Verily, I confess, I am neither a devotee of DC nor a disciple of Marvel – mine eye beholds both superhero citadels with equal admiration. However, in recent days, even I must concede that the offerings of DC Studios are surpassing those of Marvel Studios in a particular realm: the realm of villains.
‘Tis a truth universally acknowledged that DC hath the courage to portray their malefactors as truly malevolent. Even the grand cinematic spectacle of “The Joker” and the esteemed miniseries “The Penguin” eschew the temptation to depict these legendary adversaries of the Bat as heroes in their own right. Do these productions provide insight into the origins of Arthur Fleck and Oz Cobb’s antisocial inclinations? Indeed. Do we find ourselves sympathizing with them, perhaps even wishing them success in their endeavors? Verily. But never do we waver in our certainty regarding the moral compass of these characters. There exists no path to redemption for these nefarious souls, nor do they seek one.
In stark contrast, Marvel eschews the concept of villainous protagonists. “Loki” concluded by reforming the titular God of Mischief once and for all. The new Disney+ series, “Agatha All Along,” appears poised to similarly redeem the once gleefully wicked witch Agatha Harkness. The result is a narrative less nuanced, less fulfilling, thereby tipping the scales in favor of DC Studios. Thus, one is compelled to ponder: why does DC embrace villains, while Marvel shuns them?
‘Tis said that the divergence between DC and Marvel on the matter of villains stems from their respective target audiences. While both studios cast a wide net in the realm of entertainment, the offerings of DC Studios do tend to skew towards a more mature audience. Indeed, they produce content suitable for youths, such as “My Adventures with Superman” and “DC League of Super-Pets,” as well as James Gunn’s forthcoming “Superman” reboot which shall likely appeal to both children and adults. Yet, DC also boasts a tradition of catering to more sophisticated tastes, featuring adult animated comedies like “Harley Quinn,” Max series such as “Peacemaker,” and the eagerly anticipated sequel to “Joker,” entitled “Folie à Deux.” These projects are not meant for tender eyes, thus allowing for morally ambiguous – if not outright malevolent – protagonists. Surely, adult viewers can withstand such darkness.
Marvel Studios, on the other hand, has a slate that primarily caters to a family-friendly audience. While recent endeavors like “Deadpool & Wolverine,” “Werewolf by Night,” and “Echo” have pushed the boundaries of tone and violence, the majority of MCU productions remain suitable for all ages. Hence, the notion of featuring an unequivocally murderous Loki or a criminal mastermind like Maya Lopez as protagonists remains firmly off the table.
In all fairness, one must acknowledge that the constraints imposed upon Marvel Studios are not solely of their own making, but rather a reflection of the overarching ethos of their parent company, Disney. The House of Mouse, it would seem, harbors a reluctance to portray ethically ambiguous characters in their all-ages franchises. This trend is not unique to Marvel alone, as evidenced by the recent lukewarm reception to the miniseries “The Book of Boba Fett” within the realm of “Star Wars.” Here, the once formidable bounty hunter Boba Fett was transformed into a crime lord who abhors criminal activities. ‘Twas an interpretation that diluted the essence of this iconic figure from a galaxy far, far away.
Yet, hope remains that Marvel may yet chart a new course in the portrayal of villainous protagonists, as evidenced by the enigmatic character of Agatha Harkness in “Agatha All Along.” The dark whispers surrounding her past in the early episodes suggest a complex and sinister nature that may be difficult to reconcile with a redemption arc. Yet, truth be told, it is more likely that by the denouement of “Agatha All Along,” her alleged misdeeds shall be forgiven, her misunderstood nature revealed, and her malevolence absolved. Alas, the day when Marvel presents us with an unapologetically villainous protagonist may still lie in the distant future, leaving DC to claim the upper hand – if only in this one respect.
Thus do we find ourselves at the crossroads of heroism and villainy, where the clash of titans reigns supreme. As “Agatha All Along” continues its enchanting dance on Disney+, and new episodes of “The Penguin” grace the screens of HBO and Max, we are left to ponder the eternal question: shall the light of redemption shine upon the darkness of malevolence, or shall the shadows encroach upon the domain of the virtuous?
