Over the years, there are references Marvel has pulled off, related to its biggest competitor, DC. Most often, the studio referenced superheroes like Batman and Superman. And the creatives of Marvel are not afraid to make the same jokes that fans think. It adds a fun element to the comics and makes it interesting for those who read.
There’s a similar instance when a Marvel comic storyline depicted the Green Lantern Corps (known for their cosmic policing) as less lenient compared to it’s own cosmic entities. It involved a narrative where Marvel characters mocked the Green Lantern Corps for not taking decisive actions against threats.
Marvel Mocks DC’s Green Lantern Corps for Team Leniency
The Nova Corps is often considered Marvel’s version of DC’s Green Lantern Corps. Both are cosmic organizations with members equipped with powerful abilities to maintain peace and order in their respective universes.
Both organizations are similar in their roles as intergalactic peacekeepers. They even use the same special artifacts-Green Lantern Rings for DC and Nova Corps helmets for Marvel.
In the late 2000s, the Nova Corps faced a crisis where most members were wiped out. In this, Richard Rider was the sole survivor. So, when Worldmind (the central computer) decided to recreate the Nova Corps, he took control of Ego, the Living Planet.
When Richard discovered that Nova Corps’ central computer controlled Ego the Living Planet, he expressed this concern to the Fantastic Four. So, while they addressed the issue, Richard humorously pointed out the absurdity of making a planet a member of the Corps (alive or not). It was a jab at Green Lantern Corps’ Mogo. Not only Marvel but DC has also poked fun at its competitor.
DC Comics Fires Back, Mocks Marvel Universe Too
DC has also given reference to Marvel many times, so here’s one. It’s when, in the early 70s, Robin (Batman’s side-kick) received his solo comic and was featured as a backup in the Batman series. In Batman #229, Robin takes on the task of looking for those behind a smear campaign on a political candidate.
So, when he finds people responsible, Robin brings photographs as proof to the newspaper. Before he leaves, the editor tells Robin that he could easily make money by taking photos of himself and his cases-similar to Spider-Man’s role at the Daily Bugle. Robin cleverly suggests that the editor focuses on Peter Parker instead, avoiding a direct parallel with Spider-Man in his own narrative.
