Clash of the Titans - Marvel versus DC
As a child in the early 1980s, my life as a voracious reader really began with superhero comics. But luck also played a part.
Unlikely as it seems, circumstances beyond my knowledge led to Marvel UK having many of its comics printed in Portlaoise, at the same establishment as our local paper. The mother of a friend of mine worked there, and frequently brought home many of their titles. Once finished with them, he duly passed them onto me. In no time, I was an avid follower of the exploits of Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and many more.
Every visit to a newsagent involved me pestering my mother to pick up the latest issues. I swapped with friends. I simply couldn't read enough of them.
I soon familiarised myself with many of the titles of Marvel's great rival, the publisher DC Comics, whose most famous characters include Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.
Of course, today many people are also familiar with these characters through their appearances on the small and large screen. But back in the dim and distant past of my childhood, such on-screen portrayals were thin on the ground. Christopher Reeve was performing the definitive portrayal of the Man of Steel, and many of us fondly remember gathering in front of the television on Saturday afternoon to watch the delightful television incarnation of Batman, featuring Adam West. But, by and large, a realisation of many of our heroes on the big screen remained the province of the imagination. Tim Burton's vision of Batman and his world was waiting at the end of the decade, at which time I was in the midst of my teens, and more interested in listening to the latest album from The Smiths.
But the superheroes never went away. Indeed, they continue to thrive on the page and screen. And of course, the rivalry still exists. As children, myself and friends would often debate (having exhausted the topic of who would be the likely victor in a battle between the Hulk and the Fantastic Four's Ben Grimm, a.k.a. the Thing) who provided the greatest characters - Marvel Comics or DC Comics?
I always leaned towards Marvel. Their characters seemed more flesh and blood somehow. Peter Parker was the ridiculed guy in high school, his fame and status as Spider-Man making no difference to his otherwise mundane and put-upon life. Bruce Banner was a man on the run, his times transformed into the Hulk usually bringing him only anguish and peril. The X-Men were outcasts from society, their powers inspiring fear and hostility from society, occasionally finding solace among their fellow mutants.
In comparison, DC's characters always seemed somehow more straightforward. Superman, Wonder Woman and Supergirl were virtuous, heroic, and celebrated by the world. Admittedly, Batman was a counterpoint to this, a dark avenger in a benighted city. And admittedly, I never read as widely among the DC titles.
As an adult, I have occasionally revisited the world of these characters, most notably when I descended into the nightmarish, disturbing and brilliant Arkham Asylum by Grant Morrison and Dave McKean. Batman's world, in this tale, is a far cry from the fun and zany Gotham of Adam West's Batman. And it's nice to know those characters are still out there, each trying to do right in their own ways, fighting their foes and, sometimes, their own inner demons.
And I would still vote for Marvel. But how about you? If you need help deciding, the good news is that an amazing range of Marvel and DC titles are available in Fingal Libraries, and many titles are now available through the online resources of Fingal Libraries, for free. So, in this instance, Covid 19 is no barrier - of course, it stands to reason that it can't stop the superheroes.
Our online resources include RB Comics, which provide you with access to a huge range of top quality comics & graphic novels, including Marvel & IDW titles! All you need to do is register with your library card number and download the RB Digital app for access on the go.
It's easy - just vist https://www.fingal.ie/council/service/fingal-library-eservices-online-courses for more information.
An episode of The Simpsons, titled My Big Fat Geek Wedding featured a short-lived romance between Mrs Krabappel and Comic Book Guy. When Mrs Krabappel terminates their relationship, Comic Book Guy refuses to accept her explanations. Finally, she says "It's like I'm DC Comics, and you're Marvel" to which he replies "I understand completely".
As does every comic book fan.
Alan, Fingal Libraries
