With Comicon around the corner, you know fanboys will still be arguing over which is better, DC Comics or Marvel Comics. But chances are, it's been a while since you've read either one. No, you haven't picked up an issue of X-men in years, but you sure as hell saw all the movies. That's why the only real way to compare these two titans of tights-wearing heroes is to compare their movies.
Title Bout - X-Men vs. Superman
These are the respective headliners of each firm. Marvel Comics is X-Men, and the first X-Men movie in 2000 may be single-handedly responsible for the huge amount of comic book movies coming out these days. The movie felt just like a comic book, as we were dumped in amidst a plot already in progress, witnessed some awesome fights, and then were left hungry for more. So many origin stories, so little time.
Superman, on the other hand, is DC's golden boy. Unfortunately, with such varied powers all concentrated in a single man, there weren't really many villains who could stand up to Superman. Consequently, his movie tended to be less about Superman being awesome, and more about Clark Kent trying to fumble his way through a delayed adolescence. Interesting? Possibly. Super? No.
The Skinny: Just ask yourself what's more interesting, a single omnipotent god, or a pantheon of gods who each have a different power and often argue with each other. Hint: More people with powers = more fun
ADVANTAGE: MARVEL
That Other Guy - Spider-Man vs. Batman
Although nothing matches the hype of the X-men, Spider-Man has now gotten a few movies as well, and seems to be Marvel's second flagship. And this is a shame, because Spider-Man often feels like it has the same writers as a bad sitcom on UPN. Honestly, quick cuts around the school cafeteria highlighting awkward teen angst? There's no reason to see that in theatres. On the other hand, Spidey always brings a slew of entertaining villains.
Batman is no slouch when it comes to fun villains either. Jack Nichelson's Joker may be the benchmark for demented evil-doers everywhere, and the rest of the Batman rogue's gallery ranges from Two-Face to Poison Ivy. But Batman's real advantage is his own badass self. No mutant powers, no super-strength, just the best training money can buy and some serious rage fueled by the murder of his parents. And much better one-liners than Spider-Man.
The Skinny: Sorry, Spidey, but Batman doesn't even need any superpowers to kick your ass.
ADVANTAGE: DC
Chick Fight - Elektra vs. Catwoman:
Elektra is sent to assassinate two people, but pals around with them for a while until eventually deciding to protect them. She's come back from the dead, but decides to follow the path of good. If you saw Daredevil, you've already seen Elektra. On the bright side, she gets to dispatch an interesting series of spooky half-demon enemies,
Catwoman also comes back from the dead, but decides it's time to stop playing nice and stop busting some balls. If you saw the second Batman movie, then you saw Catwoman, but you saw a Catwoman with a much tighter skinsuit. And a much better movie, because Catwoman received no fewer than four Razzies in 2005 for Worst Picture, Worst Actress, Worst Director, and Worst Screenplay.
The Skinny: Catwoman may be a better character, but she makes a lousy movie.
ADVANTAGE: MARVEL
Group Hug - Fantastic Four vs. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
The Fantastic Four, let's face it, were not particularly fantastic to begin with. Still, the comics shined in comparison to the lame movie version that was made. Nobody needed to see bad spaceship drama after all the awful astronaut movies that have been made, and Ben Grimm looked he rolled around in glue and brown styrofoam. Most people would rather just watch the Incredibles.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen had much more interesting heroes, all pulled from literature, letting us feel smug and intellectual while watching a movie about superheroes. Granted, it wasn't a very good movie about superheroes, but we still felt smart for watching it. Also: Sean Connery.
The Skinny: Fantastic Four was poorly written. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was also poorly written, but at least it had characters from things that were well-written.
ADVANTAGE: DC
That ties it up at 2 and 2, so it's time for the lightning round...
Hell Boys - Ghost Rider vs. Constantine
The Skinny: Ghost Rider's head catches fire because Satan fooled him. Constantine faces down legions of hell and grumbles through it because he's used to it.
ADVANTAGE: DC
Metal Men - Iron Man vs. Steel
The Skinny: Robert Downey Jr. is a weapons designer who ends up making himself a metal suit and becoming totally awesome. Shaquille O'Neal is a weapons designer who ends up making himself a metal suit and still manages to be completely lame.
ADVANTAGE: MARVEL
Justice Department - Daredevil vs. V for Vendetta:
The Skinny: Daredevil gets justice by being a lawyer during the day. V gets justice by killing the iniquitous and getting a whole city to rise up against a corrupt government. 
ADVANTAGE: DC
Coming Soon - The Avengers vs. Watchmen
The Skinny: Neither of these movies are out yet, but the Avengers are like a crappy underpowered X-men, and Watchmen is one of the more important comics ever made. We know which one we're excited about.
ADVANTAGE: DC
Still on the Bench - Flash, Aquaman, and Wonder Woman vs. Thor, Nick Fury, and Silver Surfer
The Skinny: The Flash and Wonder Woman both should stay in the 1950s, and Aquaman is generally acknowledged as one of the world's lamest superheroes. Meanwhile, Nick Fury is a badass spy with an eyepatch, Silver Surfer is one of the most powerful men in the universe, and Thor is a living god.
ADVANTAGE: MARVEL
Looks like DC wins by one point, right? Not so fast....
BABE ALERT
Let's go back at each of our four main matchups and look at what you really watch these movies for:
Mystique vs. Lois Lane -- Why would you ever bother shapeshifting when you're shaped like that? ADVANTAGE: Marvel
Mary Jane vs. Vicki Vale -- Vicki might have the glamour, but Mary Jane's the girl next door who you manage to catch standing outside in the rain in that T-shirt. ADVANTAGE: Marvel
Elektra vs. Catwoman -- When it comes to badass, Jennifer Garner is more bad, but Halle Berry is more ass. ADVANTAGE: DC
Invisible Woman vs. Mina Harker -- It's too bad the radiation didn't just turn Jessica Alba's clothes invisible but leave her alone. Still, unless you're a goth, she's still hotter than the vampire lady.
The Skinny:
ADVANTAGE: Marvel
Result: Marvel Victorious!
