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Slugfest: Inside the Epic, 50-year Battle between Marvel and DC
The most bruising battle in the superhero world isn't between spandex-clad characters; it's between the publishers themselves. For more than 50 years, Marvel and DC have been locked in an epic war, tirelessly trading punches and trying to do to each other what Batman regularly does to the Joker's face. Slugfest, the first book to tell the history of this epic rivalry into a single, juicy narrative, is the story of the greatest corporate rivalry never told. It is also an alternate history of the superhero, told through the lens of these two publishers.
Slugfest will combine primary-source reporting with in-depth research to create a more fun Barbarians at the Gate for the comic book industry. 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, ripping off characters or launching price wars. Sometimes the feud has been vicious, at other times, more cordial. But it has never completely disappeared, and it simmers on a low boil to this day.
The competition has spilled over to the even the casual fans, bisecting the world into two opposing tribes. You are either a Marvel or a DC fan, and allegiance is hardly a trivial matter. Perhaps the most telling question one can ask of a superhero fan is, Marvel or DC? The answer often reveals something deeper about personality, and the reason is wrapped up in the history of both companies.
"A smart, blow-by-blow narrative of the sometimes-friendly, often bitter rivalry between corporate comic-book behemoths...A wild haymaker for the masses, perhaps, but a knockout read for capes-and-cowls aficionados."―Kirkus
"Reed Tucker masterfully dissects the REAL issue dividing us as a nation."―Seth Meyers, host of NBC's Late Night with Seth Meyers
"This is a book for 'Fans.' I consider myself a 'Fan.' I love this book. I guess you could say I am a 'Fan' of this book. If you are not a 'Fan' of 'Things' then this is not a book for you. It is a book for me. GIVE ME BACK MY BOOK!"―Bobby Moynihan, comedian and former Saturday Night Live cast
member
"Slugfest is the ringside commentator for the clash of the comic book titans. A must-read for all comic fans."―Scott Sigler, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling novel Alive
Slugfest will combine primary-source reporting with in-depth research to create a more fun Barbarians at the Gate for the comic book industry. 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, ripping off characters or launching price wars. Sometimes the feud has been vicious, at other times, more cordial. But it has never completely disappeared, and it simmers on a low boil to this day.
The competition has spilled over to the even the casual fans, bisecting the world into two opposing tribes. You are either a Marvel or a DC fan, and allegiance is hardly a trivial matter. Perhaps the most telling question one can ask of a superhero fan is, Marvel or DC? The answer often reveals something deeper about personality, and the reason is wrapped up in the history of both companies.
"A smart, blow-by-blow narrative of the sometimes-friendly, often bitter rivalry between corporate comic-book behemoths...A wild haymaker for the masses, perhaps, but a knockout read for capes-and-cowls aficionados."―Kirkus
"Reed Tucker masterfully dissects the REAL issue dividing us as a nation."―Seth Meyers, host of NBC's Late Night with Seth Meyers
"This is a book for 'Fans.' I consider myself a 'Fan.' I love this book. I guess you could say I am a 'Fan' of this book. If you are not a 'Fan' of 'Things' then this is not a book for you. It is a book for me. GIVE ME BACK MY BOOK!"―Bobby Moynihan, comedian and former Saturday Night Live cast
member
"Slugfest is the ringside commentator for the clash of the comic book titans. A must-read for all comic fans."―Scott Sigler, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling novel Alive
286 pages, Hardcover
First published October 3, 2017
About the author
Reed Tucker
6 books22 followersI am a journalist and author who writes mostly about pop culture. My work has appeared in the New York Post, Esquire, USA Today, the New York Times and Oprah magazine. I'm still not sure how that last one happened. I live in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews
December 10, 2021
I thought I knew a lot about the rivalry between DC and Marvel, but Reed Tucker takes you into a maelstrom of conflict that rivals what any super villain ever dreamed up! Balanced and meticulously research this book really is the best behind the scenes tell all on this 50 year battle I have ever read!
May 12, 2019
For decades, DC was the undisputed king of comics until one fateful day in 1961 when an upstart rose up to claim the throne. Could DC fend off its new rival or would Marvel sit upon the iron throne?
This is the story of the never-ending rivalry between Marvel and DC. It has a decidedly pro-Marvel slant, though. I'll say that right off the bat. The book covers the formation of DC, the near death of the comic industry in the 1950s, and Stan Lee's last effort to write a successful comic, the Fantastic Four. From there, the rivalry begins.
The book is well-written and well organized. That being said, 80-90% of it was covered in other books I've read in the past few years. However, there were some new morsels to uncover, like Vince Colletta leaking DC stuff to Marvel while he was working at the Distinguished Competition, and DC having their eyes on the Fantastic Four while Marvel was circling the drain for the umpteenth time around the turn of the century.
Another wrinkle I was unaware of due to my absence from comics for about a decade was the Bill Jemas and Joe Quesada regime. Bill Jemas is the one who decreed that all stories should be written specifically to be collected in trades. Fuck Bill Jemas.
The book goes out of its way to take shots at DC, painting them as a bunch of monkeys trying to fuck a football while trying to figure out why Marvel's books were outselling theirs. It also glosses over Jack Kirby's struggle to get his art back from Marvel and ignores what a tool Stan Lee was at times.
Every time I read a book of this kind, I'm amazed we still have super hero comics. Both Marvel and DC are shit shows behind the scenes. When you're handed the golden ticket, try not to wipe your asses with it!
This is the story of the never-ending rivalry between Marvel and DC. It has a decidedly pro-Marvel slant, though. I'll say that right off the bat. The book covers the formation of DC, the near death of the comic industry in the 1950s, and Stan Lee's last effort to write a successful comic, the Fantastic Four. From there, the rivalry begins.
The book is well-written and well organized. That being said, 80-90% of it was covered in other books I've read in the past few years. However, there were some new morsels to uncover, like Vince Colletta leaking DC stuff to Marvel while he was working at the Distinguished Competition, and DC having their eyes on the Fantastic Four while Marvel was circling the drain for the umpteenth time around the turn of the century.
Another wrinkle I was unaware of due to my absence from comics for about a decade was the Bill Jemas and Joe Quesada regime. Bill Jemas is the one who decreed that all stories should be written specifically to be collected in trades. Fuck Bill Jemas.
