Marvel and DC are in flux. Marvel is experiencing its version of fatigue, and DC is attempting to regroup under James Gunn.
But here comes Sony with another smash hit with its sequel toSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. A very big deal doing very big business. Maybe it’s time for Marvel and DC to wise up.
No Such Thing as Superhero Fatigue
Let’s get this out of the way first. Audiences are not sick of superheroes. They are sick of the superheroes that keep being spoon-fed to them. Much like any other genre of film, plenty of folks will fall out of love with it, but there will always be die-hard fans. For those superhero fans, the need for something new is stronger than ever.
The issue that seems to be expressed by many critics and publications is that we all need to cool it with superheroes. Marvel had a good thing going, and now they need to realize that their time has passed, and their formula has got old. Only half of that is true. Their formula has become just that. A formula: 1. Relatable person gets powers, 2. That person struggles with their identity 3. That person is challenged by an evil/opposite opponent 4. They have ahuge CGI-laden battle5. Stay until after the credits for sequel teases—the Marvel formula.
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James Gunn has seen this formula and wants to throw it in the trash. We saw this withThe Suicide Squad(2021). Characters that do not need to be redeemed and who have skills or powers that are a bit stupid and are forced to come together to fight something that is in no way an equal/opposite force.
It was that strange amalgam of concepts where it was an exceptionally well-received A-list film with a cult following. It was unique. Something that hasn’t been seen in the superhero space for some time. The hope is that Gunn will continue on this path as he seeks to create a DC universe from scratch.
Animation Is Not Just For Kids
This is another piece we need to get out of the way. Animation is a style, not a genre. Because of this, a film can be any genre and fall under the heading of animation.
A huge swath of society won’t watch animated films, just like some people seem opposed to subtitled films. This reluctance may be chalked up to a generation that watched a majority of animated children’s movies. That being said, anime blew the roof off this style, and that influence has been making its way into Western culture for over thirty yearswhenAkiramade its wayinto the zeitgeist in 1988.
Now, animation is a burgeoning industry that has rapidly found a more-than-cult following. That said, animated superhero movies have become more layered, nuanced, and accessible for all audiences. The best current example isSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
The Lesson of the Spider-Verse
When Miles Morales was introduced on film in 2018, a groundbreaking animated film took a new character, placed him in an old character’s shoes, and gave him an animated landscape that defied every known version of animation.
Because of this, the film did something revolutionary: It succeeded in providing a brand new, fun superhero story while not only keeping a visual appeal but surpassing what people thought animated films could do. TheSpider-Versemovie essentially threw back the curtain and said, “Hey, guess what? We can do things differently, and it will attract audiences!”
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The thing is, Hollywood loves a formula. We see it in every genre. And then we see the outliers. Those who break the mold and then see people attempting to follow their new formula. But it doesn’t always work. These one-off great ideas are hard to copy. Take any Tarantino film and watch other directors try and ape his style. They might get close, but at least he inadvertently pulls the industry in a new direction.
That is what theSpider-Versefilms are doing to superhero movies. They are saying, “We know you think you need to make stylized, animated films. But you don’t. You need to see that people love what we’re doing in spite of your formulas.” And the studios need to listen.
This doesn’t mean everything needs a multiverse. It doesn’t mean everything needs to be connectedor have Easter eggs. We’ve seen all that.Spider-Verseproves that you can take characters that are new to film (but not necessarily entirely new in general) and try something different.
Where Marvel and DC Go From Here
The big hope seems to be withJames Gunn’s revamped DCU. He is a man of vision who seems to enjoy presenting the illusion of running wild. His control and his unique influence over the current superhero industrial complex are essential. Until now, DC has been primarily creating animated cartoons, animated movies aimed at a slightly older audience, and a few well-received television shows. But now people want something new and different. They have seen what Sony did withSpider-Verseand are frothing for something so well crafted.
At the moment, Marvel is at the other end of the spectrum. There is no denying that they have created amazing films and story arcs. However, their grip is slipping as their formula begins to wear thin. If they do not see theSpider-Verseas a wake-up call,DC will be outplaying themin no time.
