Marvel and DC

Why are marvel and DC so dominant? Like there should be more competition I know there is but they are totally not as famous

@boss1319: Image was outselling them briefly in the 90s IIRC.

As to why they are so famous? Why are Coke and Pepsi so famous? Why not the other brands that pop up occasionally?

It's because theyve been around for decades now, dc since the late 30s , marvel since the late 50s,and its very very hard for new companies to gain as much acceptance as say a 75 year old pop culture icon like Superman

@thegrayghost: let's say a new company starts with awesome characters and depth . Would it never make it into the same spotlight?

@boss1319: image is what you are looking for right now for that example

@kyrees: i don't think they have made it into the same level as marvel or dc

and that's the answer you are looking for. marvel and dc are so entrenched in the comics industry that a new company would have a hard time to uproot them.

@kyrees: Well I hope more companies do .

Because they are awesome

cuz that's how the public recognizes comics as

Fresh and different sometimes sells.

Safe and recognizable always sells.

Brand familiarity. It's like what @thegrayghostsaid, there are other colas on the market besides Coke and Pepsi, but most people recognize those when ordering. You can certainly find better fast food burgers around than McDonalds or Burger King, but they're at the top because we know them best. Additionally, there is the supply side of things. Coke or Pepsi are carried at most restaurants, but who carries RC Cola? It used to be DC and Marvel comics were carried in most bookstores, convenience stores and wherever magazines might be sold. Taking up rack space for an unknown commodity like an independent comic was a risky venture. The rise of the independent comic book store in the 80's started to change that, but it will always be hard for the local shop to complete with the national chain stores. Your local Wal-Mart will carry Batman or X-Men before they set a Valiant or Dark Horse comic on their stands.

@penguindust: but isn't it an online world now. Advertising has changed so has being able to reach out to customers.

@black_wreath: that's a good point

@thegrayghost: Marvel has been around since the late 30's as well.

@heatblaze123: You mean characters like Namor?

I don't reaally consider that part of their history as " marvel" per se. In fact when I think about marvel, I think about the company as it was written and run by Lee , Kirby and Ditko , mainly from the 60s

So is that the same type of feeling you get back with DC in the 30s?

They have the most money.

DC was continually doing super hero comics from the early 40's when Action and Detective merged to form DC. Marvel basically dabbled in super hero comics in the 40's with Human torch, Namor and Capt America(which sold in the millions during ww2) but then dropped out in the 50's as sales dwindled and start doing a lot of monster, horror and western themed comics back when they were known as Timely. They didn't go back to doing super hero comics full time till 61. Also, Image was selling better than DC for a while in the 90's as someone else I think mentioned. Its just harder to outsell dc and Marvel when they have 40 or so titles going a month with a built in readership and a new company is starting from scratch.

@heatblaze123: Sure. The two cornerstones of their company: Batman and Superman , started in the late 30s , and though they are a *lot* different from current versions, the basics were still there : Clark kent, lois lane , metropolis, Bruce wayne, Comm Gordon , Robin etc

Cuz they have the best characters.

Beata

its because Marvel has Spider-Man