The book goes out of its way to take shots at DC, painting them as a bunch of monkeys trying to fuck a football while trying to figure out why Marvel's books were outselling theirs. It also glosses over Jack Kirby's struggle to get his art back from Marvel and ignores what a tool Stan Lee was at times.
Every time I read a book of this kind, I'm amazed we still have super hero comics. Both Marvel and DC are shit shows behind the scenes. When you're handed the golden ticket, try not to wipe your asses with it!
August 18, 2018
Marvel or DC?
The two companies are the most recognizable names in the comic book industry and the two that have lasted the longest. They have depicted countless imaginary battles throughout their decades long history, but the biggest battle has been the one with each other. Slugfest tells the history of the 50 year battle between Marvel and DC.
Slugfest is exactly what it claims to be, a history book on the battle between Marvel and DC. It gives the facts with some small opinions and countless quotes from experts in the industry.
"DC characters are too perfect and pegged to a different time," said Joan Hilty, a DC editor from 1995 to 2010.
As a kid born in the '80s, DC characters being too perfect would be the perfect way to sum up my feelings about them. I grew up hating Superman and finding the Justice League dull except for Batman. Little did I know that when Marvel came on the scene and challenged the status quo of superheroes that my feelings were shared by the masses. DC was the behemoth before Marvel was even born, but due to their dominance they stopped feeling the need to innovate and Marvel took full advantage.
"...Marvel and DC's heroes are cut from different cloths. They're philosophically different and don't fit easily into the same story. DC's characters are clean, well-mannered boy scouts, and Marvel's heroes are flawed and more human."
Once Marvel over took DC in sales they seemingly never looked back and apparently have largely dominated the competition ever since. There have been titles and certain areas where DC has been more dominate in like TV and animation, but the Slugfest states DC has constantly trying to emulate Marvel to capture more of the market share.
Slugfest is largely a story of business. One company believed it was too big to be challenged by anyone and is flabbergasted to find itself at number two. Marvel and DC found themselves embattled from then on stealing ideas and employees from one another with occasional ceasefires for crossovers over the years. Both companies have had instances where they were driven by artistry, greed, arrogance, and competition. One thing is clear though the two need one another in a strange way. The victories wouldn't be so sweet and it seems neither could have survived this long without each other.
Slugfest is an informative read for comic lovers who enjoy knowing the history of their favorite childhood comic book heroes.
3.5 out of 5 stars
July 12, 2017
Reviewed for Kirkus: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
(Well worth checking out, comics peeps.)
(Well worth checking out, comics peeps.)
November 21, 2017
A must read for any comic book fan. Tucker presents things in grand fashion, with DC and Marvel duking it out for the better part of the last century. There are lots of little tidbits here, like how the writers at DC and Marvel in the 70's snuck through the first intercompany crossover by staging all their stories in the same little Vermont town and had the books flow from one to the next. While Tucker mainly sticks to the business side of things, this book is a blast.
Received an advance copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Received an advance copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
November 14, 2017
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There's a ton of comic book nonfiction coming out this year, and with all the superhero movies pouring through theaters, it's no small wonder. I actually just read and reviewed an ARC of Stan Lee's biography, written by Bob Batchelor, and even though it comes across as pretty fan-boyish, it definitely delves into the infamous Marvel vs. DC wars and touches upon some of the pettiness and poor decision-making that resulted from this. Reed Tucker, however, goes into way more detail, like the Crisis on Infinite Earths vs. Secret Wars launches, and the "Fuck Marvel" incident. Tucker definitely tries his best to remain impartial, and really shows the relationship between Marvel and DC to be something between an older brother/younger brother-type rivalry to something like two arch-nemeses in a comic book for whom the constant battle serves as the answer to that existential question: "what is my purpose?"
DC is unquestionably the bigger brother in this story, since Marvel was created much later. Tucker chronicles their inception and growth and how many artists and creators ping-ponged between Marvel and DC, depending on who was giving out more pay and/or creative control at the time. Tucker takes us through the silver age, the bronze age, the crash in the 80s, and the box office boom of the 21st century with superheroes emerging in a new silver age: that of the silver screen, with blockbuster hits like The Avengers and Wonder Woman (which isn't mentioned in this book, which is ironic because Tucker was talking about how Dark Knight was the last really good DC movie, with both Suicide Squad and Batman vs. Superman being major disappointments - Wonder Woman was the next big hit that DC desperately needed).
I really enjoyed this book. I mean, obviously. I don't read a lot of comic books, but I enjoy most of the ones that I can get my hands on and I like watching super hero movies. Like many comic book commenters, Tucker takes cheap shots at Halle Barry's Catwoman and, of course, Batman & Robin - which, okay, I get it, but I actually like that movie and I've probably re-watched it more than Dark Knight OR Dark Knight Rises, which I find too dark and too disturbing. Batman & Robin is pure fun and mirrors the cheesiness of the animated series, which I adored growing up in the 90s (and still watch, to this day, courtesy of a DVD collection). Personally, I think DC's biggest mistake was Superman 64. Apart from disagreements over which was the better - or worse - adaption of the franchise, I loved learning so many new facts and trivia - like how the Men in Black movie was based off an indie black and white comic, or how direct distribution saved comics at a time when sales weren't doing so well, or that Stan Lee - "face" man of Marvel - at one point worked for DC(!).
If you enjoy comic book history and trivia, this will be a good addition to your knowledge banks. It's well-written, gossipy fun, and manages to make you appreciate the things that make comic books so wonderful while also revealing some of the flaws of creators and creations alike... and somehow, that touch of reality actually makes the comic books and writers even more whimsical. I guess it's kind of like Stan Lee's editorials, back when he wrote for Marvel: Tucker makes you feel like you're part of the comic book "Mean Girls" gang, and that taste of the geeky elite is totally worth it.
P.S. Obviously, that means Stan Lee is Regina George.
Thanks to Netgalley/the publisher for the review copy!
3.5 to 4 stars
October 25, 2018
A lean and meaty history of DC/Marvel comics. This is the book I've waited a lifetime to read. It's near perfect. And fairly well-balanced.
