Marvel Comics Forces Other Players To Step Up Game
Marvel Comics has been a powerhouse of the comic book industry for decades, and its battle with DC Comics for the hearts of comic book lovers everywhere has been legendary.
However, the absence of Marvel Comics at San Diego Comic Con — even while Marvel Television made an appearance — meant that the other players in the industry had a chance to show they were stepping up their game.
It wasn’t that there was a complete absence of Marvel Comics power at Comic Con. Director David Ayer, who helmed next year’s Suicide Squad, called out Marvel Comics’ bad guys, though he admitted he did not want to start a feud between Marvel and DC Comics. Of the DC Comics squad of villains, Ayer noted, “Best villains ever. I don’t want to start no East Coast/West Coast feud with Marvel comics now, but hey, someone’s gotta say the truth.”
Marvel Comics has long mastered the art of the superhero, but Joanna Robinson of Vanity Fair said that a villain that audiences could relate to were still a struggle for the comic book juggernaut. DC Comics is clearly hoping that Suicide Squad, featuring some of the most recognizable villains in comic book history, including Deadshot (Will Smith), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), and Joker (Jared Leto), will humanize some of the villains and give audiences a team of villains they could connect to.
Besides Suicide Squad, Marvel Comics also has to consider the upcoming Deadpool and Gambit flicks due out next year. With stars like Ryan Reynolds and Channing Tatum respectively taking on the lead roles, it is likely that Fox will also be making headway in the battle for comic book supremacy. That makes for a battle on three fronts.
Marvel Comics has dominated the comic book industry, infiltrating both film and television for years. It appears that there are challenges coming up against Marvel, though, but that Marvel Comics is getting ready to meet these head on. For instance, there are rumors of a Blade reboot, at least in the comics, and there was also an announcement of a Spider-Man/Deadpool crossover for the comics, as well.
That is not to say that Marvel Comics won’t have upcoming films in the wings. Captain America: Civil War is sure to be a huge draw for audiences, and there is also Doctor Strange later in 2016. However, with films like Suicide Squad, Batman v Superman, and Deadpool coming up, it is clear that other studios are prepared and ready to take on the comic book crown that Marvel Comics has appeared to hold for so long.
[Photo by Kevin Winter / Getty Images]
