My Summer Lair Chapter #70: Marvel Or DC?
Slugfest: Inside the Epic, 50-year Battle between Marvel and DC by Reed Tucker was released on October 3, 2017.
From the media release:
“Slugfest, the first book to chronicle the history of this epic rivalry into a single, in-depth narrative, is the story of the greatest corporate rivalry never told. Complete with interviews with the major names in the industry, Slugfest reveals the arsenal of schemes the two companies have employed in their attempts to outmaneuver the competition, whether it be stealing ideas, poaching employees, planting spies, or launching price wars. The feud has never completely disappeared, and it simmers on a low boil to this day. With DC and Marvel characters becoming global icons worth billions, if anything, the stakes are higher now than ever before.”
From the book on Page xi: “This is a story about innovation.” is how the introduction begins. Fans overlook this is a business. As such there will always be a tension between continuity and the characters and consumers and the companies.
Heh: When I emailed Reed in December, I was commenting how he’s so gonna have to update the softcover with the Disney-Fox deal, C. B. Cebulski taking over the top spot at Marvel, Bendis heading to DC…big changes last 2 months or so. So, this story is still unfolding even though the book is out. It’s not like a bio with a dead celebrity, you know?
This book reads like a sports rivalry: we don’t have as many rivalries in business…Microsoft and Apple for example. DC Zombie vs Marvel Fanboys is iconic…up with Star Trek and Star Wars nerd battles.
Thankfully in Marvel vs DC…we as readers and consumers win.
Reed Tucker @ W • T • F
Host Sammy Younan
Recorded: Tuesday January 9, 2018 at 12:30pm
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