Read
October 15, 2017In 1961 DC Comics was the biggest comic company in the United States. Its superhero comics - Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman - were the most popular in the world and it had absolutely no competition of note. But that same year Atlas Comics was branded Marvel and its editor Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby released a new comic called The Fantastic Four. Within a decade Marvel had displaced DC as the biggest comics company in the US and snatched away a lot of talent and critical acclaim that had gone to DC. DC fought back, starting formidable Superman and Batman movie franchises and releasing a series of artistic, critically-acclaimed comic books in the 1980s and 1990s from the likes of Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman. But in the early 2000s Marvel finally entered the movie scene in force with X-Men and Spider-Man, and never looked back.
This non-fiction book looks into the 50-year competition between DC and Marvel, the two titans of comic book publishing. Reed Tucker has exhaustively interviewed many key players involved and scoured the archives for interviews with those who are no longer with us. The result is a potential interesting book that examines the corporate battle between the venerable establishment figure and the plucky upstart newbie.
Or at least it's a potentially interesting book that tries to do that. The opening chapters expand on this, detailing how Stan Lee took over a moribund company and injected some 1960s inventiveness, irreverence and character development to win over young fans from the older, more moribund publisher. We're told that Marvel focused more on the characters' internal lives, on the distrust with which they are treated by the government (helping young readers identify with similarly confused and mistrusted characters) and gave their writers and artists much greater freedom to express themselves, throwing away the style guides DC saddled their readers with. Marvel also used real locations, particularly in and around New York, which excited readers more than stories set in completely fictional locales like Gotham and Metropolis.
All of this stuff is great, but Reed never really moves on from this basic assumption: Marvel was the plucky underdog with greater creative energy and freedom, and DC was the staid old man taken by surprise by what the youngster was doing and whose attempts to replicate it by "getting down with the kids" were embarrassing. That applies very well to the 1960s and the early 1970s. However, some of Reed's conclusions and anecdotage are questionable: he challenges the wisdom of DC poaching Jack Kirby from Marvel and putting them on the Jimmy Olsen comic book, but this was both Kirby's own choice (so he wouldn't cost anyone a job on another comic, as the Jimmy Olsen book didn't have a permanent artist at the time) and also allowed him to set up his own, more original books later on by introducing characters like Darkseid.
By the time the 1980s have rolled around, Reed is still expanding on Marvel being the plucky underdog beating the boring old figure of DC, but seems to contradict himself by then talking about DC's artistic achievements with books like Swamp Thing, Watchmen and Sandman, as well as how Marvel had become the biggest-selling comic book company, making DC the underdogs. Aware that this is getting repetitive, he switches to studying the film business and how DC got some great movies made whilst Marvel flirted with moderately successful TV shows but otherwise couldn't get a decent movie on screen until twenty-two years later. This is interesting, with some great stories of bizarre behind-the-scenes battles and the film companies not "getting" comic books at all, but again it lacks depth.
The book is ultimately a bit constrained by its premise, and it's to Tucker's credit that he remains laser-focused on the interrelationship between Marvel and DC. It would have been very easy to get sidetracked in the internal history of the two companies and discuss more creative decisions, but Tucker stays on point throughout. This does mean the book veers towards the more corporate side of things rather than the creative one, which I think will be of less interest to those keen to learn more about the origins of superhero characters or how the books developed. But it has some value: this is an under-told aspect of the comic book story and Tucker keeps the story ticking over nicely.
Slugfest (***½) is a readable and intriguing book about the titanic competition between the two biggest comic book companies in the United States. It's also a bit on the repetitive side, with not as much depth as perhaps might be wished, and a lack of information on the creative choices as opposed to business ones. It's still a good story, well-told and interesting, but one for hardcore comic book fans only. The book is available now in the UK and USA.
This non-fiction book looks into the 50-year competition between DC and Marvel, the two titans of comic book publishing. Reed Tucker has exhaustively interviewed many key players involved and scoured the archives for interviews with those who are no longer with us. The result is a potential interesting book that examines the corporate battle between the venerable establishment figure and the plucky upstart newbie.
Or at least it's a potentially interesting book that tries to do that. The opening chapters expand on this, detailing how Stan Lee took over a moribund company and injected some 1960s inventiveness, irreverence and character development to win over young fans from the older, more moribund publisher. We're told that Marvel focused more on the characters' internal lives, on the distrust with which they are treated by the government (helping young readers identify with similarly confused and mistrusted characters) and gave their writers and artists much greater freedom to express themselves, throwing away the style guides DC saddled their readers with. Marvel also used real locations, particularly in and around New York, which excited readers more than stories set in completely fictional locales like Gotham and Metropolis.
All of this stuff is great, but Reed never really moves on from this basic assumption: Marvel was the plucky underdog with greater creative energy and freedom, and DC was the staid old man taken by surprise by what the youngster was doing and whose attempts to replicate it by "getting down with the kids" were embarrassing. That applies very well to the 1960s and the early 1970s. However, some of Reed's conclusions and anecdotage are questionable: he challenges the wisdom of DC poaching Jack Kirby from Marvel and putting them on the Jimmy Olsen comic book, but this was both Kirby's own choice (so he wouldn't cost anyone a job on another comic, as the Jimmy Olsen book didn't have a permanent artist at the time) and also allowed him to set up his own, more original books later on by introducing characters like Darkseid.
By the time the 1980s have rolled around, Reed is still expanding on Marvel being the plucky underdog beating the boring old figure of DC, but seems to contradict himself by then talking about DC's artistic achievements with books like Swamp Thing, Watchmen and Sandman, as well as how Marvel had become the biggest-selling comic book company, making DC the underdogs. Aware that this is getting repetitive, he switches to studying the film business and how DC got some great movies made whilst Marvel flirted with moderately successful TV shows but otherwise couldn't get a decent movie on screen until twenty-two years later. This is interesting, with some great stories of bizarre behind-the-scenes battles and the film companies not "getting" comic books at all, but again it lacks depth.
The book is ultimately a bit constrained by its premise, and it's to Tucker's credit that he remains laser-focused on the interrelationship between Marvel and DC. It would have been very easy to get sidetracked in the internal history of the two companies and discuss more creative decisions, but Tucker stays on point throughout. This does mean the book veers towards the more corporate side of things rather than the creative one, which I think will be of less interest to those keen to learn more about the origins of superhero characters or how the books developed. But it has some value: this is an under-told aspect of the comic book story and Tucker keeps the story ticking over nicely.
