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by Ray Burke

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Superhero Icons:

Why have some comic book characters remained more durable than others? For seven decades DC comics has sustained the market for their characters, reinventing them for modern times, while their biggest competitor, Marvel, has been bringing gritty realism for fifty years in its modern incarnation. The Big Two have survived imitators, financial battles, market slumps, and creative differences, and are now thriving in their industries in print, celluloid and digital forms, not to mention merchandising. Even with the best writers, artists, management, and legions of fans there seems to be some underlying reason why these characters have emerged as global icons. Below is a generalised view of the DC and Marvel universes, there are exceptions and other heroes to consider, but I believe that this overview is enough for the space provided.

In the DC universe you have the big seven: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Aquaman, The Flash and Green Lantern. They are regarded as god-like figures and even convene on the moon, or satellites, or remote locations akin to Mount Olympus. They are remote figures, a rarefied breed; they are the modern day archetypes of ancient Gods:

Superman is the sun God; man of strength, speed, intelligence and compassion. Wonder Woman is the embodiment of the female warrior and mother earth goddess. Batman is the philosopher/soldier; an Ares, or mortal Achilles, warrior, leader, and tyrannical. The Flash is the messenger of the Gods and Aquaman king of the seas. Martian Manhunter is the shape shifter; the Coyote or Loki; wise, enigmatic, an outsider. Green Lantern is Odysseus; loyal warrior, thinker and daring wanderer.

The popularity of the DC characters could be explained by their timeless qualities. They could be any of the various mythical Gods and heroes found around the world from the beginning of time. Even the DC world is more unreal and weird compared to ours with the main threats to Earth being from outer space, yet the heroes try not intercede within national or international affairs, if they do not involve super-powered beings, wanting humans' to run their own affairs instead. The nature of the characters' powers is also different. They are metahumans, intentionally created or enhanced, or have alien heritages or alien-endowed powers. Their secret identities are usually high-profile jobs or they are billionaires or bankrolled by them. They seemed to be compelled to be heroes out of righteous justice from personal histories or societal demands, stemming from a lofty idealism.

In Marvel the direct correlation to DC's big seven is the newly formed Illuminati. They are Iron Man founder of the Avengers, Doctor Strange sorcerer supreme, Mr. Fantastic of the Fantastic 4, Namor the Sub-Mariner, Charles Xavier leader of the X-men and Black Bolt -king of the Inhumans. They command the world's most powerful groups and the leaders gather together every so often to decide how the world should be run. The Illuminati are the power in the shadows, the council of kings, warriors and shamans, and of the elders from ages past.

The Marvel universe is one of the every-day men with extraordinary powers (e.g. Spider-Man, Hulk, Daredevil). Their teams, families and friends live and work together in schools, mansions, towers and houses among the people. They are more demi-gods than DC Gods able to relate to ordinary people, because they are one of them. They have real jobs and concerns for family.

Marvel's mutants are the persecuted underclass of superhero-dom, though they are scientists, teachers, ex-soldiers, and kings. Their world is more ground level, more political in nature and in making. The nature of their power is in their genes, usually from birth or accidentally gained. If DC's heroes were meant to be great, then Marvel's heroes have had greatness thrust upon them; the reluctant heroes, the outcasts and the unseen. They fight for survival and their ideals are murkier and blurred so that the anti-hero seems the norm (The Punisher, Wolverine, Magneto).

Whose world would I rather live in? DC heroes tend to attract bigger threats, but leave the common man alone; their concerns are global, galactic and universal. Marvel heroes are less space-oriented and concentrate at street level where one may get caught in the cross-fire. DC heroes are more in the open, though the Justice League, Justice Society, Teen Titans, et al seem to avoid press paparazzi, while Marvel's heroes, the X-Men, X-Factor, Fantastic 4 and The Avengers are a mixed group of camera shy and attention seeking super-celebrities. DC heroes do not usually mix business with pleasure and while a few are politically inclined, the world is basically run by humans'. Marvel has mutant rights and mutant policy makers that have changed the world's views on human' rights. Marvel's world is also more cosmopolitan, earthy and sociable. They live almost normal lives, go home, sleep, work and save the world because no one else will. But DC's seemingly sterile and inaccessible superhero community appeals more to me, however. Their deeds would be on the news, but they would not be in your face all the time, like some over-hyped celebrity. They seem to be always on the job in a never-ceasing mission to safeguard the world. They constantly shine, like the stars and the Gods who made them.

So I hope this quick and general guide has helped. There is so much more to uncover and consider. The world of comic books is a wonderful world to ponder and envision and long may they continue.

Learn more about this author, Ray Burke.

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