r/comicbookmovies • u/Throne437 • 8h ago
Why does it feel like the DCU is being held to a much higher standard than the MCU?
I came across a video a few weeks ago discussing the double standards between Marvel and DC, and honestly, I think they made some really good points.
Look at how people are treating James Gunn's DCU compared to how they treated the MCU.
The DCU is only five projects in, and four of them have been successes. The only real exception is Supergirl, and even then, I wouldn't exactly call it a disaster.
Yet somehow, people are already saying things like "The DCU is a flop," "Cancel the universe," and "Fire James Gunn."
Now compare that to Marvel.
During Phase One of the MCU, The Incredible Hulk underperformed, and the first Thor movie wasn't exactly universally loved. But nobody was demanding that Marvel cancel the entire MCU or fire everyone involved. People gave the franchise time to find its footing.
And look at some of Marvel's more recent projects:
- The Marvels
- Captain America: Brave New World
- She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
- Secret Invasion
- Thor: Love and Thunder
All of these received significant criticism, with some being considered among the weakest projects in the MCU.
Yet despite Marvel having multiple poorly received projects across an already established cinematic universe, people generally aren't treating every disappointment as proof that the entire MCU needs to be shut down.
Meanwhile, DC apparently isn't allowed to have even one underperforming project without people immediately declaring the whole universe dead.
Please tell me if you think this makes sense because its just baffling to me