Slugfest (***½) is a readable and intriguing book about the titanic competition between the two biggest comic book companies in the United States. It's also a bit on the repetitive side, with not as much depth as perhaps might be wished, and a lack of information on the creative choices as opposed to business ones. It's still a good story, well-told and interesting, but one for hardcore comic book fans only. The book is available now in the UK and USA.
October 8, 2017
I received an advanced copy of Slugfest: Inside the Epic, 50-year Battle Between Marvel and DC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I got into the comics world later than most. Being not yet thirty, I’ve missed quite a lot of history and anecdotes about the battles between Marvel and DC (though I’ve heard a lot of talk about it). Being able to read the entire history between the two companies, from their beginnings to now was fantastic. Despite the fact heavy nature of the book, I found myself devouring this book in just a few sittings.
I’ve always wondered about why the companies had such different approaches to the same business, why they had such a different feel, and why the fans could never seem to agree (depending on whom you ask, you’re only allowed to like either Marvel or DC). Where did the animosity come from? I think we can all agree that it goes far beyond normal competition between companies. This is something different, something much more expansive. Reed Tucker’s novel provided many answers for my questions, and then some.
Along with some colorful anecdotes, Tucker tells us the story of how Marvel and DC began butting heads, and how time only made matters worse. Along with covering the battles between the two companies, he also tells us of their individual struggles, and their fights against other threats. On the whole I think Tucker did a pretty decent job of trying to stay impartial (though I have a theory about which “side” he roots for), attempting to stick to the facts and statements of others more than anything.
Some of the facts and quotes quite literally made me laugh out loud, a pleasant surprise to say the least. So if you’re looking at this book and thinking it’ll be fact heavy to the point of being dull, please let me assure you that isn’t the case. I tried highlighting (on my kindle, don’t worry) all the points that made me smile or laugh, but by the end I gave up trying to keep track of it.
Upon finishing Slugfest I actually found myself a little sad – I wanted to be able to keep reading it. Unfortunately that was not to be – since the novel had caught up with the time, and sadly Tucker can’t see into the future. Perhaps someday Tucker will write a sequel to tell us more about what happens from now until then? I find myself exceptionally curious about his opinion on the state of affairs going forward.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
I got into the comics world later than most. Being not yet thirty, I’ve missed quite a lot of history and anecdotes about the battles between Marvel and DC (though I’ve heard a lot of talk about it). Being able to read the entire history between the two companies, from their beginnings to now was fantastic. Despite the fact heavy nature of the book, I found myself devouring this book in just a few sittings.
I’ve always wondered about why the companies had such different approaches to the same business, why they had such a different feel, and why the fans could never seem to agree (depending on whom you ask, you’re only allowed to like either Marvel or DC). Where did the animosity come from? I think we can all agree that it goes far beyond normal competition between companies. This is something different, something much more expansive. Reed Tucker’s novel provided many answers for my questions, and then some.
Along with some colorful anecdotes, Tucker tells us the story of how Marvel and DC began butting heads, and how time only made matters worse. Along with covering the battles between the two companies, he also tells us of their individual struggles, and their fights against other threats. On the whole I think Tucker did a pretty decent job of trying to stay impartial (though I have a theory about which “side” he roots for), attempting to stick to the facts and statements of others more than anything.
Some of the facts and quotes quite literally made me laugh out loud, a pleasant surprise to say the least. So if you’re looking at this book and thinking it’ll be fact heavy to the point of being dull, please let me assure you that isn’t the case. I tried highlighting (on my kindle, don’t worry) all the points that made me smile or laugh, but by the end I gave up trying to keep track of it.
Upon finishing Slugfest I actually found myself a little sad – I wanted to be able to keep reading it. Unfortunately that was not to be – since the novel had caught up with the time, and sadly Tucker can’t see into the future. Perhaps someday Tucker will write a sequel to tell us more about what happens from now until then? I find myself exceptionally curious about his opinion on the state of affairs going forward.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
April 27, 2019
This historical account of the rivalry between DC and Marvel is so fun to read. The sniping that occurred between these two companies makes it easy to understand why there has been a rivalry between the fans of these two publishers. I like both publishers, but if I had to choose one, I would choose DC, so when I first started reading the book I was a little worried that the author had a Marvel bias. However, later in the book, when Marvel starts making a lot of mistakes in the 80s and 90s, he offers a fair bit of criticism, so it feels balanced in the end. In the final chapter, the author raises some interesting questions about the future of these publishers. For example, many young adult graphic novels far outsell even the top superhero comics, so perhaps the future of superhero comics in print is uncertain.
November 8, 2017
Similar to Marvel Comics: The Untold Story from exactly five years ago, Slugfest details the roller-coaster ride of the household-name companies during their 50+ years (and counting) of storied rivalry. The accent here is primarily on the business side of things, not really the development of superhero characters. However, the trading of the figurative punches - whether it is comic books, TV series, movies or the miscellaneous merchandise - in attempt to best one another was presented in detailed, gossipy, and often humorous fashion.
Read
November 13, 2017If you’ve any interest in superhero comics you probably know the outline of the Marvel/DC rivalry – DC the staid industry leader until younger, hipper Marvel upends everything and soon becomes the bigger firm. But you’d have to be pretty damn hardcore to know all the detail Tucker has amassed. I mean, I followed the Jemas years* at the time, but I’d still never heard former Marvel publisher Shirrel Rhoades say of Jemas’ fall that “Some have likened it to God casting Satan out of heaven.” Or consider Marv Wolfman in 1983, really putting his finger on the way a certain strain of fan nostalgia operates: “They want the books to be as harmless as they were when no one was buying them because they have these fond memories of books they don’t even like.” Even having read both Men of Tomorrow and the Sean Howe Marvel book, as well as I dread to think how many other articles and blogs about this stuff, I felt like I was getting a much fuller picture of the whole back-and-forth. And yet, there are also niggling little errors of fact and emphasis which undermine one’s trust in the whole. Some of them regard in-universe stuff – like when, regarding Crisis on Infinite Earths, Tucker refers to the then-current Superman as being from “our Earth”, when any fule kno that our Earth (whose own Kal does appear too) is Earth Prime. But other times it’s regarding real world stuff, which is worse given that’s the book’s focus. For instance, reading the account here of the proposed cancellation of Mark Waid’s Fantastic Four run in favour of a suburban dramedy angle, you’d never know that it was ultimately called off, with the two versions running in parallel instead. Sometimes this is the inevitable consequence of writing about a story which is still ongoing; DC’s post-Rebirth sales have been doing a lot better compared to Marvel’s numbers than they were when Tucker wrote this, for instance. And the idea of the Marvel cinematic universe as a straitjacket which hamstrings individual directors from bringing too much distinct personality to the films…well, after Age of Ultron or Civil War that was a real concern, but when the last thing you saw was Ragnarok it seems like a very dated complaint. More broadly, though, Tucker’s perspective feels a little old-fashioned. He assumes that the comics themselves are being read by a dwindling, default male fanbase, unaware that factors from a diversification of characters and creators through to the rise of digital comics (of which I don’t recall one mention) are bringing in a younger and much more mixed cohort of fans for certain titles. He makes a crack about how you still wouldn’t have a cosplay photo as your dating site profile pic – which just made me think, oh mate, you should check out the Dragon Con personals round-up sometime. And above all he seems convinced that it’s still the norm for fans to identify as Marvel or DC fans, when most people I know follow creators rather than companies and will happily buy books from both. I mean, yes, we all take the piss out of DC’s current films, but that’s just because they’re bloody awful.
