, Wonder Woman is a female - not that you can't identify at all with her - but she can come off like Superman-lite. I liked Aquaman growing up and would have liked talking to fish, but the problem was there were no fish around to talk to!

[agrich]

Sounds like you have a deep affection for the comics and characters you read first as a kid, and because of that nostalgia/bias, you compare other stuff you read to them, and they can't measure up to your long-term relationship with another company and its characters. I imagine the same is true for many Marvel fans about DC. Since the first comics I really got into as a kid were Hulk and Fantastic Four, I'm never going to have the same fondness or connection to Justice League. I don't have the nostalgia or the long-term feeling for them.

I guess I'd say just consider the "problem" (if there even is one) is less with Marvel than with the perception and history (I don't want to use the word "bias," but we are who we are) you bring to them.

I also disagree with painting any company with so broad a brush. I'm a Marvel fan first, but I certainly don't read all their titles; most of them probably are bad (most of anything is bad). But I've been able to find 5-10 titles I really like for a 30-year period, so I don't care that I have no interest in, say, Thor apart from when Simonson wrote him, or almost all of the X-books these days. I have zero interest in Superman or Justice League, but I loved Mark Waid's Flash, and there have been some great stories told in the Batman comics. I have the same lack of appreciation for most of DC's comics that you have for Marvel's, but I know they've done some good things over the years.

[marvell2100]

The best thing you can do a sample a little of everything. People have made recommendations for good titles that you still don't seem to be interested in. Go to your LCS and do a quick browse of all the titles that you see. Check out some of the trades on the shelves. Then, if you still can't find anything then maybe Marvel comics aren't for you. And by no means am I trying to be mean or sarcastic here. You just have to keep looking until you find what you like.

[Post Monster]

I just think marvel appeals more to the kids that want to believe they can have some gene and turn into a hero, while DC appeals to the kids who just want to have fun. At least that's how I saw it.

I blame X-men. They dominated the scene for so long it was like MU WAS X-men and few other goofy characters with powers thrown in. X-men was/is by far the most kid oriented comic Marvel put out back when I was reading it. It's taken some major work in the past few years to get other franchises up to par and into the spotlight.

DC was...retro. They knew how silly some of their stuff was but they loved it and ran with it, putting in just the right kind of humor so you didn't feel stupid for loving it. Marvel has pockets of this (Thor), but you have to find it. And Marvel isn't the best at marketing those lines. I think most kids got into X-men in the 80s/90s because of the TV show, which is one of the best ways to market comics to kids IMO.

[Poe1809]

Sounds like you have a deep affection for the comics and characters you read first as a kid, and because of that nostalgia/bias, you compare other stuff you read to them, and they can't measure up to your long-term relationship with another company and its characters. I imagine the same is true for many Marvel fans about DC. Since the first comics I really got into as a kid were Hulk and Fantastic Four, I'm never going to have the same fondness or connection to Justice League. I don't have the nostalgia or the long-term feeling for them.

I guess I'd say just consider the "problem" (if there even is one) is less with Marvel than with the perception and history (I don't want to use the word "bias," but we are who we are) you bring to them.

I also disagree with painting any company with so broad a brush. I'm a Marvel fan first, but I certainly don't read all their titles; most of them probably are bad (most of anything is bad). But I've been able to find 5-10 titles I really like for a 30-year period, so I don't care that I have no interest in, say, Thor apart from when Simonson wrote him, or almost all of the X-books these days. I have zero interest in Superman or Justice League, but I loved Mark Waid's Flash, and there have been some great stories told in the Batman comics. I have the same lack of appreciation for most of DC's comics that you have for Marvel's, but I know they've done some good things over the years.

I had a long reply to this, but when I hit the reply button, it didn't, so here's the abridged version.

You're right that I do have a DC bias. I've read nearly ever title Marvel has put out in the last 30 years, and the only one that came close to drawing some interest was the Fantastic Four, somewhere between 290-300 if I remember but it came up short. I was looking forward to McFarland's Spiderman after his art in Infinity Inc, but it ended up being Spiderman, which was no good. I honestly can't think of anything else that has even remotely interested me at anytime in the last 3 decades.

