Chapter 60
As William White reflects on the state of Marvel and DC, he sees that Marvel is currently thriving, thanks to its well-established comic book universe. While Marvel hasn't had the same success with live-action movies as DC, its comic books remain strong. Stan Lee's creative genius has given Marvel an edge, evident in the success of the Avengers, a team more logically assembled than DC's Justice League.
DC, on the other hand, is grappling with a chaotic view of its universe. While Marvel's IP, especially the Avengers, can be endlessly expanded, DC struggles with the concept of a parallel universe.
One significant issue is the portrayal of villains. Marvel's villains, like Hydra and Magneto, are well-developed with distinct story characteristics. Characters like Loki and Bullseye have defined personalities. In contrast, DC's portrayal of villains seems weaker, often resorting to a routine where the big boss is replaced after a few defeats.
William White ponders the idea of an "Injustice in the Justice League" concept, acknowledging its possibility but questioning where the audience's interest lies.
Marvel seems to have taken inspiration from DC, albeit not too overtly. While DC introduced the Justice League, Marvel responded with the creation of the Avengers.
Acquiring Marvel is currently beyond William White's means. Marvel stands as an industry leader, and although it lacks successful live-action movies like DC, its comic book business remains strong.
William White acknowledges that acquiring DC would also be difficult unless Warner Bros. decides to sell, which is highly unlikely.
William White's comic plans extend beyond the United States. He notes that since Frederick Wertham introduced the harmful theory of comics, the U.S. comics market has declined. This theory, which considered comics harmful to children, led to significant censorship and negatively impacted the industry.
William White criticizes Wertham as the public enemy of comic fans worldwide, causing a decline in the industry. DC Comics suffered significantly during this period, facing accusations related to the portrayal of characters like Wonder Woman.
The 1950s brought rigorous reviews for comics, limiting their development. The Comics Code Authority (CCA) had great influence, but it was a compromise in response to the harmful theory of comics.
William White emphasizes that for his comics, he will not be controlled by the CCA. He points out that in a world where capital controls everything, ethical considerations are often overshadowed.
William White's ultimate goal is to acquire Marvel and DC, but he recognizes that this is a long-term plan. Currently, Marvel's valuation is high, and DC's valuation is low, but it comes with complications due to existing rights.
William White criticizes Hollywood's short-sightedness, where successful IPs like Superman and Batman are continuously exploited without considering long-term consequences. He emphasizes that his focus is not only on short-term gains but on building a sustainable and comprehensive comic universe.
He concludes that it's too early to make these acquisitions, especially since Marvel hasn't entered a decline phase yet. Marvel's extensive portfolio of characters being sold for less than $100 million is baffling to him. The potential buyer's decision to tear apart Marvel is seen as detrimental to such a rich and valuable universe. William White expresses a desire to create a complete comic universe if he ever acquires both Marvel and DC.