*In short, Marvel’s public face in the early noughties was a complete troll, but more often than not an actually funny one.
*In short, Marvel’s public face in the early noughties was a complete troll, but more often than not an actually funny one.
August 23, 2021
Esta historia editorial del enfrentamiento entre dos empresas que pronto se convirtieron en sinónimo de superhéroes, da justo lo que promete: un testimonio de la rivalidad que comenzó en la década de los 60 y se ha extendido más allá del papel. Reed Tucker acude a todo tipo de documentación (biografías, artículos en revistas, entrevistas con los protagonistas...) para montar un relato ordenado y pormenorizado de los encuentros y, sobre todo, desencuentros en estos 80 años de historia que, con agilidad, permite recordar sus grandes hitos y sus castañazos sin hacer sangre que no se hubiera hecho ya, aportando algunas curiosidades sobre DC que en España son menos conocidas (la incomprensión de Mort Weisinger y el resto de su equipo editorial ante el fenómeno Marvel de los 60 termina siendo un chascarrillo que va y viene durante muchas páginas). En este recorrido aporta algunas claves para entender por qué Marvel terminó llevándose la primacía del mercado y cómo la tensión por aumentar las ventas también ha ayudado a que se hundiera unas cuantas veces.
Sobre el estándar de la edición de Planeta Cómic, las primeras páginas ya dan una idea de lo que es el resto del libro: colocación de las palabras idéntica a la gramática inglesa, algunos juegos de palabras traducidos de manera pedestre, erratas... El libro está a falta de una corrección de estilo seria que de uniformidad a un texto que, por otro lado, quiere adaptarse al mercado español (se incluyen citas a material de cómics publicados con página y todo), pero que después lo pone casi todo en inglés, títulos de colecciones y nombres de personajes (¿Human Torch? ¿BEYONDER? ¿En serio?). Aunque también te encuentras con que el Capitán América es miembro de los Avengers XD Y es una pena porque también mantiene cosas que otros libros se ventilan, caso de la bibliografía utilizada por Tucker o un índice onomástico que facilita la consulta.
El libro, por cierto, alienta el apetito por que alguien se marque un Sean Howe con "DC. La historia jamás contando". Reed Tucker muestra una serie de situaciones de lo que fue DC (Carmine Infantino, Julius Schwartz and company estudiando las portadas de Kirby y Ditko a ver qué tenían para atraer a los adolescentes que las compraban; la hazaña de los dos primeros guionistas que entraron en su oficina sin corbata) que gritan "queremos saber más".
Sobre el estándar de la edición de Planeta Cómic, las primeras páginas ya dan una idea de lo que es el resto del libro: colocación de las palabras idéntica a la gramática inglesa, algunos juegos de palabras traducidos de manera pedestre, erratas... El libro está a falta de una corrección de estilo seria que de uniformidad a un texto que, por otro lado, quiere adaptarse al mercado español (se incluyen citas a material de cómics publicados con página y todo), pero que después lo pone casi todo en inglés, títulos de colecciones y nombres de personajes (¿Human Torch? ¿BEYONDER? ¿En serio?). Aunque también te encuentras con que el Capitán América es miembro de los Avengers XD Y es una pena porque también mantiene cosas que otros libros se ventilan, caso de la bibliografía utilizada por Tucker o un índice onomástico que facilita la consulta.
El libro, por cierto, alienta el apetito por que alguien se marque un Sean Howe con "DC. La historia jamás contando". Reed Tucker muestra una serie de situaciones de lo que fue DC (Carmine Infantino, Julius Schwartz and company estudiando las portadas de Kirby y Ditko a ver qué tenían para atraer a los adolescentes que las compraban; la hazaña de los dos primeros guionistas que entraron en su oficina sin corbata) que gritan "queremos saber más".
January 16, 2018
This is a fantastic read, even if you know next to nothing about Comics. Only reason why it gets four stars instead of five is the fact that the author glosses over a lot once the book catches up to the modern day. Whether that’s because he couldn’t find enough people to agree to an interview, or because the internet has made information on both companies more widely available I don’t know, but it would’ve been cool to get some actors’ and directors’ takes on the rivalry. However, this is still a very fun book that anyone could enjoy.
February 6, 2022
Four and a half stars.
Told in a very entertaining and incisive way, an interesting chronicle about the competition between these two great superhero publishers, from their beginnings to the current rivalry in movie theaters.
Told in a very entertaining and incisive way, an interesting chronicle about the competition between these two great superhero publishers, from their beginnings to the current rivalry in movie theaters.
July 28, 2022
As a kid I was into both comics DC and Marvel but leaned much more towards the Marvel heroes. The book bought back memories of going to local drug store that had a great soda fountain and checking out the comics in the spin racks. The 2000's and onward has sure been a golden age for the superhero movies and glad to see it.
February 25, 2018
The biggest and longest debate that often splits people down the middle! Long before the any of the movies from either team, the comic companies have had a long history of trolling each other in trying to out do the other one in sales. And down to this day the battle continues with new fans, movies, shows, and games. I appreciate how this book goes into great detail of this 50 year rivalry and even going as far as having direct quotes from people on both sides mocking the other. It's a great book to read if you want to understand more about comic book history!
