Marvel and DC have been long time rivals in the comic book industry in the United States. Marvel began making comic books in 1939, under the name of Timely Comics, and has created anguished superheroes like Spider-Man, X-Men, Hulk and Iron Man. Earlier than Marvel, DC began to publish comic books as Detective Comics and has made iconic superheroes such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Aquaman. As superheroes have expanded their fields from comic books to big screens, the game has become much bigger, with comic book characters often teaming up onscreen to attract audiences in what has become an all-out war for box office super-hero supremacy. 

Recently released only a week apart, Thor: Ragnarok (October 25th) and Justice League (November 15th) have drawn people’s attention to the latest entry in the longtime superhero blockbuster movie war. Though the latest battle between Marvel vs DC hasn’t ended, the winner is expected to be Thor: Ragnarok. In Hollywood, Thor: Ragnarok beat Justice League head-to-head, earning $154,989,707 in its first week compared to Justice League’s $93,842,239. The latest Thor outing is also overwhelming Batman and company at the Korean box office. Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok drew 2,507,927 viewers in its first week while DC’s superhero team up Justice League brought in 1,413,123 viewers, about half of Marvel’s superhero film during the same period. For DC, things seem to be contrary to the proverb, ‘In unity there is strength.’