About The Survey News Date: 2020-09-02

We looked at some of the major players in the DC and Marvel universes, and we've answered the question: whose heroes are more powerful, DC or Marvel?

From primary school playgrounds to corporate office breakrooms, comic book fans have argued for eons as to whether Marvel or DC Comics has the strongest heroes. Thanks to the prominence of superhero films over the last two decades, these debates have only grown more intense! Now, you can't turn on the TV or hop on the internet without seeing Marvel vs DC threads all over the place.

More of Marvel's characters have won in more categories, but DC's victors far outshine their competition. No one from the Marvel Universe or the DC Universe compares to Superman, whereas Iron Man and Hawkeye just barely edge out their rivals. Still, we'd say that Marvel has stronger characters for now. That's the caveat, however - times change. DC could reinvent Batman one day and make him a closer rival to Iron Man. Captain Marvel's power could continue to grow until she outclasses Superman. The world of comics is always in flux; today's victors could be tomorrow's losers - and vice versa.

Marvel's victory over DC also reflect a real-world shift in paradigms; DC's characters were overpowered during the Golden and Silver Ages, while Marvel's were more down to Earth. The Hulk didn't break worlds in the 1960s, he was a riff on Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. But over the last few decades, Marvel's increased the power of their heroes and villains while DC's sought to humanize their characters. As a result, the Modern version of Superman isn't as strong as his past counterparts (though he's still powerful,) but he's more relatable. However, nothing's static in the comic book world. When (not if) the tables turn, you can count on us to rank Marvel and DC's greatest champions once again.