June 7, 2021
I really don’t know why I read this book. I don’t like comic books. I don’t like Stan Lee ( or should I say didn’t). I don’t watch any of the superhero movies.
I take that back. I liked the Old Batman tv series in the 60’s and Christopher Reeves as Superman in the 80’s.
This book talks about the rivalry between DC and Marvel. This is all good and great. Unfortunately, the book spits out a plethora of names of almost anybody who worked for these two companies since their existence. It is very easy to get lost by trying to figure out who is who. Or what they did.
The book is a grind.
I take that back. I liked the Old Batman tv series in the 60’s and Christopher Reeves as Superman in the 80’s.
This book talks about the rivalry between DC and Marvel. This is all good and great. Unfortunately, the book spits out a plethora of names of almost anybody who worked for these two companies since their existence. It is very easy to get lost by trying to figure out who is who. Or what they did.
The book is a grind.
May 14, 2020
I’m fascinated by the development and progression of the comic book industry, especially this rivalry. I can’t say there’s a lot of new information here, but Tucker’s wit and knowledge makes for a very entertaining read! It’s a good companion to Marvel Comics: The Untold Story by Sean Howe.
October 7, 2017
DC was around 5 years old when Marvel was founded I the late 1930s and few if anyone could predict how these 2 companies would one day shape the world. The war between DC and Marvel is well documented not only between the companies but its fan base for decades. The recent moves by Marvel to take over the movie and tv show industry has only heated it up by bringing in a whole new level of interest from a group that can’t recite lines, characters and plot lines from the comics. If you were ever curious to learn about the companies, the rivalry that has captured the attention of millions and the creative force that has impacted fans across the globe then this is the book you want to read.
Reed Tucker provides tons of details with great quotes from editors, artists and writers who talk about their time with the comic legends and how it affected their lives. We get an inside perspective from respected names in the industry that at times feels like we could be in the pub listening to some juicy gossip over a pint thanks to the way Tucker writes with ease and familiarity.
They copied one another, stole from each other, pushed each other to hit new creative heights, and reflect the culture/events around them to create stories and characters to help society deal with the world. Through their successes and failures they extended the life of comics from being something only for young kids to being an interest even adults wanted to share. Tucker showcased all this through business and historical lessons that were easy to follow to the point you could see this book being used in a classroom.
It hasn’t all been massive success as we learn about the struggles they faced to the point they nearly decided to ‘share’ intellectual property which would have given every fan their dream – too bad money overrules fan dreams. He did touch upon how the rivalry has moved to film and included tidbits on some of the newer additions.
If you’re a fan or even just a bit curious you should check this out because Tucker did an excellent job in research, writing and presentation. It was often difficult to put down as he has this way of making these two giants seem more like complex, intriguing characters in an all-out battle rather than companies carving out their space on an economic landscape.
Reed Tucker provides tons of details with great quotes from editors, artists and writers who talk about their time with the comic legends and how it affected their lives. We get an inside perspective from respected names in the industry that at times feels like we could be in the pub listening to some juicy gossip over a pint thanks to the way Tucker writes with ease and familiarity.
They copied one another, stole from each other, pushed each other to hit new creative heights, and reflect the culture/events around them to create stories and characters to help society deal with the world. Through their successes and failures they extended the life of comics from being something only for young kids to being an interest even adults wanted to share. Tucker showcased all this through business and historical lessons that were easy to follow to the point you could see this book being used in a classroom.
It hasn’t all been massive success as we learn about the struggles they faced to the point they nearly decided to ‘share’ intellectual property which would have given every fan their dream – too bad money overrules fan dreams. He did touch upon how the rivalry has moved to film and included tidbits on some of the newer additions.
If you’re a fan or even just a bit curious you should check this out because Tucker did an excellent job in research, writing and presentation. It was often difficult to put down as he has this way of making these two giants seem more like complex, intriguing characters in an all-out battle rather than companies carving out their space on an economic landscape.
May 15, 2020
Slugfest: Inside the Epic, 50-year Battle between Marvel and DC by Reed Tucker is a book about both the history and the rivalry between the two largest and most iconic comic book companies. This book is very timely as comic book movies have thrust what was once a niche and marginalized hobby into the mainstream. Tucker is very thorough in covering the storied history between Marvel and DC from multiple angles. Not only are the characters, stories and artwork presented, but also details on the business side such as printing and distribution. One of the most amusing parts of Slugfest was despite how polarizing and diametrically opposed DC and Marvel appear on the outside, internally employees would often switch loyalties between the two at the drop of a hat or even work for both companies concurrently. Now some complaints. Comics books by nature are an intrinsically visual medium. There are multiple times throughout the book where the author compares the visual styles of the various artists but does not provide any illustrations for reference; a picture is worth a thousand words. The writing quality leaves much to be desired and the word choice is often sophomoric. I’m not sure if the intent was to pay homage to the style of comic book writing, but it becomes tiresome over the course of an entire book and furthermore reduces the contrast and impact when quoting the actual comics. Slugfest is worth a read for anyone with even a passing affinity for spandex-clad superheroes.
September 9, 2021
Here’s a great account of the history of American comic books’ must famous rivalry—Marvel Comics versus DC—with all the personalities, ingenious innovations, and mindbogglingly stupid decisions that have characterized it over the past sixty years. If you are a fan of superhero comics, this is a must read. You will find the series you have loved in these pages and understand how they fit into the continuum of comics or better yet, shaped its future. You’ll also learn a lot about the men and women who helped create the modern comic—or who stubbornly stood in the way of their development. If you aren’t a big comic book fan, it will help you understand how superheroes have come to dominate movies and form an important niche in television, plus give you some insight into the industry that someone you know is so passionate about.
Slugfest is not an entire history of the comic industry and its related subindustries like the comic book convention. It focuses quite well on how Marvel and DC fought with each other, inspired it each other, changed each other, and very occasionally worked together to produce great collaborations. As someone who read his first comic book at camp the summer between third and fourth grade, I was absolutely thrilled with the book. I think you will be too.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
Slugfest is not an entire history of the comic industry and its related subindustries like the comic book convention. It focuses quite well on how Marvel and DC fought with each other, inspired it each other, changed each other, and very occasionally worked together to produce great collaborations. As someone who read his first comic book at camp the summer between third and fourth grade, I was absolutely thrilled with the book. I think you will be too.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
March 21, 2019
Very entertaining read about the long history and rivalry between the Big Two comic companies: Marvel and DC. Chock full of historical facts, quotes, incidents, highs and lows of both companies.