Which sucks, because I love comics and can't get enough. Unfortunately, marvel just seems to take a called strike three on most of their characters and titles. They bore me, which is hard to do in such a short span such as we have in comics.

[Mr MajestiK]

My opinion is that comics are one of the most readily accessible forms of escapism, and one of the only that can legitimately be called an artform on several different levels. The characters and stories that I enjoy are fantastic at their core, similar in ways to the real world but ultimately brighter and more colorful, with a sense of ultimate possibility. I pick up a comic and if everyone's done their jobs, I should be taken somewhere between the covers of that magazine that i couldn't dream of otherwise.

That's a rather long way of saying I want read a comic and believe anything is possible. I just don't get that with marvel. Their entire line seems entirely too grounded, if you follow. This isn't an argument about the silver age, either, even though it kind of sounded like it.

Have you read any of the Fantastic Four/Future Foundation books?

I'd recommend those if it's out of this world escapist fantasy you're seeking. :smile:

[Huthaifa]

Write down the books that you like from DC, and it will be pretty easy to find the Marvel equivalent.

[Rasputin9977]

Well if you've tried Marvel comics off and on for 30 years and you didn't enjoy them then why keep on coming back? There is an abudance of comics out there from other publishers.

[Adset]

I've always thought being a one company guy is kind of lame. Regarding superhero stuff, Marvel and DC are largely interchangeable, and they both put out really good and really bad books. It tends to go back and forth, but as of this moment in time I'd give Marvel the nod in terms of overall quality.

If you consider yourself an unabashed comic fan and you've tried almost every Marvel title for the past 30 years and have come up short in literally every instance save for a brief F4 run twenty-odd years ago, a poster above nailed it: you've got a bias. Others like Marvel books because they don't have a built-in mental block from enjoying their books.

[Hulk_Is]

I've always thought being a one company guy is kind of lame. Regarding superhero stuff, Marvel and DC are largely interchangeable, and they both put out really good and really bad books. It tends to go back and forth, but as of this moment in time I'd give Marvel the nod in terms of overall quality.

If you consider yourself an unabashed comic fan and you've tried almost every Marvel title for the past 30 years and have come up short in literally every instance save for a brief F4 run twenty-odd years ago, a poster above nailed it: you've got a bias. Others like Marvel books because they don't have a built-in mental block from enjoying their books.

This line of thinking always makes me cringe.

[Jer]

This line of thinking always makes me cringe.

I don't see why. It's true. I think DC tends to follow the Marvel formula of having messed up Super heroes abit more then they use to

[StoneGold]

What am I missing?


Taste? Style? Class? Testicular fortitude? Looks that don't send members of whatever sex you are attracted to screaming from the room?


OK, really, I don't know about any of that, but your argument about why you don't like them appears to be that you don't like them. Which means I have no idea what you are missing, since you can't even begin to explain it, so the above is as good a guess as any.

[agrich]

Well if you've tried Marvel comics off and on for 30 years and you didn't enjoy them then why keep on coming back? There is an abudance of comics out there from other publishers.

This occurred to me too. Unreasonably persistent or bizarrely unlucky...maybe he's tried every Marvel comic at exactly its lowest point in the past 30 years.

I will say that trying EVERY Marvel title seems kind of wasteful. I don't feel the need to pick up a stretch of Punisher to know it just isn't a comic I care that much about.

Better, I think, to place some faith in recurring recommendations. I have never cared for Captain America, but after enough people recommended starting with Brubaker's relaunch, I gave it a shot. And was glad I did.

It sounds like this guy either isn't actually trying, or isn't going about it very sensibly if he is. I am sure the biggest Marvel fan still dislikes a large share of what the company has published over the last 30 years. If he ended up buying those ones, well, there is the problem.

[Brother Justin Crowe]

Anything by Jonathan Hickman or Jason Aaron. Trust me.

[Karl Cook]

X-Factor and Uncanny X-Force are the best reasons I can think of.

