Welcome to What's The Difference, where I take two comic book characters of similar looks, themes and abilities and explain what makes them total opposites. To start this segment off I'll be tackling a broader set of characters, hero teams of separate publications. Justice League. Avengers. What's The Difference!?
(By the way, is Batman supposed to be Jesus down there?)
Beginning with The Justice League who first formed in "The Brave & The Bold #28" in 1960. DC took their Silver Age headliners and built them into an unstoppable team consisting of Superman: The Man of Steel, Batman: The Caped Crusader, Wonder Woman: The Amazonian Warrior, Aquaman: The King of Atlantis, Martian Manhunter: The Last Martian, Green Lantern: The Emerald Knight, and The Flash: The Scarlet Speedster! For fifty-five years The Justice League has gone through name changes, roster rotations and world-ending story arcs, but no matter how different the team might be, they all believe in same things: Truth, Justice, and Peace. The Justice League are notorious for being seen as Gods, above Earth's jurisdiction. They've been targeted and monitored by the US government since they formed because The League acts as its own organization, unwilling to work alongside any government unless it is for the benefit of the world. For example, if The League existed in our world they would not help fight the US' war in the Middle East or vice versa. They'd keep innocents from being caught in the crossfire and prevent terrorist attacks, but The League aims to stop wars rather than choose a side in war. Rather than always working together, The League works on a "ask for help" system, that way dangerous areas of Earth can still have their defenders and heroes won't feel helpless or alone when facing a threat. Guys like Superman could probably clean up Gotham, but Superman's respect for Batman's work prevents that. If Batman ever faces a challenge too large, he's fully able to call in backup. The recruitment process is usually held by either the original seven members or by Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. Things like abilities, psychology, criminal records and reputation are always kept in consideration, and often someone-usually Batman-keeps a record of strengths and weaknesses on all Leaguers to either estimate their abilities or defeat them if need be. Early recruits included The Atom, Hawkman, Black Canary and Green Arrow, all B-List heroes at the time of their membership. The League have a democratic way of making decisions, coming to a vote of conceivable options before acting. While they don't have official branches, The League always has reserve members on standby if a situation grows to large, additionally they have all types of heroes (techs, mystics, aliens) for all manner of challenges.
Now on to The Avengers, first formed in "The Avengers #1" in 1963 and included The Invincible Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, The Mighty Thor, and Ant-Man & The Wasp! Captain America: The First Avenger would join in "The Avengers #4" and become a staple member. Where The Justice League was an All-Star lineup, The Avengers was more of a second chance for characters who weren't insanely popular, members of the team usually had few readers or cancelled titles. When other lesser known characters like Hawkeye, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch and Black Widow later joined, they too became more prominent characters in this team book rather than solo characters. Additionally, this team book reinvigorated characters like Iron Man and The Hulk and later took them off the team to continue their growing solo titles. Marvel's more popular characters like Spider-Man, The X-Men and The Fantastic Four wouldn't join The Avengers early on because the book focused more on minor characters. All these minor characters together essentially made one fascinating character, The Avengers! While the roster was always changing, The Avengers had sub-teams like The Secret Avengers and The Young Avengers to take on different threats. The Avengers were much more down-to-Earth, having their base located in one of Stark's Mansions in New York. Everyone was in New York, luckily The Avengers travelled via jets to take on distant threats. Later on, The New Avengers would live in Stark Tower and be given rooms there, further enforcing their more unified, street-level status. Cap and Stark are usually in charge of recruitment and they've gone about it in multiple ways, but because The Avengers have a history of recruiting outcasts, it's not too difficult getting in. This has always been odd to me because despite their more clubhouse membership system, The Avengers have been more integrated with government factions like SHIELD, often having liaisons like Nick Fury, Ms Marvel and Spider-Woman. The Avengers don't often vote, as most of the time they either follow the current leader or agree on a plan. Similar to The League, The Avengers work on a "ask for help" system too, but they're more open to offering help. However, The Avengers don't usually have time to help out one single hero because larger threats are always awaiting them.
The Justice League and The Avengers differ on their operations, their relationship with Earth's governments and their membership processes. The Justice League is every DC heroes final goal and The Avengers are every Marvel heroes' shot at reinventing themselves. The Avengers are heroes' of the people and The Justice League are watchers above Earth. These teams both fight for the same goals, rank equally in members, and are noted as their respective universe's greatest protectors, but they are two sides to the same coin: To be part of the world, or to preserve it. That is the difference. Thanks for reading!
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(By the way, is Batman supposed to be Jesus down there?)
Now on to The Avengers, first formed in "The Avengers #1" in 1963 and included The Invincible Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, The Mighty Thor, and Ant-Man & The Wasp! Captain America: The First Avenger would join in "The Avengers #4" and become a staple member. Where The Justice League was an All-Star lineup, The Avengers was more of a second chance for characters who weren't insanely popular, members of the team usually had few readers or cancelled titles. When other lesser known characters like Hawkeye, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch and Black Widow later joined, they too became more prominent characters in this team book rather than solo characters. Additionally, this team book reinvigorated characters like Iron Man and The Hulk and later took them off the team to continue their growing solo titles. Marvel's more popular characters like Spider-Man, The X-Men and The Fantastic Four wouldn't join The Avengers early on because the book focused more on minor characters. All these minor characters together essentially made one fascinating character, The Avengers! While the roster was always changing, The Avengers had sub-teams like The Secret Avengers and The Young Avengers to take on different threats. The Avengers were much more down-to-Earth, having their base located in one of Stark's Mansions in New York. Everyone was in New York, luckily The Avengers travelled via jets to take on distant threats. Later on, The New Avengers would live in Stark Tower and be given rooms there, further enforcing their more unified, street-level status. Cap and Stark are usually in charge of recruitment and they've gone about it in multiple ways, but because The Avengers have a history of recruiting outcasts, it's not too difficult getting in. This has always been odd to me because despite their more clubhouse membership system, The Avengers have been more integrated with government factions like SHIELD, often having liaisons like Nick Fury, Ms Marvel and Spider-Woman. The Avengers don't often vote, as most of the time they either follow the current leader or agree on a plan. Similar to The League, The Avengers work on a "ask for help" system too, but they're more open to offering help. However, The Avengers don't usually have time to help out one single hero because larger threats are always awaiting them.
The Justice League and The Avengers differ on their operations, their relationship with Earth's governments and their membership processes. The Justice League is every DC heroes final goal and The Avengers are every Marvel heroes' shot at reinventing themselves. The Avengers are heroes' of the people and The Justice League are watchers above Earth. These teams both fight for the same goals, rank equally in members, and are noted as their respective universe's greatest protectors, but they are two sides to the same coin: To be part of the world, or to preserve it. That is the difference. Thanks for reading!
Facebook: The Panel Biter
Twitter: @ThePanelBiter
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