“Heroes, Villains, and Me” is a periodic article on Geeky KOOL by Larry Litle about the world of comic books and my reaction to it. “Heroes, Villains, and Me” is not a comic book review article. I will write about current events, speculation and rumors, or my own wacky thoughts about the world of comic books.
A few weeks ago, I engaged in a fun discussion of Marvel Versus DC with Brittney Greer (see Strange Happenings Go Fund Me). It wasn’t a mean or hateful conversation, which can happen in similar discussions. It was a pure fun discussion of why different people preferred either DC or Marvel characters.
Brittney stated more than once that she finds the DC characters to be more realistic than Marvel characters. This initially puzzled me. I feel completely the opposite.
It is impossible to argue who we view as more realistic. It is an opinion. Everyone has their own thoughts. Even if their assessment is the opposite of mine, it doesn’t invalidate their point of view.
I examined my views. Why do I find the Marvel characters to be more human and realistic than the DC Characters? What about these characters connect to who I am?
For me, it starts with Spider-Man. Peter Parker was the nerdy kid, who was picked on constantly. His family was dirt poor. Yet, he could be a hero in spite of his situation. Boy, I could completely relate to this as a kid. I was the poor geeky kid. I was constantly picked on as a child. I wanted to be a hero and eventually learned how to help those being picked on.
Spider-Man always used humor in the midst of adversity. This is a lesson I learned from reading not just Spidey but numerous other Marvel titles. Humor can defuse a situation. Humor helps refocus when life is crappy. Humor also annoys bullies. I use humor constantly to deal with life just like Spidey.
Marvel characters all have flaws. In the 60s when the Marvel Universe began, DC characters were near perfect. But Marvel characters were flawed with issues and real life problems. Marvel heroes often didn’t get along. Tony Stark was an arrogant jerk, who had a drinking problem. Captain America never felt like he belonged in this time. Thor was a hero pulled in different directions. Ant-Man was a jerk, who later beat his wife. The X-Men were persecuted.
My view of DC characters steams from my father’s comics. He collected DC comics all through the Silver Age. Batman and Superman were buddies. The whole Justice League was one big happy family. They always had the best intentions. They didn’t have real world problems.
The DC Characters have changed over the years. They are not the same now as they were in the 60s and 70s. Batman became much darker during the 80s with Batman: Year One and the Dark Knight Returns. Superman isn’t the boy scout he used to be. Wonder Woman is truly a fierce Amazon Warrior.
I still find Marvel characters to be much more realistic and human. I realize my view of the Marvel and DC characters are based on the versions of the characters I grew up reading. I honestly love both Marvel and DC. There are characters in both Universes that resonate with me. But when push comes to shove, Make Marvel Mine! But if you want to make DC yours, that is okay too.
Stay Geeky My Friends!
