While Marvel and DC seem to be remarkably similar, there are key differences between the two that every investor in Walt Disney (DIS 1.01%) and Time Warner (TWX +0.00%) should know, says Fool contributor Tim Beyers in the following video.
One obvious difference is in how films get made. Whereas every Marvel movie is made by Marvel Studios rather than Walt Disney Pictures, Warner Bros. makes every DC movie. By employing its own studio, Marvel has 100% control of how its characters are represented on screen, Tim says.
By contrast, DC is intellectual property for Warner Bros., and film executives make character decisions. Sometimes that works well, as in the case of Christopher Nolan's Batman films. But such wins have been too rare for DC, which has a bounty of great stories to tell, Tim says.
The company might do better to copy the Marvel movie method and create a distinct studio where the most talented storytellers are given the space to develop DC properties. In the meantime, Tim says, don't take action on Time Warner stock.
Instead, look for more integration. Watch how Warner involves the team at DC now that its production deal with Legendary Pictures has come to an end. More collaboration should lead to better films, more valuable franchises, and fatter profits.