[Goggindowner]

Honestly, OP, if you have been trying Marvel comics for 30 years and still not finding a single thing that you enjoy, then you are wasting your time in continuing to try. I am a Marvel fan, and tend to have a bias against DC mostly because a large portion of their characters feel to over the top and clumsily handled to me. However, in the past 25 years of collecting comics, I have still managed to find DC titles and runs that I absolutely loved, namely Doom Patrol, JSA, and All-Star Superman.

So honestly, if you can't get passed your DC bias, then just read DC and be done with it. I would love to have another Marvel reader, but I'm not going to bend over backwards to try and explain what abstract quality you are missing in Marvel's work.

[Alex Smith]

This line of thinking always makes me cringe.

Why? Sure there are a few differences, but they are extremely similar to be sure. Coke vs Pepsi.

And as for the OP, I agree, if you haven't like anything in 30 years then just quit. I don't know how you could like DC so much and not like anything from Marvel, but it is what it is. What DC titles do you like? That would certainly help with recommendations.

[agrich]

OK, really, I don't know about any of that, but your argument about why you don't like them appears to be that you don't like them. Which means I have no idea what you are missing, since you can't even begin to explain it, so the above is as good a guess as any.

I think there was something about DC seeming to be for kids who wanted to have fun and Marvel being for kids who wanted to be in the X-Men.

[Hulk_Is]

I don't see why. It's true. I think DC tends to follow the Marvel formula of having messed up Super heroes abit more then they use to

I only follow a few of DC's titles so I didn't know that DC was doing that. Well, I guess it helps to follow the very best.

[Hulk_Is]

Why? Sure there are a few differences, but they are extremely similar to be sure. Coke vs Pepsi.

And as for the OP, I agree, if you haven't like anything in 30 years then just quit. I don't know how you could like DC so much and not like anything from Marvel, but it is what it is. What DC titles do you like? That would certainly help with recommendations.

They seem pretty different to me in that if you transplanted the Marvel characters over to the DCU they'd start dying hand-over-fist, but if you were to take DC's characters and throw then into the mix of the MU, they could overtake the MU in rather short order.

[stelok]

I once said "Until the comic book price climbs to $2.99, make mine marvel." That was what I already did.

[hondobrode]

I grew up reading whatever I could get my hands on at the newsstand back in the 70's and 99 % of it was Marvel or DC.

I'm more of a DC guy now, but in the last 30 years there have been some great Marvel titles / runs / creator arcs.

Maybe you've dipped into continuity-heavy storylines and needed some time to get a handle on who what when where how.

What Marvel stuff have you tried and what DC stuff are you reading now ?

[Angrel]

Because they are interesting reads with time.

[darthblinx]

76566

'Nuff said

[Adset]

They seem pretty different to me in that if you transplanted the Marvel characters over to the DCU they'd start dying hand-over-fist, but if you were to take DC's characters and throw then into the mix of the MU, they could overtake the MU in rather short order.

Hmm. Wow. No, allow me to rephrase. I didn't mean it so much as "the two universes are exactly the same", I meant that both companies are largely the same: there's good books and there's bad books, there's a decent blend of team and solo books, there's older and younger heroes... etc.

The fact that the original poster could not find something to his liking after 30 years of trying perplexed me, given the vast similarities in much of the two company's selection. If Marvel superheroes have bored someone for 30 years, I find it odd that the same would not occur at DC. Same expletive, different colored spandex.

[Hulk_Is]

Hmm. Wow. No, allow me to rephrase. I didn't mean it so much as "the two universes are exactly the same", I meant that both companies are largely the same: there's good books and there's bad books, there's a decent blend of team and solo books, there's older and younger heroes... etc.

The fact that the original poster could not find something to his liking after 30 years of trying perplexed me, given the vast similarities in much of the two company's selection. If Marvel superheroes have bored someone for 30 years, I find it odd that the same would not occur at DC. Same expletive, different colored spandex.

It's not that suprising to me that the OP finds the MU boring as the universes really aren't that similar. If that were the case I'd be reading 50% Marvel and 50% DC, but because they aren't that similar that's hardly the case.

