Quote:
Originally Posted by William Taylor
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Good commentary, though I think it is wrong on a few points, first and foremost being:
When he said it is "more about brand than character." Nope. 100% wrong. Character is exactly why Marvel continues to succeed where DC fails, both in comics and in movies. And one of the biggest keys is the hero's origin.
Many super hero origins are based in trauma. They suffered some horrible event that led them into becoming a super hero. But there is a key difference between many of the DC and Marvel heroes and their trauma: Guilt.
Take a look at DC's greatest exception to their failure to do this: Batman. Why is Batman the most popular, beloved super hero on the planet? Why has he even surpassed the more heroic-on-the-surface Superman? Both of their origins are the result of trauma. Kal-El lost his entire race. Bruce Wayne lost his parents. The key difference: Bruce lost his parents
and blames himself. He isn't just "out to get criminals." He is out to save his own soul.
Which is why I often say that Batman is the best "Marvel hero" DC ever produced, because this is the key that makes so many of the Marvel heroes compelling ---
Peter Parker's inaction led to the death of his Uncle Ben, and he can never forgive himself for it.
Tony Stark realized that his own narcissism and lust for wealth and power were leading to thousands of innocent people being killed, and he can never forgive himself for it.
Reed Richards talked his friends and family into a scientific experiment that failed, and now they can never be normal again. And again, he can never forgive himself for it.
Steve Rogers had a childhood filled with trauma, being a weakling who was constantly beaten and picked on. So every time he sees a bully picking on someone, it pokes the scared little boy that still lives inside him.
Bruce Banner's actions led to him turning into a rage-filled monster, so he can never trust himself to live a normal life or let his emotions go.
Norrin Radd agreed to help kill literally trillions of people in order to save his own. When he finally admitted his sin, he was punished for it by being forever separated from the woman he loves.
Too many of DC's heroes lack that
inherent drama.
Yeah, Superman is the last of his kind, but he still has people who love and respect him, and he sure doesn't blame himself for Krypton's destruction. Wonder Woman was born to lead and fight. Green Lantern was simply chosen. I honestly couldn't tell you Aquaman's origin if you held a gun to my head, though it's nice to see Khal Drogo back on the screen. Again, DC's one big exception? Batman. And it is therefore no surprise that Batman has continued to be not only the world's most popular super hero, but DC's most successful film franchise. Batman isn't just the most cunning bad ass in any room at any given time, but he is haunted by his own sins, and
that is compelling drama. 
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