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5 Epic Marvel & DC Rivalries Hollywood Hasn’t Adapted Yet

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Movies based on comic books have significantly impacted popular culture by bringing both heroes and villains from Marvel and DC into numerous film universes. The excitement of watching these characters engage in battles has captivated audiences for many years. However, not every iconic rivalry from the comics has transitioned to live-action, and some of the most memorable ones are yet to make their appearance on screen.

In both Marvel and DC, there are rivalries that go beyond just power clashes. These are often rooted in betrayal, ideological disagreements, family legacies, or raw animosity. The cinematic worlds appear to be running out of fresh ideas and are looking for something new. Remarkable conflicts brimming with drama, significance, and history are already stored in the comic book archives, waiting to unfold on screen. Both production studios possess a wealth of characters that could potentially cross paths on screen in the future.

5 Marvel & DC Battles That Need To Hit the Big Screen

Superman vs. Brainiac

In the Action Comics issue #242 (July 1958), penned by Otto Binder and Al Plastino, a formidable adversary of Superman named Brainiac made his debut. Originally portrayed as a green-skinned scientist from the planet Colu, Brainiac was driven to capture and miniaturize entire cities, such as Kandor, the capital of Krypton, for the sake of preserving their wisdom.

As a cinephile captivated by the world of Superman, I’ve always found Brainiac to be an intriguing adversary. With his chilling intellect and unyielding data obsession, he serves as an ideal counterpoint to Superman’s raw strength and compassionate heart. Over the years, this character has evolved into a more nuanced entity, frequently depicted as a living computer or artificial intelligence, complete with an army of drones. This is vividly illustrated in “Superman: The Animated Series” and contemporary comics like “Superman #1” (2018).

Brainiac’s relentless quest for knowledge, even if it means sacrificing life, frequently places him at odds with Superman, whose core value lies in the protection and preservation of all life.

A real-life confrontation between Superman and Brainiac would be an awe-inspiring and thought-provoking spectacle. Brainiac’s capacity to miniaturize cities or take control of technology sets the stage for an epic fight, as his cold and emotionless nature stands starkly against Superman’s human compassion. There’s been a growing demand for Brainiac to make an appearance in James Gunn’s DC Universe.

X-Men vs. The Brood

In March of 1982, the Brood, an alien species resembling Giger’s Xenomorph design from Alien, were first introduced in issue #155 of Uncanny X-Men, a creation by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum. These creatures implant embryos into hosts, eventually transforming these hosts into more Brood.

The most intense confrontation between them and the X-Men took place in issues #162 to #166 of Uncanny X-Men, published from 1982 to 1983. During this time, the team, consisting of Wolverine, Storm, and others, were captured and infected while they were assisting Carol Danvers (then known as Binary).

The struggle of the X-Men against the Brood is a profound tale of survival, showcasing their tenacity and solidarity in the face of a terrifying, fundamental danger. The Brood have resurfaced in series such as X-Men: Gold (2017), reinforcing their position as one of the team’s most fearsome adversaries.

The conflict between the X-Men and the Brood is perfect for a hard-edged, adult-oriented science fiction horror movie. A live-action portrayal of the Brood’s disturbing aesthetics and dread would intensify the X-Men’s themes of endurance and camaraderie, delivering an unnerving, intense take on the superhero genre.

Daredevil vs. The Owl

In the comic book “Daredevil #3” (August 1964), Stan Lee and Joe Orlando introduced a clever criminal mastermind known as The Owl, who boasts exceptional agility and the ability to glide like a bird. This character, originally Leland Owlsley, a corrupt banker, later transformed into a supervillain, employing his wealth and underworld ties to confront Daredevil’s vigilante efforts in Hell’s Kitchen.

Instead of Kingpin relying on raw power, the Owl’s strength is found in his cunning intellect and peculiar physicality, frequently using underlings or ingenious traps. Notable tales such as “Daredevil #80” (1971) and “Daredevil #301” (1992) portray their rivalry as a contest of minds, with Daredevil’s radar sense clashing against the Owl’s unforeseen strategies.

In the 2015 Netflix series “Daredevil”, Bob Gunton plays Leland Owlsley who acts as a crucial character within Wilson Fisk’s criminal organization. He performs duties such as laundering money and providing financial backing for Fisk’s illicit activities.

In contrast to his comic book version who transforms into the supervillain known as The Owl, complete with enhanced agility, gliding abilities, and a bird-like appearance, Owlsley in the series is a shrewd businessman without any superpowers. He doesn’t assume the “The Owl” persona, and his storyline concludes with his death, masterminded by Fisk.

The Owl consistently features in Daredevil’s group of villains, even if not as notable as characters like Kingpin or Bullseye. A face-off between Daredevil and the Owl could deliver a gritty, crime-infused storyline that would be well-suited for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Doctor Strange vs. Nightmare

In July 1963, Nightmare, a renowned nemesis of Doctor Strange, first appeared in issue #110 of “Strange Tales”. This character was born from the creative minds of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. As the sovereign of the Nightmare Realm located within the Dream Dimension, he thrives on the psychological energies of dreamers, transforming their fears into haunting nightmares.

In a similar vein to Dormammu, the formidable demon known as Nightmare initially encountered Doctor Strange during a time when the powerful sorcerer ventured into the realm of dreams to assist a man who was tormented by disturbing nightmares.

The long-standing competition between them, dating back as far as Doctor Strange comic issue #30 (1978), frequently involves Nightmare attempting to ensnare Doctor Strange or intrude upon the real world, constantly testing the resilience of his mental and magical abilities.

In the potential scenario of Doctor Strange 2, we’d witness a battle between Doctor Strange and Nightmare. This nearly occurred but unfortunately, it didn’t make it into the final cut. This clash would fuse psychological horror with thrilling mystic combat. Nightmare’s ability to control dreams could lead to startling, terrifying imagery where dreamscape and reality seem indistinguishable, challenging Strange to face his most profound fears head-on.

Storm vs. The Shadow King

In Uncanny X-Men issue #117 (published in January 1979), Chris Claremont and John Byrne introduced a wicked psychic force known as The Shadow King. This old mutant can invade minds and draw strength from psychic power, flourishing in disorder and corruption.

During the Muir Island Saga in Uncanny X-Men issues 253 to 280, spanning from 1989 to 1991, his competition with Ororo Munroe, also known as Storm, escalated significantly. He focused on her because of her strong will and mutant powers, attempting to seize control of her and influence the X-Men. Their rivalry has been marked by numerous confrontations, with some of the most memorable being the Lifedeath storyline and X-Men: Worlds Apart (2008).

A confrontation between Storm and The Shadow King promises an exhilarating blend of intense action sequences and deep psychological drama, given the increased prominence of the X-Men within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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2025-06-27 00:35

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