Pixelated Heroics: The Video Game Exploits Of Marvel & DC
The video game sector is another that has been bedfellows with the comic book industry for many years. Video game developers have long raided Marvel and DC’s gigantic back catalogue of characters and stories for inspiration. Gaming is filled with larger than life champions and rousing adventures, and as such, is a great fit for the world of comics. Since the earliest days of home consoles, comic heroes have been found in video games. From early incarnations Spider-Man (1982) and The Incredible Hulk (1983) on the Atari 2600 to 2011’s Batman: Arkham City on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, comic books and gaming continue to go hand in hand.
The problem with the majority of games based on comic books is that they largely rely on the character’s established brand to sell the title, while releasing a deficient product. This can be seen most clearly in video gaming travesties Silver Surfer on the NES, the N64 release Superman 64 and Iron Man on the Xbox 360, to name but a few. This is a common issue, but not one, thankfully, that affects all games.
Of the video game releases in recent years, DC Comics properties are certainly leading the way in terms of quality. Titles Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City and Lego Batman 1 and 2, have all been well received and sold incredibly well. Moreover, their forthcoming title, Injustice: Gods Among Us, does not seem to be bucking this positive trend.
Marvel, conversely, have not fared as well of late. Rather than build on the vast success of their Avengers movie, they have only managed the lacklustre Avengers: Battle For Earth game on the Xbox 360 Kinect and Wii U, since the film’s theatrical release. Furthermore, they continue to release a plethora of sub-standard Spider-Man titles, with the most recent Amazing Spider-Man movie tie-in and Spider-Man: Edge Of Time being moderately received, at best. Their fortunes may be reversed, however, with the hugely anticipated Deadpool and Lego Marvel Super Heroes being released later this year, but fans will just have to wait.
Outcome: Round Goes To DC!
To Be Concluded…
Who Will Win This Epic Conflict?
