Slugfest: Inside the Epic, 50-Year Battle Between Marvel and DC

This work about comics publishers DC and Marvel by entertainment journalist Tucker is a must-read for comics fans, but keep in mind that many readers might not agree with what the author has to say. Tucker goes through the history of both companies, one at the top for a period of time, and then the other jumps ahead. His main point comes across: both companies need each other in order for comic books to survive. Tucker establishes a personality for the two companies. DC is stuffy, bureaucratic, by-the-numbers, and Marvel edgy, punkish, and with a take-no-prisoners approach. Currently, thanks to the success both companies have in Hollywood, they are more similar in their organization. Tucker states in the beginning that he is a neutral party, though his tendency to elevate DC's mistakes while downplaying Marvel's is questionable. Comic books have been around for decades, and as Tucker states, they will be here for years to come—let the rivalry continue.