Iron Man and Superman plan on getting in a fight this summer, but it isn’t a fight that requires their superhero abilities. Instead, these superheros will be taking their differences to the box office. “Iron Man 3” comes to theaters on May 3, and a Superman movie, “Man of Steel,” opens June 14. The two will take turns drawing in the comic-book crowd.
Two major comic publishers stand behind these movies. Iron Man is a Marvel Comics creation, while Superman is one of DC Comics’ superheroes. The two publishers have been competing for the audience and fans’ love for more than 50 years, and the two new superhero movies set this summer as yet another round in a never-ending battle. Both movies are highly anticipated. Zack Snyder (“300,” “Watchmen”) directed “Man of Steel,” with Christopher Nolan (Batman trilogy, “Prestige”) as a producer. Shane Black (“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”) directed “Iron Man 3.” The previous two “Iron Man” movies were directed by Jon Favreau.
Joe Robbins works in the Provo comics store Dragon’s Keep. Comics are not only his job but his passion — Robbins has been interested in comics for more than 10 years.
“I’ve enjoyed the Iron Man movies so far; they’ve been good,” Robbins said. “So I hope the new one will be good as well. I’m not quite sure about the Superman movie, because I think the Nolan brothers take their movies a little bit too seriously. I wish there were more fun in the Batman movies. I realize that Batman is a dark character, but I hope they won’t do that with Superman.”
Robbins also said that though he started with reading just the Marvel comics, he doesn’t have a preference anymore, since both publishers have their strengths.
“DC has been around a lot longer,” Robbins said. “They have a strong legacy and strong history, but Marvel is really good at developing the characters.”
The last Marvel movie was “Marvel’s The Avengers” that was released in 2012 and, according to Box Office Mojo, got $623 million at the box office. “The Dark Knight Rises” film, based on the DC comics and released the same year, gleaned only $448 million.
Alan Bischoff, an aviation major at UVU, prefers Marvel comics because he said the quality of entertainment is better than the DC comics. “The Avengers” was his favorite movie last year.
“I feel like it was really well done,” Bischoff said. “The action was good, Robert Downy Jr. was comical as always, and the Hulk was bomb.”
Bischoff said he is going to watch “Iron Man 3” as soon as it comes out in the movie theaters.
“I’m a big fan of Iron Man,” Bischoff said. “And I have wanted to see the third movie since the credits of the second one.”
Daniel Savage a sophomore majoring in psychology, grew up watching superhero movies like “Batman” and “Superman.” Savage said he is a “huge DC fanboy” and looks forward to the new Superman movie.
“Superman movies are hit and miss,” Savage said. “The original film made in 1978 and its direct sequel were incredible, if campy, and explored the philosophy of Superman very well. All the other Superman films have been mediocre, but it looks like ‘Man of Steel’ is going to be amazing.”
