Marvel comics and movies have always been intended for younger audiences including young teenagers and children.
No wonder Spider-man, X-Men, Hulk, and Fantastic Four sells because they are more or less family oriented. Ergo, story and plot doesn't have to be very complex and sinister. This is also true of their comics. Pick up any Marvel comic and its story and ending will leave you cheery and chanting for the heroes.
The exception is Iron Man. Although I can argue that the story wasn't very complex and deep. But I'm sure they will make it more morally and politically challenging when they make the next one.
On the other hand, DC comics and movies have always been intended for older and mature audiences.
No wonder Superman, Batman, Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and History of Violence DON'T sell as well because not that many people want to see it because its either a) not suited for kids (some are though..like Superman) or b) falsely judged as "another comic book movie...i ain't a nerd so im not gonna watch it". But you find out that most of these movies plot and character are dark and complicated. Granted, Superman isn't very dark, but he is still a very complicated character battling a very AFC/beta Clark Kent with a DJ/alpha Kal-El/Superman.
Again, the exception here would be Superman but his back story is very tragic.
Most DC comics/movies will leave you thinking in the end and unsure whether or not you should cheer for the heroes.
No wonder lot of families were disappointed with the violent, dark story of The Dark Knight recently. They were expecting a Spider-man-esque movie.
I agree that Marvel is milking the cash cow with their crazy influx of superhero movies...one almost every year nowadays. Just check this page if you don't believe me...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_based_on_Marvel_Comics#List_of_Marvel_live-action_movies
On the other hand, DC HAS NOT been milking the cash cow as much...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...cs#List_of_DC_Comics_Films_with_logo_included
Only three movies (not including Watchmen) were allowed to put on the DC logo. And all three have been very, very successful.
I guess at the end of the day, if you want to make money, you got to write up a cheesy, corny storyline, throw in some comic relief characters, add in a super terrible bad guy, and have the hero save the day (and the girl, of course) at the end.
DC wins hands down every time (both in movies and comics...we haven't even discussed animated cartoons yet).