Marvel vs. DC
The thing about DC Comics (and Batman in particular) is that I identify with the villains far more tan I ever do with the heroes. Most of the villains, in the movies I've seen and the things that I've read, were victims of cruelty and misfortune, driven to evil by a world that showed them no mercy and no pity.
Take the Riddler, for example, in Batman Forever. Edward Nigma, working for his hero and idol Bruce Wayne, wanted to show him a new invention. Wayne flat-out rejected his idea, calling it "mind control". Nigma was CRUSHED. In the movie, you can see in his face the exact moment where what was once mere eccentricity turns into total psychosis, spurred by Bruce Wayne's unsympathetic rejection.
Another example? The Penguin. In the backstories I've read, it seems to be that he was an ugly, deformed child; short, fat, long beaky nose, bow-legged, and only three fingers to each hand. He was teased and berated by all of his peers, as well as neglected by his parents. Again, the world showed him no mercy, and thus he was turned to villainy.
Two-Face is yet another example. In The Dark Knight, it pretty much is Batman's fault that he was hideously mutilated. It was done solely to get to Batman. Even in Batman Forever, Two-Face was a victim of circumstance. Acid was thrown in his face for absolutely no reason and it messed with his mind to the extent that he became schizophrenic and evil.
Lastly, THE JOKER. In every imagining of him I've seen, I find him to be a victim. In The Dark Knight, he was a victim of child abuse (from what I can gather, at least) that drove him to supervillainy. In Batman (with Michael Keaton), he fell into the vat of chemicals due to an accident, and his face was further mutilated by botched plastic surgery. But the worst I've ever heard was actually in the comic itself. The Joker was a failing comedian -- "You don't know what it's like... I stand up there, and nobody laughs..." -- who was forced into doing dirty work for the mob. They framed him for their crimes, and caused him to fall into the vat of chemicals that destroyed his appearance. To add insult to injury, his pregnant wife died that same day (some stories say that it was a household accident, others say that she was kidnapped and murdered to force the Joker's compliance). That is misfortune at his highest. I know *I'd* be driven to insanity and supervillainy after that.
Instead of trying to help these people, Batman works by beating them up and tossing them unceremoniously into Arkham Asylum. He doesn't try to help them get better, doesn't get them counselling, nothing. Just sticks them in solitary confinement, expects that to solve their problems, and acts surprised when it doesn't.
My hate of DC comics, while focused on Batman, is not limited to him. Superman also shares in my loathing. While Lex Luthor, the supposed villain, achieves his means through invention, intelligence, and thoughtfulness, Superman achieves HIS means by punching things and inventing new powers like super-weaving. Moreover, both "heroes" are complete jerks. How many comic book covers have shown Superman refusing to help Jimmy Olson or Lois Lane out of trouble? How many hearts has Batman broken because he needs to keep to his strict schedule of brooding? How much collateral damage has Superman caused? Batman? In Batman Forever, Dick Grayson tries to convince Batman to let him work with him. As an acrobat, Grayson would in fact be incredibly useful. Batman, however, rejects him, like he rejects everyone who tries to get close to him.
Now. As for Marvel.
Marvel is like what would happen if the villains of DC were good instead of evil. Spider-Man, for instance, was a total geek. Beaten up, teased, rejected by the pretty girl he loves -- he faced a great deal of torment, culminating in the murder of his Uncle Ben (a surrogate father for him). If it had been a DC comic, Spider-Man would have become evil. But not in Marvel. Instead, Peter Parker resolves to become a superhero and protect the people who ruined his life as a teenager.
Iron Man. Tony Stark was kept prisoner by terrorists, certain to be killed, until he used his genius and mechanical skill to construct a suit that allowed him to fight his way out, out of what amounts to scrap metal. He builds himself a new heart out of the same scraps. He faces alcoholism, hate from groups that don't like his business of manufacturing weapons, and yet he still resolves to fight crime, despite the adversity he faced.
The X-Men. MUTANTS. Hated by the normal people, rejected from all society, they still work tirelessly to protect the people who hate them. The Hulk. Mild-mannered geek Bruce Banner is turned into a monster, hated and attacked by everyone he sees, and still he fights diligently to protect them. The list goes on. Marvel heroes are DC villains made good.
This is why I love Marvel comics. As someone who has faced bullying and generally shitty situations, I identify with people like that. In DC comics, then, I inevitably identify with the illains, and therefore I feel inherent loathing for the heroes that attack them. In Marvel, though, I can identify with the heroes. And that makes me happy.