The companies' properties aren't interchangable in any way that I've seen in my 30 years of reading comics. It's a cringeworthy claim you guys are making. Just because they wear spandex, have teams, this, that, and the other, doesn't make them interchangable - unless you're reading 50% of both.

[Rasputin9977]

It's not that suprising to me that the OP finds the MU boring as the universes really aren't that similar. If that were the case I'd be reading 50% Marvel and 50% DC, but because they aren't that similar that's hardly the case.

The companies' properties aren't interchangable in any way that I've seen in my 30 years of reading comics. It's a cringeworthy claim you guys are making. Just because they wear spandex, have teams, this, that, and the other, doesn't make them interchangable - unless you're reading 50% of both.

A lot of the big name writers and artists work at both companies so the quality of the work, be it Marvel or DC, are interchangeable.

[erzan]

You've not said what DC characters you love and why. So if you can't be bothered to do that, how can people be bothered to suggest Marvel characters you may or may not like?

Its like me storming into Coke HQ and telling them I don't like any of their products, but love Pepsi. While in the mean time not giving them any idea of what Pespi product I like and why. In order for them to identity what it is you love and find a similar product.

[Alex Smith]

A lot of the big name writers and artists work at both companies so the quality of the work, be it Marvel or DC, are interchangeable.

Absolutely. I don't really see there being that much of a difference. The themes are all the same.

Hulk_Is, you made the argument that Marvel characters would die in the DCU because you seem to think the DCU has characters that are just much more powerful, and maybe that's true. But that's not really important. You would just need to scale the characters to where they are. I assume most people don't read about characters because of how powerful they are but because they are fun books and good, well-written characters.

People, for the most part, don't read Superman because he's powerful but because of the themes of the book and because they like the character.

And that's kind of what I'm getting at. I don't see various levels of power being that big of a deal between companies. The work is all very similar otherwise.

And all of the above is also to say why I don't understand what the OP likes so much about DC that he thinks the MU is lacking in seemingly every title.

[Pixie_Solanas]

I love these threads. People seem to really enjoy blaring from the mountaintops their personal discontent.

[Shawn Hopkins]

Because if you do Joe Quesada will give you a backrub and five bucks.

Seriously, I think you can't just because you don't want to. You're emotionally invested in the "other" company so much that you have a psychological block that would make enjoying a Marvel comic feel like a betrayal. So when you come across a Marvel book you focus intensely on the superficial otherness of it and look for flaws. I'm afraid there's really no hope for you, even though it is very superficial otherness and creative teams float between Marvel and DC and there's very little real quantifiable difference between them now.

[Adset]

It's not that suprising to me that the OP finds the MU boring as the universes really aren't that similar. If that were the case I'd be reading 50% Marvel and 50% DC, but because they aren't that similar that's hardly the case.

The companies' properties aren't interchangable in any way that I've seen in my 30 years of reading comics. It's a cringeworthy claim you guys are making. Just because they wear spandex, have teams, this, that, and the other, doesn't make them interchangable - unless you're reading 50% of both.

are you really doing this?

[turok]

Yeah, if you don't like Marvel after 30 years of giving them a chance, I don't think it's going to happen.

[Hulk_Is]

are you really doing this?

Um, yeah. I feel like I have to stand up for both Marvel and DC because of people making the erroneous claim that all superheroes in the world can be painted with one brush. That's kinda funny as I only recall one comic book company at the top of the heap. So, remind me: how are all superheroes created equally again?

[carabas]

It's not that suprising to me that the OP finds the MU boring as the universes really aren't that similar. If that were the case I'd be reading 50% Marvel and 50% DC, but because they aren't that similar that's hardly the case.

The companies' properties aren't interchangable in any way that I've seen in my 30 years of reading comics. It's a cringeworthy claim you guys are making. Just because they wear spandex, have teams, this, that, and the other, doesn't make them interchangable - unless you're reading 50% of both.Well, there is the fact that one of them is priced some 33% more expensive than the other. That's a difference.

[turtlefood]

http://i.annihil.us/u/prod/marvel/i/mg/7/60/4d83765c9eb67/detail.jpg

The only Marvel book i consider a must-buy.

[custodes]

What am I missing?

