Superhero Smackdown

Forget Marvel. At least that's what the comic book publisher's archenemy, DC Comics' parent company, Warner Bros. Entertainment, is hoping with its announcement that the comic concern will now be known as DC Entertainment. The new division will be overseen by Diane Nelson, who's been at Warner Bros. since 1999 and has overseen the Harry Potter series. Five of the Potter films are among the Top-25 highest-grossing films of all time.

Less than two weeks ago, Disney grabbed headlines by announcing its plan to acquire Marvel, the creator of Spider-Man, Ironman, the Incredible Hulk, and thousands of other characters. Comic book fans were split on whether the $4 billion deal was a good thing or a bad thing, but at the time, illustrator and comic book historian Arlen Schumer told Portfolio.com, "Maybe it means that comics have arrived."

"It’s no secret that DC has myriad rich and untapped possibilities from its deep library of iconic and lesser-known characters,” Alan Horn, president and chief operating office of Warner Bros. Entertainment, boasted in a statement quoted by Edward Wyatt of the New York Times. Those characters include Batman and Superman. 2008's The Dark Knight, the second in a rebooted Batman franchise, made over $1 billion at the box office worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. Watchmen, also based on a DC graphic novel, made $185.2 million internationally this year. Movies based on Superman, the Flash, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern are planned, according to a report on MTV.com.