The Avengers vs. The Dark Knight Rises

The war of words between the fans of The Avengers and those of The Dark Knight Rises is tired, old and illogical but it speaks to a much larger competitive war between Marvel and DC as well as the division among superhero fans. Since time immemorial DC and Marvel have competed against each other sometimes so aggressively that their battles have become a part of comic lore likewise there fans, they have badgered as well as insulted each other and for decades hotly debated which publishers has the best heroes. So when both comic book titans are releasing colossal budget tent pole mega-blockbuster films in the same year there is an inevitable war of words between their fans but this year their gripping has sunken their debates (if you can call them that)to a new low of frivolity and silliness.

The problem with Marvelites is their irrational contempt and dismissal of Nolan's film's and their firm embrace of the Adam Savage's motto "I reject your reality and substitute my own". Comparing Joss Whedon to Christopher Nolan is so unfair and risible that an outside observer can't help but think of it as a joke it's similar to comparing Quentin Tarantino to Chronicle director Josh Trank. What Joss Whedon and Mr. Trank have in common is that neither has ever directed a major motion picture before this year as well as both directors is currently in hot demand because of their debut films. Then there is the other guy in this farcical comparison the Golden Globe and BAFTA nominated director and two time Oscar nominated screen writer Christopher Nolan whom already has a best picture nomination under his belt and is currently working towards his next one. Please for sanity's sake stop the comparisons because they are absurd and the works of both men are so divergent that they are total opposites of each other. It is because of such comparisons that I have created a new SAT question Christopher Nolan is to Joss Whedon as Ice is to magma.

DC more specifically Bat fans are worse than Marvelites because they should be taking the high road in this war of words but are instead being terrible winners. Heath Ledgers academy award is a huge victory for comic book fans everywhere but especially for long suffering DC fans who been given the ultimate victory. When the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an actor an Oscar for his portrayal of a DC villain can there possibly be any greater vindication of the Batman and DC story arcs? You won DC fans unless of course Marvel can produce their own academy award winning actor and even then no one can take away the bitter sweet victory you received in 2009. Instead of taking the high ground when Marvelites attack their films they engage them as if they have something else to prove. Worse and more embarrassing they get in worthless arguments about which film will be king of the box office when they know it’s the quality of the film and not the quantity it makes. Nolan is interested in making superhero movies that can be considered as good and as legitimately a part of cinema as The Godfather and Citizen Kane not movies designed to compete with Spiderman and the X-men as the best in the superhero genre or films that's purpose is to beat Harry Potter at the box office.

 I say let Marvel fans jeer Christopher Nolan, brag and beat their chest red because their movie is king at the box office and come Sunday February 24, 2013 DC fans can showboat by doing the Oscar shuffle on the red carpet at the Hollywood and Highland center when the Academy Awards are presented that way everybody wins. Marvel can claim that they once again have reclaimed Box Office greatness also they have a mega franchise on their hands and if early reports are indeed correct than DC can expect to add another round of Academy Award nominations on its already Oscar heavy belt of 20 nominations and four wins. Congratulations comic book fans and "true believers" we are all winners in 2012.