The upcoming mobile-video streamer Quibi has greenlit a new docuseries exploring the long-lasting rivalry between the comic book publishers Marvel and DC. Called Slugfest, the docuseries is produced by Anthony and Joe Russo, who are of course best known for directing some of Marvel’s most successful movies.Framing John DeLoreanandBelieverdirectors Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce are also attached to the project. Also on board to produce the series are AGBO’s Todd Makurath, Peter Rieveschi (The Amazing Race), Nick Gilhool (Top Chef), and Jen Casey (Extreme Weather).
This new series is directly inspired by the bookSlugfest: Inside the Epic, 50-Year Battle Between Marvel and DCfrom author Reed Tucker. In particular, it will explore the feud between the two comic book giants dating back for over half a century, starting with the publication of DC’sAction ComicsNo. 1, which introduced Superman, and Marvel’sMarvel ComicsNo. 1, which introduced Namor the Sub-Mariner. The quarrel really began to heat up with Marvel’s ’60s relaunch by Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, and Jack Kirby, which brought about some ofMarvel’s most popular superheroesto level the field against DC titans like Batman and Wonder Woman.
“The men and women who were behind the creation of some of the best-known and most revered characters in the world will share their stories and reflect on the symbiotic relationship between DC and Marvel, whose rivalry pushed the medium to its greatest heights,“Quibisays in a statement concerning the upcoming docuseries. It’s also notedSlugfestwill touch on some of the ways the two companies have actually crossed paths over the years, such as the secret crossover inspired by the Halloween parades of Rutland, Vermont, to the story of the Spider-Man and Superman’s bone-crushing handshake from the first official Marvel and DC crossover.
Of course,Slugfestwill also touch on how the battle between Marvel and DC has gone past comic books into other mediums, such as television and film. On the big screen, Marvel has been the clear winner in recent years with the immense success of theAvengersmovies and theMarvel Cinematic Universe. Many DC-based projects have conversely fallen short of studio expectations, though they have found some big hits of their own with movies likeAquamanandWonder Woman. We also definitely need to mention how DC is now turning the tide in a big way with the incredible critical and financial success of Todd Phillips’Joker, which has set the record for the most profitable comic book movie of all time.
Quibi is an upcoming mobile-video platform set to launch on June 02, 2025. Unlike Netflix or Hulu, the service will only feature videos meant to be played on mobile devices. It’s not clear ifSlugfestwill be immediately available upon the debut of Quibi or if the docuseries will be added to the service on a later date. Given the attachment ofthe Russo Bros. and considering how compelling the story between Marvel and DC has long been, the docuseries definitely sounds like it’s worth checking out. This news comes to us fromDeadline.