Help me out here. Tell me why Marvel isn't the comic equivalent of Lunesta. What do you like? Why should I make mine marvel?

Ah....alliteration?:biggrin:

If ya don't get it now....give it up.

[Hulk_Is]

Well, there is the fact that one of them is priced some 33% more expensive than the other. That's a difference.

Ah, yes. And, what a glorious distinction it is and to still remain on top. I think that's a testament to all the world that you just can't find Marvel comics' offerings anywhere else. If their comics were that expensive, shouldn't readers just be able to turn to DC and other companies to get the same thing they're getting at Marvel? I don't think so. Similarities be damned.

[Alex Smith]

Ah, yes. And, what a glorious distinction it is and to still remain on top. I think that's a testament to all the world that you just can't find Marvel comics' offerings anywhere else. If their comics were that expensive, shouldn't readers just be able to turn to DC and other companies to get the same thing they're getting at Marvel? I don't think so. Similarities be damned.

Well, they are very similar. You just seem to be suffering from the same problem as the OP but in reverse. You're clearly just a Marvel fan who refuses to see that while Marvel is great, they don't do anything so much different than DC.

Coke out sells Pepsi, but that doesn't mean they aren't similar.

[Adset]

Um, yeah. I feel like I have to stand up for both Marvel and DC because of people making the erroneous claim that all superheroes in the world can be painted with one brush. That's kinda funny as I only recall one comic book company at the top of the heap. So, remind me: how are all superheroes created equally again?

Yeah, I think an individual above pegged you pretty good: you're the original poster in reverse. I think you think that you're making a point, but you're missing mine in order to make it.

Nobody is saying all superheroes are created equal, and nobody is saying every finite detail of Marvel's superhero universe can be found residing in DC's. What others are trying to point out is that both companies have always produced a healthy amount of good superhero comics (and their fair share of clunkers).

[Hulk_Is]

Well, they are very similar. You just seem to be suffering from the same problem as the OP but in reverse. You're clearly just a Marvel fan who refuses to see that while Marvel is great, they don't do anything so much different than DC.

Coke out sells Pepsi, but that doesn't mean they aren't similar.

If you say so.

[Hulk_Is]

Yeah, I think an individual above pegged you pretty good: you're the original poster in reverse. I think you think that you're making a point, but you're missing mine in order to make it.

Nobody is saying all superheroes are created equal, and nobody is saying every finite detail of Marvel's superhero universe can be found residing in DC's. What others are trying to point out is that both companies have always produced a healthy amount of good superhero comics (and their fair share of clunkers).

So what? It's not helping the OP any. He's beeen a long time reader and still can't manage to find Marvel characters to hang his hat on, so to speak. Obviously there needs to be something more besides pointing out what you guys mentioned. While both companies may share similar qualities, many readers are are generally finding that one side of the fence has something more enticing to them than just the quality.

[Alex Smith]

Well I think a lot of people just like to try and make it a competition. Like DC vs. Marvel, DC fans vs Marvel fans. It seems the OP probably falls into this category. It's unfortunate that a lot of people see it that way because there really is a lot to enjoy from both companies.

[Parch]

There is a lot to enjoy from both.
We are talking about the same genre here. There might be subtle differences in style and certainly the cost can be a factor, but tear the cover off superhero comics and a noob wouldn't be able to divide Marvel from DC.

There are reasons to have a preference. Favorite characters, and having a common universe with all the crossovers and events creates a comfortable familiarity so it's logical to have a brand preference, but an obvious love for one and hate for the other is just a bunch of fanboy nonsense.

[aut0matic]

i like marvel's characters- the problem is the writers take me out of it and kill things for me sometimes. i've been a longtime hulk fan- until loeb came on the book and it hasn't been good since.

i've found that creator-owned books are more my cup of tea. not only is crappy writing not a problem (pretty much the same creative team all the way through) but editorial mandates don't get in the way, either. the reason i like image comics so much is that the stories maintain their level of quality because new writers aren't coming on screwing shit up and huge crossover events aren't forcing their way into the book, or wolverine/spider-man doesn't have to usurp the title character for more sales, etc... writers can kill off who they want, and push other boundaries that would be frowned upon by the big 2...

sorry the post kinda went off-topic and i didn't really answer your question, but it is what it is. i can't faithfully stay on a book at marvel because of inconsistent writing, but i DO like to pick up the good story arcs in HCs later on down the road. brubaker's cap is the shit- but i'm afraid to see where bucky goes after he's done...

