A difference between DC and Marvel: birthplaces 

We often see people discussing the difference between DC and Marvel's superheroes. I think that individual differences ultimately point to similar causes. In this article, I will analyze the differences between the two universes of where the heroes were born.

Let's start with the conclusion! One is about "people to people", and the other is about "people to Gods". If you have your own ideas, feel free to discuss them.

Part 01 - Marvel

Spider-Man

Marvel's superheroes are most born in real locations on the Earth

Spider-Man was born in Queens, New York, USA, Captain America was born in Brooklyn, New York and Iron Man was born in Long Island, New York. The birthplaces of these superheroes are in New York, mostly related to Stan Lee and Jack Kirby growing up in New York.

They created Marvel's early superheroes based on the geography of New York and created an "unwritten" rule for the subsequent Marvels (the 1960s-80s) that most superheroes are born in cities with realistic backgrounds.

So, in this period, Hulk, Doctor Strange, Wolverine, Magneto, and others come from Earth. By the way, the headquarters of the Avengers is in New York.

Of course, there are many Marvel heroes who were not born on Earth, but most of their birthplaces also have evident locations to be examined. Thor's birthplace, Asgard, originated from one of the nine worlds of Norse mythology, Aquaman was born in Atlantis, and Thanos was born on Titan.

To be saying, Marvel places emphasis on the sense of the reality of these superheroes. Even such empty locations as "Wakanda" and the "Inhuman Base, Attilan" are created according to existing social rules, and still have a strong sense of reality. Regardless if the social rules are "advanced" or "backward", they are not outrageous.

Part 02 – DC

Metropolis

The birthplaces of DC superheroes are mostly fictional worlds.

For example, Superman was born in Metropolis, Batman in Gotham, Flash in Central City, and Green Arrow in Star City. These cities do not have the same name city in reality but have many of the characteristics of the city. They are the product of a pipe dream, most typically in Gotham City, where Batman was born.

Which city is the prototype of Gotham City? Even some of the creators of the Batman comics have debated this. Neil Adams thinks Gotham City is Chicago, while Frank Miller says New York is Gotham City at night.

For those DC superheroes who were not born on Earth, their birthplaces also have fantasy component.

Krypton, the birthplace of Superman, is a fictional planet. Wonder Woman was born on Paradise Island, same does not exist, even in Greek mythology. Trigon originates from the realm of Azarath. The names of the birthplaces of these superheroes and villains are original.

If the birthplace of Marvel characters is full of reality, then the most characteristic of DC characters is a sense of detachment. I mean that DC deliberately keeps superheroes detached from reality and maintains a sense of alienation from the real world. For instance, Superman. Superman is DC's oldest superhero, born during World War II. The unique background of the time makes him only more like a "god" to help more "people".

The very beginning of the creation of the shelf DC was to explore the relationship between "human nature" and "divinity". From the reality of Marvel, there is more concern regarding the conflict between "man and man". In this way, too, under the influence of the superhero's birthplace, the two families' superheroes respectively took different paths.