The overriding theme is always "are you a Marvel or DC fan" ? I have always been a fan of both. I am a major Avengers, Justice League, X-men, Legion of Super-heroes, Conan, and Swamp thing fan to name just a few. I could never pick one company and stick with them solely out of spite for the other company.
That said, I also feel that both companies have had their share of dreck and lame books and certainly tv shows and films.
Tucker has a great way of writing and keeps chapters on point and interesting. I was never aware that at one point Marvel was thinking of selling Captain America, Human Torch, and Sub-mariner to DC when they were really hurting financially in 1958. Nor did I know about all of the endless back and forth sniping between all of the numerous editors, artists, and writers from each company over the many decades they have been around.
Highly recommended to comic fans in particular who will certainly find out things they didn't know.
The overriding theme is always "are you a Marvel or DC fan" ? I have always been a fan of both. I am a major Avengers, Justice League, X-men, Legion of Super-heroes, Conan, and Swamp thing fan to name just a few. I could never pick one company and stick with them solely out of spite for the other company.
That said, I also feel that both companies have had their share of dreck and lame books and certainly tv shows and films.
Tucker has a great way of writing and keeps chapters on point and interesting. I was never aware that at one point Marvel was thinking of selling Captain America, Human Torch, and Sub-mariner to DC when they were really hurting financially in 1958. Nor did I know about all of the endless back and forth sniping between all of the numerous editors, artists, and writers from each company over the many decades they have been around.
Highly recommended to comic fans in particular who will certainly find out things they didn't know.
September 12, 2017
By the time Marvel came along, DC had hardened into an IMB-like corporate workplace whose culture made it difficult to change and adapt to the social upheavals of the 1960s. Once a rival emerged, it triggered the ongoing competition between two businesses in a field precariously balanced on the cyclical tastes of comic book readers--how the two copied one another, stole distribution deals, tried to diversify into TV, movies and merchandising, made attempts (some more successful than others) to reflect youth culture and social problems, and ultimately extended the life of comic books from kids 7-12 into respectable adulthood. Tucker has a keen eye for the absurd, and frames this study as a business history.
January 4, 2018
Slugfest is a decent recap of the age old question DC or Marvel (I say DC, hubby says Marvel). Anyone honest would answer with a follow up question of what media and what years. The answers of who is winning has changed over the years. Slugfest reminds you of their biggest wins and losses both.
From artists switching teams, to sales, to copycatting, it’s all here. I do feel like this is a book for comic fans. If you’re just into reading random non-fiction and think a battle between two pop culture companies is interesting, you could still enjoy this book. I would probably read books on the individual companies first as I do feel it helps to know some of the names and history of the companies before delving into the battles between to the two.
From artists switching teams, to sales, to copycatting, it’s all here. I do feel like this is a book for comic fans. If you’re just into reading random non-fiction and think a battle between two pop culture companies is interesting, you could still enjoy this book. I would probably read books on the individual companies first as I do feel it helps to know some of the names and history of the companies before delving into the battles between to the two.
February 12, 2018
Great coverage of DC and Marvel from the 60's through 2015.
I enjoyed going over the ground I knew, 60's-80's, and then getting the background of 90's through now.
Also highlights the corporate hegemony that is killing this all ready threatened art form. Media conglomerates are strangling creativity, with alternating periods of openness and creativity breathing enough life back into things to keep it going.
I enjoyed going over the ground I knew, 60's-80's, and then getting the background of 90's through now.
Also highlights the corporate hegemony that is killing this all ready threatened art form. Media conglomerates are strangling creativity, with alternating periods of openness and creativity breathing enough life back into things to keep it going.
July 27, 2018
Absolutely loved this! As a guy who didn’t grow up reading comics but loves the movies, this was super insightful and informational. It stayed right in the middle the whole time, not leaning one way or the other on which was better between Marvel and DC. If you like any superheroes you’ll love this book!
October 23, 2018
Eu já li essa história milhares de vezes desde que comecei a pesquisa quadrinhos (de super-heróis) mais a sério. Mas toda vez que pego um livro novo para ler sobre essa mesma história, surgem nuances e visões que não estavam lá. Seja no The Official History of DC Comics ou no Marvel Comics: A História Secreta, os fatos e as avaliações dos fatos variam. Não poderia ser diferente nesse livro que investiga e conta mais sobre a história da rivalidade histórica entre DC Comics e Marvel. Por mais que o escritor tente (ou não) ser imparcial, percebe-se que há um certo pendor para a Marvel, pelo menos através dos olhos de um criador de quadrinhos como eu. A DC é algo formal, duro, sombrio, rotineiro, controlado. Mas, claro, há quem goste dessas qualidades. A Marvel, é informal, maleável, colorida, louca, pirada. E também há quem goste disso. O mais legal nesse livro é ver que essas matizes não são tão divisíveis assim e que existe mais permeabilidade e osmoses nessas membranas rígidas e nem tão rígidas. E também existem as assombrantes histórias de bastidores, que toda corporação, seja um negócio grande ou pequeno, sempre acabam tendo. Por isso, se você defende a Marvel e/ou a DC Comics com unhas e dentes é bom que leia esse livro para relativizar suas opiniões.
July 4, 2018
There is a show that the History Channel shows about once a month which documents the history of comics, and it goes something like this: Siegal and Shuster created Superman. Comics got us through WW2. Comics got a bit of out of hand and the Comic Authority Code came along. Comics got out of touch then Stan Lee came along. Then they got unhip and Jim Steranko came along. Then they got lame again and Alan Moore and Frank Miller came along. Then things got bad again, but now comics are cool again, because people like Michael Chabon like them. (There's a similar History of Wrestling show that airs nearly as often and comically ends with the rise of WCW).
There's more to the comics story, of course, as anyone like myself who spent the 90s reading the Comics Journal can attest. Surely, though there is a story to tell. Reed keeps his story keyed on the years of the relationship between DC and Marvel, but that covers much ground.
DC was born of uptown 9-to-5 suit and tie publishing and it's manner is still tied to its origin now over 80 years on. Marvel was born of the pulps and is the brasher young brother. DC owned the market (literally) and should have squashed Marvel like a bug. Marvel with nothing to lose, put its product in the hands of Lee and Kirby who made relatable comics and changed the game.
