Marvel vs. DC: A Rivalry That Shaped the Comic Book World
Marvel Comics and DC Comics share a rivalry that goes far beyond debates over which publisher has the best characters or the most interesting universe. Their competition dates back to the 1930s, with DC Comics making its debut in 1935 and Marvel—then known as Timely Comics—following in 1939. Both companies weathered the storm of World War II and the postwar era, which brought about the imposition of the Comics Code Authority. While DC continued publishing the adventures of iconic superheroes like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, Timely (which later became Atlas Comics) shifted focus to monster comics. However, a fateful golf game between the two publishers led to the creation of The Fantastic Four after the success of The Justice League. But that’s another story. What’s clear is that whenever one publisher innovated, the other took notice and often followed suit—despite DC's insistence that they didn’t pay attention to Marvel, whom they considered inferior.
Marvel's Fanzine Phenomenon
In the late 1960s, Marvel Comics launched its own MAGAZINE, which was essentially like being the president of your own fan club. After the success of MARVELMANIA, the company revamped the idea in 1973 with FOOM (Friends of Ol' Marvel), a fanzine that ran for a respectable period. At the same time, DC Comics was also working on its own fan-centric project. The publisher enlisted new hires Bob Rozakis and Paul Levitz to create The Amazing World of DC Comics, which offered readers a behind-the-scenes look at the operations of the publisher.
Inside The Amazing World of DC Comics
The Amazing World of DC Comics was mostly a text-heavy publication, but it provided valuable insight into the inner workings of one of the biggest comic book companies in the world. The first issue, which featured a cover by DC’s publisher Carmine Infantino, included an interview with comic legend Joe Kubert, a visit to the set of Adventures of Superman (a TV series that had been off the air for over a decade at that point), and an exclusive preview of new work from Jack Kirby, who had made the high-profile jump from Marvel to DC. The issue also covered the creation process of a comic book and the newly acquired license for a comic based on the popular pulp hero The Shadow.
Contributors to the MAG included notable names like Ramona Fradon, Steve Skeates, Michael Uslan (future executive producer of the Batman films), Wally Wood, and Mark Gruenwald, who—though mostly known for his work at Marvel—made a few contributions to DC as well.
A Journey Through DC's Past and Future
Published bi-monthly, The Amazing World of DC Comics provided fascinating glimpses into both the past and future of the publisher. Highlights during its run included a tribute to Batman co-creator Bill Finger, cartoons by Sergio Aragonés, and retrospectives on DC’s ventures into Hollywood, such as the Fleischer Brothers' Superman cartoons, the Batman movie serials, and the Superman TV series.
Over the course of its 17-issue run, which included two special editions, The Amazing World of DC Comics gave readers a rare, insider’s perspective into the life of one of the most influential comic book companies in the world—before the series ended in August 1977.