[Adset]

So what? It's not helping the OP any. He's beeen a long time reader and still can't manage to find Marvel characters to hang his hat on, so to speak. Obviously there needs to be something more besides pointing out what you guys mentioned. While both companies may share similar qualities, many readers are are generally finding that one side of the fence has something more enticing to them than just the quality.

Nothing is going to help the original poster, he's got an admitted, inherent bias against Marvel. My point was never meant to help him, I made a post in response to him and never intended for it to take a life of its own; then you failed to understand it, and we've had this back-and-forth for the better part of the day.

You're exhausting.

[The Black Guardian]

I've never seen it as an either-or thing. Of course, I was a Marvel fan first, but there are some DC characters I like. Honestly, I don't see that significant of a difference. DC characters are certainly not more powerful, as some have said in this thread. There isn't a lack of Marvel powerhouses.

[Hulk_Is]

These comments make my ever-lovin' Marvel-head hurt.

[Jake V]

My reaction to all these "sell me on X" or "convince me X is good" threads is always the same:

Maybe it isn't for you.

I'm not gonna burn calories to get someone to reach the same conclusion I came to on my own. If you don't get it, you don't get it. Not all things are for all people.

[carabas]

My reaction to all these "sell me on X" or "convince me X is good" threads is always the same:

Maybe it isn't for you.I think the OP's refusal to tell us what sort of books he does like rather paints him as somebody looking for a fight rather than something good to read.

[Alan Smithee]

I'm not a Marvel fan by any stretch; I pick up a marvel comic and I'm bored to tears by the third page. The characters, the issues; I simply don't understand the appeal iron man, spiderman, and the like.

What am I missing?

Help me out here. Tell me why Marvel isn't the comic equivalent of Lunesta. What do you like? Why should I make mine marvel?

This is a goof, right? Because I loved DC until I learned to read at, oh, age 4, and never looked back. The fact that you just toss out generalizations about not liking Marvel is extremely suspicious. If you can't articulate why you like comic books but not Marvel, if words fail you when someone pins you in a corner and asks you to explain your OP, why, then, it's obvious why you like DC: You have fantasies about having a green ring that you can use to make a giant green hammer to clonk people who realize that your entire argument is a twisted Booster Gold fantasy. Good luck with that.

[chrisgiff]

I agree with the TS.

I used to buy more Marvel than DC about 10 years ago...

Marvel went and snatched up all my favorite non-Marvel writers. I thought that it would be a good thing, until said writers started producing watered down, boring crap.

Marvel then jacked up all of their prices so the comics were literally now the equilvalent of the overpriced and mindless summer blockbuster ala Michael Bay.

Now I pretty much only read Marvel titles by Hickman, Aaron and Gage.

DC just seems to have more creative freedom. I'm not saying this as a DC fanboy (they have their share of crap also). Overall, I think books like Morrison's Batman push the creative envelope more than anything Marvel can or will do. Not to mention, DC has the Vertigo imprint which Marvel cannot touch in terms of quality (American Vampire, Fables, etc.).

[SamSpade]

I've always enjoyed Marvel because all of the characters have something wrong with them. Spider-Man always tries to do good but hurts his social life as a result and is always down on his luck. He's chased by the police and treated as a menace. Captain America is a man trapped out of time. Iron Man is a drunk. Thor is a cripple. The Hulk is treated like a menace. The X-Men always had to deal with a prejudice from a world that wants them destroyed or locked up for being different.

Compare that to DC. Superman is a powerful alien from another planet and is adored by the public. Batman is a billionaire. Wonderwoman, ambassador to the man's world and champion Amazon.

