The Decades-Long Rivalry between Marvel and DC: A Look at the Epic Battle for Comic Book Supremacy

Oscar Logrono Brache: Enjoyed the book, a very good made investigation of the Marvel/CD rilvary, the only problem with this book and a lot of comic book historians is that because their age, they don't know what was like in the golden and silver age of comics, they base their opinions from a modern perspective, and do not acknowledge it was a different world back then, for example the author speaks like the worst thing that happened to Batman was the 60's TV show, if only he would have been present in those years to experience the colossal impact that it was, (and for the campy thing, most comics were like that in that era, it was the normal, and because Kirby and Lee changed that beguinning in the 60's it does not mean that the other comic editorials ( there were a lot of different comics, not only super Heroes, Archie comics was BIG )were ready to jump that easily to the new wagon), things are alwasys much simpler when you watch them from the end. Besides that I recommend the book if you love the golden and silver era of comics.

United States on May 13, 2023

Peter: This is the story of the (hopefully) never-ending battle for comics supremacy between Marvel and DC.

The author gives us a look at DC in their various incarnations up until the advent of Marvel Comics and Fantastic Four #1 then we get to see the battle that went on between the two comic behemoths for the next half century.

There are so many stories here about creative staff and management doing questionable things in order to further their causes. The author tells a good story and it feels quite even-handed between the two companies.

If you are looking for a book that discussed the comic book business then this is it.

Australia on Apr 02, 2023

Jose Luis Alacot Torres: Not a masterpiece, but easy to read. Only if you're a fan or highly interested in comics.
Thanks for reading.

Germany on Jan 29, 2023

Eric Shoars: One of the greatest pop culture rivalries - and the most storied in the comic book industry - is DC vs Marvel. It would be argued that the rivalry is as hotly contested as ever with the comic books heroes from both companies now dominating the box office. Fans of both companies are as divided and fierce as ever in declaring why their preferred brand is superior than the other. The author does a terrific job of capturing the rivalry as a historical narrative that seems like a conversation and not dry accounts of facts. A fascinating look at the characters - human and otherwise - that transformed and industry and American culture itself. Highly recommend.

United States on May 29, 2022

C. Madlena: If one is a long time comic book fan (Marvel or DC), you won’t be wasting your time reading Slugfest. A lively page turner filled with interesting facts and some fresh anecdotes. Being a collector for decades (a Marvel guy but with some DC background), it was fun to get some backstory on many of the developments I remember during my early collecting years. A general fan may or may not find it engaging. But the older, more dedicated comic fan will find reading it time well spent.

United States on Oct 24, 2021

McGroovy: Kindle purchase at £3.99.

It's probably not surprising that some reviewers apparently read this rooting for a particular outcome, but it's really not the point of the book.
The author is completely objective throughout and where anything was the subject of rumour, it's pretty clearly stated.
What I personally found fascinating was insight to areas of the industry or points in both DC and Marvel history I was previously not privy to.
Not having spent precious comic book budget on trade magazines in the 70s or 80s, I missed interviews with a lot of the creative talent, so it was great to hear quotes from so many of them and find out where some of them went to, as well.
I was never one to buy output of only one company, so the obvious competition wasn't particularly of interest to me at the time and was even sad to see at certain points. Hearing the depths that both companies and some of their staff went to within these pages seems childish well beyond trying to seize the larger market share, but then that's not uncommon when art becomes industry. Nonetheless, it's brilliantly recorded and I found it hard to put down.
Editorially, the repetition of some events...

United Kingdom on Jan 28, 2020

Mark Barlow: This is an interesting history of the long war between Marvel and DC comics. Taking in from the comics to the movies. I felt it was a little too Marvel pro (the author must be a fan of marvel) but overall it was enjoyable.

United Kingdom on May 15, 2019

Gary S: This was an incredible read. Ive always loved the appeal of comic books, and have dabbled in them frequently, but more as a casual reader. I was of the generation that got into comic book characters because of the movies and cartoons, so I never knew the full creative history DC and Marvel. This book breaks down the origins of both companies and highlights all the turning points in their tense rivalry.

This book is so detailed that it made me wish I was around in New York during the golden age of comics.

If you care about comics, definitely read this book!

United Kingdom on Apr 10, 2019

Lee Kirby: In "Slugfest: Inside the Epic, 50-Year Battle between Marvel and DC," journalist Reed Tucker provides a brisk, captivating account of the ongoing clash of the superhero-publishing titans.

He's done a fine job portraying two companies traveling parallel tracks: Marvel, the scrappy upstart publisher of all-too-human superheroes that overtook longtime industry leader DC in the early 1970s and eventually became just as corporate as its main competitor; and DC, the staid corporate publisher with iconic, godlike heroes that's spent five-plus decades trying-sometimes successfully, sometimes not-to capture Marvel's brand of cool by bringing those icons like Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman down to earth and making them relevant for modern readers.

Tucker introduces his narrative with a vivid account of a cringe-inducing meeting at DC's bland New York headquarters in which worried executives try to figure out the secret of Marvel's success-and focus on imitating every superficial aspect of Marvel magazines except the storytelling because they refused to stoop to actually reading those books.

At times, the publishers' battle for spandex supremacy is as intense-though...

United States on Mar 14, 2018