So yeah. There that is.
Take the Riddler, for example, in Batman Forever. Edward Nigma, working for his hero and idol Bruce Wayne, wanted to show him a new invention. Wayne flat-out rejected his idea, calling it "mind control". Nigma was CRUSHED. In the movie, you can see in his face the exact moment where what was once mere eccentricity turns into total psychosis, spurred by Bruce Wayne's unsympathetic rejection.
Another example? The Penguin. In the backstories I've read, it seems to be that he was an ugly, deformed child; short, fat, long beaky nose, bow-legged, and only three fingers to each hand. He was teased and berated by all of his peers, as well as neglected by his parents. Again, the world showed him no mercy, and thus he was turned to villainy.
Two-Face is yet another example. In The Dark Knight, it pretty much is Batman's fault that he was hideously mutilated. It was done solely to get to Batman. Even in Batman Forever, Two-Face was a victim of circumstance. Acid was thrown in his face for absolutely no reason and it messed with his mind to the extent that he became schizophrenic and evil.
Lastly, THE JOKER. In every imagining of him I've seen, I find him to be a victim. In The Dark Knight, he was a victim of child abuse (from what I can gather, at least) that drove him to supervillainy. In Batman (with Michael Keaton), he fell into the vat of chemicals due to an accident, and his face was further mutilated by botched plastic surgery. But the worst I've ever heard was actually in the comic itself. The Joker was a failing comedian -- "You don't know what it's like... I stand up there, and nobody laughs..." -- who was forced into doing dirty work for the mob. They framed him for their crimes, and caused him to fall into the vat of chemicals that destroyed his appearance. To add insult to injury, his pregnant wife died that same day (some stories say that it was a household accident, others say that she was kidnapped and murdered to force the Joker's compliance). That is misfortune at his highest. I know *I'd* be driven to insanity and supervillainy after that.
Instead of trying to help these people, Batman works by beating them up and tossing them unceremoniously into Arkham Asylum. He doesn't try to help them get better, doesn't get them counselling, nothing. Just sticks them in solitary confinement, expects that to solve their problems, and acts surprised when it doesn't.
My hate of DC comics, while focused on Batman, is not limited to him. Superman also shares in my loathing. While Lex Luthor, the supposed villain, achieves his means through invention, intelligence, and thoughtfulness, Superman achieves HIS means by punching things and inventing new powers like super-weaving. Moreover, both "heroes" are complete jerks. How many comic book covers have shown Superman refusing to help Jimmy Olson or Lois Lane out of trouble? How many hearts has Batman broken because he needs to keep to his strict schedule of brooding? How much collateral damage has Superman caused? Batman? In Batman Forever, Dick Grayson tries to convince Batman to let him work with him. As an acrobat, Grayson would in fact be incredibly useful. Batman, however, rejects him, like he rejects everyone who tries to get close to him.
Now. As for Marvel.
Marvel is like what would happen if the villains of DC were good instead of evil. Spider-Man, for instance, was a total geek. Beaten up, teased, rejected by the pretty girl he loves -- he faced a great deal of torment, culminating in the murder of his Uncle Ben (a surrogate father for him). If it had been a DC comic, Spider-Man would have become evil. But not in Marvel. Instead, Peter Parker resolves to become a superhero and protect the people who ruined his life as a teenager.
Iron Man. Tony Stark was kept prisoner by terrorists, certain to be killed, until he used his genius and mechanical skill to construct a suit that allowed him to fight his way out, out of what amounts to scrap metal. He builds himself a new heart out of the same scraps. He faces alcoholism, hate from groups that don't like his business of manufacturing weapons, and yet he still resolves to fight crime, despite the adversity he faced.
The X-Men. MUTANTS. Hated by the normal people, rejected from all society, they still work tirelessly to protect the people who hate them. The Hulk. Mild-mannered geek Bruce Banner is turned into a monster, hated and attacked by everyone he sees, and still he fights diligently to protect them. The list goes on. Marvel heroes are DC villains made good.
This is why I love Marvel comics. As someone who has faced bullying and generally shitty situations, I identify with people like that. In DC comics, then, I inevitably identify with the illains, and therefore I feel inherent loathing for the heroes that attack them. In Marvel, though, I can identify with the heroes. And that makes me happy.
So yeah. There that is.