This book covers all of that focusing on the leadership and editors who have come and gone. With some of what feels like insider gossip (stories that you won't know, anyway). The rivalry continues as they try to steal writes and artists from each other, and blast each other in the editorial page (with DC as the moral high ground).
Through the years, the idea occasionally comes up for the two to collaborate, but the politics usually sucks the winds out of those sails, and the product (like that 90s crossover) are usually underwhelming.
There's a lot of things you have likely forgotten (like Stan Lee writing for DC) or maybe never knew. Marvel eventually wins the charts, while DC wisely holds onto its iconic characters.
DC does innovate (Moore's Swamp Thing, for example) while Marvel seemingly bumbles opportunity (They steal Grant Morrison from DC only to have him write Skrull Kill Krew). The book ends with the modern era. Superman finally breaks what seems to be a superhero movie curse, but then in the 80s, its sequels put us in the era that those my age might remember -when big comic movie projects were often rumored, but never panned out, or if they did, they became Dolph Lundgren movies.
Marvel conquers the cinema (though as my friend who owns a comic shop complains) but have no idea how to turn that into comic book sales. DC has bumbled and fumbled but have a pretty good foothold into television. There's talk of modern day chat rooms and David Ayer's "F*ck Marvel" moment makes it here.
I really enjoyed this book. Tucker keeps it pretty level-handed. It s interesting in a fun easy read gossipy way, but the content is actually covered quite well. This is a must read for comics fans. I think some of this will be new for even those most die-hard, and those with only a passing interest in the medium will like the stories of the two giants and their sniping at each other.
There's more to the comics story, of course, as anyone like myself who spent the 90s reading the Comics Journal can attest. Surely, though there is a story to tell. Reed keeps his story keyed on the years of the relationship between DC and Marvel, but that covers much ground.
DC was born of uptown 9-to-5 suit and tie publishing and it's manner is still tied to its origin now over 80 years on. Marvel was born of the pulps and is the brasher young brother. DC owned the market (literally) and should have squashed Marvel like a bug. Marvel with nothing to lose, put its product in the hands of Lee and Kirby who made relatable comics and changed the game.
This book covers all of that focusing on the leadership and editors who have come and gone. With some of what feels like insider gossip (stories that you won't know, anyway). The rivalry continues as they try to steal writes and artists from each other, and blast each other in the editorial page (with DC as the moral high ground).
Through the years, the idea occasionally comes up for the two to collaborate, but the politics usually sucks the winds out of those sails, and the product (like that 90s crossover) are usually underwhelming.
There's a lot of things you have likely forgotten (like Stan Lee writing for DC) or maybe never knew. Marvel eventually wins the charts, while DC wisely holds onto its iconic characters.
DC does innovate (Moore's Swamp Thing, for example) while Marvel seemingly bumbles opportunity (They steal Grant Morrison from DC only to have him write Skrull Kill Krew). The book ends with the modern era. Superman finally breaks what seems to be a superhero movie curse, but then in the 80s, its sequels put us in the era that those my age might remember -when big comic movie projects were often rumored, but never panned out, or if they did, they became Dolph Lundgren movies.
Marvel conquers the cinema (though as my friend who owns a comic shop complains) but have no idea how to turn that into comic book sales. DC has bumbled and fumbled but have a pretty good foothold into television. There's talk of modern day chat rooms and David Ayer's "F*ck Marvel" moment makes it here.
I really enjoyed this book. Tucker keeps it pretty level-handed. It s interesting in a fun easy read gossipy way, but the content is actually covered quite well. This is a must read for comics fans. I think some of this will be new for even those most die-hard, and those with only a passing interest in the medium will like the stories of the two giants and their sniping at each other.
September 19, 2017
The Monday Night Wars of Comics. This book details the history of DC comics and Marvel while simultaneously explaining a rivalry that has spanned decades. The author gives detailed information on defections of editors, writers and artists from the companies with quotes detailing how the defection was perceived. There is a lot of insight provided from such respected members of the comic book industry as John Byrne, Ron Marz and Ann Nocenti. Tucker details a lot of great gossip that only those that closely follow the industry would have heard of.
One of the more interesting parts of the book is details of each companies struggles through the years and how close each company came to licensing their characters to the other. My only criticisms of the book are the quote bubbles in each chapter of the version I read. These quotes are typically unrelated to the chapter and distracting. I also understand why there is an entire chapter devoted to the companies rivalry in film and the superheroes movie boom, but this section doesn’t feel like it has as much passion behind it and caused the book to drag slightly for me as a result. I would have preferred to see only a few pages devoted to the subject and instead been provided with more information on how Marvel and Dc have responded to the demand of the trade paperback/omnibus genre and digital comics. The book feels very timely, making references to Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and Deadpool 2, however, Marvel Unlimited is not mentioned.
I give this book my highest recommendation. Anyone who likes comics will enjoy the detail and organization put into this book. I would also recommend this book to those that enjoy business rivalries in general. Those that enjoy reading about Pixar vs. DreamWorks, the NFL vs. the USFL, WWF vs WCW etc. will enjoy the successes, failures, acquisitions and petty feuds detailed extensively in the book. This book was approved for me to read via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
One of the more interesting parts of the book is details of each companies struggles through the years and how close each company came to licensing their characters to the other. My only criticisms of the book are the quote bubbles in each chapter of the version I read. These quotes are typically unrelated to the chapter and distracting. I also understand why there is an entire chapter devoted to the companies rivalry in film and the superheroes movie boom, but this section doesn’t feel like it has as much passion behind it and caused the book to drag slightly for me as a result. I would have preferred to see only a few pages devoted to the subject and instead been provided with more information on how Marvel and Dc have responded to the demand of the trade paperback/omnibus genre and digital comics. The book feels very timely, making references to Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and Deadpool 2, however, Marvel Unlimited is not mentioned.
I give this book my highest recommendation. Anyone who likes comics will enjoy the detail and organization put into this book. I would also recommend this book to those that enjoy business rivalries in general. Those that enjoy reading about Pixar vs. DreamWorks, the NFL vs. the USFL, WWF vs WCW etc. will enjoy the successes, failures, acquisitions and petty feuds detailed extensively in the book. This book was approved for me to read via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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