What should differentiate a Marvel Comics character?

[Joe Grendel]

Both major comics companies are doing some exploration nowadays and figuring out what it is they want their comics to be and be about in the 21st century. These explorations, and changes along the way, are making some readers happy and angering others.

I don't think it's a particularly controversial assertion to say that Marvel and DC heroes are different, or at least were, once upon a time. Should they be? And what should a Marvel hero be like, to the extent that you can make sweeping statements like that?

[lboinyamouf4sho]

very interesting question, i feel so stupid because i have no answer. i've always gotten a different vibe when reading a marvel comic than when reading a dc comic, and now that i try i can't xplain why that is i don't know how.

[The Fury]

The thing with DC's main heroes is that they are bascially all powerful. Superman, being, well Superman, Flash being the fastest man in the world, Batman, again just being Batman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern and many other being extremely powerful. They are the main characters, they are also the best, they are all part of the JLA.

Now, Marvel (until recently) had characters that were not not on the same team and were not all powerful. The main characters, Spider-man, Wolverine, Ironman, Cap A, some others, well they are really not that powerful. Compared to many they are the underdog's. It's this underdog-ness that separates them from the DCU main cast. The X-men compared to Magneto's or Apocalypse's power.

Omitting Dr. Strange for the underdogness, he's just all powerful.


Er.. i think.

[Joe Grendel]

Dr. Strange has always had his alcoholism to keep him in check, hasn't he?

You allude to the underdog status for Marvel heroes eroding. Is this something it's worth them retaining?

[Archer]

Doctor Strange was an alcoholic before he studied magic - could be wrong (I'm certainly not a Strange expert) but I don't think he drinks any more.