For The First Time In 16 Years, I’m More Excited About DC’s SDCC Panel Than Marvel’s (2024)

San Diego Comic-Con 2024 is promising to be a huge event for both Marvel and DC, but for the first time since 2008, I'm more excited about the latter. As is the case most years, Comic-Con weekend in July will undoubtedly feature huge updates and reveals. From more information on the upcoming list of Marvel movies to the updates about James Gunn's DCU TV and movie slate, the respective Hall H panels will be chock-full of massive updates from the biggest comic book franchises.

For both Marvel and DC, SDCC 2024 cannot be coming at a better time. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is currently in the midst of a giant overhaul, with only one MCU Marvel movie being released in 2024. As such, SDCC 2024 is the opportune moment for Feige and co. to unveil how - or if - the MCU's issues of late will be rectified going forward. Where DC is concerned, James Gunn's DC Universe is on the near horizon, making Warner Bros DCU Comic-Con panel more exciting than Marvel Studios' for a variety of reasons.

Marvel Has Been The King Of Comic-Con Since 2008

Marvel's Period Of Dominance Cannot Be Understated

When exploring why SDCC 2024 is so huge for DC, it is worth mentioning Marvel's sustained period of supremacy for the last two decades or so. I will admit, at the height of the MCU's powers, I did not care much for DC properties in film. The DCEU was mostly fine, with a few standout projects of quality, but it was the MCU that captured my attention year after year. As evident by the endless $1 billion movies and the Infinity Saga's overwhelming success critically, I was not alone in this belief.

Since 2008 and the beginning of the MCU, Marvel Studios has essentially owned SDCC 2024. Every time Marvel Studios was present at the convention, it was that panel that audiences were looking for. Between 2012 and 2019, when the Infinity Saga was the biggest franchise in the world, announcements about the MCU's Phases 2 and 3 were undoubtedly the most anticipated at SDCC. Even beyond that in 2019 and 2022, Marvel's announcements of the Multiverse Saga and the various Phase 5 projects - no matter how disappointing some turned out - overshadowed most everything else at the convention.

DC’s 2024 Panel Is More Exciting Than Marvel’s

Marvel's Reign Was Always Going To Come To An End

While I will be the first to admit how exciting Marvel's run between 2008 and 2019 was, recent years have seen that excitement wane. For the first time in 16 years, I anticipate DC's 2024 SDCC panel more than Marvel Studios'. Although the beginning of the DCEU was exciting, it quickly became apparent to me after only a few movies that the franchise lacked the same sense of cohesion and creative vision that the MCU possessed for so long.

Now, DC is in the process of building the DCU under James Gunn and Peter Safran's creative direction, giving that side of the comic book world a much-needed sense of unity. This unity will be put on display for all to see at SDCC 2024, with the excitement of a cohesive DC Universe finally being realized after the messy structure, tonal inconsistencies, and endless soft reboots of the DCEU. With Gunn's last proper update about DCU projects coming in January 2023, more details about each upcoming DCU movie announced should be expected at SDCC 2024.

Marvel’s 2024 Comic-Con Panel Has Clouds Hanging Over It

Marvel's Recent Track Record Makes MCU Updates Less Anticipated Than Usual

My excitement about DC's SDCC 2024 presentation largely comes from the promise of the DCU's foundations and creative vision, but it is no secret that Marvel Studios has had its problems of late. These problems are undoubtedly affecting my anticipation of their SDCC 2024 news, to the point where DC's updates are simply more exciting. Since 2019, the MCU has had a mixed reception. While there have been flashes of the old brilliance of the Infinity Saga, many would agree with me when I say Phases 4 and 5 have been tumultuous, to say the least.

This divisive last few years alone are enough to lessen the excitement of Marvel's 2024 SDCC panel, but the projects that will likely be featured also have causes for concern. The films and upcoming MCU TV shows that will likely receive a focus are Agatha All Along, Daredevil: Born Again, Captain America: Brave New World, The Fantastic Four, Blade, Thunderbolts, and the two upcoming Avengers movies. Of these eight projects, only The Fantastic Four and Thunderbolts have been somewhat unburdened by production issues.

I will admit that Agatha All Along's production has been smooth, but the project was deemed unnecessary by many upon its announcement, and it is too far removed from WandaVision for many to care about it all that much anymore. Daredevil: Born Again is still incredibly exciting, but the creative overhaul it recently underwent puts a lot of pressure on the project to be good. Captain America: Brave New World faces a similar Agatha problem in that it is coming too late after The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and the endless reshoots the film has seemingly been privy to also do not ease worries.

Blade has been in a period of development hell since its announcement in 2019, burning through multiple directors, rotating writing teams, and the patience of star Mahershala Ali. Finally, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty has faced issues surrounding Kang actor Jonathan Majors, while it and its sequel - Avengers: Secret Wars - have lost directors and writers since their announcements. As evidenced, Marvel's previously golden track record of smooth productions and coherence is still a thing of the past, giving DC the edge over its rivals for the first time since 2008.

DC’s Comic-Con Panel Could Pay Off An 18-Month-Old James Gunn Promise

Excitement About Existing Projects Aside, DC SDCC 2024 Panel Could Announce Several New Projects

As I have mentioned, the updates that will undoubtedly be provided about Superman, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, The Brave and the Bold, and the many other already-announced DCU projects are one of the many reasons to be hyped about DC's SDCC 2024 panel. However, going even further than that, James Gunn provided a reason to expect more in January 2023. The video posted by Gunn announced the first slate of projects for the DCU's Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters, but an interesting comment made by the filmmaker means SDCC 2024 could see some surprises in store.

Before speaking about the projects initially announced in the video, Gunn states "Now this, what I'm about to tell you, is a part of the first chapter. It's not the entire first chapter..." This is certainly interesting and could be capitalized on at SDCC 2024. Since Gunn's first video, only a Teen Titans movie has been announced that was not part of the original slate. With almost 18 months having passed since then, there is no doubt that more Chapter 1 projects have been developed, with SDCC 2024 being the perfect time to announce them as the future of the DCU.