The War Without End: DC vs. Marvel

When listening to the latest El Mayimbe (unconfirmed) scoop early this morning, it was impossible to stop myself from trying to guess at how this might play out and what it could mean for the larger narrative of DC vs. Marvel. It could all turn out to be garbage but he does have previous form of breaking scoops that turn out to be true (usually in the Marvel films). I have to say first that regardless of whether you want to keep the Nolan-verse separate or you just don’t like barky-Bale under the cowl, at least it seems like WB are taking their DC catalogue seriously... at last.

We know this because Nolan stated many times that he was done with superheroes and only signed on for a producer credit on Man of Steel was to get it made. He seemed genuinely sincere too but whether he was playing the long game to boost his potential deal or just could not turn down what the suits are now offering he has a peerless track record. I have not seen his low budget debut Following (1998) but every other film that the guy has made has impressed me... yes, even The Dark Knight Rises (2012). Bale was also forthright during the media push for TDKR that he was also done with the bat... unless nolan was ever involved in future.

I like many comic book fans out there felt that while The Dark Knight trilogy was a fantastic series of films based on the character, it did not truly portray the genius master-manipulator who is willing to cross lines that very few other heroes would. The physical stuff in TDKT showed Batman to be a growling beast of a fighter while I like Miller or any of the great runs on the character that fights with balance and control, attacking an opponents weaknesses with a systematic logic. I want to see Batman solving impossibly intricate crimes as the world’s greatest detective. I know there was the odd scene here and there within TDKT but it didn’t satisfy my thirst. I want to see Batman manipulate a villain into an act of destruction false-flag style under Bruce’s assumption that it WILL bring about some greater good.

I think this is the way the character could progress as... well it is THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU KEEP BATMAN RELEVANT amongst his stablemates. He needs to be the hero that does his own thing and is a lone-wolf within a team... as strange as that sounds. Batman needs to be off locating bigger potential issues surrounding what ever the justice League is dealing currently with. When he is with his fellow heroes, I want Batman to brood more that scowl (ala TDKR) and to advise on how to tackle aggressors down to his take on where he sees his colleagues being most effective. it has to go that way (and further) otherwise Batman is going to appear ineffective and might detract from the Batman brand in the long run.

On to what I feel Nolan (and Bale) could mean for the DC Movie Universe (sounds better that DCCU imho). We know that Nolan makes movies for primarily for adults but adolescents love them too. As much as I love the Marvel Cinematic Universe (and I do ((a lot))) it has an undeniable whiff of kids stuff... apparently its all based on comic books or something. Now I am not saying that I would like the MCU to be more adult themed but I do find the prospect of DC delivering their cinematic universe in a distinctly different way is both interesting to me as a fan and just great business. Yes, they would be narrowing the target audience (albeit until the DVD release that is), but an adult themed DC movie trilogy has a proven track record. The three movie TDKT is only about $500,000 behind the the six film Marvel Phase 1. I also feel that out of the two companies, DC as a whole might just suit a more adult theme better than Marvel would. Of course Marvel has some darker skewed characters like Punisher, Blade etc. but I feel the overall DC philosophy is maybe a little deeper. Thats not to say I prefer DC though, I genuinely love both.

So if all this does turn out to be true DC are two out of five or six heroes there but they have to start the hard work from here. I say two because I don’t believe there is anyway that Nolan would go anywhere near Ryan Reynolds’ Green Lantern (2011). If he is indeed appointed DCMU Godfather, I think that finally squashes any chance of that ever happening and we are still nowhere nearer to Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter or Flash movie incarnations. DC can do this but they have to commit to probably two films in either 2014 or more likely 2015. They could try and unite Batman and Superman in a World’s Finest movie for a spring 2015 release and then I liked an idea I read somewhere about a WW and Aquaman team up in a sword and sandal fantasy epic, so maybe that for fall 2015. Then release a Justice League movie the following summer that introduces Martian Manhunter to the four established (by then) heroes. He could bring news of a coming cataclysm that requires them to unite. Then the obvious way to expand the universe is with well placed cameos and mid and post credit scenes... if you can’t beat them join them!

I’m sure that there will be a lot of people who disagree but I would be interested to hear why and what other peoples feelings are about the news.