Ever wondered who has the better heroes, Marvel or DC? We love them both, and it’s pretty amazing how closely the universes align. Take a look for yourself by diving into thousands of digital comics and graphic novels from both universes, all available for free with your library card on Hoopla!  

Identity Theft Is No Joke 

We’ve pulled together a collection of DC and Marvel comics to read side by side. These are a few titles that highlight a character in one universe who has a parallel character in the other. Identity theft? You decide! 

What to Read: A Superhero for Every Fan 

Check out these side-by-side comparisons of characters, universes, and storylines in DC and Marvel. We’ve got a whole collection of DC vs. Marvel on Hoopla, and here are some highlights:

Avengers by Jonathan Hickman: The Complete Collection Vol. 1 (Marvel)

Earth’s mightiest heroes expand their reach to a global and interplanetary level, but their new team is immediately thrust into a dangerous mission on Mars, confronting godlike enemies they’ve never faced before. While Captain America’s team battles on a new front, Tony Stark and his secret Illuminati allies must fight to save the Multiverse from destructive incursions that threaten to end all of reality. 

Justice League Vol. 1: Origin (DC)

A suspicious public watches as inexperienced superheroes struggle to gain their trust, but loner vigilante Batman uncovers a dark evil that he can’t face alone. Forced to unite with a disparate group of heroes—Superman, the Flash, Cyborg, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman—the Dark Knight must trust them to put aside their differences and save the world from destruction.

The Infinity War (Marvel)

As a devastating all-out war erupts, Marvel’s heroes face off against their own evil doppelgangers, unleashed upon the world by Magus. With their backs against the wall, their only hope may be the Infinity Gauntlet, wielded by an unlikely ally: Thanos.  

Final Crisis: DC Essential Edition (DC) 

When Darkseid and his fanatical followers triumph over the Justice League, every hero in the DC Universe must confront the question of what happens after evil wins. Now defeated, the world’s greatest heroes must find a way to rally, if they can, against a seemingly insurmountable foe. 

Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1: The Parker Luck (Marvel) 

Even as a revived Peter Parker seizes his second chance at life, his old enemies like Electro and the Black Cat are also back and seeking revenge. This isn’t the only complication, as he discovers the same radioactive spider that gave him his powers also bit another person, a woman named Silk, whose sudden appearance threatens to upend his world.

Blue Beetle Vol. 1: Metamorphosis (DC) 

For Jaime Reyes, juggling the typical challenges of high school and family is compounded by a powerful alien scarab that has bonded with him. This newfound connection to an alien weapon of mass destruction forces him to confront super villains and decide if he can become a hero. 

Daredevil: Born Again (Marvel) 

Karen Page, once Matt Murdock’s lover, sells Daredevil’s secret identity for a hit of drugs. With the Kingpin of Crime seizing the chance to destroy him completely, Daredevil must summon the strength to survive his darkest hour.   

Doctor Mid-Nite (DC) 

After losing his sight in a tragic accident, Dr. Pieter Cross discovers he can see in the dark and reinvents himself as the vigilante Doctor Mid-Nite. Using his intellect and resources, he fights to protect the vulnerable while battling a ruthless criminal syndicate threatening his city.

Deadpool by Joe Kelly: The Complete Collection Vol. 1 (Marvel) 

Wade Wilson, the wisecracking mercenary known as Deadpool, gets drawn into chaos when his healing factor fails, forcing him into a dangerous clash with the Hulk for survival. Along the way, he battles Taskmaster, crosses paths with Typhoid Mary and Daredevil, faces his vengeful rival T-Ray, and even stumbles into a classic Silver Age Spider-Man adventure with Blind Al.  

Deathstroke: The Terminator Vol. 1: Assassins (DC)  

Slade Wilson—mercenary, father, villain, and more—finds his past catching up when a brutal attack forces him to hunt the deadly Ravager and uncover a dark link to his family. His pursuit leads to Gotham City, where Deathstroke must survive a clash with Batman while facing the ruthless vigilante determined to bring him down.

Wade Wilson vs. Slade Wilson? Deathstroke vs. Deadpool? We see you, DC and Marvel! 

Who’s Your Favorite Superhero? 

Of course, we’re not the only ones to notice the similarities between the DC and Marvel universes. The two have come together in a couple crossover one-offs over the years. It’s been two decades since the last one, but there’s another in the works! While we’re waiting ot read it, we’ll be diving in to these side-by-side character comparisons. How about you?  

Why Hoopla is the Best Place to Read Comics 

Hoopla is a great option for reading digital comics because it’s completely free with your library card. That means you can read a huge variety of stories from both DC and Marvel and decide which universe you love more, all without any commitment. And when the next crossover comes out (Batman/Deadpool is up next), Hoopla will be ready! 

Read more about comics on Hoopla. 

*Title availability may vary based on library.