I just can't identify with DC's characters as much as I can with Marvel's. I don't dislike them by any stretch but DC just sin't my thing. My other issue is the constant retcons that suck. I'm serious, they brought back Maxwell Lord? Why? That was an amazing story dealing with a superhero forced to kill to save lives. Brought back Jason Todd, why not, his death was a huge part of Batman's mythos.

There's also no sense of character. How special is the Flash when there's 3 of them? Green Lantern? There's an intergalactic police force of them. Batman, there's a bunch of them now too, it's Batman Incorporated. See what I'm getting at?

[chrisgiff]

There's also no sense of character. How special is the Flash when there's 3 of them? Green Lantern? There's an intergalactic police force of them. Batman, there's a bunch of them now too, it's Batman Incorporated. See what I'm getting at?

To be fair, Marvel does this also.

There are like 900 different Hulks. How many Avengers teams are there? X-Teams? There have been 2 Iron Men, multiple Captain Americas, a lot of Spidermen running around, Dark Wolverine and regular Wolverine, etc. The Green Laterns are more or less just a super hero team and in that sense they are comparable to the X-Men.

[Dog]

Note everyone in the X-Men has the same power.

[West]

There are like 900 different Hulks. How many Avengers teams are there? X-Teams? There have been 2 Iron Men, multiple Captain Americas, a lot of Spidermen running around, Dark Wolverine and regular Wolverine, etc. The Green Laterns are more or less just a super hero team and in that sense they are comparable to the X-Men.
Wrong, thores only six or seven if you count Jones, and are't ther less mutants anyways?

[chrisgiff]

Wrong, thores only six or seven if you count Jones, and are't ther less mutants anyways?

obvious exaggeration is obvious...

[Hulk_Is]

Yes, the Hulk's are out of control!!!! :eek:

Yep. Uninteresting. Trite. Don't like it.

[Smoothesuede]

I once thought to myself "Why don't I like Godfather, Star Wars, or Stephen King? Is there something wrong with me? There must be something I just don't get."

So I asked my brother who is a fan of all of those things "Why are these things good?" and when he got frustrated at me replying to his answers with "No, I don't like that either. Really though, tell me why they're good," I realized it was a dumb thing to ask in the first place.

I just don't like Star Wars.

[West]

Yes, the Hulk's are out of control!!!! :eek:

Yep. Uninteresting. Trite. Don't like it.

No one is bothered by it but you

[erzan]

I've always enjoyed Marvel because all of the characters have something wrong with them. Spider-Man always tries to do good but hurts his social life as a result and is always down on his luck. He's chased by the police and treated as a menace. Captain America is a man trapped out of time. Iron Man is a drunk. Thor is a cripple. The Hulk is treated like a menace. The X-Men always had to deal with a prejudice from a world that wants them destroyed or locked up for being different.

Compare that to DC. Superman is a powerful alien from another planet and is adored by the public. Batman is a billionaire. Wonderwoman, ambassador to the man's world and champion Amazon.

I just can't identify with DC's characters as much as I can with Marvel's. I don't dislike them by any stretch but DC just sin't my thing. My other issue is the constant retcons that suck. I'm serious, they brought back Maxwell Lord? Why? That was an amazing story dealing with a superhero forced to kill to save lives. Brought back Jason Todd, why not, his death was a huge part of Batman's mythos.

There's also no sense of character. How special is the Flash when there's 3 of them? Green Lantern? There's an intergalactic police force of them. Batman, there's a bunch of them now too, it's Batman Incorporated. See what I'm getting at?Hold on fan boy.

Superman the alien vs Thor the god
Bruce the billionaire vs Tony the billionaire

Captain American trapped out of his time, is that really that interesting as a concept now? is that really his major appeal today? is Thor treated as a cripple now? Marvel has its fair share of crazy untouchable heroes, look at Silver surfer.

[Hulk_Is]

No one is bothered by it but you

I'm not sure about that, but I hope all the Hulk's die and burn in hell. And, that includes Big Green himself. :mad:

[blehbeh]

I really can't imagine anyone who loves DC superhero comics as much as the OP seems to, being THAT put off or "bored" by Marvel comics.

