Superheroes are like pizza toppings, some are spicy, some are cheesy, and some are just different combinations of the same ingredients. While Marvel fans boast about their underdog heroes with emotional baggage, DC fans know their heroes as the gods of the comic book world. But what if some of these gods were just… different flavors of Superman? That’s exactly what Avengers director Joe Russo seems to think.
DC’s heroes have been inspiring generations for decades. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and The Flash are icons in every sense of the word. They represent ideals, standing tall as symbols of justice, hope, and perseverance.
But if you take a step back and squint a little, you might notice a pattern emerging. Some of these legendary characters have… well, let’s just say similar characteristics. Swap out some powers, change the backstory a little, and voilà! You’ve got a slightly different version of the same hero. At least, that’s how Russo sees it.
Avengers director’s take on superheroes from DC Comics
Joe Russo, one half of the directing duo behind Marvel’s biggest blockbusters, had something to say about the Justice League. Before diving into the quote, it’s important to understand where Russo is coming from. As a filmmaker who helped shape the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he’s been instrumental in bringing to life heroes who are flawed, complex, and, above all, human.
Whether it’s Spider-Man struggling with responsibility, Tony Stark battling his inner demons, or Thor dealing with self-doubt, Marvel characters often thrive on their imperfections. That’s why, when Russo looks at the Justice League, he sees something different, characters who, in his opinion, lack that same level of vulnerability. In an interview with Uproxx (via Comic Book Movie), he said,
I always had a really hard time getting into Superman as a kid. There just wasn’t a lot of vulnerability there for me. I loved Batman. He’s the one DC character I really loved. I found that Martian Manhunter was the Martian Superman. Wonder Woman was the female Superman.
There was repetitiveness in their characters. Aquaman is the sea Superman. Where I found that Marvel was building characters that are flawed and unique. Spider-Man was my favorite character growing up. I loved Wolverine.
Ouch. If you’re a DC fan, that probably stung harder than Kryptonite to Superman’s face. While DC fans may clutch their pearls or Batarangs in protest, it’s hard to ignore that the Justice League does seem a little… top-heavy when it comes to godlike heroes. But is that necessarily a bad thing? After all, when the world is in danger, who wouldn’t want a team of near-invincible powerhouses ready to punch the problem into the sun?
The Marvel Vs. DC superhero personality contest
Russo also pointed out that Marvel heroes are more flawed and relatable. And, he’s got a point. Spider-Man is basically an unpaid intern with superpowers. Wolverine is a grumpy dude with a tragic backstory and a serious need for therapy. Tony Stark? A billionaire genius who also happens to be a walking midlife crisis in a metal suit.
Meanwhile, DC’s Justice League consists of a goddess raised on a paradise island Wonder Woman, an alien who can sneeze away planets Superman, and, well… a fish whisperer Aquaman. Their problems tend to be of the intergalactic invasion variety rather than, say, stressing about rent.
But here’s where it gets interesting, DC’s heroes are aspirational. They’re the mythic legends, the larger-than-life figures that inspire mere mortals to be better. Marvel’s heroes, on the other hand, are the everyman or every-mutant. So, when Russo says he prefers the Marvel approach, he’s really just saying he likes his heroes with a little more human drama and who can blame him?
Watching Superman struggle with tax season probably wouldn’t be as compelling as Peter Parker juggling school, a job, and being New York’s web-slinging savior. Still, for all their differences, both Marvel and DC have something for everyone.
Some like their heroes flawed and relatable, others prefer them godlike and awe-inspiring. And if Aquaman is just “Sea Superman,” at least he gets to hang out with sharks, which is pretty cool.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