I read only Marvel comics these days. I was extremely put off by all the massive events and overhauls of the the DC Universe, to the point where I had no idea what character I was reading about, or what they remembered, or what their history was. As a Marvel fan who was always a casual DC reader, I ended up simply not caring anymore.

That said, I always ENJOYED DC comics. If I picked up one today, and put aside my annoyance at what the DCU became, I'm sure I would enjoy it. Why? Because I enjoy superhero comics, which is what Marvel and DC both put out. Any fan of superhero comics is sure to enjoy both, on some level.

The OP's complaint is similar to someone who has loved McDonald's fries their whole life, eating a Burger King fry and being repulsed. You'd tell the person "Er, I get that you like McDonald's better, but that BK fry is still a fry and not really that different. Your reaction is pretty strange and extreme..."

[West]

I'm not sure about that, but I hope all the Hulk's die and burn in hell. And, that includes Big Green himself. :mad:

Fanboy rage at it's finest

[Hulk_Is]

Fanboy rage at it's finest

Oh, don't even go there.

[The Black Guardian]

Totally different argument, but fries aren't fries, and Burger King's are definitely better. :tongue:

It's the seasonings.

[britishmixedwhiskey]

I think the OP's refusal to tell us what sort of books he does like rather paints him as somebody looking for a fight rather than something good to read.

Exactly what i was going to say . Great minds think alike .

[doordoor123]

I'm not a Marvel fan by any stretch; I pick up a marvel comic and I'm bored to tears by the third page. The characters, the issues; I simply don't understand the appeal iron man, spiderman, and the like.

What am I missing?

Help me out here. Tell me why Marvel isn't the comic equivalent of Lunesta. What do you like? Why should I make mine marvel?

I know exactly what you mean. With DC you could follow a title and it could be really fun and exciting but you cant with Marvel. With Marvel you just need to read events. Nothing exciting happens otherwise. Unless its the Runaways, Cosmic Universe or Ultimate Universe. There are a few other exceptions.

[Rasputin9977]

So, remind me: how are all superheroes created equally again?
They share the same creators.

[Mysterio's Helmet]

You shouldn't. You should make yours: Comic Books.


There's so many different reads out there why limit yourself to just Marvel. Great characters and stories everywhere.

[Smoothesuede]

I know exactly what you mean. With DC you could follow a title and it could be really fun and exciting but you cant with Marvel. With Marvel you just need to read events. Nothing exciting happens otherwise. Unless its the Runaways, Cosmic Universe or Ultimate Universe. There are a few other exceptions.I don't know what books you've been reading, but I assure you that in no place on my probably-too-large Marvel pull-list is any one issue where people stand around doing nothing, waiting for an event- let alone is that the norm.

[Nolania]

There's also no sense of character. How special is the Flash when there's 3 of them? Green Lantern? There's an intergalactic police force of them. Batman, there's a bunch of them now too, it's Batman Incorporated. See what I'm getting at?

I'm not sure that what you're talking about is "character"... Because I think that the multiple versions of a particular hero brand actually highlight the "specialness" of individual characters.

Like, you have Jay Garrick, Wally West and Barry Allen all called the Flash. All have essentially the same powers. And yet they are unique from each other as characters and each has his own avid fanbase that prefers one man over the others.

If there were nothing special about them, readers would not care who is behind the mask (or under the helmet) as long as there's some guy named "Flash" who is running fast.

Dito the Green Lanterns. Hal Jordan is not the same character as Guy Gardner or John Stewart or Kilowog or Mogo or...

...well, you get the point. (I hope.)

[The Black Guardian]

Agreed, completely, Nolania. This is what bugs me when people complain about the redundancies of powers. Big deal if they have similar or the same powers. It's what's underneath that counts.

Also, re: "ripoffs." I feel like screaming every time someone says this character is a ripoff of this other character just because they have the same powers. Or too many characters have such-and-such power.

And by extension, I don't care if multiple teams serve the same purpose, as long as the characters are interesting.

[Imraith Nimphais]

You shouldn't. You should make yours: Comic Books.


There's so many different reads out there why limit yourself to just Marvel. Great characters and stories everywhere.

The above quoted for making a lot of sense.:smile: